Reproduction Dome lens possibilities

[Dusty 66]

Since I have the time... I am out of work right now, maybe I can do some of the thing I just never had the time to do.

I am just in the talking stages to a local plastics guy that has a small shop and dose limited runs of obsolete auto parts but has to be small in size but has right plastic and experience reproducing obsolete Dome lights.

So If any body has any interest or Ideas input on this project please let me know I have a early good 58-9/73 fj40 dome lens but I do not have a fj45 lens to make a mold from.

I will be meeting this guy later this week I like to get a rough count so I can git a investment cost witch I can cover for the mold made etc. figure out so I can get a price I,m thinking I'd like to be less $20 each any thoughts ?

I will cross post in the 25,40 and 45 sections Thanks Joe

 

[destin]

pretty dope

where do they mount? were they soft top options?
I think I saw a photo of it on your 1966, but I cannot find it
I think a dome light would be awesome addition to just a map light

Be curious to how you would wire it too

awesome idea man. let me know if you make any!

 

[Dusty 66]

pretty dope

where do they mount? were they soft top options?
I think I saw a photo of it on your 1966, but I cannot find it
I think a dome light would be awesome addition to just a map light

Be curious to how you would wire it too

awesome idea man. let me know if you make any!

I really never discovered exactly where the Room light was located on the 66 FST the OEM heater switch covers the room light location and since the PO had used the light switch wire red with black stripe to wire the aftermarket cigarette lighter....So I just wired It to the battery side of the ignition switch ran it up through the windshield frame thru the insulated hole and drilled and mounted the hard top dome light into the top door bow.

 

[destin]

very cool!

Let me know if you make them, i would be in for a side dome light

 

[Living in the Past]

I really never discovered exactly where the Room light was located on the 66 FST the OEM heater switch covers the room light location and since the PO had used the light switch wire red with black stripe to wire the aftermarket cigarette lighter....So I just wired It to the battery side of the ignition switch ran it up through the windshield frame thru the insulated hole and drilled and mounted the hard top dome light into the top door bow.

Not sure when the light was added to the hard top but I know the soft top models never had a light on the bows until the later models. That was in the bow on the B pillar and the same style as the hard top used. Starting in around 68 the soft top had a light just to the right of the glove box on the dash. It used the same hooded light that was used in the earlier models that was mounted to the bottom of the dash. Your 66 does bring up a interesting point. I have noticed the heater switch bracket covered up the stock location for the under the dash light. So what did Toyota do until they moved the light up to the dash.

Toyota has done things like this before where they made a change that affected something else and took a couple of years to correct it. The one that always comes to mind is in the 60 series. There is a inspection/replacement cover in the floor for the sending unit on the gas tank. But with fuel injection added with the 88 model no plate was added for the fuel pump in the tank. You can run your vehicle without a working sending unit but your dead in the water without a fuel pump.


Could probably used a couple of the early FJ40 dome light covers. The couple I have I'm sure are getting pretty brittle. On my FJ45 it had a good working dome light but I still bought a new OEM one while there were still available. The one I could really use is for the later style. Probably have two or three of these housings around with broken lenses. I think these are thinner then the earlier ones. Never check to see if there are still available.


Edit: Just checked SOR's site. They show the later lens still available for around $20. I would be interested in a couple of FJ45 lens cover if your willing to sell the one housing to go with it.

 

[Dusty 66]

Not sure when the light was added to the hard top but I know the soft top models never had a light on the bows until the later models. That was in the bow on the B pillar and the same style as the hard top used. Starting in around 68 the soft top had a light just to the right of the glove box on the dash. It used the same hooded light that was used in the earlier models that was mounted to the bottom of the dash. Your 66 does bring up a interesting point. I have noticed the heater switch bracket covered up the stock location for the under the dash light. So what did Toyota do until they moved the light up to the dash.

Toyota has done things like this before where they made a change that affected something else and took a couple of years to correct it. The one that always comes to mind is in the 60 series. There is a inspection/replacement cover in the floor for the sending unit on the gas tank. But with fuel injection added with the 88 model no plate was added for the fuel pump in the tank. You can run your vehicle without a working sending unit but your dead in the water without a fuel pump.


Could probably used a couple of the early FJ40 dome light covers. The couple I have I'm sure are getting pretty brittle. On my FJ45 it had a good working dome light but I still bought a new OEM one while there were still available. The one I could really use is for the later style. Probably have two or three of these housings around with broken lenses. I think these are thinner then the earlier ones. Never check to see if there are still available.


Edit: Just checked SOR's site. They show the later lens still available for around $20. I would be interested in a couple of FJ45 lens cover if your willing to sell the one housing to go with it.

John I had to add the red wire to the windshield wiring loom so It was never was there, I saw a later style bows with the later style dome light on the "B" pillar thats is what gave me the Idea

SOR list the early dome lights 1958-9/73 the hard top I have of the about same vintage 66-71 as my 40 had the dome light .

Later ones are available SOR has the the later 1973-10/81 Dome light Lens listed new @ 19.45 each, and used @ $6 each, and the whole unit @ 48.73. so I have no plans to Replicate for now.

Thanks for the INPUT Joe​

 

[Living in the Past]

I know SOR list the light as starting in 58 but I know it really started much later. I doubt the light was available in any corrugated tops. My 68 hard top has the light with the switched above the ashtray if I remember correctly. I added a second light to the passenger's side. Really need to put in a higher wattage lamp. the stock lamp doesn't light up much.

 

[65swb45]

I know SOR list the light as starting in 58 but I know it really started much later. I doubt the light was available in any corrugated tops. My 68 hard top has the light with the switched above the ashtray if I remember correctly.

My thinking on this is similar.