Small Thing - 60 Series '4WD' Emblem Background Colors

[Gretsch]

So my 60 series has a rear 4WD emblem that seems to have a faded blue background color:

It seems that I have seen these emblems with a black background color as well as the blue. I saw a blue one on another root beer colored truck so it seems like a thing.

I would like to restore the emblem some and re-paint it the correct color. I am just trying to figure out if the background color I have is a black emblem, thats so faded as to become a blue color, or if both black and blue colors were used for this through the various model years and my emblem should actually be re-painted blue. Or was blue used for just certain paint colors for some reason. Seems doubtful to me but thought I would check with the braintrust. Seems a new emblem you can get today uses a black background color so not too sure what the deal is. This is perhaps a bit tickey-tackey for this forum I realize, but if I am going to restore the emblem, I wanted to try and make it as period correct as I can. Thanks in advance for any help here.

 

[87CRUSR]

Good question. I have had similar issue with aged 4WD emblems. I suspect original color is black that ages to a blue color but a forum co firmation is warranted. Odd however that I have never seen the same color change occur on the "Land Cruiser" rear fender emblem.

 

[3_puppies]

no idea if it is a year thing or a body color thing.
I have them both ways in the parts bin

 

[Gretsch]

So I may have answered my own question here. Checked out CruiserParts.net and they seem to actually sell both 4WD emblems seen here.

Shot from their site which looks pretty blue to me:

They specify the colors in the description which seems to indicate there were two different options available originally. I guess it could still be simply due to fading but sure looks blue to me in the above shot and would support what @3_puppies has in his stash. Would appreciate any confirmation from the cruiser experts.

 

[3_puppies]

here's a pic of 2 different color tailgate cut outs,

 

[OSS]

The white 86 FJ60 4WD emblem had a blue background. It was always blue. I always thought it was out of place & didn't match anything (except a blue cruiser).

 

[60Works]

I've only ever seen blue on the 4WD badge on a stock Cruiser. Repainted Frankie's black. Personal choice.

The Land Cruiser badges are always black backgrounds.

 

[Gretsch]

The white 86 FJ60 4WD emblem had a blue background. It was always blue. I always thought it was out of place & didn't match anything (except a blue cruiser).

OK then so there really must be a blue version and a black version. I think I am going with blue then in the spirit of originality. I too find it an odd choice. For example, the license plate light on the rear tailgate is chrome with bits painted black. Seems that they would have wanted the 4WD emblem, also on the back, to have a black background to match the license plate light (as well as the rest of the emblems on the truck). But they thought blue looked better on certain finishes I guess? Dunno. I have to admit, that while a strange choice perhaps, I really kinda like it for some reason. Gives my truck a splash of color across all that brown and chrome.

If anyone has a known blue that matches this original blue on the emblem, I would love to know what it is. I imagine something in the testors paint line would be a match, but will have to track that one down. Thanks for the replies all.

 

[KeilOver]

The Blue 4WD was the original color on the badge of my 1987. Interested to see how you refurbish it.

 

[NookShneer]

I was under the impression that color changed with 60/62. @red66toy @Kleatus what color are your 62 4wd badges?

I think I remember picking that up from a thread a while back. Someone described it as a way to dicerne between a 60 and 62 from the back.

Not sure how accurate that is.

 

[89BIGBLUE]

My 62 badge is black.
Imunna have to start looking around town to see what everyone else’s colors are.

 

[red66toy]

I was under the impression that color changed with 60/62. @red66toy @Kleatus what color are your 62 4wd badges?

I think I remember picking that up from a thread a while back. Someone described it as a way to dicerne between a 60 and 62 from the back.

Not sure how accurate that is.

The one on our 62 had a black background. Blue might have looked weird against the factory blue paint.

 

[Kleatus]

I was under the impression that color changed with 60/62. @red66toy @Kleatus what color are your 62 4wd badges?

I think I remember picking that up from a thread a while back. Someone described it as a way to dicerne between a 60 and 62 from the back.

Not sure how accurate that is.

12/88 FJ62. Mine's black.

 

[NookShneer]

Think we found a winner. Anyone rocking a 60 w/a black 4wd badge?

Thanks for the quick responses @red66toy @Kleatus and @89BIGBLUE

 

[Gretsch]

I was under the impression that color changed with 60/62. @red66toy @Kleatus what color are your 62 4wd badges?

I think I remember picking that up from a thread a while back. Someone described it as a way to dicerne between a 60 and 62 from the back.

Not sure how accurate that is.

Well now I feel like an a**clown for posting up if its really that simple.

Here is an 85 for sale. The badge on here looks black to me, but the photo of the badge is not really close enough to tell. Could be either. I swear I have seen black on 60 series, but the 60/62 idea would make some sense. Possible the black ones I have seen have been repainted incorrectly black, or are blue enough as to look black in photos I have seen. Usually the photos are of trucks for sale so its possible folks are just painting them to help with the sale (or getting new OEM ones which are black to replace missing ones). Maybe I am just color-blind and don't know it or maybe its like that internet dress thing that went viral a fews years back and some folks see them as black and some see them as blue .

At any rate, it seems at the very least this thread has confirmed that there is definitely a blue version and a black one, and the one I have is most likely a faded blue one. Thanks all for the help as always.

 

[OSS]

Unless your cruiser is absolutely stock with the original mirrors and chrome wheels AND the tiny 225/75R15 tires, there's no point in gunning for the factory emblem color. The blue looks like crap. Paint it black. Or better yet, buy a black one. Painting it any color might not look so hot either.

 

[Gretsch]

I am going to try to paint it initially and if it turns out crappy, I'll source a new emblem. I personally don't mind the blue but can see where it wouldn't be for everyone. My truck is pretty well stock, with all the original bits mentioned above so I'll try to paint it and see where it goes.

 

[3_puppies]

checked my 88 and it is blue, forgot to look at the 89 parts rig.

 

[Gretsch]

So I went ahead and tried my hand at restoring the 4WD emblem on my rig. Used a Testors Dark Blue paint pen to get it done. The color when it goes on is maybe slightly lighter than the original but the fact that its all the same color and no longer faded splotchy blue is an improvement. The cap on the pen is actually a much better match than the paint itself when first putting it on. It looks a little more Electric than Navy in my opinion but the fact its all the same make it look better. Hoping it darkens some as it dries. Anyway close enough for now.

Before:

After:

Pen I used in case anyone is interested:

Thanks all for the replies.

 

[Shes Mad]

I tried to order a blue one for my 87, but it was superseded to black