Build The Monkey is Back

[Chamba]

I had the same console in my Scrambler and really liked it. I've been putting off buying it because in my troop carrier, I had to do a six inch box with the 4Runner seat, which is annoying.

But when I found these seats- and they're a bit narrower for the Bronco- I could use the eight inch center console. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

I wanted to install them, though, and measure to make sure.

 

[knuckle47]

@Chamba how does this affect the seat belt clip thing?

 

[Chamba]

@Chamba how does this affect the seat belt clip thing?

It bolts under the console, or really right at the edge of it. I have new seatbelts coming from Summit tomorrow so I'll post a picture once they are in. (I've got matching tobacco brown leather I'm going to recover the black arm rest pad with, so I'll post that up too.)

The console has these webbing straps on each side designed to keep the seatbelt in one place and prevent it getting trapped between the seat and the console.

 

[Chamba]

Good progress today. Top back on, factory weather stripping in place (much better fit than the Paki method of double stick tape), speaker wires run under the marine carpet and seat heaters installed

After my next trip I should have the doors back on, the stereo wiring done and it should be ready for @cruisermatt.

Sadly, the side windows will just be taped-on plastic though as I continue my search for slider frames (two swings and two misses thus far). I may wind up just doing pre-'77 side glass, but I'll be quite sad to lose my sliders.

 

[Living in the Past]

Probably not idea but if you can't find the sliders I would add the vent window to the top before having a dead air space behind the front seats. Did it to my 68 over forty years ago.

I'm curious about what audio system your putting in? How many speakers? One of the biggest questions is where to mount the amplifier. 1/79 lost the space under the driver's seat.

 

[Chamba]

I put those vents in my cousin's '73 and they were great. But I had an extensive parts collection back then. Now it's easier to cut glass to fit.

For now just 6" speakers in the rear run off the Pioneer CD player I just got (same one in my Camaro, so my brain already has it all figured out). Once the roll bar is done though I'll do 6x9 rear and move the 6" speakers to a sound bar in the roll bar. No amp as I'm usually just listening to a live Grateful Dead CD (I have about 1,000 shows on CD) just as background music.

 

[Chamba]

Slow progress on this trip home as my son has being home from school with a sore throat and flu- like symptoms. But I have been able to get the doors back on and the centre console permanently mounted.

I am very impressed with the new hinges. Between those and the rebuilt limiters and new weather strip and latches, I doubt these doors have closed this well since 1982.

I've got another 5 day trip tomorrow. When I get back from that one I will try and get the ambulance doors on and button up a few small items. Then she is basically weather tight ( with heavy sheet plastic covering the side windows, of course) and ready for @cruisermatt if he can take her yet.

I also need to take my trailer to the dump as the parts in it are getting more and more patina by the day.

 

[Chamba]

And so much patina....

 

[Living in the Past]

Seems ashame to toss those seats. Just hinges, latches, handles and handle covers would be worth keeping unless totally trashed

 

[Chamba]

I've taken off all the plastic covers, but the metal frames have been welded to within an inch of their life and they really smell awful.

 

[Chamba]

Feeling a bit annoyed about my 43 still not being drivable. So I stopped by the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum for some inspiration.

On the one hand it made me wish I'd bought the red BJ46 I passed on due to some rust issues @Mike Shull , but on the other hand I was reminded why I love these vehicles so much.

 

[Chamba]

OCD satiated. I have some orange model paint I used to paint the speedometer needle on one of my 40 clusters which is perfect for the unlocked indicator on the door latch..... but I've got the organisational skills of a rabid magpie and can't find it. So I'll eventually get that sorted.

Door cards @a1500ram and vapour barrier next. Almost a perfect match. @GA Architect

Still no side window frames yet... but at least the latches will look nice on my freshly tinted Toyota slider windows: nothing like putting the cart before the horse I always say...... this may wind up being the nicest looking 43 which doesn't run anywhere in the US.

 

[Living in the Past]

I love the color of the seats and door panels. Would be perfect with the mustard color. Just too bad someone doesn't make seat covers for the factory seats. Could use the same buckets seats but prefer the jump seats in the back.

this may wind up being the nicest looking 43 which doesn't run anywhere in the US.

Remember not too long ago someone saying this to me in a message.

"never restore something to perfection because you will never enjoy driving it again"

I consider these words of wisdom.

Some years ago a1500ram was looking for someone willing to drill holes in their ambulance doors to mount door cards. Since my ambulance doors off of a wrecked 84 HJ47RV and were never going to be perfect had no problem drilling holes. Now have set of free doors. Bought the doors (which were very reasonable) to match. If the doors were perfect would have had to think about it.

 

[Chamba]

I learnt my lesson with my '83 NAS FJ40....I think. But then I often wish I was wise enough to listen to my own advice.

I'm restoring this to use, but I want to start with it at a good level. The rig was 'restored' so poorly that it'll never be so nice I can't use it.

After I finished my Scrambler, a lot of folks said it was too nice to drive. And folks often commented they were suprised I drove it when it was bucketing down with rain. But that's when it's most fun to drive it here, given its the closest thing to snow we get.

 

[Living in the Past]

I learnt my lesson with my '83 NAS FJ40....I think.

I'm restoring this to use, but I want to start with it at a good level. The rig was 'restored' so poorly that it'll never be so nice I can't use it.

After I finished my Scrambler, a lot of folks said it was too nice to drive. And folks often commented they were suprised I drove it when it was bickering down with rain. But that's when it's most fun to drive it here, given its the closest thing to snow we get.

I do like the weatherstripping you used between the side of the cowl and windshield. Not so much for rain but dust here in AZ. Today more likely to have a monsoon storm with dust and no rain. My first 40 was a used 68 bought in 1974 which was probably one I should have past on. The term rode hard and put up wet fit it well. Oneof the strangest was driving in a dry snow and getting fine flakes in my eyes. It had no weatherstripping between the windshield and top. Fine flakes were being forced thru. Early on learned the value of good weatherstripping.

 

[Chamba]

That's factory 'packing' from Toyota @Living in the Past. My LX had it from the factory, as did several of the Troopies I bought in Australia. It seems to me that 40 series without the windshield pad/hooks on the hood from Toyota (LXs, 47 troopy hard tops, BJ46 hardtops, etc) have that packing. Perhaps because Toyota didn't anticipate that the screen would ever be folded down given there was no plinth for it.

 

[Chamba]

I love the color of the seats and door panels. Would be perfect with the mustard color. Just too bad someone doesn't make seat covers for the factory seats. Could use the same buckets seats but prefer the jump seats in the back.

I vastly prefer the jump seats, but this was a far cheaper option for the time being. Eventually I'll recover the jump seats to match, but I'll want to find '72 or '73 fj40 jump seats so they'll fit between my roll bar. I've kept the original ones, but they are stuffed with the same blankets the front seats were.

 

[pb4ugo]

There's a new ad you might be interested in.

SOLD Thread 'Fj40, 43, 47, sliding rear windows'

Apr 8, 2026

I have two good drivers side and a pass side with some rust. Overall good shape and a fun project. Will require a seal kit available at cityracer. Glass solid and all locks and catches operate. These are pretty hard to come by and have been sitting in an old troopy top for along time! This is a great airflow upgrade for an fj40!! $200 each , or $500 for all 3 plus shipping located in California..

• whitey45
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Classifieds - Body/Exterior/Armor

 

[sadovnik]

I do like the weatherstripping you used between the side of the cowl and windshield. Not so much for rain but dust here in AZ. Today more likely to have a monsoon storm with dust and no rain. My first 40 was a used 68 bought in 1974 which was probably one I should have past on. The term rode hard and put up wet fit it well. Oneof the strangest was driving in a dry snow and getting fine flakes in my eyes. It had no weatherstripping between the windshield and top. Fine flakes were being forced thru. Early on learned the value of good weatherstripping.

City Racer sells those pieces in case you're interested >> Packing Spacer

 

[knuckle47]

I have these “spacers” in my stuff when I ordered parts a few yrs back when I had acquired my 40. Are they glued on ?