TP Auto Parts Store -- Complete Sets of FJ40/FJ45 (72-78/79 - 83) Body Parts and Assemblies (1 Viewer)

[Living in the Past]

This information is pretty much correct.

The protectionism of the late 1970’s/80s in the auto industry was intense. Full of vitriol and hate towards the Japanese—especially Toyota.

To mitigate this as well as heavy taxation on CBUs, Toyota set up TABC: Toyota Auto Body, California which was tasked with manufacturing truck beds for the US market.

Trucks were manufactured at Tahara Plant as cab-chassis and shipped over, TABC basically had their sheet metal plant on the Long Beach port so trucks came in and beds attached.

That occurred through the mid-1990’s until the introduction of the Tacoma and the transfer of truck manufacture to the NUMMI plant.

Then complete trucks were fully assembled in the US.

So Toyota was selling pickups in the US with two different beds at the same time? The American made bed doesn't surprise me but selling two different style beds in the same market at the same time does.

Been driving FJ40s since 1974 and understand hate towards the Japanese by getting plenty of driving a Jap vehicle comments years ago. Interesting how the big three lobbied against Japanese imports. All the while the big three were selling Japanese made small trucks. Chevy Luv, Ford Courier, Dodge Ram and Plymouth Arrow.

 

[65swb45]

Been driving FJ40s since 1974 and understand hate towards the Japanese by getting plenty of driving a Jap vehicle comments years ago. Interesting how the big three lobbied against Japanese imports. All the while the big three were selling Japanese made small trucks. Chevy Luv, Ford Courier, Dodge Ram and Plymouth Arrow.

A couple of years ago we could have had a robust discussion about American hypocrisy on this forum.

Not any more.

 

[sogncab]

A couple of years ago we could have had a robust discussion about American hypocrisy on this forum.

Not any more.

50 years ago, different attitudes towards countries that surprise bombed one of our ports, versus today as well. Probably not many people left that experienced that first hand.

 

[archie73]

OP, sorry for the hijack. I hope your venture is a success, and that you remain open to feedback from this forum. There will always be a few who will be hyper-critical. But by and large, it’s a good crowd.

I think this sums it up nicely.

 

[OGBeno]

So Toyota was selling pickups in the US with two different beds at the same time? The American made bed doesn't surprise me but selling two different style beds in the same market at the same time does.

I’m finding this difficult to support with any empirical data. Toyota manufacturing history says little about incomplete built units (ICUs) and their co-built/serialized beds to mate when arrived into US. I’m not sure it’s accurate.

That wouldn’t make sense. Toyota Auto Body has spent hundreds of millions of “today dollars” over the years at the TABC plant when the system was an ICU import logic. The trucks weren’t CKDs. The ICU designation is more apt overall.

 

[suzuguru]

I don't have any sources to back up my thoughts on that, and I could be wrong. It's just the story I've heard most of my life. The ones with the flat bed sides that typically rusted out, I always heard referred to as 'American beds'. The ones with the lip running along the top of the bed sides, the tie down points down each side, and the ones that didn't typically rust out, I always heard referred to as 'Japanese beds'. Another difference between the 2 bed types, was the way they latched closed. The 'American bed' had a typical tailgate latch in the center. The 'Japanese bed' had throw latches on each side like the FJ45 beds.

 

[JohnnyC]

Here’s a picture from Atlas Fabricators in 74/75? From toyota global … short time later becoming LBF … then TMM then TABC

 

[OGBeno]

Yup. Johnny’s on it.

 

[suzuguru]

Great picture! I can clearly see the beds we referred to as ‘Japanese’ beds. So this information must have been wrong. So that begs the question…. Why the 2 styles? One would think that the ones above would have been an older style. However, I’ve seen several instances of the same year model trucks with both styles of beds. I’ve seen the above style beds on trucks as late as 1988. (at least 2wd, anyway)

 

[JohnnyC]

I think confusion is in Atlas had two plants … Long Beach and manufacturing in Kentucky

Atlas in LB became Long Beach Fabricators.... eventually they call it TABC … Kentucky became TMM ? Also making beds but atlas also exists because T only wanted the fabrication of the beds. Atlas was a bigger company then they needed and bought their fabricators division.

Seems kinda wishy washy what became what … if i get time at work I'll see/read more

86’ TMM became TMMK as other plants were being build as well … Canada TMMC … later come TMMI

In order to not derail the OP's thread further.... i'll post up a bit of this more in the historical section (25's)

see link: Atlas Fabricators Inc. of Long beach aka the first Toyota Production facility in the North America. - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/atlas-fabricators-inc-of-long-beach-aka-the-first-toyota-production-facility-in-the-north-america.1304668/

Yup. Johnny’s on it.

He he he

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Here’s a picture from Atlas Fabricators in 74/75? From toyota global … short time later becoming LBF

These are Hilux beds, aren't they?

 

[middlecalf]

What the hell is with that box... somebody shoot it and put it out of its miserly

Looks like it’s to accommodate stake bed sides.

 

[jembourbe]

On track: These parts, if offered at the rates on the corporate site, could be a gamechanger.

 

[tpclassic]

I just talked to one of the production people and he said they were following pretty much the original part thickness. But he will confirm it once they are back to work on Monday. I will keep you guys posted.

About the part thickness: the answer back to me is that all parts we made were following the same thickness as the original parts from the sample car. I cross my fingers hopping all the parts from the sample car are original.

One more things I lost track of it, and I need help: One person asked me about this part in picture. The answer I got was: Yes we have but we weld it together on the fender (or rocker panel depending on how you call it). Please see the picture. We are going to have two people flying over next month before the store opening, and I will ask them to hand carry at least a set of it. Please inform the guy who initiated this topic -- thanks for help!

 

[Living in the Past]

About the part thickness: the answer back to me is that all parts we made were following the same thickness as the original parts from the sample car. I cross my fingers hopping all the parts from the sample car are original.

One more things I lost track of it, and I need help: One person asked me about this part in picture. The answer I got was: Yes we have but we weld it together on the fender (or rocker panel depending on how you call it). Please see the picture. We are going to have two people flying over next month before the store opening, and I will ask them to hand carry at least a set of it. Please inform the guy who initiated this topic -- thanks for help!

View attachment 3234987

View attachment 3234988

The piece between the fender and hood is called the apron. Rocker is the section below the side doors.

 

[Chilkoot]

Echoing the part thickness stuff. There was a YouTube video of a land cruiser specialist based in Australia I think that did a review of these doors purchased from Alibaba. He weighed them and compared to the original and they were within a few lbs of each other. IIRC the original doors they weighed still had all the inside components without the glass. So it should be very close to original thickness at least on the doors.

 

[tpclassic]

The piece between the fender and hood is called the apron. Rocker is the section below the side doors.

Thank you. Btw, did anyone call the fender “fender flare”?

 

[Living in the Past]

Thank you. Btw, did anyone call the fender “fender flare”?

In the US a fender flare was something added to extend the width. Sounds more British or possible Australian possible calling a fender a flare.

 

[JohnnyC]

JDM oem metal fender flares:

JDM OEM Fender flares

All Japan market 40s after October 1981 had OEM fender flares (61631-90800 and 61633-90800). There are no bolts on the scheme. Does anyone know the material & fixation method? Detailed photos are also appreciated. Didn't find it in a FAQ :( Thanks!

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Living in the Past]

JDM oem metal fender flares:

JDM OEM Fender flares

All Japan market 40s after October 1981 had OEM fender flares (61631-90800 and 61633-90800). There are no bolts on the scheme. Does anyone know the material & fixation method? Detailed photos are also appreciated. Didn't find it in a FAQ :( Thanks!

forum.ih8mud.com

As I remember these were welded onto an enlarged wheel opening not decreasing the size of the opening correct? Would be a popular item if a shop made them to OEM specs and included a couple inches of the side panel. Not a fan of rear wheel wells being cut. These would be a clean option of repairing the wheel well and still run larger tires.