Transporting a Hardtop FJ40 - what will it fit in?

[brooklyn]

Hi all,

I have found a hardtop for my fj40 - 1967 and need to pick it up in a rental van..uhaul. The fj40 is currently pulled apart so I can drive up an put it on the fj 40. The top is about 125 miles away from me and the per mile fee from Uhaul is about 1.79/mile or $223.00 plus - the small box van.

My question is, would the top fit in a the regular cargo van (Back door opening: 4'8" x 4'1" (WxH))?

I am thinking it won't, but if some has done it....i then could rent a cheaper van.

let me know...

 

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

Take the sides and back off and the top Shell measurement 64 inches by 81 inches. I measured out your height and width then did an angle measurement and came out to 73 inches diaganol. You should be ok for fitting it in the door, the depth is obviously something to consider. I think you'll be ok

 

[74fjsemistock]

It will definatly fit in something big enough.Go big or go homeTops are over-rated.Take it off and fab a 6 point...Pull the big truck behind you.

 

[gladly]

just rent a pickup, and then you get rid of the height problem
You'd have to take the top apart to get it in the van, and even then it'd be a PITA to pack it all in

 

[Munday]

"just rent a pickup"

X2

 

[brooklyn]

Measurements

Thanks for the measurements, I didn't want to take the top apart as it is in good shape. So, it looks like a box truck - tops don't come easy or cheap on the East Coast. I just have to find the best deal on the mileage. At least I am getting all the doors, which I can sell off to compensate for the truck costs.

 

[gladly]

or a pickup

 

[x3inchesx]

Another option is to rent a small flatbed trailer if you have something to tow with. Something 4x8 will fit the hardtop, preferably flat would be easiest. I'm sure it would be cheaper to rent it than even a cargo van or box truck.

I use a snowbear 4x8 utility trailer to move my hardtop. It has raised sides so I need to put some 2x4s under the hardtop to keep it stable and I strap it down to keep it steady. I can tow it with my 80 no problems but I don't normally drive with the trailer over 55 mph.

 

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

If you are not going to disassemble it to truck it, you'd better strap that son of a bitch down good. That thing will fly up on you like a boat sail. That could be messy!

 

[Fiberglass40]

I'd rent a pick up and put is on TOP of the bed. Take some 2 x 4 lumber and make some rails across the top of the bed to set the top on. The strap the SOB down VERY well.

 

[dgangle]

For that kind of coin, why not drive the 40 there, put it on with a few bolts and drive it back? Sounds like a big hassle.

 

[Bull22]

Yeah I second strapping it down. I hauled a john boat upside down on my pickup once the front of the boat rested on the cab. Wind caught it and it broke my little ropes and it must have gone 20 feet in the air before it came crashing down on the road.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Morning.......
I just did this a couple months ago with my 89' Chevy G20 regular sized van. Took the top completely apart and it fit in quite nicely. The top balance over the wheel wells. That trip for me was about 300 miles. LOOK INTO >>BUDGET-RENTAL<< if you have one near by. They have no trip/mile fee.. Just bring the beast back with a full tank.

 

[gladly]

For that kind of coin, why not drive the 40 there, put it on with a few bolts and drive it back? Sounds like a big hassle.

Hi all,

The fj40 is currently pulled apart so I can drive up an put it on the fj 40.

^---- I think that this was supposed to read can't

 

[cdubatl]

Hi - I'm picking up a fj40 this week and using a uhaul autotrailer. The owner also has a hard top that I may pick up as well but won't know for certain until I see it. The FJ40 has some type of rigged soft top on it that won't easily remove since they have wiring all through it. If I decide to get the hard top is it possible to strap it upside down to the roof of the vehicle I'm hauling it with? Is it possible to pad it enough so it doesn't get damaged or tie it down enough with motorcycle straps so it doesn't fly off? I'm hauling it with a '13 LC200 so it'll be quite a sight going down the road...

 

[Living in the Past]

If the top is worth getting would take the time to remove the wiring which I don't understand how it could be complicated with wiring in a soft top. No factory wiring except a light on later 40s would in a soft top. Question would be is there any type of aftermarket roll cage that would prevent hard top from fitting. If the hard top fits and on decent shape would figure a way to get it. Even just a few bolt and ratchet straps will secure a top. Even before I joined mud someone posted a picture of me transporting a FST FJ25 with a mid seventies hard top on it. They were comments making fun of the ratchet straps. But hard top made the hundred and fifty mile trip just fine.

 

[tls3601]

I transported the fiberglass top in the back of a pickup, strap it down very well and drive on the slow end.

 

[1969FJ]

Hi - I'm picking up a fj40 this week and using a uhaul autotrailer. The owner also has a hard top that I may pick up as well but won't know for certain until I see it. The FJ40 has some type of rigged soft top on it that won't easily remove since they have wiring all through it. If I decide to get the hard top is it possible to strap it upside down to the roof of the vehicle I'm hauling it with? Is it possible to pad it enough so it doesn't get damaged or tie it down enough with motorcycle straps so it doesn't fly off? I'm hauling it with a '13 LC200 so it'll be quite a sight going down the road...

Using a Uhaul Auto transport is fine. Just remember if there are big tires on the FJ40, the straps on the front wheels may not reach the ratchet device to hold down. You will have to get your own straps to somehow hold the extra hardtop to the FJ40, Unless the hardtop is in pieces.

 

[cdubatl]

Thanks all. Great advice all around!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

@toomanytoyzz can vouch for strapping down a hardtop!