WHAT IS IT? Calling Living in the Past

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murf

murf

Lifer
10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Threads
412
Messages
10,555
Location
Scottsdale, Arizona
John, I need some help here. One of our clients purchased this 1960 FJ25 and somone implanted a deisel into it.

According to the Vin it is a FJ25 but the light markers, etc look like an import. Supposedly from Puerto Rico. What do you (or others) think?


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Is it the original tub? Are those 70 series turn signals? Cute little engine...

BTW... $19,000! Ummmkay.
 
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No the tub is not original. Don't believe anything other then the VIN plate is still there. Pretty much the same as the Icon from TLC in CA. I know TLC has a way of having DMV okay the frame change. Believe the early Icons had the original frame. When I was over there in 08 they were already making their own frames. They still require the VIN plate(s), title and frame from the old cruiser to be 100% sure someone else doesn't buy a repo VIN plate and build another cruiser using the original frame. Last thing they want is another cruiser out there with the same VIN. Believe part of the reason for new frame is they claim the old one is damaged beyond repair. Won't be good to have the original frame still in use. How they got a title on this suppose FJ25 may be along the same lines except believe this was all done out of the country. Personally don't see a issue here in AZ. Years ago a visual inspection was required of vehicle coming in from other states. In 2008 when I titled my mom's Highlander coming from Nevada a inspection was required. Last year when I bought my 99 4Runner from a military family it had Oregon plates. When I got in line for the inspection after waiting for fifteen minutes for someone to show up at the desk inside I was told it wasn't needed. Only emissions if I was registering in a part of the state requiring emissions. If it has a title from another state won't be a problem unless emission required. That might create some problems, biggest being it's diesel. Probably why they used a FJ25 title for the conversion.
 
no VIN plate on this vehicle actually but the Rf frame stamping is there as a FJ25. Agreed on the later model FJ40 tub and 4 spd transmission too. The roll bar is out of a mini truck and modified to reach the floorboard. the steering column is out of a newer Toyota (FJ62 im guessing? says landcrusier on the steering pad.)

I think 1960 is exempt from emissions. Cute little cruiser for beachcombing but rumor has it that it might be used as the "bugout" vehicle...
 
Hey Murf I think it's from Dubai or somewhere in that area. Check out this article, there's a very similar vehicle in the pictures. Same doors and turn signals, etc.

TLCA.ORG old cruiser

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It's a piece together cruiser. The tub with a gas door opens to the side and not down makes it newer then 78. Same with the flange that runs all the way down thru the running board on the A pillar. Because it has a vent in the cowl it can from a country the didn't get heaters in late 40 series. The doors are made from pre 75 with those door handles. If it really still a FJ25 frame (picture in the eBay auction shows FJ25 rear spring hanger which is different) the springs were different than the FJ40.The FJ25 ended production in 1960. These were made for a few more years in Brazil but not called FJ25. The turn signals off a 70 series is very common in Central and South America.
 
Lock out hubs on a FJ25 would be the same as any other coarse spline hubs for a Land Cruisers. I think the inner axles may cross over for the first couple of years of FJ40 production that's about it for the running gear for everything behind the engine. Even the bellhousing is different. Springs were also different which means none of the aftermarket FJ40 springs will work. The eBay auction did not have any clear pictures of the diffs but those were different as well. The shaft on the pinion is much longer. Brakes only had one wheel cylinder unlike the FJ40 that the drums had two until 8/80. The steering arms are straighter and even the FJ40 disc brake wheels would clear the tie rod ends. Found this out when I bought my second one in Oregon and the wheels I brought along to use wouldn't fit. Towed it back on old rotted bias tires. The wheels are 16" which meant I would have needed to buy new tires. My guess is the frame and springs are all that is left from the original FJ25.

As for a bug out vehicle I think I would use something with a hard top and probably a simple F engine. Not sure diesel will be that much easier to find or make. Could probably get a old F to run on alcohol as easy as running a diesel on bio diesel. Neither will be fast. While fuel was still available I would rather have the power of the six cylinder gas over four cylinder diesel. Adding a super charger would help be would defeat the idea of keeping it simple. The gas engine will also be quieter than a diesel. Just my .02 on the subject.
 
Is that pre air bag 80 series steering wheel? I picked up a 94 leather 80 series steering wheel over fifteen years ago with the plan to use in my truck some day. At some point I'll have to check clearance compared to the late 40 series steering wheel. 40 series is wider but closer to the dash. Murf did you happen to sit inside and see what the clearance there was?

Wouldn't call myself a end of worlder but rather someone who wheels alone most the time where simple is easier to fit if it does break. Because I like to travel to the forest as quiet as possible I like the gas. My 68 running in low range at low RPM the springs are the noisiest thing you hear.
 
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