When did the FJ40 trucks switch to bucket seats instead of bench seats? (1 Viewer)

[mrjordann]

Hello! I am new to the forum, I hope I am posting in the right place.

So I am looking at a 1973 FJ40 to buy. It has bucket seats, but I want to put bench seats in it. When did they switch to bucket seats style? Would they be original in a 1973 truck, or can I replace them with bench seats? (I want whatever is original, but I'm hoping it's the bench seats.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[thebigredrocker]

This mudder is knowlegable

In Australia it may have come with a 40/60 split bench seat. North America had buckets starting with the 73 model 40 series but many still got the split bench seats. By 78 guessing headrests were at least a option if not standard in the Australian market.

 

[thebigredrocker]

According to Living in the past 73's came with retractable seabelts.

 

[Jdc1]

Hello! I am new to the forum, I hope I am posting in the right place.

So I am looking at a 1973 FJ40 to buy. It has bucket seats, but I want to put bench seats in it. When did they switch to bucket seats style? Would they be original in a 1973 truck, or can I replace them with bench seats? (I want whatever is original, but I'm hoping it's the bench seats.)

Thanks in advance!

Buckets started 10/1972. It's also when the underseat toolbox disappeared and the radio cutout and steering column ignition switch were added, along with a few other changes

 

[brian]

yeap. us trucks, the 73 model year saw buckets replace the bench.

 

[mrjordann]

This mudder is knowlegable

According to Living in the past 73's came with retractable seabelts.

oh, that sounds good. Although, unfortunately, I assume retractable seat belts didn't work with bench seats.

 

[mrjordann]

yeap. us trucks, the 73 model year saw buckets replace the bench.

Thanks. Do you know anything about releasing both bench AND bucket seats in that year? I heard they had two versions.

 

[thebigredrocker]

I've seen some bench seat pop up in classifeds, some sellers want them gone and to a good home. I'll ping you if I see any.

 

[mrjordann]

Buckets started 10/1972. It's also when the underseat toolbox disappeared and the radio cutout and steering column ignition switch were added, along with a few other changes

Radio cutout is great to know.

By "10/1972", did you mean October of 1972? If so, did they release ANY bench seats past 10/1972? Thx

 

[mrjordann]

I've seen some bench seat pop up in classifeds, some sellers want them gone and to a good home. I'll ping you if I see any.

Thanks! I'd love to throw a bench seat in, but I don't really want to if they never had benches in that year.

 

[Jdc1]

Radio cutout is great to know.

By "10/1972", did you mean October of 1972? If so, did they release ANY bench seats past 10/1972? Thx

Yes date of manufacture October 1972. The South American 40s had bench seats alot later than the US spec. A challenge to put the bench seat into a 1973, is that the drivers side mounts to the toolbox. Anything can be accomplished with enough time or money or both. Good Luck.

 

[JohnnyC]

You need a nonusa front bench seat from a 73-78 model 40 to make it easy on ya

 

[O906]

My 43 has the 40/60 bench seat with no tool box. I'm guessing they kept bench seats in a lot longer for non-US models.

 

[JohnnyC]

My 43 has the 40/60 bench seat with no tool box. I'm guessing they kept bench seats in a lot longer for non-US models.

Bench seats went all the way to the end... however ... he needs to find one from 73-78 because it was with incab tank and will bolt right up... later model cruisers you'll still need to do modifications to fit it

 

[Hilux safari]

These are the original 40/60 bench seats in my '77 BJ40. Japanese RHD model and strangely the bucket seat is on the passenger side. Makes sense for the tool box perspective, but leave the driver side fixed as the bench seat cannot slide back. I swapped the two sides and put the bucket seat on a slider on the driver side, but now the bench part no longer lifts for accessing the tool box. Don't mind it though.

 

[Living in the Past]

Would be interested in seeing what tool box in your 77 has. Tool box went away with the 73 model in North American market.

 

[mdsims]

These are the original 40/60 bench seats in my '77 BJ40. Japanese RHD model and strangely the bucket seat is on the passenger side. Makes sense for the tool box perspective, but leave the driver side fixed as the bench seat cannot slide back. I swapped the two sides and put the bucket seat on a slider on the driver side, but now the bench part no longer lifts for accessing the tool box. Don't mind it though.

View attachment 1461590

Interesting for sure. When the bench seats continued on in other markets, they must have added headrests. My 71 does not have headrests, which is the only issue I have with these seats. Makes you feel a little exposed when you think of getting into an accident.

 

[O906]

Interesting for sure. When the bench seats continued on in other markets, they must have added headrests. My 71 does not have headrests, which is the only issue I have with these seats. Makes you feel a little exposed when you think of getting into an accident.

My 78 Columbian 43 has bench seats an no head rest.

 

[lc69hunter]

I took my 40-60 bench seats out of the 69 FJ-40, and installed them into a 72 tub. They bolted right up, though I had to do a little jury rigging as to spacers.

 

[Hilux safari]

Would be interested in seeing what tool box in your 77 has. Tool box went away with the 73 model in North American market.

I wish I had a tool box! I'm thinking of making one of those roll up toll bags for under the seat. I have the brackets for the tie down rubber string. But will have to figure something for the bottle jack and other bigger items.