Why is a '69 so "special"
- Thread starter dtrain
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I've got a 69 and I thought the 68 was the unique pig (due to the side turn signals). I get confused on how long these turn signals lasted into 69 or are they discontinued in Dec. 68?
I know many love the window vents on the early rigs. I had always driven early Ford p/u's so I was long used to this luxury for summer ventilation.
There are many who consider the later models with A/C and power steering to be utopia but I've always owned old junkers so these luxuries would probably cause me to drive off the road
edit: forgot to mention the cool factor of the lights on the grill too (when working)
I know many love the window vents on the early rigs. I had always driven early Ford p/u's so I was long used to this luxury for summer ventilation.
There are many who consider the later models with A/C and power steering to be utopia but I've always owned old junkers so these luxuries would probably cause me to drive off the road
edit: forgot to mention the cool factor of the lights on the grill too (when working)
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- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks for the info romegadave! Been reading through some threads and kept seeing comments that particular year.
Here is a pic of my piggy... I believe I have a '70 (registered as a '70) but have had comments that its a '69. What say the guru's? Remember seeing a thread that tells you how to breakdown the VIN... doing that right now.
Here is a pic of my piggy... I believe I have a '70 (registered as a '70) but have had comments that its a '69. What say the guru's? Remember seeing a thread that tells you how to breakdown the VIN... doing that right now.
I have not heard this reference to the 69's as being special
As Romegadave has mentioned...the early grill with integrated lights, reflectors on the fenders/rear 1/4's? and possibly unique turn signals seem to be the main unique aspects of these initial pigs(there is also the presence of different style of steering wheel?). The non-boosted, single circuit master brake cylinder certainly is not a bonus. I have found that, out of the numerous early to late pigs that I have bought, pilfered from or observed......that the body metal of the earlier 55's appears to be less prone to rust. I am partial to my column shifting 71, but I have a less rusted, but gutted 70 hiding in the shadows. All pigs are "special."
Dtrain - how about some current images of your altered 69
As Romegadave has mentioned...the early grill with integrated lights, reflectors on the fenders/rear 1/4's? and possibly unique turn signals seem to be the main unique aspects of these initial pigs(there is also the presence of different style of steering wheel?). The non-boosted, single circuit master brake cylinder certainly is not a bonus. I have found that, out of the numerous early to late pigs that I have bought, pilfered from or observed......that the body metal of the earlier 55's appears to be less prone to rust. I am partial to my column shifting 71, but I have a less rusted, but gutted 70 hiding in the shadows. All pigs are "special." Dtrain - how about some current images of your altered 69
I have heard this. I know that mine is a 68' at least in production year. The side apron style turn signals are unique for sure. The grill also has some running lights that i think were only around for a year or so. Not really sure but I thought the only real difference were the apron style turn signals but I may be wrong.
Very nice.........I wonder if LC_Hamma has seen this yet? Looks like it could chew up some earth!!!!
- Thread starter
- #7
All great info guys... thanks!
Been looking for that thread that talked about breaking down the VIN but cant find it. My VIN: FJ5513736 (just in case anyone is an expert
)
Another thing I found... there was a donor 55 that I had access to for a while and it was registered as a '69. Had a really nice grill with perfect headlight rings. Pulled it and was going to swap it onto my truck. The tabs didnt line up at all
Im sure decoding the VIN would tell the story. Im guessing this has to do with production dates and probably a "cusp" piggy where it inherited some '69 and '70 stuff.
Either way... I still love her and yes... they are all "special"
Just trying to get her history.
Been looking for that thread that talked about breaking down the VIN but cant find it. My VIN: FJ5513736 (just in case anyone is an expert
)Another thing I found... there was a donor 55 that I had access to for a while and it was registered as a '69. Had a really nice grill with perfect headlight rings. Pulled it and was going to swap it onto my truck. The tabs didnt line up at all
Im sure decoding the VIN would tell the story. Im guessing this has to do with production dates and probably a "cusp" piggy where it inherited some '69 and '70 stuff.
Either way... I still love her and yes... they are all "special"
Just trying to get her history.
- Thread starter
- #8
how about some current images of your altered 69
I have a link to some basic pics in my sig... of course the piggy is always under construction (purists beware). Im not really happy with how shabby the sheet metal looks right now but it was inherited that way. Other things came first to make her reliable. Im no metal artist but plan to tackle the rust section by section and make the inside presentable. I will be looking for some interior pieces soon. Hoping to pull her into the garage this winter and do some cleanup.
I believe you can go to Specter Off Road's site www.sor.com
and there is a section for looking up the VIN.........otherwise someone will be along to help out. My 69 had the year stamped on the door plate but the month was rubbed out.
and there is a section for looking up the VIN.........otherwise someone will be along to help out. My 69 had the year stamped on the door plate but the month was rubbed out.
Doesn't your truck also have some weird rear seat mounts?
Cruiserguy, that is very true. I forgot about that one. I think I have a photo or two of those...
I'd agree, they are all special!
Many folks just like the subtle differences between the years. You already know the 68-69's have unique turn signals and bib lights, rear seat uniqueness, different steering wheel, and the fabled thicker steel panels. They are also just rare, fewer of them left. Just chimning in...
Nice pig, by the way.
Many folks just like the subtle differences between the years. You already know the 68-69's have unique turn signals and bib lights, rear seat uniqueness, different steering wheel, and the fabled thicker steel panels. They are also just rare, fewer of them left. Just chimning in...
Nice pig, by the way.
FineWynsFJ40
Too much to do...
My March 1970 is FJ5516...somethingorother... so you probably have something really, really close to the changover, my guess is you have a January or December truck. I don't know the production rate of FJ55's so I couldn't for the life of me pin it down more than that.
Neat. My Trail Pig is a March 1970 FJ55 also, with VIN #FJ551642Y... apparently real close to yours.
They also had that large fresh air intake between the hood and windshield. Their vent system was a little different. They also often came with the wide runner manifold on the f145. I know the f145 is archaic, but they can handle pretty high rpms comfortably.
They are also special to some because they have low vin numbers. Does your cruiser have a vin under 10,000? The bulk of the early models did. Not special, but they also came with a slightly different radiator and a center control arm that was used on later model cruisers. During this brief time period Toyota Corona's and FJ55s shared some interior and exterior parts. Mine came with a stock hand throttle. They also had different, and much cooler, bulky windshield washer squirters.
I think the giant oil filter left a little to be desired. And don't forget the different badges and the all mighty one barrel (17mpg on the highway was my record going to pismo with the 1 bbl).
They are also special to some because they have low vin numbers. Does your cruiser have a vin under 10,000? The bulk of the early models did. Not special, but they also came with a slightly different radiator and a center control arm that was used on later model cruisers. During this brief time period Toyota Corona's and FJ55s shared some interior and exterior parts. Mine came with a stock hand throttle. They also had different, and much cooler, bulky windshield washer squirters.
I think the giant oil filter left a little to be desired. And don't forget the different badges and the all mighty one barrel (17mpg on the highway was my record going to pismo with the 1 bbl).
correct me if Iam wong but, also the piggies from does year and also the 40 series used the H41 gear box ( The real low ratio one) may be another reason for been special , but onestly for me all pigs are very unique and special
Victor, we NEVER got the H41 tranny in the states/Canada. The ones in my trucks were obtained in Central America.
I think all pigs are special in a short school bus kind of way.
If you talking special in that those early pig parts are even harder to find than later ones then yes they are special.
If you talking special in that those early pig parts are even harder to find than later ones then yes they are special.