A new Toy, just picked up an FJ25

[Reddog]

I just picked up a 1960 FJ25. This is my first real experience with the FJ25 and it's really quite different than the 40. It's got a 4-speed tranny with a single range transfer case ( either in or out of 4x4, no high and low selection ). The output to the Transfer is centered and the rear dif is centered.
The front grill is totally diferent and there are some major differences in the design of the tub.
Best of all it's got a drop down tail gate.

My plan is to do a stock restoration but I need to find some parts. I need to replace the passenger side knuckle and axle shaft, inner and outer. The axle is one of those pre-Birfield types and my knuckle has a severe crack in it.

Anybody out there with parts or advice or general comments, bring em on, cause at this point I know very little about this rig.

[dog walker]

I used to have a 60 FJ25 too, there prety cool! Alot of the parts are ofcourse innerchangable with a 40/45/55, except for that rare early 4 spd and cast iron T-case. The rear end is only 53" wide but it's cool despite. Do you have the round rear fender wells and the CJ-5 type door openings? Post some pics would ya!

Jeff

[Reddog]

Yes, the rear fender wells are round and the top corners of the door jams are rounded off where-as the 40 is squaured off.

I'll shoot some pics tommarrow but I'll warn you it's pretty rough looking. But there is no rust or major body damage, and it is in desparate need of paint.

I ain't complaining though, cause I got it for free ! A buddy had it on a mining claim for the last 20 years over near Sonora. It hasn't even been licensed for the last fifteen years. It's still got the blue and yellow license plates on it.

Do you know if knuckles off an early 40 will fit as replacements for the broken 25 knuckle ? It's got a severe crack where the steering arm attaches.

[MetalMender]

Here is a pic of my 1960 fj 25 soft top,does it look like this one,

[cruiserman]

When I sold my '57 fj25 to Paul Decker, I threw in the front end from my '60 fj25 with it. He probably has a few extra fj25 front axles laying around, so give him a call/email. I've got a spare fj25 rearend laying around if you want it. Brand new hoses, too.

fj40 front end will work, but they are a little wider.

Pre spring over, post mini disc conversion (http://home.earthlink.net/~cruiserman/fj25.jpg)

[dog walker]

the front axles are the same as FJ40/45 up to 67.

Jeff

[Dh Mack]

I have a 1965 Fj45 SB that is undergoing a
complete restoration including front disk brakes.
I plan on replacing both front and rear axles.
Don't know if these will be of any help to you but
keep it mind.
Tom

[morgan]

"Restoration" means only one thing: Bringing it back to the way it was made. Restoration of a US-spec FJ45 means drum brakes.

I'm gonna be keeping my old 40 looking original, but it will have '70s and '80s drivetrain, axles, brakes. I'm "renovating" it. :)

Pardon my rant, mis-use of "restoration" in the cruiser world is a pet peeve of mine, and I'm a jerk.

Morgan

[fj40guy]

COOL FIND!

Post the photo's when you get a chance. My 50th Anniversary Land Cruiser book arrived on Friday, along with more goodies from SOR.

Last night Pam (g/f) was asking me if I was coming to bed. After a little pause was "put that damn book down now, or I'm locking it up!" Busted! :D

Tom :usa:

[rocrawler]

I've got the front Knuckle and axle shafts from a 1960 FJ25 if you still need them contact me off line

[Reddog]

Morgan, I agree with you.........I mean about the restoration thing.
In the case of this 25 I'd just like to clean it up and get it running but I do plan on staying original, even the " ball and claw" axles.

Although I can see it as a totally built rock crawling machine I think it has more value restored to original. Besides my 40 is supposed to be a rock crawling machine and it's a never ending project.

Rocrawler, I'll send you an email on those parts, I'm definitly interested.

Now I'm gonna go outside and see if I can get a pic that will do it some justice. I'll come back and post them.

[COMPLAINE]

Restoration.

That word is not in my vocabulary,

Doesn't a half fj25/tube buggy riding low with a set of 37's and four wheel steering sound like a hellava good time.
And for the drum brakes they work but you have to adjust them every month in the front.
Inser synister laugh hahahhahahhhhhaaaaaaaaa

Seriosly though don't do the buggy thing it sounds like a cool ride to make function again just like it was 1960. Although it may drive like it was made in1860. They have a cool look to them it's like willys jeep meets land cruiser.

Don im going up to the con in a week to do a warm up run, we should get the Roc Dogs together and get a good early season run in before the trail gets really dusty and ther is still water to drive in.

Later dude

Ian-

[Reddog]

Ian, I'm almost ready for a run, just got to finish my new roll cage and install my new skid plate and I'm ready to roll. Let's do it ! keep me posted as to when you go up and I'll plan on meeting you up there. The rest of the Dogs are slowly getting their sh!t together, I'm sure they'd all want to tag along.

Here's a couple of pics of the "new" FJ25 . She's a beauty, with a bit of imagination :D

http://members.aol.com/naldco/fj251

http://members.aol.com/naldco/fj252

[morgan]

Reddog, I dig that old FJ25! That thing is sweet! I have a serious jones for an FJ25, and I can't rationalize it. I just dig 'em. That hood emblem is cool.

The glass on our '62 FJ40 all says "FJ25" or "BJ25", and we've got the funky side-shift tranny, centered rear diff and other FJ25-era oddities.

More pics!

Morgan

[SeaBass44]

Originally posted by morgan
"Restoration" means only one thing: Bringing it back to the way it was made. Restoration of a US-spec FJ45 means drum brakes.

I'm gonna be keeping my old 40 looking original, but it will have '70s and '80s drivetrain, axles, brakes. I'm "renovating" it. :)

Pardon my rant, mis-use of "restoration" in the cruiser world is a pet peeve of mine, and I'm a jerk.

Morgan

he didn't say "org" restro, u jerk:flipoff2: :p :p

[morgan]

Hey chileanseabass, super u get it.

Morgan

[SeaBass44]

Originally posted by morgan
Hey chileanseabass, super u get it.

Morgan :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p

[Cruiser Ken]

<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~kenreaves/fj251.jpg">

<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~kenreaves/fj252.jpg">

[Reddog]

Hey thanks Ken ! I didn't know how to do that, but I just figured it out. It's been awhile since I last posted a pic and I hadn't noticed the little image button up there.
Here's another pic right after the little Cruiser slid off the back of the flat bed tow truck. The poor thing only has 1 and 1/2 tires and it's missing a steering knuckle.
http://members.aol.com/naldco/fj253

[morgan]

Damn those are cool!

Morgan

[Reddog]

Hey, Morgan, when's the PMC swap meet this year ?

[FIXXXXAH]

that front emblem is BAD ASS. I WANT ONE. if anyone knows where i can get one, LET ME KNOW!
too cool!
Matt:smokin:

[morgan]

Originally posted by Reddog
Hey, Morgan, when's the PMC swap meet this year ?

I can't remember, just asked Tony...

Morgan

[Cruiser Nerd]

I'll see that '60 FJ25 and raise you one '62 FJ25...

This thread brought me out of lurk mode. I'm now up to two of these suckers. One's going to be an "original restoration" sunday driver, the other's just going to be a skin for a future project?

I believe as a newbie I should offer my '73 F engine in perfect running condition, only one small hole in the #3 piston, $900, I'll pay shipping anywhere in US!:flipoff2:

[morgan]

Cruiser Nerd, mind PM-ing me your VIN? I'll PM you mine. (When I get home.) My '62 FJ40 is registered as a '63, but I bet it comes close to the production run for yours.

Got any pics?

A sucker for the early cruisers,

Morgan

[60seriesguy]

You have a 1962 FJ25? It should be an FJ40 for that vintage. Check the VIN plate!!

Got any pictures? I'm a sucker for rare/weird/exotic Land Cruisers and an amateur Land Cruiser historian. AFAIK 1961 was a transition year for Land Cruisers, about half of them were FJ25's and half of them were FJ40's. The FJ25 that Toyota restored for its museum is a 1961 (VIN plate 1FJ25xxxxx), and I know of at least one 1961 FJ40 (VIN plate 1FJ40xxxxx) in Paradise, CA.

More info, please!

[morgan]

jinx

[SeaBass44]

any of u seen those old lc's over in I think japan, out in a field from war time, only a few hundred miles on them on some farmers land but the goverment won't let them be moved or sold or anything. sick, they r just sitting there rotting. I think one is a red fire truck version. I saw them a few years back while serfin the web.no idea how to find them now other then a search of the web for lc's

[Cruiser Nerd]

Thanks guys, I thought the same thing about the VIN. When I bought it I assumed it was an earlier FJ25 just registered as a '62 but that's not what the tag says. I do know the data plate is clearly marked 1962 and the VIN begins 0FJ25.... which would tell me 1960? The 1960 has 1960 on the tag and VIN begins the 0FJ25.... I'll post pics if I figure out an easy way, It's Cruiser Nerd not Computer Nerd.

Here's the link you were looking for:
http://www.owens-export.com/stuff.html

[morgan]

Originally posted by Cruiser Nerd
Thanks guys, I thought the same thing about the VIN. When I bought it I assumed it was an earlier FJ25 just registered as a '62 but that's not what the tag says. I do know the data plate is clearly marked 1962 and the VIN begins 0FJ25.... which would tell me 1960? The 1960 has 1960 on the tag and VIN begins the 0FJ25....

ding ding ding!

You own a 1960 FJ25 registered in 1962. Toyota was having such slow sales back then that a 1960 model year vehicle might have sat a year or two before being titled and sold.

I'll post pics if I figure out an easy way

If you mail me (morgan@hahaha.org) the pics I'd be happy to put them up for you on my web site (http://www.birfield.com/~morgan/).

I've got a bunch of pre-65 cruiser pics I've been meaning to put on a web page.

Morgan

[60seriesguy]

One the same VIN plate it says 1962 *and* 0FJxxxx?? Wow, I'm stumped! I was going to venture that it could have been one of those re-badged Land Cruisers that languished at dealerships, but if both are on the same VIN plate, I'm stumped. Maybe a non-US FJ25?? Yikes, the plot thickens!

[morgan]

Here are some pics of pre-65 cruisers (http://www.birfield.com/~morgan/images/J4/pre-65_40/) that I've saved. The collection isn't cohesive, there's no text, just pics for now.

If any of you have any pre-65 parts you're not using, please let me know. I'm looking for some stuff for the renovation of my '62.

Morgan

[Cruiser Nerd]

Morgan, I'll send the pictures tonight for you to share. You'll recognize the '62. Only a couple of you have seen the '60. Your website has been a great help.

It has to be a leftover 1960, but who would have stamped the 1962 in the plate? Not the dealer? And can anyone explain the guy selling '63 FJ25 microfiches on EBay? (other than more EBay nonsense)

[rocrawler]

I hate to tell you this but the windshield frame isn't orginal. the orginal should have the vent below the window on the frame itself. Other than that looks pretty good.

[morgan]

Originally posted by Reddog
Hey, Morgan, when's the PMC swap meet this year ?

From Tony: "July 13th, same place in Petaluma."

There you go!

Morgan

[Cruiser Nerd]

Hey Reddog

I didn't mean to step on your thread. That FJ25 looks a lot bettter than mine. If you don't want to keep it original, don't trash the parts!

[Reddog]

That's cool, it all makes for good conversation. We don't often see a lot of threads on old Cruisers here.

BTW Morgan thanks, I plan on being there for the swap meet. If all goes well maybe I'll drive the 25.

My VIN says FJ25L, year model 1960, and it's got an engine number and a frame number, the frame number being 9-FJ25-five numbers followed by an L
http://members.aol.com/naldco/fj25vin

http://members.aol.com/naldco/fj25dash

http://members.aol.com/naldco/fj25door

[orangefj45]

hey don! congrats. len and don just told me on sunday. i've been looking for a 25 for a while, but having 2 45s has put a little dampner on that gig.
still, i don't think i like you as much anymore ("i got it for free")
ah, what the hell, next time the :beer: is on me!!!:D

[crawlin cruiser]

that tub is in better shape than my 79 fj40 Damn Canada and its stupid constant rain!!!:flipoff2:

Dan