Hoping to get by the smog laws. If the fj40 was plated as sep 77 is it a 77? I think here in MO. you must own a 77 or earlier to be exempt. I have always called it a 78. Any help would be good. I need to be exempt. Thanks

here's the link to SOR's page with the frame #'s...

http://www.sor.com/fj40frame.html

When you go to buy parts, you tell them you have a 9/77 FJ, but as far as the DMV goes, you probably have a 78. My 78 FJ was made in 12/78 and according to California DMV, it is a 79 even though the 79 is totally different.

Ross-

October (10th month) is traditional model year change for general Toyota products. LC's (as some others) have different changes and those could be argued all day.

Mobiltoy
If your title states 1977 or 1978 and you are moving to MO, then abandon your current title and find "international title service" in Las Vegas. They may be able to help you correct that 1978 to a 1977 for a fee. Smog wise, very few changes until the intro of the catalytic converter in Jan 1979 (although I have seen on 12/78 old tub w/ cat and decals and the deathnail "1979" title).

In CA, I went to the AAA of SoCal DMV services and showed the lady my 1974(titled) FJ55. It was a Sep of '73(9/'73) and they submitted some sort of VIN verification form and now its a 73...NO SMOG!!!!

Originally posted by rick d
Ross-

October (10th month) is traditional model year change for general Toyota products. LC's (as some others) have different changes and those could be argued all day.
Doh. Looks like I need my 2 min in the corner as well.

Originally posted by rick d
Ross-

October (10th month) is traditional model year change for general Toyota products. LC's (as some others) have different changes and those could be argued all day.



Yeah, I hate to disagree, but, i think for the mini's and LC's, mid-August to early Sept is usually the model year change.
:D

my source is a 22 year Toyota parts vet (11 years as manager) at the LA basins #2 wholesale dealer in a pool of 67 dealers.

and don't think only 40 series waaay back in the 1970's, think all LC models (45's, 61's, 7X's, 100's, 105's).

His testimony holds water.

:confused: What about the obvious? The plate on the door post only tells when the vehicle was made--not its MODEL year. There will be an epa label under the hood that gives the model year and certification for california/federal specifications.

Even the braindead bureaucrats at the local dmv know to check the label. If it is branded as a 1978 model year truck, there is not much you can do. If the label is missing (hint), there is room to argue the point, given the production date. In which case, a title correction may be in order.