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In the 1950s, when the U.S. Army needed a sturdy vehicle for soldiers and military police stationed in Japan, it sought Toyota’s help. The result: The FJ40, a two-door a bullet-proof Land Cruiser, complete with four-wheel drive, a removable hard-top hood, and fold-down doors and windshields for open-air driving. Color choices included sahara tan, desert beige, freeborn red, and horizon blue, according to Toyota’s Land Cruiser data library.
Vehicles in the Land Cruiser series are identified by an alphanumeric code, which designates the engine type and frame. Produced between 1960-1984, the FJ40 defines a two-door with a short wheel base, and a “2F” gasoline engine. Extra coding helps distinguish the variations of the vehicles worldwide.
Because these vehicles would be used on rough terrain, their durability, performance, and acceleration needed extra refinements to previous Land Cruiser models. Since they needed to be agile, engineers reduced body weight by using resinous materials, instead of heavier steel panels. The roof was raised higher for improved visibility, with a window added to the rear corner section.
According to Toyota sources, the vehicles used during wartime had to address the issue that gas stations weren’t available in the desert, so fuel storage had to be addressed. Plus, vehicles would be packed full of gear, and needed to be topple-proof when driven at high speeds on dirt roads.
Air conditioning was added to some of the vehicles used in the Middle East, according to former Toyota engineer Iichi Shingu: “We heard it was so hot in the Middle East, that eggs could be fried on the vehicle’s hood. So we bought some eggs in the nearby town, and planned to break some on the hood. To our surprise, the eggs had already soft-cooked just sitting in the car.” Air-conditioning was added.
For more information, call Geneva Repair Shop, which is combined with Geneva Body Shop, at (630) 482-3554, or visit www.genevabodyshop.com
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