FJ40 owner now trying to figure out a Patrol.

[dustybaird]

Hey there! I recently picked up a 1969 (or 68??) Patrol here in Utah. About 5 years ago I ended up with a 1978 FJ40 project that has quickly grown into a interest in old 4x4's in general. Since then we have acquired 1970 FJ40 and a 1959 Jeep CJ5. Last year a Patrol was listed for sale here in Utah and I had no idea they even existed at that point and started researching them more. In the time it took to do that the patrol was sold (and has a build thread here, small world) so the hunt continued for what we felt was the perfect Patrol for us. We happened to find that this week with this Patrol. I later found it was also listed here and in the comments it was mentioned it is in fact a 1968 which i still do not know the difference between the years.

We are now digging through this thing to see what all we have and what we need. It does tun and drive but the starter is hit or miss, it sounds like the starter is incorrect for it or the flywheel is shot. It needs some rust repair and the plan is to strip the paint back to the oem color. Also the wheels have to go, they are awful!

Any info on how to tell it is a 68 over 69 would be great. From looking here it seems the color is Leaf or Grey Green depending on the page.







Dont mind the straps that kept the roof on for the drive home haha











Rear axle sticker







Parked in good company for now while we finish up a few other projects. Plan to work on it here and there though.





First order of business is to get this tan spray paint off!

[RiverPatrol]

Welcome to 60Patrol! It's ok, we allow Cruiserheads here too, we've converted a few. Nice Land Crusiers!

Looks like you got a good solid base for a project, it looks like it has potential and hasn't been molested too much. It is what we fondly refer to as a '68-sold-as-a-'69, depending on what the title says. It has some distinct changes from a '67, but also doesn't have many of the changes that a 'true' '69 has. So, I hope that helped to confuse the situation.

Not such a small world really. I think anyone in the US with a Patrol and an Internet connection end up here eventually. You've come to the right place to get your questions answered and pointed in the right direction for parts. Peruse through the site, there is a plethora of helpful information.

Thanks for the pic of the ID plate, I'll add yours to the Registry. If you could post a pic of the engine number when you get a chance it would be greatly appreciated. It's on the right side of the block on a raised area towards the front. It's the small fee we ask to use the site.

[Flaggoni]

Welcome! I’m glad to see this Patrol end up in capable, appreciative hands!
I’ve been “driving-while-restoring“ my “68 as 69” for about 7 years. I also have a very bad shape 69 as a parts donor.
There’s at least a dozen changes from 68 to 69. Most obvious is the 68 “banjo” steering wheel vs the ((sorry guys) less classy later wheel. The 68 has independent wiper motors. The 69 “gained” giant side reflectors, large rectangular front marker/turn lights, large bumper-mounted taillights, back-up light, Windshield squirter, self-canceling turn signals, hazard flashers. The complete drivetrain Is pretty-much unchanged for the whole 60 series.
Have fun.
Mild Bill

[Edgar]

Sorry for delaying your purchase for a year. I am the one that grabbed the 67 before you could get it. Another distinction are the vents below the windshield. The '68 and earlier Patrols generally had three vents while the '69 model only had two.

[Flaggoni]

Hmmm. Both my 68 and 69 have the same two vents like those pictured on
this recently purchased 68.
Mild Bill

[RiverPatrol]

'68 was the first year with 2 vents on the windshield. C'mon guys, don't confuse the new guy.

[zed]

The 1969 has the distinction of being the first year of the final year of manufacturer import into the US.
Keith

[Edgar]

I apologize for stating something incorrect. My '67 has three vents under the windshield but clearly the '68 has two. I happen to have a spare windshield frame that supposedly came from a "67 hard top with only two vents. PO must have replaced the original with this. Please let me know if you are in need of an original frame for a "68 or '69.

[RiverPatrol]

I apologize for stating something incorrect.

I was just messing with you, no need to apologize. This is how we learn. And it adds difficulty to that learning process when the previous owners used what they could find but not necessarily the correct year.

[dustybaird]

Thank you all for the information and I will get a picture of the engine block code soon!

Started stripping the paint. Apparently this was once camo before the tan, and the real good news is that there is no previously repairs or bondo!





And under the camo is the original green. Will look great when it is buffed.





And where we ended after a day of removing old paint. Doesn't need much more removed! Once I get all the paint removed I will get it buffed. The plan is to patch the few rust holes and have some paint matched from the ashtray to blend it into the original paint. Then just going to straighten out the bends, new wheels and tires and a tune up and start driving it! On a side note who do you all use for insurance? Hagerty doesn't seem to think these exist haha.









And one of the 40's watching over the work.