FJ40 LOWER DASH PADS (SET) 68-72

 FJ40 Lower Dash Pad Set, two pads.  Reproduction of Toyota's Lower Dash Pads.

Reproduction Polyurethane Lower Dash Pad Set for fj40 (BJ40, BJ42, & FJ4#) 68-72  Two piece lower dash pads.  Presently only sold as a set.

This two pad system is before Toyota put a hole in the dash for a radio.  The right hand pad is longer than the newer versions.  The left hand pad is the same as later models.  

Picture of Right Hand Pad below, the white opaque film is wax residue from the mold. Should have washed it off first and trimmed a little better, but I was in a hurry to see how it mounted.  The Left Hand Pad does come with the set but is not pictured here.

NOTE: These Pads are not identical to the original.  They are very very close and I doubt if anyone can tell they are not the same as the original when installed.  The two main differences are the left hand side of the right pad, the curve is quicker on the OEM vs. our pad (See picture below, our pad is placed over OEM) and our texturing is different.  (See Texture Conversation Below).

TEXTURE: Textured tough Polyurethane.  This has a 550 bead blast texture, it's not the same as OEM grain but simimilar.  If you look at the picture above  and increase your zoom settings on your web browser you can get a feel of what the texture looks like.  Tiny textured indentions, similiar to the calf grain.

We asked everyone on Ih8mud.com what they wanted:  A set of dash pads with a pin/clip (OEM style) or if they wanted one with the inserts having a bolt that a nut could be threaded on the backside of the metal dash.  A resounding majority wanted the nut and bolt combination, as the original OEM style, the pins have a tendency to rust to the clip.  When one would attempt to remove the lower dash pieces often a torn lower dash was the result.

Seen above is the threaded inserts that fit into the OEM holes on your dash.  You will be required to pull the spring clips out before installation of this dash piece.  Insert, align, then tighten nut on backside.

The set contains the lower left and the long right piece that extend to steering column, as well as all nuts and screws for attachment.

Keep in mind that when we designed and molded these, the customers polled on IH8mud.com wanted a softer pad for their knees.  Therefore the metal strip inserts encapsulated within the Polyurethane may become slightly bent during shipping.  The pad itself is not near as rigid as the dried out 35 year old pads you are used to dealing with.  This is easily fixed by just straightening out the bend and mounting flush with your dash.  I hope that makes sense.

MOUNTING NOTES:

Bolt & screw hole locations are dead on. I will tell you the earlier models are different than the later models. Towards the steering column it is more difficult to get to the bolts to secure a lock washer and nut. Vacuum Shift and steering column is in the way. NEED LITTLE HANDS or see notes below.

SOME NOTES: 

• It is wiser and quicker to just drop the heater core and duct to gain access. My hands are not that small.
• Run the screws on the bottom side of the long dash pad in and out a couple of times.
• Start the screws first, but do not tighten all the way in. It's a tight fit, but it does fit like a glove. 
• It took me a couple of times to locate the screw holes but the measurements are dead on! It helps to push the lower part of the pad firmly against the dash.