Subframe Compatibility between FJ Models

[Steve_in_Florida]

So, what subframe parts are swappable between FJ models?

Can you put the fairing from a `93 on the frame of an `84? (Air scoops are different; Later model has captive nuts on the frame.)

Are the subframe bolt holes (front and rear) in the same place on the frame across the various models?

Do gas tanks swap seamlessly?

Do the lower side plates on an `86 bolt right up to a `92 frame, and vice-versa? (I know that early, mid, and late exhausts mount differently.)

I ask these questions `cause it would be cool to see a late-model plastics on a first generation frame. (Antique license tag and all...) Also, there might be others who are more partial to earlier colours on a late-model bike. (My first time seeing Derek Young's `91 in the lineup with `86 colors almost threw me, `til I saw the headlight shape and recognized a quality respray job!)

So, what's directly compatible, and what's not (without major modifications)?

Steve

[Pat Conlon]

I ask these questions `cause it would be cool to see a late-model plastics on a first generation frame...

You've got it backwards.
You want the sleek narrow early plastics on the superior late model rubber mounted frame.

[Steve_in_Florida]

I ask these questions `cause it would be cool to see a late-model plastics on a first generation frame...

You've got it backwards.
You want the sleek narrow early plastics on the superior late model rubber mounted frame.

Hmmm... Good point.

Maybe just paint up an earlier-model bike in the later colors? (I'm particularly fond of the Wet Pale Brown that was not available in the American (Seppo) market.)

Here in Florida, the first-year FJ's are now eligible for the blue "antique" license tags. I already have them on my VW Camper and my MG Midget, and am looking forward to all my favorite vehicles being "officially ancient".

...plus it would warm my heart cockles for young whippersnappers to view that blue tag getting smaller, and smaller, and smaller, and smaller, and smaller...

But I see your point, Pat.

Steve

[aviationfred]

Steve,

To answer your original question.
The pieces that are a direct swap with no modification will be.... The tail cowling, the plastic slivers under the pillion seat area, the large plastic side panels, the chin cowling and the fuel tank.

Now for the not so easy.... Since the fuel tanks have different petcocks between the early and later FJ's. IMO you would be better off buying a spare tank for the year FJ that is being transformed and paint it the new colors. With the main fairing, I am going to use Pat's example and use a 93' to put an 86' fairing on. No parts of the fairing and instrument shrouds swap. You would need to acquire all the black inner pieces. You would have to remove the forward sub-frame and use an 86' forward sub-frame. As far as mounting lugs on the main frame. I am going to gues that you will need to fan up some attachment brackets and weld them into place. After all that you would need the rectangle headlight. I would leave the foot peg hangers alone as they are not interchangeable.

Fred

[Steve_in_Florida]

This evening, I started to strip my spare `92 and `90 bikes.

Side by side I can see the subtle differences that prevent the front sub frames from interchanging.

Fred is right, if I want later colours on an earlier bike (or earlier colours on a later bike), it's probably best to just prep the plastic and paint it that way. Way too much work to make the plastics fit.

And to confirm what Pat stated, the fairings gained bulk as the models matured.

Steve