Why the rear closure matters for your soft top
On a soft-top 40 Series, the top covers the roof, the sides and the rear of the tub. At the very bottom of the back, it meets whatever closes the truck: either a drop tailgate or a pair of barn doors. The rear of the top is cut differently for each.
That's why our full soft top for the FJ40, BJ40 and BJ42 comes in two rear-closure versions:
- Drop tailgate: the bottom of the top comes down over the tailgate and straps in place.
- Rear barn doors: the rear section of the top is shaped to end above the two swing-out doors.
Toyota offered both setups on the short wheelbase, depending on the year, version and market. Two FJ40s from the same year can have different rear ends. So don't go by the year or the model code: go by the truck.
How to tell which one you have
No tools, no paperwork. Stand behind your FJ40 or BJ and look at how the rear opens.
You have a drop tailgate if...
- the rear is closed by one horizontal panel at the bottom;
- that panel is hinged at the bottom and folds down flat toward you, like a pickup tailgate;
- above the tailgate, the top itself (with its rear window) closes the upper part of the opening.
You have rear barn doors if...
- the rear is closed by two vertical doors;
- they are hinged on the sides and swing outward;
- you can see vertical hinges on the rear corners of the tub;
- with the doors open, nothing stands between you and the cargo floor.
Drop tailgate vs barn doors in daily use
The choice is first a matter of bodywork: you order the top that matches what your truck has. But if you are shopping for an FJ40 or planning a restoration, here are the practical differences owners mention most.
| Drop tailgate | Rear barn doors | |
|---|---|---|
| How it opens | One panel folds down | Two doors swing out to the sides |
| Cargo access | You reach over the open tailgate | Direct access, no leaning over |
| When open | Can serve as a bench or a work surface | Doors stand open on each side |
| Matching top | Drop tailgate version | Rear barn doors version |
Neither one is better in absolute terms. It comes down to how you use the truck and what you like. Purists tend to keep whichever closure the truck left the factory with.
What it means when you order a top
A tailgate top won't fit a barn-door truck
This is the mistake to avoid. A top cut for a drop tailgate will not close the back of a barn-door truck properly, and vice versa. The rear attachment points are different, and the top can't be tensioned cleanly.
Everything else is the same
The roof, the sides and the front doors are identical in both versions. Rear closure is simply a second choice alongside color: tan, close to Toyota's original canvas, or black (see tan or black: choosing your FJ40 soft top color). Both versions are made of UV-treated vinyl with YKK marine-grade zippers and stainless hardware, and both mount on your original bows and factory fasteners, with no drilling.
What if you want to switch?
Converting a tailgate tub to barn doors, or the reverse, is not just a top swap. It is bodywork on the rear tub: hinges, corner posts, latches. If that's your plan, do the conversion first, then order the top that matches the finished truck.
Same question for the whole short wheelbase
The FJ40, BJ40, BJ41 and BJ42 share the same short-wheelbase body (2,285 mm, about 90 in). Only the engine changes: a gas inline-six in the FJ40, a four-cylinder diesel in the BJs. So the rear-closure question works exactly the same way whether you own an FJ40 with a tailgate or an imported BJ42 with barn doors. To sort out the models, read FJ40 vs BJ40 vs BJ42: what's the difference? or our guide to Land Cruiser model codes.
For medium-wheelbase trucks (FJ43, BJ43, BJ44, BJ46) and long-wheelbase trucks (FJ45, BJ45, HJ45, HJ47), we don't have a top yet. Get in touch if you are looking for one.
And on a 70 Series?
It works differently. Our full soft top for the 70 Series has a single rear closure, shared by every model it covers: BJ70, BJ73, BJ74, HZJ70, HZJ73, KZJ70, KZJ73, LJ70, LJ73, FJ70 and FZJ73. You only pick the color. It does not fit the long-wheelbase HZJ75 and HZJ78. Details are on the 70 Series soft top page and in our Land Cruiser 70 Series soft top guide.
Common ordering mistakes
Most wrong orders come from shortcuts. These are the ones we see most often:
- Trusting the listing photo. If you just bought the truck, check in person: the rear may have been changed since the photo was taken.
- Trusting the model code. An FJ40 or a BJ42 can have either closure. The code alone doesn't settle it.
- Going by the old top. A worn aftermarket top, trimmed or modified over the years, may not reflect the body as it is today.
- Forgetting the bows and rear fasteners. Whatever the closure, the top relies on the original bows and anchor points. Make sure they're present and sound before ordering: see FJ40 top bows: inspect and restore.
- Ordering before the restoration is done. If the rear tub is being rebuilt, wait until you know the final setup.
When in doubt, send us a photo
Fifty years is a long time. Rear tubs get replaced, doors get added, tailgates get welded shut, parts come from other trucks. In those cases, the safest move is to show us the back of your truck.
- Take a photo of the rear, straight on, closed.
- Take a second photo with the tailgate or doors open.
- If you can, add a photo of the ID plate in the engine bay, which shows the model code.
- Send everything through our contact page. We'll confirm the right version before you order.
Once you have the right version, installation goes front to back and finishes at the rear closure. Every step is in How to install an FJ40 soft top. To compare every option (material, color, windows), see our FJ40 soft top buying guide or the FJ40 / BJ40 / BJ42 soft top page. Shipping is free, with tracking, in 1 to 4 weeks.
FAQ
How do I know if my FJ40 has a drop tailgate or barn doors?
Look at the back of the truck. One panel hinged at the bottom that folds down toward you is a drop tailgate. Two vertical doors hinged on the sides that swing out are rear barn doors.
Will a tailgate soft top fit a truck with barn doors?
No. The rear section of the top is cut differently in each version and the attachment points don't match. Order the top that matches the rear closure on your truck.
Do the FJ40 and BJ42 have the same rear closure options?
Yes. The FJ40, BJ40, BJ41 and BJ42 share the same short-wheelbase body, and both closures exist on these models. Check the truck itself, not its model code.
Do I need to choose a rear closure for the 70 Series top?
No. Our 70 Series soft top has a single rear closure shared by every model it covers (BJ73, HZJ73, KZJ73 and more). You only choose the color.
I'm not sure what my truck has. What should I do?
Send us a photo of the back of the truck, closed and then open, through our contact page. We'll confirm the right soft top version before you place your order.
Not sure which top fits your truck? Send us a photo of your Land Cruiser and we'll get back to you quickly.
