Why your FJ40 top bows matter so much
A full soft top has no frame of its own. It is cut to Toyota's original pattern and stretches over three supports: the windshield frame header, the bows and the edges of the tub. The bows set the roofline, the height of the sides and the tension of the vinyl.
A bow spread an inch too wide, a leg that leans, a cracked weld: the top loses its reference points. You end up with wrinkles that never go away, zippers that strain, water pooling on the roof and seams working harder than they should.
That's why we're upfront about it: our full soft top for the FJ40, BJ40 and BJ42 ships without bows. It mounts on your Land Cruiser's original bows, with no drilling or modification. It comes with stainless hardware; bows, door hinges and handles are not included. Before you order, you need to know what shape yours are in.
No bows at all? Very common
On an FJ40 that spent decades under a hard top, the bows were often pulled off and stashed in a corner of the garage, sold, or simply lost. The same goes for many imported BJs and trucks restored in stages. Some of the top fasteners on the tub may be missing too.
If that's your situation, you have a few options:
- look for used original bows through Land Cruiser clubs, forums and 40 Series specialists;
- have a fabricator or restoration shop make a set, using measurements taken from a complete truck or an original bow as a pattern;
- make sure whatever you find is for the short wheelbase (FJ40, BJ40, BJ41, BJ42), not a medium or long wheelbase truck.
Not sure what you're looking at? Send us photos and we'll tell you whether it works with our top.
Inspecting your bows: the checklist
Set aside an hour, grab a tape measure and a flashlight, and step back. Bows are best checked on the truck first, then off it.
- Overall shape. From the front, the bows should be symmetrical, the same height on both sides and lined up one behind the other. From the side, they should stand square.
- Measurements. Compare the width between the legs of each bow, and the left and right diagonals. A clear difference from side to side means a bow has been spread or pinched.
- Legs and sockets. This is where rust starts, because water sits there. Check the sockets on the tub as well: a cracked or rusted-out bracket throws the whole frame off.
- Welds and bends. Look for cracks, sloppy old repairs and flattened bends.
- Surface. Blistered paint, swelling rust or sharp edges will chafe through the top over time.
- Hardware and fasteners. Note what's missing, what's seized and what spins without tightening.
Straightening a bent bow
A slightly bent bow can usually be straightened, gently. Bows are bent tubing: brute force in the wrong spot will flatten the tube or crack a weld.
- Pinpoint the problem first: mark the bent area with chalk before you touch anything.
- Work in small steps, and measure again after each correction.
- Use a reference: the matching bow on the other side, or measurements from a straight truck.
- Don't force a rusty tube: if corrosion has thinned the metal, it may fold in the wrong place or give way.
If the bend is serious, the tube is crushed or a weld is cracked, take it to a pro. A metal fabrication shop can straighten it, re-weld it or rebuild the damaged section. That's a small cost next to a new top that will never sit right.
Restoring the bows: rust and paint
Once the shape is right, restoring FJ40 top bows follows the usual bodywork logic.
- Strip. Wire brush, sandpaper or media blasting depending on condition. Get back to clean metal, especially at the legs and in the bends.
- Treat the rust. On pitted areas, a suitable rust converter stabilizes what you can't remove.
- Prime and paint. A metal primer, then a paint made for outdoor use. Let it cure fully before reassembly: soft paint will mark against the vinyl.
- Protect the legs. They're the ones sitting in water. Give them, and the sockets on the tub, extra attention.
While you're at it, clean and protect the top fasteners on the tub and replace any tired hardware.
Original bows or a modern frame?
Some modern tops for the FJ40, like the Bestop Supertop, come with their own frame and a rail system. It's a different approach, with a different look.
We went the other way: our replacement top follows Toyota's original pattern and mounts on the original bows. That's the natural choice for a faithful restoration, or simply to get back the silhouette of a 1970s 40 Series. The trade-off is that it needs bows in good shape.
| Situation | What we recommend |
|---|---|
| Bows present, straight, light rust | Brush, touch up the paint, then install the top |
| Bows present but slightly bent | Straighten gradually, check measurements, then paint |
| Bow crushed, cracked or badly rusted | Fabrication shop: straighten, weld or rebuild |
| Bows missing | Find used originals or have a set made from an original pattern |
| Unsure about fitment | Send us photos before ordering |
Fasteners to check at the same time
The bows don't work alone. While you're there, check everything that holds the top:
- the windshield frame header, the first attachment point of the top;
- the twist-lock fasteners, hooks, snaps and strap points on the tub;
- the rear closure hinges: drop tailgate or rear barn doors, which you need to pick correctly when ordering (see FJ40 drop tailgate vs barn doors);
- the edges of the tub, where the vinyl rests.
A missing fastener is usually an easy replacement. One torn out of the tub needs a bit of sheet-metal repair: do it before the top goes on. Bent bows and missing fasteners are also two of the main reasons tops leak, as we explain in FJ40 soft top leaks: causes and fixes.
Next step: installing the top
Straight, clean, freshly painted bows and a full set of fasteners: you're ready. Installation goes front to back, on a warm, dry day, ideally with two people. Every step is in How to install an FJ40 soft top.
Haven't picked your top yet? Our FJ40 soft top buying guide covers material, color and rear closure. Shopping for the truck itself? Add the bows to your inspection list: we cover it in buying a used FJ40: the checklist.
Everything about our FJ40 / BJ40 / BJ42 full soft top is on its page. Each top is handmade in our shop in Medellín, Colombia (about us) and ships free with tracking in 1 to 4 weeks.
FAQ
Does your FJ40 soft top come with bows?
No. Our top ships without bows: it mounts on your Land Cruiser's original bows, with no drilling or modification. It comes with stainless hardware; bows, door hinges and handles are not included.
My BJ42 has no bows left. What can I do?
Look for used original bows through Land Cruiser clubs and 40 Series specialists, or have a fabricator make a set from an original bow or factory measurements. Send us photos before ordering if you have any doubt.
Can I straighten a bent top bow myself?
For a slight bend, yes, as long as you work gradually and re-measure after each step. If the tube is crushed, cracked or thinned by rust, take it to a metal fabrication shop instead.
Are FJ40, BJ40 and BJ42 bows the same?
These four models (FJ40, BJ40, BJ41, BJ42) share the same short-wheelbase body, and our top fits all of them. Bows from a medium or long wheelbase truck will not work.
Not sure which top fits your truck? Send us a photo of your Land Cruiser and we'll get back to you quickly.
