Q's about early 45 cab.

[Lupdog]

Found this 45 cab. What you see is what you get, but I think it is rare enough to give it some extra thought. So, I posted over in the 40 section and understand it is probably pre '64. I've never seen one of these fixed top, short cab 45's here in Australia before. Trucks this early are super rare here. So, before I go any further with this:

Question 1: Can anyone ID the exact year from what you see?

Question 2: Will any early doors fit, or do these short cabs use different doors? I don't think it comes with any doors and would need to find some.

Question 3: I'm 6'5" tall and I have read these short cabs can be a tight squeeze. Would this be a big problem? How much shorter are they than say the '82 FJ45 ute I used to own?

Question 4: Is the chassis these sit on the same as any later years or are they a different beast altogether?


Thanks, Lup.

[URL="https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=689343&stc=1&d=1351296077"][/URL]

 

[Gumby]

Found this 45 cab. What you see is what you get, but I think it is rare enough to give it some extra thought. So, I posted over in the 40 section and understand it is probably pre '64. I've never seen one of these fixed top, short cab 45's here in Australia before. Trucks this early are super rare here. So, before I go any further with this:

Question 1: Can anyone ID the exact year from what you see?

Question 2: Will any early doors fit, or do these short cabs use different doors? I don't think it comes with any doors and would need to find some.

Question 3: I'm 6'5" tall and I have read these short cabs can be a tight squeeze. Would this be a big problem? How much shorter are they than say the '82 FJ45 ute I used to own?

Question 4: Is the chassis these sit on the same as any later years or are they a different beast altogether?


Thanks, Lup.

[URL="https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=689343&stc=1&d=1351296077"][/URL]

63. I think the 64 had a bolt in plate where the w/s hinge is and early 63 have the welded in one.

Early doors might fit, but I think there might be a minor difference in the window frame. I'd have to look. FHT doors also had 'siucide' window vents.

I'm 6' even and it's very, very tight. I believe the number is three inches tighter than a removable top.

The chassis is the same except for the rear cab mounts. The removable top is right on the front hanger for the rear spring. The fixed top is a little forward

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Nice piece of art. U will not fit in the cab. Sell it to someone about 5' 10.

Sent from my phone using IH8MUD

 

[Living in the Past]

I didn't realize you were in Australia. It very well could earlier than 63. In the US 63 to 67 were the only years we pickups. A few had 62 production date. I believe the picked started even earlier in other markets like Australia. The hort wheel base ended 65 or 66. Those would be the easiest to work with. Possible to make a tray style using a troops frame. Something you could find over there. Other than the back of the cab the front would mount the same as any 40 series. You could do some custom work and stretch the cab or keep it as is then sell it after your finished. I right at 6' and my 45 with the removable isn't not something I would use on long trips.

 

[rockcod]

Looking at the photo, it appears the windshield is one piece with the cowl which would make it very early very rare probably 61-62? Later they had plates bolting the windshield to the cowl where hinges would bolt in and once the tops were removable, they had hinges. The SWB and LV share the same frame, not sure about the rear cab mounts though. At 6'5" you would be crammed in there pretty tight. Hopefully Whitey will chime in here and shed some light.

 

[cult45]

Either way it would be nice if it was rescued.

 

[Lupdog]

So, I finally got hold of the owner today and it turns out I may have missed the boat. They, (see pics below), are all being picked up tomorrow. And by what the owner said, I can only assume it is by the scrap metal dealers. Yes, so that rare as hens teeth 45 cab, plus the other old FJ45 you can see there as well, plus the other two old cars that have survived this long, are all set to go to the crushers.

I made it very clear to them that I would be willing to do a deal to save them and they said they would pass on my details. I can only hope for a phone call tomorrow, otherwise they are gone for good. It is in the lap of the cruiser gods now I guess...

I feel sick.

 

[Lupdog]

Update:

So one day passes - no phone call.

Two days pass - no phone call. I'm wondering what the hell happened and has this cab gone to the scrap yard. So I'm ringing the seller and leaving texts about making a new deal for more cash than what they were going to get. Nothing.

Third day I finally get a text back saying it hasn't been picked up yet and if I was still interested they would definitely pass my number on to the "new" owners. So I get a glimmer of hope.

Fourth day no phone call and I'm going out of my mind about this thing going to the crusher. I have a half day at work so I come home, grab the phone book and ring every wrecking yard and scrap metal place within 200 miles. This thing is 2 1/2 hours drive away. None of the places I ring know anything about an old landcruiser. I am gutted. The thing has gone to cruiser heaven for sure so I grab a beer, head to the shed, and decide to try and forget about it by jumping on the ride-on and mow the yard.

I am just about to turn the key when......my phone rings.

"hello?"

"hi, this is johnno with the landcruiser"

"oh, ok....". I'm racking my brain. I've just spoken to about 30 people about a landcruiser.

"yeah, I've still got it here. Are you still interested?"

The penny drops. "johnno" is the owner! I never got his name before!

"Hell yeah I'm interested!"


So.... I picked her up this afternoon. Still has the vin tag too: 1962 fj45. I think I will start a new thread in the 25 section because she is so early after I take a bunch of pics tomorrow.

Cruiser gods? I believe!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=8052549&postcount=11047

 

[whitey45]

Hey mate, good job on being persistant and saving another rare 45. Tony you are spot on with the hinge detail and the year, very few of these early fixed top 45s exist. I have some rear sliders and weatherstrip for that truck! Pay for shipping and they are yours!! Cheers m8!

 

[cult45]

Talk about a good news story! Good work mate, plans?

 

[Lupdog]

Hey mate, good job on being persistant and saving another rare 45. Tony you are spot on with the hinge detail and the year, very few of these early fixed top 45s exist. I have some rear sliders and weatherstrip for that truck! Pay for shipping and they are yours!! Cheers m8!

Very interested and thank you! PM sent.

 

[Lupdog]

Talk about a good news story! Good work mate, plans?

Well, to do this uncommon cab justice, I think I wan't to recreate a stock vehicle as faithfully as money and available parts permit. I'm going to need a donor frame for starters. Also missing front clip but it did come with hood and lid. Correct doors will be a problem. Bed will probably have to be fabricated from scratch I think although the few pics of these I have seen in Australia have flat top beds and not the styleside rounded beds the USA SWB 45s have - I like the look of those.

Parts availablity will probably mean mixing and matching early stuff a bit. It may never pass the purists test but I want the essence to be faithful.

 

[Lupdog]

I put up a thread with some more detailed pics etc in the 25 section:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/646906-62-fj45-cab-rhd-aust.html#post8054327

 

[fhawk5]

Well, to do this uncommon cab justice, I think I wan't to recreate a stock vehicle as faithfully as money and available parts permit. I'm going to need a donor frame for starters. Also missing front clip but it did come with hood and lid. Correct doors will be a problem. Bed will probably have to be fabricated from scratch I think although the few pics of these I have seen in Australia have flat top beds and not the styleside rounded beds the USA SWB 45s have - I like the look of those.

Parts availablity will probably mean mixing and matching early stuff a bit. It may never pass the purists test but I want the essence to be faithful.

I am glad to see you want to bring her back to her former glory. I am a purist also.

 

[CycloSteve]

Based on another thread, your truck is likely in the first 2,000 45's built.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/626524-can-any-one-tell-me.html

Looking forward to it being brought back to life.



Steve

 

[Lupdog]

I am glad to see you want to bring her back to her former glory. I am a purist also.

I like all cruisers, but a nice "original" example is the way for me.

Based on another thread, your truck is likely in the first 2,000 45's built.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/626524-can-any-one-tell-me.html

Looking forward to it being brought back to life.



Steve

Thanks Steve, but don't hold your breath, it will be a slow process pulling this together. I also have too many projects and sometimes I think too many small children too!

Great link too BTW. Very interesting. I was wondering when the 45s started so maybe not much earlier than mine.

 

[whitey45]

I actually have the correct doors as well, but shipping would be a killer! I will get a quote on the sliders and rubber on the slowest boat to oz! You will likely have to shorten an fj45 lwb frame from 116 down to 104, oh uh those are inches!! AT least you can find them in wrecking yards!

 

[love2fly]

45

Lupdog,
my hat is off to you in your relentless effort in giving that 45 a new life.
I know the feeling of seeing something that has great potential and the waiting to find out that you now own it after all the day and night moments of that BRAIN CHATTER that keep popping into you head telling you what the next step will be when you own it, or worst, knowing it's bleak fate. Its funny what we builders of the pass see, be it cars, boats or like me aircraft and cruisers that others do not. Every time you walk out in your yard and see that cab you see a Land Cruiser. After 20 years I still don't know what it is about them.
I look very much forward to seeing your progress with such a wonderful piece of Land Cruiser history.
It lives.

 

[Gumby]

If it helps the motivation - I had doors, but no roof. I had a frame, but no drive train or axles. My body was way rougher than that one.

Mine took about 18 months to go from

 

[Lupdog]

Lupdog,
my hat is off to you in your relentless effort in giving that 45 a new life.
I know the feeling of seeing something that has great potential and the waiting to find out that you now own it after all the day and night moments of that BRAIN CHATTER that keep popping into you head telling you what the next step will be when you own it, or worst, knowing it's bleak fate. Its funny what we builders of the pass see, be it cars, boats or like me aircraft and cruisers that others do not. Every time you walk out in your yard and see that cab you see a Land Cruiser. After 20 years I still don't know what it is about them.
I look very much forward to seeing your progress with such a wonderful piece of Land Cruiser history.
It lives.

Its a sickness, that is for sure - I drive my missus crazy playing spot the 40 series! I live in a farming area and I drive past plenty of old sheds and places with old trucks, cars and machinery tucked away amonst trees and old buildings. Mt first thought is usually, "I wonder if there is an old cruiser in there".

Progress yesterday was just cleaning the crap out the cab and preserving the bits that I do have. I also need to get some clutter out of my shed to find another spot. Probably build a rotisserie and I need a few new tools for this one too. I should really finish my '67 first because it is nearly all there, but if the right donor rig comes my way, I'm itching to do this one frist. Both together on a production line would be cool!