Found FJ45, should I buy?

Hello all.

I have been a Land Cruiser fan since a friend of the family had one back in the 70s. He had it set up so it could climb a tree and I always had been impressed by them and more than that, I ALWAYS have wanted one.

That brings me to where I am today. I may have stumbled upon an FJ45 short bed, it may even have a removable top it is hard to tell from a distance. It is, and has been, sitting in a farmers field here in AZ for years now. I am trying to contact him to see if he wants to sell. It needs work! I don't think there is a strait body panel on it and it looks like there is some rust and possible bondo. The rig definately would need to be sandblasted with quite a bit of body work. The glass is good, except for the windshield but needs new molding. Don't know what else may be wrong, perhaps it would be easier to say what will be right with it.

What do you folks think? I know sky is the limit when rebuilding, but do you think I can get a great rig if I put 5 to 10k into it? I also know these are very rare and do not really want to pass on it, even if it is only an investment.

How about it Cruiser fans?

Mark Ptashkin said:

even if it is only an investment.

How about it Cruiser fans?

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buying one for an investment usually doesn't work out. You'll put more into it than you'll be able to sell it for.

If buying it, keeping it, and using it, that's different.

Pics help to see how "bad" it is, unless going for a restoration, plan on replacing all the drivetrain. if it is a non-removable top, cab is smaller. also a 45 section if you scroll down

Cruisers aren't good investments. Buy it to enjoy it, not make money. People keep asking what I have in mine so they can figure out how much money I would make if I sold it. I don't want to know, nor do I care. I love my cruiser, and hope to never sell it. Buy it and love it, put some time and money into it, and she will love you back. A short wheelbase 45 is a pretty cool ride. I wouldn't mind getting one next.

And welcome to Mud!

Jeremy

Mark Ptashkin said:

I may have stumbled upon an FJ45 short bed, it may even have a removable top it is hard to tell from a distance. It needs work! I don't think there is a strait body panel on it and it looks like there is some rust and possible bondo. The rig definately would need to be sandblasted with quite a bit of body work. The glass is good, except for the windshield but needs new molding.

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Welcome.


Curious, if you are unable to discern if it has a removable top “from a distance” how can you possibly tell that there is mud in the truck, or that it needs new windshield molding?

Mark Ptashkin said:

What do you folks think? I know sky is the limit when rebuilding, but do you think I can get a great rig if I put 5 to 10k into it? I also know these are very rare and do not really want to pass on it, even if it is only an investment.

How about it Cruiser fans?

Click to expand...

Sure you could have a “nice” rig for five to ten grand, as long as you do all the work. Also, I would not purchase it with the illusion that you could put five grand into it and turn it for 25 grand.



Land Cruisers are not investments. They are liabilities.


Invest in precious metals; brass and lead. or Gold.

Where?

just tell us all where it is and eerything will be fine dont worry

I can see it from about 30 yards. I left a message with the owner today and will pester them this weekend as well. I am close enough that I can see holes in the bed from a toneau cover. I don't know much about fixing these critters so don't know what to offer. I will post pictures tomorrow, perhaps you guys may help with ideas.

I know it has a winch as well but since it has been sitting I am not too enthusiastic about the possibitlies of anything that acutally works. The only plus is that this is Arizona, and equipment usually lasts much longer here.

Sounds like you need to get a closer look.

As stated, it's probably more a labor of love than an investment. US market 45's are the older ones - pre-2F motors, drum brakes all around, etc... Being older, original stuff will be correspondingly harder to find and more expensive when you do.

As long as you're aware of all that before you jump in, by all means jump. If you're thinking of using it for a real working truck, it's probably more painless to get a V6 Tacoma or a V8 Tundra.

Investment! Thats funny. Cruisers are like Disneyland. Can be a lot of fun or a pain in the ass but are always expensive. Doing the work yourself will save money but it seems you are never done as something else breaks or you want to do something different. Fun though. Good luck.