78 Diesel FJ55; How Rare? Even Real?

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Question from Pig rookie.

I found a LHD '78 55 that has diesel badges on the front fenders and "diesel fuel only" sticker @ fuel tank. I didn't realize they offered a diesel in a 55.

Anyone know how rare it is/was? Would it be Non-US spec only?

Please pardon the lack of Pig knowledge. I'm trying.

 

[hks3sgte]

Did you buy it?

a Rumored BJ56 was offered. Don't know if it's real.

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Not yet. Thinking hard about it. Needs a LOT of work.

 

[hks3sgte]

Pictures will go A LONG WAY!

 

[Trollhole]

Pics please.

If it is stock it is the by far the rarest 55 out there. We need pics and lots of them.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Yeah, pic's!! I need to know what "Diesel" badges my piggy needs to look official! I already have the "Diesel Fuel Only" sticker.

 

[zuluzeugma]

So my question is: where is it? Is it in the Tyler area dude? I've got to see this thing in person.

 

[Trollhole]

ANy news?

 

[weeboo]

has anyone ever put a diesel in a '55?

 

[cruiser_guy]

has anyone ever put a diesel in a '55?

I have!! https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-...972-september-potm-cruiser-guy-guatemala.html

Others have too but I think that the 3B would have been a likely engine.

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Well, your reactions have confirmed that it can't be factory. All my research has turned up nothing about a factory diesel in a 55.

It has been in a East Texas boneyard for a LONG time. The inspection expired in '84. So I'm assuming it's been there close to 20 yrs. The motor/trans/transfer case are gone, the front clip is mangled, and worst of all, the front frame horns are bent from a pretty nasty headon, but the rest of the body is in remarkable condition.

I am still thinking about draggin it home and putting it on a wrecked 80 chassis. (Which I still don't have either.) That would obviously ruin the rarity of a factory diesel, but since the motor is gone anyway, I'd have to repower it either way. I'd prefer to keep it all Toy, but a SBC has got to be a cheaper way to go.

I will go back to the boneyard and take some pics for everyone as soon as I can.

Thanks for the input.

 

[PabloCruise]

Look for a VIN tag - that should tell you what engine it came from the factory with.

If the VIN begins FJ55, then she was not a diesel...

 

[zuluzeugma]

I may check it on my way home from work. I'll let everyone know what I find out

 

[Trollhole]

If it says BJ55 don't trash it. It is worth taking some pictures and posting them up. It is a very rare cruiser.

 

[zuluzeugma]

If it says BJ55 don't trash it. It is worth taking some pictures and posting them up. It is a very rare cruiser.

Thats an understatement...

It would probably be worth trying to piece back together. It wouldn't be numbers matching, but extremly cool nonetheless...

 

[JohnnyC]

dont forget a CAMERA !!!!

 

[dsa03cjj]

pics are a must . . . i'm stoked to know about this one

 

[PabloCruise]

Stay tuned true believers!

 

[zuluzeugma]

Gana skip the gym and go check it out... My camara is at home though... You'll have the official answer in a few hours...

 

[zuluzeugma]

Place closed at 5. I'm gana sneak out of work early tomorrow with a camara and try again.