Australian Newbie.My 75? HJ45 Cruiser

[Tumut64]

Hi Guys,
Greetings from Australia. I have just bought my first Cruiser and happened across this site.I gather it is US based but figured that the Cruiser Obsession/Sickness is Universal?

This Cruiser found me.I have always wanted a pilot house Dodge to buy and do up.But there comes a day when you have to accept your short comings and accept that you are never going to own one.

This Cruiser belonged to my mechanic Brother In Law. He owned it for a few years. When he first bought it the engine was sitting in the back tray in pieces. He rebuilt the engine redoing the top end while he was at it. It has new shocks and a beefed up radiator from a later model. He added a canopy to go bush in and use while shooting.

It has not been registered since 2004 and has been sitting in the yard of his business.The Landlord has given him a stern talking to about getting rid of some of his cars so he decided to sell his Cruiser. I have always admired it but never thought he would get rid of it. He put a price of $1500 dollars on it and I nearly fell over. I thought it would go for more than that. Anyhoo, I took a deep breath and asked if i could buy it on the lay away plan. Sure enough, sentimentality won out and he allowed me to buy it. I don't think he really wanted to sell it and keeping it in the family was a far better option.

It is mechanically good.The Big C has got into the normal places but he has given me fiberglass guards, bonnet and windscreen surround.I am busy mapping out a game plan to strip her down and get her back to her former glory.

If I have got the right part of the forum for this I will post some photos because I know you all like pics. If I have posted this in the wrong place then please let me know.Stay tuned

Regards
Raarb

 

[AJAEbj42]

Welcome to MUD! Post some Pics!

If it's an HJ, it's likely diesel, so you can post up in the diesel section for diesel questions.

There's also the FJ45 section as well to introduce yourself!

I own a BJ42 and spend equal times in the FJ40 section and the diesel section. MUD is awesome because the people make it that way.

 

[Tumut64]

1975? HJ45 Cruiser

Thanks AJAE for the welcome. I will do as you suggest and make my way over to the FJ45 section and say Hi.i think I will post the pics over there if that is the appropriate section for my vehicle.
In the meantime I will include a taste in this post
Enjoy
Rob

 

[herbs]

That looks alright, though the doors and front headlight panel look like they're from 1980-'84 model. What motor does it have? H or 2H?

 

[Tumut64]

75 HJ45 Cruiser

Hi Herbs,
The info I have on her ID plate is as follows.I cannot find the Compliance Plate so I assume it is long gone(if she ever had one). The Engine and Chassis Nos are original so that is a good thing. The date on the seat belts give 1984 too but they are obviously a bolt on bolt off thing so useless for dating.

Model: HJ45RP-KQ
Eng: H 3.576cc/2177 cu in
Frame No HJ45 031423
Colour/Trim 854/LN11
Trans/Axle H41/K082
Plant/GVW A11/3040

I don't know if the engine is the original but it is H67225.I hope to keep the original colour which is Sky Blue.Should look good in two pack?

I'll add some more pics this arvo showing off her highlights and lowlights.

Regards
Tumut.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Welcome to "MUD"..... I have a 1978 HJ45 pickup ( also an Australian model ) with the "H" diesel and it has given me years of reliable service not to mention it just looks "cool." You will find that the forum members are willing to offer a wealth of information on all things "Cruiser."
Take care................1978HJ45

 

[Tumut64]

1975 HJ Cruiser

Hi 1978HJ,
Thanks for the welcome.Appreciate it.I am told that this thing is bomb proof and I am looking forward to restoring it and enjoying her.

I found the Compliance plate.In the glove box no less.Looks like it has been spray painted at some stage. I was a little ways out with her being a 1975. She is in fact a Feb 1979 build so she has just had her 31st birthday.Here are some more pics

 

[splib]

Hate to be the 'roo that steps in front of that!

Good score!

 

[Tumut64]

1979 HJ45

Thanks Splib,
Yeah.You'd hear the "Booonnnnnng" well and truely.The Pedestrian Council's Harold Scruby has a bounty out on me already.I will do a deal with him..if he and the pedestrians don't walk on the road then I will not hit them.
Ta
Tu

 

[herbs]

Ah yes, that makes sense, that would be one of the first 40/45 series to have the updated body, it's pretty much the same as my HJ 45, mine coming out of the factory in January 1980. The H motor that's in it isn't too bad really, but they're slow, real slow. A 2H equpped 'Cruiser is markedly better in this area, but while it's in good shape, the H is certainly a servicable motor.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

My "H" diesel is mated to a 4 speed gearbox and I would have to admit that it is "no ball of fire" when it comes to acceleration however the engine appears to be bulletproof. If you give that "roo" much of a head start you probably will not be able to catch him unless he stops and waits on you. I run my 45 on biodiesel for about 9 months out of the year ( not during the Winter) and it does very well on the alternate fuel.
Take care...................1978HJ45

 

[Tumut64]

1979 HJ45 Cruiser

Thanks 1978HJ45,
Thanks for that. I will be able to hit the roo just fine even with the old H.They have a nasty habit of appearing out of the scrub at the side of the road and bounding along beside the driver's side door or zig zagging at a leisurely pace infront of you. Just when you think you have them pegged they zig when they should zag.:whoops: It is the ones that are grazing on the other side of the crest in the road that seem to cause the problems.

Tumut

 

[Tumut64]

1979 HJ45 Cruiser



Hi Guys,
Hopefully this works. This is the state of the old girl when I bought her.She had a swag of VW rear ends and diffs in the rear tray.The canopy had to go because the supports were rusted and probably would not pass rego when that eventually happens. It also was not practical to use the tray due to the height.....so a sledge hammer and crowbar were used to try and part the canopy from the tray.Naaaahh. Not going to happen so we used a forklift to add some pull and eventually it came off.
I know have to come up with a strip and bag parts plan so that I can fix the rust in the turret and driver's footwell.Stay tuned.
Tumut