FINALLY, 18 years of waiting and finally an FJ55 owner

[JamesC]

18 years and a month ago I saw my first FJ55 for sale, it was in Springfield Oregon. I had just moved to the US, Oregon, for college. Looking through the autotrader I saw a grainy white pig next to a parts pig. Buy one and get one free, what's better than that as a college student?? Called, set up appointment to see them an hour away and I had to wait to leave until after my ride's last class. "No no, no deposit needed they'll be here" I was told. I had the money ready.

I called just before we were on our way had that sickening feeling in my stomach when the car salesman said 'well there are some folks here looking at them but we have plenty of OTHER trucks on the lot'. Yep, gone before we had even left. Fast forward almost two decades and that friend who was going to generously drive me down there is now my WIFE. I looked for years but as I got older my idea of a good FJ55 also changed. I managed to stifle the need for years with motorcycles and track cars, shopped 80s for a couple of years, but in the end had to admit that pigs are persistent.

I happened to come back to Ih8mud and poke around - something I've done off and on for a few years. One of the first few posts was "Whats my daisy worth":

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pig-preservation-society/366745-whats-my-daisy-worth.html

PM'd ABQIRONPIG, got a call back and my wife and I left for ABQ Friday to have a look.

This is really pretty much what we saw minus the big tree

Drove around and talked to ABQIRONPIG for a while. Seriously, this FJ55 came from Springfield Oregon. Could it be!? I'll probably never know but these tell the tale of where this one is going

ABQ strap down:

Amarillo Cracker Barrel lunch stop:

I don't think I could be much happier

 

[Southeast Overland]

Sweet!!! That is so awesome!

What are your plans? That Pig looks in awesome shape. Can you post more pics?

 

[PabloCruise]

Awesome, I am glad she got a good home.

That is a cool story about your wife, and wanting a Pig for 18 years now!!!

Enjoy, and keep us posted!

 

[romegadave]

You're gonna turn a lot heads in that beauty

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Great story, beautiful swine! Congrats! I hope to run into you someday out on the trail. Cheers.

 

[jtrock26]

Congratulations! That is truly one of the nicest looking piggies I've seen. Enjoy her!

 

[40Flipper]

Cool! I secretly wanted that truck.

 

[CandyPants]

Beautiful truck! You are so fortunate to have her! Of course, I am partial to the red and white ones myself. Ohhh...and I am envious of your headrests!

 

[weeboo]

I thought I liked the blue ones, but that red is SO, SO SHINY

 

[Ming89FJ62]

Congrats on the new pig. You're sure to turn a few heads with that one - she is a beauty.

 

[Demi]

COngrats... Beautiful. More pics please

 

[landcruisnman]

Beautiful wagon brother. Welcome to the "knights" of Swineville. Fate is funny.

 

[MiniPigg]

Fine looking pig..... welcome to the ranks.

 

[JamesC]

Thank you for all the well wishes! I haven't done much more than drive it this past week ~ 600miles.

Did install sor rear seat cover and pick up some paint reducer to strip rattle can overspray from interior vinyl. Waiting for manuals to arrive so I can understand some of what I'm looking at. Installed an a/c drain to the firewall to prevent the flooded passenger footwell, etc. I'm impressed with how cool it can get the truck although we're only in the 80s here in TX so far. Looking for a front bench/seat belts to replace the buckets. We want to continue driving it for a while before doing too much. I'll have to take some more pics.

Thanks again