fj 45 lv, do i save it?

[shancerlelby]

was suggested i post this here from the fj40 board

well i recently was offered this beautiful piece of technology out of the blue and wasnt really sure how much of a trainwreck i could be getting into. i've seen afew others on ih8mud and realized how rare these seem to be. its your typical rust wagon but have no idea the availablity of parts or interchangability between the 40 series, same drivetrain? what can i look forward to as far as replacement parts that will work? its been in the woods for awhile and will need a new brake system for sure as well as motor work etc.

any suggestions?

 

[romegadave]

OK Shancerlelby--You made it to the right place--check out post "Project FJ35 Is Over..." and you will see some dedicated 45 folks here--I don't have one but I always check their posts cause the early stuff is so great-

 

[kellyo]

Oh hell yeah. Save it. If not for yourself then for some other worthy soul. It looks to have much potential. The drivetrain and axles are same as a fj40. So are the fenders and front bib and the hood for the most part. Dive into the 45 section here and learn how cool these are.

 

[landcrusher909]

Dude what a find, HELL YES get it out of there and back on the road of recovery. If that was anywhere near me there would nit even be a question We would already be trying to figure out how to get it home, Please keep us posted and more pictures after you get her cleaned up.

 

[shancerlelby]

yea shes in central b.c. rusty toyota country but so far it looks like my 94 4 runner has more rust lol.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Check your PM box

 

[landcrusher909]

lv

Check your PM box

We need to get this down So Calif. LOL

 

[orangefj45]

nice find! it's even got the factory PTO and the early hubcaps on it. well worth saving or at least try to find it a new home with one of the guys on here. somebody would be stoked to have that old LV!

 

[Chef]

Well heck yeah you hafta save it.
Drivelines are cheap and easy to replace, with either stock stuff, newer toyota stuff, or whatever.
It looks like it's mostly there.

I've never seen one with the factory winch installed.

Very cool find.

 

[cruiser_guy]

If you're not going to save it let me know and I'll get it in July!

 

[Landpimp]

love the vise on the bumper this old timer has some tales to tell!

 

[orangefj45]

i know i'm hlaf blind and all, but are those the factory "snow cruiser" tires on there?!

 

[fj45lv]

This is the dream of most that seek the elusive FJ45LV, to find an unmolested Beast waiting for resurrection! From the firewall forward, FJ40 parts match, and are available. Rear driveshaft is longer, but rear diff is the same. This will have the Ball joint front axle,not birfield.
I suggest you follow this up, if you get it and look it over and decide it is more of a project than you wish to engage,then you can pass it on to another Cruiserhead for it's resurrection.
Oppurtunities such as this are rare, of all the Cruisers in existence the most sought after are the BJ, 20 series, 30 series, and 45 Pickup and Wagon and Firetruck, with scarcity and nonobtanium applying to all.
The 45 Wagon (along with the FJ35 and Fj28) is my favorite, body style like no other, more room than a 25 or 40, the PTO winch is an added bonus. A PTO is an excellent choice, no wiring, no worry about alternator output or battery type, with the Toyota version you have multiple speeds in and out vs. the Ramsey version commonly found on the old Beasts. These winches can be very dangerous, if you get it and wish some guidance on the use of the wich, feel free to ask.
Buy it, take it home, fix it up. Use it. It will serve you well. You will be amazed what this stock vehicle can do!

Eric C.
fj45lv

 

[ColoCruiserJeff]

Congratulations on the find!

I've got a complete 66 FJ45LV in pieces, itemized and in boxes for my buidup....so if you need to know where something is, or a reproduction....just let us know and we'll help out!

Certainly an awesome find.....I think that makes 220 or more now that have been accounted for here in North America!

 

[shancerlelby]

thanks for all the awesome replys everyone!

im super stoked for this thing and so far mud has made it that much better. finding out tail lights just came into production made my day last nite hehe. it's still not home yet as my last opportunity to go dig it out and air it up flopped as i needed to repair a brake line and some rear suspension stuff on my daily wheeler 4 runner but hoping to get out this weekend and get it to the point where it can be moved. dont worry i will get some pics up on my next visit to her. then we can actually access the damage together.

 

[Chef]

tail lights are back in production?

 

[fjwagon]

I kinda figured you would figure this out. I noticed them broken on the fj40 thread. What took you so long>

finding out tail lights just came into production made my day last nite hehe.

 

[ColoCruiserJeff]

Tail lights broken???

Hmm....I've got a set if you end up buying the truck.

Kioto Round-eyes would look nice on that rig!!

HEHEHE

 

[romegadave]

Shancerlelby,

Is the beast in the barn yet? Looking forward to updates on your work/condition of the rig----I'll say it again...lucky dog!

 

[shancerlelby]

paid for today should get the transfer papers this week possibly. so far its the highest dollar vehicle purchased out of the lot. 50 cars in total. just to tease everyone my boss got a 64 chevy biscane well optioned 4 door for 50$. runs and drives and isnt that bad at all really.