FJ45 Bed: Aftermarket or (this) original?

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Dear all:
Planning my J45 Pickup resto must choose a bed.
The options are the Chinese and this original bed (see pics). Having access to both the dilemma arises, or there isn't any dilemma?

Please take into account that:
1. In both cases the price is fair.
2. Body work prices (at my shop in Greece) are fair too.
3. Trying to make a resto as original as possible/within a budget (not necessarily at a museum level)

Highly appreciate your contribution!

 

[charliemeyer007]

That yellow one looks like there is a lot more bondo than the rusted threw places are showing. You want a working pick up, I vote hands up get the gray one and be done with rust.

 

[3_puppies]

what about Teveson? in France?
I thought @Awl_TEQ was selling thru 4 wheel parts in Calgary?

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

what about Teveson? in France?
I thought @Awl_TEQ was selling thru 4 wheel parts in Calgary?

Alas, the shelf price of the European manufacturers is 3X (sometimes more) of the Chinese one...

 

[macdaddy59]

Grey one. Get it up and running and drive on with the least amount of repair time.

 

[45Dougal]

I'd be tempted with a new one too, but it's nicer to have the real thing, so if you're seriously thinking about the yellow one then I'd ask them to shot blast it first.
Won't cost much and you'll be able to see what you're really buying.

 

[FJ404345]

It sounds stupid, but the real one "feels" better once the truck is ready

 

[Mark Jennings]

I think once you transfer the headache bar the the Chinese box, and get her painted up….no one will challenge what you have!

 

[Living in the Past]

Do the Chinese offer an original tailgate stamped with Toyota? I was lucky a got one of Awl_TEQ tailgates years ago. That little detail would be aust for me.

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Do the Chinese offer an original tailgate stamped with Toyota? I was lucky a got one of Awl_TEQ tailgates years ago. That little detail would be aust for me.

Unfortunately not...

The buyer can only add the self adhesive lettering, pretty much like in the 70-Series I think (see pics),
...or keep looking for the real thing!

 

[Paul_A]

Are we to assume buying both and taking the best of each is out of the question?

 

[Living in the Past]

3. Trying to make a resto as original as possible/within a budget (not necessarily at a museum level)

Highly appreciate your contribution!

The buyer can only add the self adhesive lettering, pretty much like in the 70-Series I think (see pics),

I know in North America 70 series are imported and stripped for work in mines in Canada. Parts that are removed including pickup beds are available as new take offs. To me adding stickers with Toyota letters might as well buy a whe Toyota made bed and modify to fit. Besides not having the stamped lettera it also doesn't have the stamped oval for the 4X4 emblem. You would fool anyone who doesn't know Land Cruisers. Me If were to use stickers I would rather have the whole bed with true Toyota quality.