FJ45 SWB questions

[Ground Up]

Ok...I have been watching a FJ45 SWB for a couple of years sitting next to a house out in the sticks (it hasn't moved in two+ years). I have wanted to stop and see if they would sell but, the wife has really been against it. Well I finally got her to loosen up on the idea. So, I wanted to find out some info on what a person should be looking for. I saw a post recently mentioning that they were offered in a fixed top and removable top, what years etc.? Are there any parts that were specific to the 45 SWB that I should make sure are there. From what I have seen from a distance the thing looks really straight and stock. Looks like the tailgate is there and the bed is stright.

Any help or info specific to this model would be great.

I did a fair amount of research when I bought my Factory Soft Top 40 and I think it paid off. But, I am cramming on short notice on this one before my wife can change her mind. I plan on going out there tommorow.

What's the best tactics for contacting the owner. (play dumb or just go right to the chase?)

What's a good price range?

Sorry for the random questions! But you guys are the shiet and you will know!

 

[65swb45]

There are very few things that are peculiar to the swb, as opposed to the lwb besides the bed itself. One of the coolest things about the swb taillights is that they are the same as the 40 for that year, and you CAN STILL BUY THEM NEW.

Other than that, the nuisance items are the same as the early 40s. Primarily weatherstripping. Windshield, windwing, roof and cab weatherstripping. Alan Loshbaugh (Chef over on the Pirate Board) is putting together a list of people seriously interested in purchasing extruded rubber to replicate the bugcatcher window weatherstripping. Chances are you will need this and may not have another chance to get it.

Passenger side seatframe is often cracked on the outboard side by the passenger door. The span is just too long. 45 tanks are often leakers and a PITA to fix, impossible to replace (ask DeepSouthCruisers)

If it still has the F135 motor, I can help you out with a lot of the old school engine stuff. Keep my name handy.

Hth

 

[Landpimp]

yep, 3 different short wheel base 45's

fix top/fix window(window part of body), 61-2ish(only seen 1-2 of these)

fixed top, window has fixed plates but can fold down. 62-63

removeable top 64ish-67, same top as a long bed, more room in cab.

IMOP a removeable top is the best of the 3 and worth the most.

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

lol, Yes, the fuel tanks have zero aftermarket and I actually did find ONE replacement tank in the U.S. but it was in the same shape as mine.

The easy thing to do would be to put a fuel cell in the bed but I wanted the factory filler neck and tank location to stay factory.

I have since met someone that builds marine fuel tanks so if mine dares to leak again I'll have a new one fabricated rather than work on the old one for another 6 weeks

 

[Ground Up]

Fj45 Swb

Well...went out and met the guy, and asked if he was interested in selling. No luck! He has had the truck for twnety some years. Said he had othe LC's along the way and always kept this one. It was a 1963 fixed top and he said it had a 327 in it. Sounded like his son wanted it if he was ever to let it go. Guy was pretty cool and like most conversations about cruisers it was pretty long.

So the hunt for a 45 LC goes on....


Thanks for the input guys!

 

[orangefj45]

could you get me the guy's info for the "fj45 registry"? need name, e-mail, vin, maybe some details and a pic or 2 would be great.
and keep looking, you'll find one.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

So the hunt for a 45 LC goes on....

A friend of mine is making his own. He bought a 45 aqualu tub, mounted it to a 75 fj40 cowl, 79 fj40 axles,80 frame, 83 fj60 drivetrain, 79 fj40 p/s, and he's making his own bed. No idea on the roof yet, fiberglass repro pieces are available, but pricey. And he just discovered cutting down a 40 roof doesn't really work. Should be pretty neat when it's all together. Although he just realized the wheelbase was way too short, and cut and lengthened the frame by a foot. I want to get pics of his rig (and mine) to post up somewhere before too long. The supply of 45's in the northeast is really, really slim.

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

My 67 fj45 will be for sale by the end of the week, but it's long wheel base.

 

[65swb45]

My 67 fj45 will be for sale by the end of the week, but it's long wheel base.

NO WAY! I thought the two of you were bonded (kind of like having a tapeworm inside you!) First a pass on the Jimiwag, now this!

Was this pressure from the wife, or the ongoing property acquisition?

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

It's the property acquisition that kicking my arse I have 90 days to finalize the financing and selling the 45 is the only way I can do it. The property is mine already (27 acres) but now I'm trying to pay it off without mortgaging any of it.

It's o.k. though, I have learned a ton about my 45 dis-assembling the cab and putting it back together again. I plan on cooling my jets for awhile and then starting the search for a SWB 45 after I recover financially.

 

[Landpimp]

and as it turns out the Jimiwag might have been a real deal at the price if offered it to Jerry for..........

John

NO WAY! I thought the two of you were bonded (kind of like having a tapeworm inside you!) First a pass on the Jimiwag, now this!

Was this pressure from the wife, or the ongoing property acquisition?

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

lol

it was a deal, even with shipping! Just sit on it for another year and I'll come get it.

I'll tell you what I have learned though, when I do start shopping for a swb 45 I'll be looking at one that's already DONE. My limited skills have kept things interesting while working on my 45, but the things I have learned will stick with me forever!

 

[tucker74]

My 67 fj45 will be for sale by the end of the week, but it's long wheel base.

What are you looking to get out of that lwb?

Tucker

 

[65swb45]

I dunna. I think 27 acres ought to make a heck of a cruiser farm! Now that's some serious elbow room. From what I remember of the pics, its a dream come true.

I've had two of my friends sell their rigs to help 'swing' a property deal. The one that hurt was a mint, rust free, 3 on the tree 71/40 that I did a full mechanical resto on, took like 8 months, and then he sells the thing without telling me for $4k!

Anyway, definitely best and hope the 45 goes to a good home.

Mark

 

[Deep South Cruisers]

What are you looking to get out of that lwb?

Tucker

I have to get $8500 to clear my bank note but I was considering putting it on e-bay.

27 acres is quite a bit of room and I got my grandfathers old house and 2 car garage for future Cruiser storage.