Fj45RP

[Mattydub]

I recently got hold of this 45, haven’t had one for a few years but saw this and decided to pull the trigger. Shipped it from NSW back to WA. Very original with 113,000km was parked under an open side shed and forgotten for many years until the brother of the bloke who owned it had to sell his farm where it was stored, meaning this had to be sold. Been doing some work on it recently, it’s a 1983.

 

[Mattydub]

Few more

 

[whitey45]

That is a pretty rare late model style side ! Great find and great patina! You really never see too many 83 fj45’s in Australia, most are hj47’s with a tray!

 

[JohnnyC]

Nice cruiser.... with Factory ac .... extra nice!!!

 

[xtremeVA]

Wow, nice find!

 

[scoobiedubes]

Looks like a great find! I love that patina, looks like she’s been used but not abused.

 

[Mattydub]

I have been tempted to keep the patina, unfortunately it has rusted through in a couple spots. Seems the drivers side copped it the worst. Roof is rusted through there, so on the hunt for a new one at the moment. Other than that and a couple little spots on the tailgate and right hand side there’s very little rust, floors are solid, including the tray. The fuel tank was left full aswell, which caused a bit of an issue. Completely rusted out, luckily picked up one in perfect internal condition from an hj47. Only issue is there was no return line in the tank and my original tanks pickup and return were cactus. I’ve read on here that you can apparently block the return line from the diaphragm pump, but I’m undecided whether to do it yet. May try and fit a return somehow while it’s out. If anyone knows more feel free to comment!

 

[Mattydub]

To add to the story, the old bloke who owned it was a prospector, when I was cleaning out the behind the seats I came across these raw opals which was interesting, they were hidden in an old lemonade can that I nearly threw out...

 

[middlecalf]

Are those translucent?

 

[Mattydub]

It’s a chalky stone, with a different coloured veins depending on the light. Gave the old girl a wash today

 

[middlecalf]

I see the veins in those stones, nice! I asked about the stones because here in Idaho (US) a translucent opal is worth some $. I have one a couple inches in diameter that could fund a nice project, but right now it’s sitting on the kitchen windowsill, lol.

Back on topic - love this rig. Motor & drivetrain intact?

 

[Mattydub]

Yeah mate she runs well, few oil leaks from sitting for so long and I think sump may have rusted through on that guard where it’s spot welded. Other than that I don’t think it will need to be touched

 

[sneaky]

Good find. A rub down with some diluted CLR will clean up some of the rust marks. My roof has a dodgy repair in the same spot, finding a good steel one is getting harder.

 

[Mattydub]

Bit of Saturday progress. Don’t have any fancy metalwork tools so used the rolled edge of a Nissan Navara tail gate off and old farm ute. Seemed to have the right angle. Hand bent the rest, not perfect but certainly better. Have recently got the new fuel tank in, and plumbed up a return line using a firewall fitting. She’s now running off the mechanical pump, although it started a lot easier with the electrical one.. who knows may have to put it back in. Cheers

 

[Mattydub]

Saw the radio for sale and couldn’t say no! Looks a bit better now.

 

[middlecalf]

another rotted 45 roof saved!

 

[Mattydub]

I also welded up the sump, she’d completely rusted through on the bash guard so, drilled her out and Tacked in a new piece, new one on the way from Toyota so this is only a temp fix. Made a very farm spec side exit exhaust too. Only temporary was just sick of the noise without a muffler.
Cheers

 

[Mattydub]

A few little updates;

Installed the new sump which arrived the other day, was great fun on the driveway floor. (Missing the hoist at the farm now.)

Washed the ute with CLR, came up great!

Removed the old bull bar and scrub rails, I actually bought another bar but I won’t install it until I head back to the bush. Looks a lot cleaner.

Sent the seats off to the auto trimmer, very excited to get them back.

All new genuine leads and spark plugs.

Fixed another few leaks. Now just have to do transfer output seal. Have to do speedo cable, so will probably do this at the same time as the current cable is very seized onto transfer case.

Installed a new oil pressure sendbut to no avail, so looks like I’m up for a new gauge

Currently I have an issue where if I’m driving along and go to neutral and apply brakes, vehicle will stall. I’m assuming this will be a vacuum issue so that will be another fun problem solve..

I’m sure there’s plenty more I’ve done recently but have forgotten, my Toyota expense sheet is certainly climbing.
Cheers

 

[Mattydub]

It begins! Unfortunately the angle section is rusted through in a few areas so I’ll be replacing that as well.

 

[Mattydub]

First repair complete, not perfect as you can vaguely see the infill piece on the top edge, although filler will remove that. I will also mark with a straight edge the level of existing spot welds, drill and re weld some new ones.