FJ55 buying tips

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latinoguy

latinoguy

10 Year 15 Year
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OK,

I drive an 80 series wagon, but I am big fan of all LCs...And thing the iron pig is as classic a wagon as you are going to find in any vehicle.

I am helping a friend do some leg work on his interest of buying a pig. He is seriously considering but he knows nothing about the famous iron pig, other than he likes the classic look, and a wagon would fit him better to haul his camping gear, wife and german shepperd on expedition / camping trips around baja, socal deserts and mountains. He currently has a 2004 VW Touareg that has been wheeling and is getting introduced to off roading with this surprisingly capable vehicle...but you guessed, too nice of a rig to pinstripe and beat around the trails...I have strongly adviced him to consider buying an 80 series, (what I drive) and he likes the 80 series, but he rather have a classic LC wagon....

So, calling out to the experts here, what are some things to look for when deciding to buy an iron pip...I know that rust is going to be a concern...What about the different model years? any particularly better in terms of features....Any major changes done at different years? Did any come with AC, Auto transmissions? What about the motors? I see that many are doing chevy motor conversions with much success...

Any tips greatly appreciated...yes I did look thru the sticky's but did not find a think about buying an FJ55 FAQ...
 
Howdy! Hopefully he can find one with minimal rust and maximum weatherstripping. The rubber is fast becoming unobtainium. The only major differences that I know of were the 4 speed transmission in 74. I think the engine went from F up to 2F that year, also. In 76 it got disc brakes. 79 (maybe late 78) got optional AC and PS. Never had an automatic transmission. Need to spend some time reading a lot of the buildups and resto work on this list and you can learn a lot. John
 
Think hard

Ya, don't. Unless he has piles of money, time and tools. Not your typical family rig. If he can afford a Toureg maybe he could get a tricked out 55. Keep in mind that they are demanding. Manual adjust brakes, 16 grease zerks....on and on. Can your friend wrench? Do routine maint.? Wife WILL not drive it or dig it (manual steering, noisy, rough ride, brakes never as easy on the legs as an 80). Motor swaps won't cure these issues. If he wants to real bad, then all issues can be addressed. Think Touregg prices (for the upgrade?). Pass 80 aquisition costs at the blink of an eye.
 
I concur with the rest, unless he can wrench and is willing to do so the '55, or any older vehicle for that matter, is not a viable family hauler unless his pockets are deep and his AAA is up to date!

Having said that I drove my '55 from British Columbia, Canada to Guatemala, Central America last year so it can be done.
 
If he wants a classic cruiser then why talk him out of it? I think the FJ55 makes a nice family wagon. I've owned two FJ55's that were both daily drivers and family wagons. One of which had the speedo turned over three times before it started having a few issues none of which left us stranded. Well one did but that was when I swapped the engine out at about 380K miles with a 87 2F with 110K. He can expect lousy gas mileage. I normally got about 13mpg. We love driving our pigs. Then again I come from the air cooled volkswagen community and we are used to driving cars with spartan like interiors and heating systems. Although the pigs heater is awesome and will cook you if left on high long enough.

My first FJ55 DD and Family wagon was an 1974. Yes that is a bastard year. It was the last year with the lower transfercase gears like in the speed speed transmissions. And was the first year of the four speed transmission. the engine was given a better oiling system with a spin on oil filter as well as better head. Some say its the first year of the 2F and others says its an F series. Either way it is an odd engine and in 1975 the true 2F came out as well as front disc brakes. The 1974 engine head is a one year only head. Some might have made it into early 1975. Some 75's have front drum brakes too.

Rust spots are common in the lower front fenders next to the drivers door, on the floor boards next to the kicker panels under the rubber mats, in the outer rockers, on the rear fender well lips, in the rear 1/4 panel lower part and in the lower tailgate. Also might look at the rain gutters for rust as well as the rear side corners and rear corners up to the roof line for rust. The front upper A pillars next to the top windshield corners has rust at time.

Interior. Expect cracks in the dash panel. Sometimes that lower center panel is missing. The molding on the glove box might be wrapped or gone and replaced with wood or just bare metal. Front seats are pretty much always torn due to the age of the fabric used and tears easily at the sow seams. The front seat supports on the floor are almost always shear fractured on the rear bolt and pushed in. Thats an easy fix. Headliner is normally ripped in the rear cargo bay and dirty. The weather stripping for the doors can be replaced. But the rear rubber at the tailgate is no longer made. There is a vendor on the forums that recently started making it. Under the front seat you should have the artic heater. the fan doesn't work at times. Clean the contacts and it should work fine. Under the rear seat are the tools to do tire changes and a hand crank used to do valve adjustments. It doesnt work very well trying to start the engine. It will just phuck up your arm and bend the hell out of the lower grill valance as well as bend the soft metal crank handle.

AC was usually a dealer install. I do believe factory power steering didnt happen until 1978 but you know it could have always been installed in late 1977. Tail lights changed in 1978.
Some had a factory winch and others didn't.

All in all there was only about 103,000 FJ55's manufactured by Toyota from 1968 to 1980. I was told the 1980's where only made shortly to help deplete factory stock. I used to have a japanese website that had all the production numbers, what was what, and where they were sent.
 
He is not an 80 series owner, I am, my friend is the one wanting to buy. He does not have any wrenching skills, so he would have to pay some one to service and do the mods... He is not planning to make this his DD, rather, his weekend, ride on the town rig, and WORTHY trail rig....

Thanks for the feedback...points for him to ponder. He does OK on the $$$ side.
 
4-Speed in 74. Factory PS only on 79's. AC was a dealer added option (OEM parts scarse to unobtainable). No cats up to 78 - 79 has one. 78's have unique hoods to clear the air filter on the 2F. Rust is your biggest enemy and pigs ride well...like a truck (go figure)

Good luck,

Ming
 
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