In Search of the Elusive 1980 FJ55

[cruiserdan]

I know of the vehicle and I have seen some photos.

 

[crawlin cruiser]

The one rusted to nothing? I’m interested in a late grill if you do pick that up...

I assume its junk. Most Canadian 55s are. Just picked up this gem

 

[scrapdaddy]

I know of the vehicle and I have seen some photos.

Ah, I see. The plot thickens. Thanks Dan!

 

[cruiserdan]

The A/C may well have been dealer installed. That sometimes translates into "factory air" for some people. Especially since dealers were quick to say "we can put air in, no problem".

 

[scrapdaddy]

That's true, like Warn hubs and electric winches. Dealers added whatever they could sell.

 

[cruiserdan]

Warn hubs and 8274 winches were factory approved accessories and were available with a Toyota part number on the box. I sold them back in the day.

On the other hand there were no factory accessory A/C kits sold in this market. All add-on A/C was aftermarket.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I didn't know that. Love learning new sheet! I always thought it was like the Chevy dealers throwing on a rollbar and KC lights.

 

[RUSH55]

Still wondering if some dealers took it upon themselves to have some painted mono-tone.

 

[Ol Yeller]

Warn hubs and 8274 winches were factory approved accessories and were available with a Toyota part number on the box. I sold them back in the day.

On the other hand there were no factory accessory A/C kits sold in this market. All add-on A/C was aftermarket.

Was there a mounting kit for the 8274? I have one on the way and would like the mounting to be period correct...

 

[RUSH55]

Is that to accompany the period correct 62 series axles?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Is that to accompany the period correct 62 series axles?

Touche

 

[tucker74]

@Awl_TEQ used to sell the the frame extensions jigged from the OEM PTO option, not sure if he’s still making them.

 

[scrapdaddy]

That's the ones I used, but I thought the 8274 fit without the extensions, no?

 

[tucker74]

I’ve heard that, but don’t really see how unless completely over the bumper? Mine was from winch plate to crossmember with minimal gap. Maybe a planetary style winch would?

 

[Ol Yeller]

Thanks for that @tucker74 , I know it’ll just bend but am wondering how they mounted them to the stock bumper?

Somewhere a picture is lurking, I spent a bit going through the picture album but no luck.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

It is my understanding that you need a brace behind the stock bumper and a mounting plate. Something like this:

8274 Winch Mounting Plate

Made of 3/8" laser cut steel. Use this to fabricate a mount for your Warn 8274 with a stock bumper. UPDATE: 8/2/23 - 9 Kits available - Some welded and ready for shipping. Also now available: Bumper Support DIY Kit that you would weld the 3/8" 8274 mount to. This fits inside your OEM bumper...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[grayluher]

Hey Guys, I finally got to see it, inspect it, drive it and purchase it. I had been wanting a 55 forever. I will be doing a full frame off restoration on this starting in the fall. The owners were fantastic people and I am motivated to restore this and show them the results. They were less interested in money and more interested in it getting used, improved upon and ending up with someone that appreciates it as much as they did. I feel a little bit of pressure to live up to what I believe this can be.

Below are some details:

• Original Owners from Canada
  • Been in TX since 1985
  • Owners were kind enough to agree to write me a few paragraphs of the trucks story, adventures and where it's been
• Highly Documented
  • Everything it's ever needed has been done mechanically
  • Thousands of Dollars in Maintenance Receipts
  • Original Keys & Key Chain - Manuals and neat records kept by owner
  • Owner had pre-sale inspection done by my Mechanic and that's how we found each other
    • My mechanic who works on all my rigs said it needed nothing
  • Tires are dry rotted, but I always get BFG's regardless of tire condition - They ride like butter
• Build date is from Dec 1979
• Rust
  • No rust on the frame
  • Rust is manageable and I am having a fabricator take a look so that all gets addressed in the next month or so
• Mechanical Condition
  • Truck runs amazing, just as good as my FJ60 with 80K miles, seems to like the bumpy Dallas Roads
  • Everything seems to be there
• AC is awesome but it's aftermarket - Mr Dan was correct
• No Power Steering
• Not Smogged from factory
• Some small electrical issues with headlights and rear glass
• A few of the doors need hinges replaced

That's all I can think of. Attached are a few pics. Thanks for the feedback guys!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Congratulations. Looking forward to more pics.

 

[cruiserdan]

I wonder how they got it imported when it was only 5 years old?

 

[grayluher]

Not sure what the rules were back then, but they did provide the import paperwork with of all of the details. We met at the Tax Office yesterday and I transferred the Texas Title to my name on the spot without issues.