It could be because it was a in fact Canada-Spec truck. I seem to remember some sort of allowance in that case.
In Search of the Elusive 1980 FJ55 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter SHMac
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We've learned not to doubt.
Nice wagon.
So, does it need to be taken apart? Looks so good from the pics. Why not just clean it up mechanically and let it rip
Survivors like this are amazing
Survivors like this are amazing
I'd fix the rust, spot paint it and "patina" the repaired areas to match. Then I'd drive the wheels off of it. 
It doesn't need to be taken apart but I think it would bring a ton of satisfaction to know that every single part has been touched and looked at, and that it will be good for the next several decades. I will repair rust first and repaint spots and drive until I am ready for the rest. Thanks for all the ideas guys. I haven't been as active on here, but the LC community is the best and I appreciate the ideas.
I wonder if City Racer's electric power steering would work in there. That would be killer. 
I wonder how they got it imported when it was only 5 years old?
My guess is the Canadians brought it down in 1985 before the 1988 25 year law was passed.
Do you have a link to that information? I thought it went back farther than that.
So it has all the smog equipment still in tact?
Wonder what repairs were needed just 2 months after buying it. Do you have a record of that?
What is the build date?
More pics please.
Wonder what repairs were needed just 2 months after buying it. Do you have a record of that?
What is the build date?
More pics please.
from wiki:
The grey market was successful enough that it ate significantly into the business of Mercedes-Benz of North America and their dealers. The corporation launched a successful million-dollar congressional lobbying effort to stop private importation of vehicles not officially intended for the U.S. market.[23] An organisation called AICA (Automotive Importers Compliance Association) was formed by importers in California, Florida, New York, Texas, and elsewhere to counter some of these actions by Mercedes lobbyists, but the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act was passed in 1988, effectively ending private import of grey-market vehicles to the United States
Thanks!
and it appears the 25 year rule went into affect in 1998, again per Wiki:
In 1998, NHTSA granted vehicles over 25 years of age dispensation from the rules it administers, since these are presumed to be collector vehicles.[25] However, there are two exceptions to the rule. One is California, where vehicle emissions requirements make it difficult to register a classic vehicle from overseas.[28] (California Smog Check is mandated for automobiles 1976 and newer.) In 21 states, mini trucks(JDM market kei trucks) of any age can be legally imported and registered as a utility vehicle with on-road use and top speed restrictions varying by state, although virtually all states that allow mini trucks prohibit their operation on Interstate highways.[29][30]
In 1998, NHTSA granted vehicles over 25 years of age dispensation from the rules it administers, since these are presumed to be collector vehicles.[25] However, there are two exceptions to the rule. One is California, where vehicle emissions requirements make it difficult to register a classic vehicle from overseas.[28] (California Smog Check is mandated for automobiles 1976 and newer.) In 21 states, mini trucks(JDM market kei trucks) of any age can be legally imported and registered as a utility vehicle with on-road use and top speed restrictions varying by state, although virtually all states that allow mini trucks prohibit their operation on Interstate highways.[29][30]
So it has all the smog equipment still in tact?
I believe Canada didn't require smog at the time. I have an extra smog system and my mechanic has enough parts to convert it to US spec if I decide to go that route. It actually runs really great.
Wonder what repairs were needed just 2 months after buying it. Do you have a record of that? Yeah, I will take a look and organize everything and see if I can snap a pic.
What is the build date? Build date is Dec 1979.
More pics please.
[/QUOTE]
I believe Canada didn't require smog at the time. I have an extra smog system and my mechanic has enough parts to convert it to US spec if I decide to go that route. It actually runs really great.
Wonder what repairs were needed just 2 months after buying it. Do you have a record of that? Yeah, I will take a look and organize everything and see if I can snap a pic.
What is the build date? Build date is Dec 1979.
More pics please.
[/QUOTE]
yea...the grey market rule wouldn't affect this 55, as the US was getting 55s at the same time (right?)
I don't think the 25 year rule would either, unless there were canadian VINs and USA VINs that would cause issues for crossing the border.
I don't think the 25 year rule would either, unless there were canadian VINs and USA VINs that would cause issues for crossing the border.
It never had any to remove.
That is what we all dream of.
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Seeking clarification here...
I saw someone stating in another thread (can't remember which) that @cruiserdan states all AC systems on Pigs were dealer installed.
I read the above differently - all AC that was added on, ie "not factory", was done using aftermarket parts at the dealer - no factory approved kits for the dealer.
But there were AC systems installed by the factory on some Pigs, yes? Do know what year the factory started building "cool" Pigs?
Factory installed A/C was available in 55s. The earliest catalog reference I can find at the moment appears to be 1970. Toyota offered kits to install "factory" air in just about everything BUT Land Cruisers, at least in the North American market. They could possibly have done that for other parts of the globe.
There were aftermarket kit builders such as Clardy out of Texas. The dealership I worked at in 1979-83 used some of those kits.
There were aftermarket kit builders such as Clardy out of Texas. The dealership I worked at in 1979-83 used some of those kits.
