In Search of the Elusive 1980 FJ55 (4 Viewers)

[PabloCruise]

Thanks Dan, that matches my thoughts on Pig AC.

 

[cruiserdan]

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.

Footnote:

We called these "hang-on air" because that is exactly what it looked like when you were done. Not even close the real deal in craftmanship, fitment and function, but it was somewhat better than nothing.

 

[lowenbrau]

I don't have much of value to add but I once briefly owned a Canadian pig that was registered as 1980. I sold it again before I knew that it was rare and I'm not sure I ever saw the build plate to confirm the date of manufacture. Toyota Canada decided to drop the gassers in favour of diesel in 1980 so I think we kept getting FJ55s until the BJ60s started showing up.

 

[wngrog]

As for power steering, that block should have the holes for factory PS. @Racer65 also sells great repo oem PS pumps.

Find a 79 and up 40/55 factory PS box and it’s a direct bolt in.

 

[cruiserdan]

40s and 55s use different boxes.

The housings appear to be the same number however. I am getting conflicting catalog info.

 

[wngrog]

40s and 55s use different boxes.

The housings appear to be the same number however. I am getting conflicting catalog info.

They are interchangeable. Could possibly have a different ratio but I just went through all that. The 40 and 55 box will bolt right on the stock manual pedestal.

 

[J Mack]

40s and 55s use different boxes.

The housings appear to be the same number however. I am getting conflicting catalog info.

I’m no Toyota expert but it should be obvious that if they share the same housing the 55 box would be stuffed with way more awesome than the 40 box virtually making it a unicorn horn.

 

[cruiserdan]

They are interchangeable. Could possibly have a different ratio but I just went through all that. The 40 and 55 box will bolt right on the stock manual pedestal.

So it fit the manual steering mount bracket? If so that is very cool.

 

[tucker74]

Wonder what happened to the stock cutout letter grill? Beautiful piggy

Tucker

 

[cruiserdan]

I find myself kicking my own ass for being infatuated with the then brand new and exciting 4WD mini trucks. I bought an RN47 Sport truck in 1979 when I could have just as easily bought a '79 FJ55. I would have been certain to get one with factory power steering and factory A/C. I'm a dumbass.

 

[RUSH55]

Nothing wrong with a 79 Toyota pickup. Great 4wd machines!

 

[bobm]

I had 1 too. 79 0r 80 bought it brand new $7,300