Daniel
@cult45 ,
Apologies for the lengthy response:
Yes, the model designations are not consistent. I believe the reasoning behind the "-B" suffix added to the model numbers for long-bed pickups, was to differentiate marketing between the earlier original short-bed models (the so-called "A" or initial pickup trucks) and the introduction of the later long-bed versions (the "B" or second style beds). This nomenclature is printed and photographed throughout in the various early factory Parts Catalogs from the 1960s.
Similarly, being a RHD country, Japan's home-country norm standard would be RHD with no need to designate such; while any vehicles meant to be exported to countries using LHD would need some method of identification, hence their choice of an "L". At least in the early years.
The stamping on the "VIN" plates conflicts with the above. Your photo of a RHD long-bed FJ45 stamped "FJ45P" is contrasted with the LHD model long-beds exported into the US through 1967 which are stamped "FJ45L", and conflicts with the earlier short-bed RHD models also designated FJ45P. Not sure why later-on Toyota chose to start adding an R to RHD models when it had been omitted in the early days.
The stamped "VIN" plates do provide more information about a truck and various options than a basic model number such as FJ45LP-B, and of course various registration authorities in many countries went further in designating trucks under their regulation: I have a long-bed pickup truck built in June 1966, which my regulating authority (California state) chose to register on official documents as a 1967 model "FJ45LPB.....", even though the "VIN" plate clearly states the model as "FJ45L" and the frame stamp has no "LPB" letters in it.
The "V" designation seems to be Japan's effort to differentiate a soft-top vehicle from a hard-top one. We have FJ40 models listed in catalogs as "FJ40" when a soft top, and "FJ40V" when having a hard top; some catalogs show "FJ40" vs "FJ40L", for RHD and LHD; and often there are variances on what is stamped onto the "VIN" plates. The Japanese understanding of the word "van" may be different than that used in other countries, much like that of the English and their understanding of the words "station wagon". What we call a "Troopy" or "Troop Carrier" may be a rough translation of a Japanese word for that model--perhaps they refer to it in Japanese as a "bus," where Americans might use the words "Sports Utility Vehicle" / "SUV". All very confusing, but understandable given the international nature of vehicles.
On top of all of this, the letters "LWB" are often used when referring to the long-bed pickup truck, although probably never used by the Japanese. And of course Toyota referred to the pickup trucks at one point as a "Utility," which they mis-typed as "Utilily" on their 1964 catalog cover !
The lists of 45/47s I'm trying to fill-out have been using the factory printed catalog model designations, the year approximations based upon the various Mud registries, and reports from Mud members such as yourself. It can be a crude approximation, but lacking official factory data, the best I can do at present. I very much hope that other members, from many other countries than my own, can continue to contribute to this knowledge base, and some day we may have a better idea of what, when, and how many of these trucks were made and sold going back sixty or more years ago.
Thank-you for your input--much appreciated. I have amended the list herein for the end of HJ45 production and the corresponding start of HJ47 manufacture.
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