J45 Pickup on a J45 Troopy frame?

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Hi folks, need your help!
Trying to repair my 1983 J45 Pickup frame (the rear half of it) at a specialised shop, but it seems to be beyond repair.
The shop suggested me to look for a better frame and just use the rear half of it. The only decent one I could spot here in Europe is a 1976 J45 Troopy frame (see attached pics: the one on top of the rolling chassis).
Although the wheelbase is exactly the same (2950 mm/116.1 in), there are, however, some differences:
1) The mounts of the bed/tray are different
2) A slightly different rear crossmember: the pickup version is narrower than that of a Troopy (116 vs 154 cm at the end) and without the holes for the rear lights, so one has to adjust or convert that.
3) Pre-1979 Cruisers have smaller spring eyes than post-1979 (25 vs 35 mm)

Do you judge these issues as a minor hassle vs the alternative, that is to fabricate (to factory specs) our own frame rails?
Your input is highly appreciated!

PS. Did my homework:
Frame of pick up and troopy - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/frame-of-pick-up-and-troopy.556305/

 

[sneaky]

It could be cost prohibitive, but I know there are always frames available here in Australia from people ( like me) who are converting the 40 series body on to an 80 series frame.

Try Billy at McKinnons Cruisers:

McKinnon's Cruisers

Supplying Custom 40 and 60 Series Land Cruiser Components. Coil Chassis Conversions, Engine Conversions and Barwork

www.mckinnonscruisers.com

He always has something in his paddock and I know he ships his gear internationally.

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

The seller sent me a video of that frame:

YouTube

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studio.youtube.com

 

[Wayneraintree]

I put my BJ 45 cab and running gear onto an HJ47 frame from Australia. I had it shipped to the states.... from the 2H to my 3B the mounts had to be welded in a different position. I added a 79 series bed on mine so again, mounts had to be moved but the transmission mounted to the crossmember and therefore the rest of the running gear mounted right up. It was maybe 3K to my door including purchase and shipping.

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

I want to thank you @sneaky and @Wayneraintree that you showed up! Much appreciated!
Wayne, followed your own resto and adventures, you did a great job with your Kiwi BJ45 PUP! Keep Cruising...and sharing with us!

As I said above, this frame in Belgium is the nearest to me, so today I pulled the trigger and bought it for a fair price.
Deriving from such a rare Cruiser as a 1976 J45 Troopy (and brought to Europe from Downunder!), I thinnk it is a pity not to use it in a Troopy...
...but I do believe that such a pre-1979 Troopy doesn't exist in our old continent (perhaps in the US too) and I have to use it to restore the BJ45 PUP I have on hand.

The seller cut it today in the middle, in order to ship it per road transport to me (some 2000+ km/1250+ miles)...

 

[Wayneraintree]

Looks like a good fix for your frame and it puts you on the path to getting it back on the road. Do you have any pics of the rig prior to this round of work or its current state? Wondering if yours was assembled in Japan or if it was assembled in Australia? Apparently mine was assembled in New Zealand as a cab and chassis.

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Looks like a good fix for your frame and it puts you on the path to getting it back on the road. Do you have any pics of the rig prior to this round of work or its current state? Wondering if yours was assembled in Japan or if it was assembled in Australia? Apparently mine was assembled in New Zealand as a cab and chassis.

The PUP I'm repairing is a European market (imported in Denmark) 1983 BJ45 PUP, assembled in Japan.
The donor vehicle was an Ausssie 1976 J45 Troopy, fuel and land of assembly unknown to me.

PS. My purpose, after this round of work, is to sell it as a cab and chassis, in order to finance the resto of my last 1983 BJ45 PUP...

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Got the last pics from the seller:
one can now see the under side of the frame, as he eliminated from the rear bumper the non OEM Aussie bar.
He told me that the frame is now some 30 kgs/66 lbs lighter, ready for the transeuropean journey (by road to Italy and then by sea to Greece)...

 

[Terrax]

Got the last pics from the seller:
one can now see the under side of the frame, as he eliminated from the rear bumper the non OEM Aussie bar.
He told me that the frame is now some 30 kgs/66 lbs lighter, ready for the transeuropean journey (by road to Italy and then by sea to Greece)...

View attachment 4041532

View attachment 4041533

Why don't you contact Fabien at Teseven in Southern France, he might have a frame. Restauration Land Cruiser Toyota | Teseven Toyota Classic | France - https://www.teseven-toyotaclassic.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Or you could buy this one and have a frame and extra parts: https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/voitures/3012843521

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Hi @Terrax,
Bought this half frame because it seems to solve my technical problem at a reasonable price.
Sure, France is at the same distance and, perhaps, I could find something there (although I found no ad for a frame now) , but I had already found this frame in Belgium.

PS. In respect to ads at https://www.leboncoin.fr they are fine if...you do have a French telephone/mobile number: I tried in the past to buy parts without success. The people at the help desk of the site told me that it is not possible with my Greek or German phone numbers (despite the fact that both countries are older EU member states)...

 

[Terrax]

Hi @Terrax,
Bought this half frame because it seems to solve my technical problem at a reasonable price.
Sure, France is at the same distance and, perhaps, I could find something there (although I found no ad for a frame now) , but I had already found this frame in Belgium.

PS. In respect to ads at https://www.leboncoin.fr they are fine if...you do have a French telephone/mobile number: I tried in the past to buy parts without success. The people at the help desk of the site told me that it is not possible with my Greek or German phone numbers (despite the fact that both countries are older EU member states)...

Oh sorry, I didn’t know you had bought it already. Was trying to be helpful. I met Fabien back in 2014 at his shop before the fire, he’s a master fabricator. Best tubs I’ve seen, look like factory. He even made a brass one for his 40 series.

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Oh sorry, I didn’t know you had bought it already. Was trying to be helpful. I met Fabien back in 2014 at his shop before the fire, he’s a master fabricator. Best tubs I’ve seen, look like factory. He even made a brass one for his 40 series.

It's clear to me you wanted to be of help, thank you mate!
In respect to Teseven autobody I concur with you that their works are state of the art.

 

[Terrax]

It's clear to me you wanted to be of help, thank you mate!
In respect to Teseven autobody I concur with you that their works are state of the art.

Hey Greek- I thought of you after seeing this video, advance to the 2 minute part.

McKinnon's Cruisers

Supplying Custom 40 and 60 Series Land Cruiser Components. Coil Chassis Conversions, Engine Conversions and Barwork

www.mckinnonscruisers.com

 

[FJ404345]

@Greek Cruiserhead

Im in the same position, and weird enough also with a 1983 FJ45 pick up, the rear part of the frame is so crusty that we stopped restoration to see what to do next.
To use an excellent 40 frame and to cut it and adapt it would be an option but im still not convinced to go that route.

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

@Greek Cruiserhead

Im in the same position, and weird enough also with a 1983 FJ45 pick up, the rear part of the frame is so crusty that we stopped restoration to see what to do next.
To use an excellent 40 frame and to cut it and adapt it would be an option but im still not convinced to go that route.

Take your time to decide mate!
Went that route because we stopped restauration for the same reason you did it and found this Aussie 45 frame at a fair price...

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Hey Greek- I thought of you after seeing this video, advance to the 2 minute part.

McKinnon's Cruisers

Supplying Custom 40 and 60 Series Land Cruiser Components. Coil Chassis Conversions, Engine Conversions and Barwork

www.mckinnonscruisers.com

Good video and to the point, thank you @Terrax !