New FJ45 project - couple of questions

[offcamber40]

Howdy all, been a long time since I posted on the board. I sold my FJ40 project many years back and have been itching to get into another resto, and viola, a FJ45 falls in my lap!

It's a 1965 FJ45LP, SWB, fixed cab and comes with a spare SWB frame with axles, suspension, wheels, steering linkage and steering box etc.. (haven't figured out the year on that one yet.)

She's very rough and is missing the bed, but the the price was right (free). I'll try to get some pics up shortly.

Anyway, since I'm new to the FJ45 game here are a couple questions I have:

1. The doors on it look like early FJ40 doors.. were they interchangeable?

2. The shifter is on the floor. Most i have seen have been on the column.. is this factory?

3. Most of the aftermarket bed companies say that their beds fit 65 and later. Does this apply to a 65 fixed cab? Or do the replacement beds only fit convertible models?

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[whitey45]

Early fixed top doors have a different flange at the top,you can make later doors work,otherwise mostly the same,changed from bug catcher wing windows around 65.Your truck is probably a 63 or 64,they stopped fixed cabs in 64.It could be titled as a 65 ,there was lots of late titled trucks .Beds are unique to the fixed top cabs,a later removable top bed will not work(different length and pick up points.Most of these got floor shift conversions(it was an option in the mid 60s but most came with the standard column shift.You will spend alot of time trying to find a bed in usable condition,lets see some pics!

 

[Chamba]

Kevin (AWL_TEQ) is building LWB beds which are nicer than factory and he has been pondering making SWB beds. I would give him a PM and offer him some encouragement to make the SWB beds too. If they are anything like his other parts (of which I have a number) they will be a work of art.

However, before we go any further with this thread, I must cite Dan's rule #1: 'No photos, then it never happened'.

Josh

 

[offcamber40]

Thanks for the info guys.. I'm pretty excited about this find.. always wanted an early FJ45.

Here are the pics I promised, as well as a shot of the ID plate.

The spare frame VIN is 3-FJ45-136669.

Comes with a bunch of original parts from the stripped chassis as well. No bed unfortunately.

Any additional help ID'ing these would be great!

 

[esh]

I don't know if it has been pondered or looked at seriously, but you might try to find a Toyota Stout bed to look at and measure. It looks a lot like a 45lpb bed but 3/4 length(ish).

might be closer to the crew cab version bed...

 

[Marcfj-45]

I don't know if it has been pondered or looked at seriously, but you might try to find a Toyota Stout bed to look at and measure. It looks a lot like a 45lpb bed but 3/4 length(ish).



might be closer to the crew cab version bed...

I've done this way.... too hard! Had to cut the bed in half it was to larg and then straight the 1/4 panel to look more fj45 bed .It was before Aqualu made bed and for sure ''The Super'' Kevin, Awlteq. You can see what it look in the fj45 owner the last one ....The wheel base is 2'' more then the fj45 long wheel base.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

I believe that is a '63 short bed you got there...(the 3 in the frame number tells us this)...which is very cool!!!

The short bed on the '63 had the tail lights on the back "bumper" like the early 40s, and not on the back of the tub, and the spare is on the back as well! The biggest complaint I have read is that they are a tight fit for bigger drivers...apparently uncomfortably so

Looks pretty stock...apart for the floor shifter...so what are your plans for her...a rebuild with lift and all that, or a good/true restoration?

Would be cool if Kevin started making these beds...my wife wants me to find and buy a '63 SWB, as she really likes the '63 SWB 45s...one day when I have a little more funds to play with

Congrats on getting a cool rig!

Edit: attached pic

 

[rockcod]

If you clean off the disc on the lower left corner, it should read T-65. I believe the brass tags were installed when the vehicles came into port and designated the year the vehicle was to be registered as.

 

[offcamber40]

I believe that is a '63 short bed you got there...(the 3 in the frame number tells us this)...which is very cool!!!

The short bed on the '63 had the tail lights on the back "bumper" like the early 40s, and not on the back of the tub, and the spare is on the back as well! The biggest complaint I have read is that they are a tight fit for bigger drivers...apparently uncomfortably so

Looks pretty stock...apart for the floor shifter...so what are your plans for her...a rebuild with lift and all that, or a good/true restoration?

Would be cool if Kevin started making these beds...my wife wants me to find and buy a '63 SWB, as she really likes the '63 SWB 45s...one day when I have a little more funds to play with

Congrats on getting a cool rig!

Edit: attached pic

Thanks for the info!

I thought it was a 63 as well, but the model# said 65 and it is titled as a 65.

Does anyone know why Toyota did this?

The frame # seems low like a 62 as well, but obviously doesn't have a "2" in front of it.

The good news is the engine body and frame #'s match.

After talking to the owner some more, I will be picking up an spare engine, trans, an extra pair of doors, original manuals and a couple boxes of loose parts.

I will most likely be doing a proper restoration on this one due to its age.

EDIT:

If you clean off the disc on the lower left corner, it should read T-65. I believe the brass tags were installed when the vehicles came into port and designated the year the vehicle was to be registered as.

Thanks rockcod, that info is helpful as to the frame# vs year discrepancy. I'll check that tag.

 

[whitey45]

Wow, I just checked my truck and the vin is 13526!! 6 apart from each other,these are early build trucks,not sure why some of them on the registry have a 2 indicating 1962? My truck is stamped 1963 and the frame has a 3 as well. I actually have a spare bed and the floor is really solid,but the sides,rear sill,pretty much everything else needs to be replaced,but it is restorable.I can get a pic of it if you are interested.Sorry for the cell phone photo not that great..

 

[whitey45]

another, just noticed yours is Lp and mine just got the L designation? Of course yours got a later date,I would love to know more on why these trucks got titled the way they did,I have never seen a brass tag on this early of a truck,clean that thing off,it should say 65 as Tony mentioned...

 

[offcamber40]

Wow, I just checked my truck and the vin is 13526!! 6 apart from each other,these are early build trucks,not sure why some of them on the registry have a 2 indicating 1962? My truck is stamped 1963 and the frame has a 3 as well. I actually have a spare bed and the floor is really solid,but the sides,rear sill,pretty much everything else needs to be replaced,but it is restorable.I can get a pic of it if you are interested.Sorry for the cell phone photo not that great..

That's awesome that the #'s are only 6 apart! They may have been on the production line together with the numbers being so close.

I'd definitely be interested in seeing some pics of the bed you have. I always figured that was going to be the hardest thing to source parts wise.

Turns out the engine was completely torn down and rebuilt about 10 years ago.. its got a new clutch as well. As I understand it, very few miles, if any, were put on it after the rebuild. The PO lost interest after that and it has been sitting ever since.

Also cleaned up the brass tag you guys mentioned, and sure 'nuff.. the T-65 plate is there: