Rarity 1979 w/PS?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

southerncruiser62

southerncruiser62

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Jan 16, 2003
Threads
345
Messages
3,656
Location
Charleston
Website
www.oldenorthstatecruisers.com
Rarity 1979 w/PS? I caved

So can someone answer for me how rare these 1979's with factory power steering actually were, I have seen Marshall's post of the mystical 1980 with power steering and I have also seen the threads talking about the years and the various changes. I have been searching and seen very few 1979's on the 55 section and am trying to find out the rarity of these year models. Also were the transfer cases on the 1979/1980's any different from the older styles, it would appear that they are.

Alright so I caved in and bought an FJ55, as some of you know my first car was a 1972 FJ55 that I had purchased when I was 14 to use to pull my landscaping trailer around the neighborhood before getting my license, well I thought here's an opportunity to start on another one and take my time, though at this point I am not sure what to do with it.

The history:
Truck came from a gentleman in Archdale,NC and was taken as a act of horse trading for a Fiero R7. I purchased it from the gentleman who traded the Fiero R7 for it. Thats all I know at this point.

The truck:
1979 FJ55 with factory power steering, 2f smogged like none other, 4 speed tranny, front disc brakes, and for the first time in a long time everything works. I have never come across a truck that had all functional lights working. I have done a little research and apparently the FJ55's with factory power steering were not very common and with the FJ55 on it's way out in 1980 (very few), this made the deal that much sweeter for me. Now it has it's issues for sure, I am giong to have to reproduce or find a set of good front fenders, aprons, and packing for behind the fender, and then do a little floor board replacement. The worst and most challenging part of this process is going to be deciding how and what method I am going to fix the raingutter's on the truck, they are pretty much completely shot.

I have no timeline on repairs nor even when I will start on them. the truck runs and drives as is, actually besides Jon's FJ40 4 speed I haven't driven one that shifts as smooth as this one does. I look forward to beggining work on the truck I just haven't decided when that will take place. Don't let the pictures fool you, they may look good but seen in person there's quite a bit of rust that is going to need repairing.
 
Last edited:
'79 was the first year factory P/S was available (in the U.S., at least) IIRC, less than 2000 pigs came into the States in '79.

I kick myself in the ass daily for parting a '79 about 10 years ago, but I did keep the motor and P/S.
 
got a rusted out abandoned project out of NY with PS.......all pillars were gone; aparently was used as a snow plow .......did see a 78 in Atlanta with factoy PS...........merbesfield had it parted it and is it for his
fj 45LV restoration FWIW

Lou
 
I've seen only one 79, and it had PS.......now rare would be PS and AC
 
Not your average drive

alright so as they always say don't assume things....well as some have seen I posted up a question regarding the rarity of the 1979's with factory power steering, well that was in question of whether I should have purchased the cruiser in the first post. Well I had decided what the hell my first truck (bought it when I was 14 and worked on it till i could drive at 16) was an 1972 FJ55 so for nothing more than sentimental value I would purchase this one regardless of the raingutter repair it was going to need and knowing I would have to replace both front fenders and valances. Well, I had a simple idea of what it would need to get it road worthy and $60 dollars later she runs better than quite a few of the FJ40's I've had.

So back to my original statement....don't always assume anything. So I have a 1992 pickup that I helped a buddy convert to a diesel (1kz-te/5 speed) and upon completion ended up buying the truck from my buddy. Well it had become a daily driver for me and I tend to get used to shifting through five gears.....this is where the assumption comes in play. I was driving the FJ55 this weekend and like most late model 40/55's assumed it was a 4 speed and never thought otherwise, well being preoccupied and not thinking I began driving as always..1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th......5th..:eek::eek::eek:...whoaaaaaaaa!!!! 5TH!!!!!. So I had to double check this occurence and pulled over to make sure I wasn't drinking. I pushed the clutch in and ran through the gears again while sitting, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th......5th. I now had to try this one last time but starting in reverse to make sure I wasn't missing something. Went through all 5 (six counting reverse) no questions asked....later that afternoon I got under the truck to confirm a few things and upon doing so realized the truck has an H55/split case combo.....like many have said this isn't a PO mod you tend to go cursing at. So I guess the $1K price tag I paid for the entire truck turned out to be a pretty good deal in the long run.
 
Last edited:
southerncruiser62 said:
alright so as they always say don't assume things....well as some have seen I posted up a question regarding the rarity of the 1979's with factory power steering, well that was in question of whether I should have purchased the cruiser in the first post. Well I had decided what the hell my first truck (bought it when I was 14 and worked on it till i could drive at 16) was an 1972 FJ55 so for nothing more than sentimental value I would purchase this one regardless of the raingutter repair it was going to need and knowing I would have to replace both front fenders and valances. Well, I had a simple idea of what it would need to get it road worthy and $60 dollars later she runs better than quite a few of the FJ40's I've had.

So back to my original statement....don't always assume anything. So I have a 1992 pickup that I helped a buddy convert to a diesel (1kz-te/5 speed) and upon completion ended up buying the truck from my buddy. Well it had become a daily driver for me and I tend to get used to shifting through five gears.....this is where the assumption comes in play. I was driving the FJ55 this weekend and like most late model 40/55's assumed it was a 4 speed and never thought otherwise, well being preoccupied and not thinking I began driving as always..1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th......5th..:eek::eek::eek:...whoaaaaaaaa!!!! 5TH!!!!!. So I had to double check this occurence and pulled over to make sure I wasn't drinking. I pushed the clutch in and ran through the gears again while sitting, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th......5th. I now had to try this one last time but starting in reverse to make sure I wasn't missing something. Went through all 5 (six counting reverse) no questions asked....later that afternoon I got under the truck to confirm a few things and upon doing so realized the truck has an H55/split case combo.....like many have said this isn't a PO mod you tend to go cursing at. So I guess the $1K price tag I paid for the entire truck turned out to be a pretty good deal in the long run.
Click to expand...

SWEET!!!!! congrats!:clap:
 
That is an awesome find/revelation!
If you get a chance could you post a few pics of the handywork?
Ive always wanted to do that, and am curious what the crossmember/driveshaft looks like?
thanks
 
As soon as I can get things cleaned up underneath I will be sure to post pics.

I am still thinking I was dreaming when all this took place
 
As I begin to replace the clutch and rear main this weekend I will be sure to start a new thread and post pics of the work....
 
79 FJ55 with power steering

I've had four 79 FJ55's and all had factory power steering. I know of only one other 79 that I've seen personally and that truck, too, has factory power steering. Never saw a 79 without PS. Never saw an earlier year WITH factory power steering. I've personally never seen an 80 FJ55. Gary S
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom