Wadesters
SILVER Star
I have been restoring FJ40 land cruisers for 30+ years. I have owned 3 model 45 LWB Trucks. My most recent was an HJ45 diesel truck I restored 15 years ago that was recently sold. I liked it a lot but always wished it was a US spec with gasoline engine. These are impossible to find and thought I would never have another one. Then I happened to run across “Spike” (named so because that was the former owners nickname). Another person bought a car from “Spike” and he listed this FJ45 truck for him. I asked this person some questions and he said the owner had health issues and was only able to email, no phone calls or texts. He lived up a mountain “off the grid” in rural Arizona. I contacted him by email with a ton of questions and only received a few answers (about a week later). I sent more emails and still minimal response to my questions. What I did get was it was an all original 1965 LWB Truck, original paint, no rust. Only modifications were a radio cut into the dash and speakers cut into doors (hated these features to the original metal, I knew I would be repairing these). It became like a game over the course of 2 months trying to get all the details. I finally had enough information that I was willing to fly from Atlanta to Phoenix to see it. I asked for an address and over the course of a few emails Spike told me a GPS could not find his location. He told me the closest town and from there gave me a Google Earth Map. At this point I did not know his name, address, and no phone. I told him if I were to buy it since it did not run a transport company would have to pick it up and would need a phone contact. He agreed and gave me his daughters phone who lived 2 hours away in Phoenix and visited him twice a week. Still seemed like a strange situation but I continued the pursuit. I asked if we struck a deal how I would pay him. He said cash only. I told him I could not bring that much on the airplane. If I were stopped with that much they would take it from me thinking it was a drug deal. He then said there was a small town close by with one bank, and to cash a check. Frustrated I told him a town with one bank would not cash an out of town check. He finally relented to a wire transfer but would not give me title until funds cleared. It almost seemed like a joke at this point. I flew to Phoenix telling my wife I was not sure where I was going and she may not see me again. I knew it was rural but the only rental car available was a Toyota Avalon, no SUV’s. I left the airport and after 1.5 hours I was in the small town. My directions were turn left at a church on Main Street, continue a short distance and turn right on a gravel road. This “path” has ruts for tires but the middle was high and I was sure I would rip the front bumper or oil pan off. I continued to a green gate which I was to follow the path to the side of the gate. Now I knew I would be buying the Toyota Avalon because in this rough terrain it was going to be damaged. The road went straight up and I had to shift into low. Directions said to continue up but DO NOT go to the house with a red roof at the top of the half mile path. There were two posts to go through. Of course I missed the posts and continued to the DO NOT go to red roof house. I quickly turned around and started back down. Then I saw the two posts and turned though them. I just thought I I was going up high before, this was straight up and all I could see was blue sky. Finally I reached the top. I saw a lot of travel trailer RV’s, a block house, a back hoe, a few cars in disrepair, and the FJ45 with flat tires. I had arrived. A fellow came walking up saying I guess you are here to look at the truck. I said yes and held out my hand and was told he had broken bones in his hands and could not shake. (have I mentioned it was 110 degrees). This person was Spike. He said he did not get along with people is the reason he moved up to the mountainside. No other houses were visible and he was on 20 acres. He wore jeans, long sleeve shirt, straw hat, gloves, and sadly a colostomy bag hung from his side. He told me he had cancer and was starting to sell things off so his daughter would not have to deal with it. He said his prized possession was the FJ45 truck. He bought it from a farm in Montana. It showed 40,400 miles but who knows how many times the odometer had turned around. In 2004 the engine developed a knock and he parked it and that was where it sat. By this point I kind of felt sorry for him, as he turned out to be a really nice man. He said this was the one thing out of all he had that he hated to sell. When I told him of all the FJ40’s I had owned and showed him the HJ45 I had restored he said I was the person that needed to have his truck. He used all the RV’s on the property to store “stuff” and parts. He told me he had lots of original parts manuals, pto winches, a spare engine, and parts to rebuild the original F engine and all came with it. I told him I would buy it. I tried to do a wire transfer on my phone but the cell service was very “spotty”. I was comfortable enough that I told him when I returned home I would wire the money and for him to have his daughter send me the title. He showed me a lot of the parts and said he would load the big stuff on carpet in the bed of the truck and manuals etc.. inside. I could have talked with him all day but had a flight home to catch. By this time to my great pleasure we had become friends. I started down the mountain and headed to the airport. The Avalon was absolutely filthy from all the dust. I was very relieved that everything went OK and I did not have to buy the Avalon too. Fast forward 1 month and I have the FJ45 home. It was tricky getting my transport guys to pick it up. I had to give them the detailed directions and a winch. They have transported for me many times before and only transport one vehicle at a time on a u-haul trailer. They were able to traverse the mountainside and bring it to me. I really had not seen the inside of the truck as he had it packed with quilts and cardboard to keep the sun out. I was pleasantly surprised to find it in great condition, again with no rust.
Initially I was going to transplant in a 2F, 4-speed, 3.70 axles, and disc brakes. I have since changed my mind. Most all parts are there to rebuild the F engine so that is what I am going to do. I have never been a “patina” person, I am a restorer. However, the patina on this 45 has grown on me. I can always take it apart and restore the body later if I decide but for now it is going to be an original patina build.
**** I do have an album of pIctures that can be seen here: 1965 FJ45 Arizona / Montana - Chris Wade - https://chriswade.smugmug.com/FJ45
Initially I was going to transplant in a 2F, 4-speed, 3.70 axles, and disc brakes. I have since changed my mind. Most all parts are there to rebuild the F engine so that is what I am going to do. I have never been a “patina” person, I am a restorer. However, the patina on this 45 has grown on me. I can always take it apart and restore the body later if I decide but for now it is going to be an original patina build.
**** I do have an album of pIctures that can be seen here: 1965 FJ45 Arizona / Montana - Chris Wade - https://chriswade.smugmug.com/FJ45
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