Spring Green 67 FJ45LPB survivor (her name is Spring) (1 Viewer)

[71-CRUISER]

I was fortunate to pick up the 45 in LA this past weekend.

I was there to buy a different truck but this one grabbed me and wouldn’t let me leave without it.

The truck is a 67 LPB that came out of Oregon almost 20 years ago and has been patiently waiting for me to find it and bring it back to life.

As far as I can tell it’s is 99% complete and original aside from the rear view mirror, the dome light and the bed.

F135 w SD40
Column shift 3 speed
PTO winch
All of the original switches, linkages, cables, plugs, covers, pulls, handles, exhaust hangers, muffler, etc…..

I’ll let the pics speak for themselves.

 

[EWheeler]

Every cruiserheads dream right there!

 

[swamp-thing]

pretty epic!

 

[xtremeVA]

Congrats on the find and that 45 survivor is in good hands with you. Now you have a match for that beautiful Spring Green LV.

When the dust settles please post more pictures.

 

[Unimogguy]

Man…What a score! I was going to offer you a ‘67 FJ-45 engine, transmission and transfer case to take the 45 you were going to buy back to stock.

I’d be extremely tempted to get that bed stripped and painted in a single stage Spring Green to match. Then just give it time to develop the proper matching patina as the cab.

 

[kunzma]

That's my dream 45lwb! Excellent find.

 

[71-CRUISER]

After about 30 min of carb cleaning.

 

[Michael B]

Congratulations!

 

[shellb]

Super jealous!! Looking forward to your build.

 

[cppilot]

Congratulations on your 45. Your particular 45 spent many years running around town here in Southern Oregon. As you probably know it was owned by a local landscaper. He loved that 45 and regretted selling it almost immediately.

If you want more information shout me a pm and I’ll fill you in with what I know..

 

[71-CRUISER]

It certainly shows that it was well cared for.

I’d love to hear any stories that you might have. Feel free to post them here unless you would rather not, in which case PM is fine.

Either way it’s headed back to WA state so it won’t be far from where it spent most of its time.

 

[cppilot]

Obviously @Bear has info as well but this is what I know.

The gentleman who owned this rig for 35+ years had a landscaping business in Southern Oregon. I would see it driving and doing the work that they were meant to do…as a youngster and 40 owner as my first vehicle I wanted that rig real bad. We would run into each other buying parts for our LC’s at the local Toyota Dealership. I had several conversations with the owner or the years trying acquire it, to no avail…He sometimes towed a small utility trailer with it for his business.
The rig had several areas that were showing signs of actually using it for work. He said “it always started and never left him stranded”. I believe the engine had work done several times but just the normal rebuild stuff.

Fast forward to around 2012/2013 or so I ran into him agin at DMV of all places and he told me story of selling the 45. He said that he had listed it and it sold almost immediately. He Told me that he had bought a small Chevy truck to replace it I believe. He went on to say that it was one of the biggest mistakes he had made and regretted it almost immediately. ( like all of us)

When I found out that it was for sale I almost pulled the trigger but I have” CruiserFJ45itus” I tried to contact him through the local Toyota dealership to let him know he could get it back…but I never heard back so I’m not sure if he still around..

Enjoy it….its a cool rig with tons of history…

From what I know…
Mark

 

[Bear]

Hey, Mark @cppilot . I just mailed off to @71-CRUISER all the paperwork I had collected on it when I bought it years ago, along with a "chain-of-custody" list. BTW, it was originally sold in California, and 71-CRUISER can share the details--kinda interesting. The original Spring Green bed had been used as intended and was really hammered. One of the guys here drove up from San Diego and chopped-up the old bed for a 4-door conversion and hauled the sheet metal off. I got the dark green replacement bed from Jonathan Ward maybe 15 years ago and loosely bolted it on. The current bed has a hole behind the left wheel well for what Jonathan said had been for an auxiliary gas tank, which is why I included an extra bed with the sale. The tailgate I bought from a strange guy at the Pomona Swap Meet about that time. It was never used much and was a take-off from an original light blue 45 pickup that got a camper shell. Interestingly the tailgate clamps are the earliest version with a slightly different profile. And the bed hinges are also the earliest style, slightly narrower with vertical bolt holes on the rear valence.

I'm glad it went to someone who appreciates all that nerdy original-ness and will likely keep it original. Maybe something can be done with the replacement bed(s) in the correct Spring Green color and a set of "ears" added to the headache rack. Sad to see another one leave the herd, but looking forward to what some of the new owners decide to do. Not to worry, I have a full plate, and only letting the Gray 45 be the last to go for now.

MS

 

[Pics45]

Congrats and great back story. Nice nice find. She purrs......I read these LPB threads and miss mine everyday........

 

[cppilot]

Good to hear from you Michael. New owner got a great truck from and even better person, hope all is well.

Mark

 

[71-CRUISER]

Safely back to WA

Now unloaded and under cover.

The first step is undoing and cleaning. Coming soon.

Also if anyone has a good set of early fenders for sale I’d love to chat because it looks like that’s the only hard to find parts that this truck really needs. And a rear view mirror.., And a dome light assy…… And….

 

[shellb]

Safely back to WA

Now unloaded and under cover.

The first step is undoing and cleaning. Coming soon.

Also if anyone has a good set of early fenders for sale I’d love to chat because it looks like that’s the only hard to find parts that this truck really needs. And a rear view mirror.., And a dome light assy…… And….

View attachment 3888671

LV flex!!

 

[kunzma]

SOR has replacement lenses for the dome light. Someone on here has to have an extra fixture for this beauty.

FJ40, FJ45, FJ55, FJ60/62, FJ/FZJ80 and UZJ100 Dome lamp and light bulbs - 1958-2006 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road

Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...

www.sor.com

 

[kunzma]

Maybe this is still available.

For Sale - FJ45 dome light

PM if interested 250$ plus shipping.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[71-CRUISER]

I give the original harness a 2/10
Mostly complete but with the typical “oops, I shorted the main power wire and melted the center of the harness”

Don’t forget your fusible links boys and girls.