US Right Hand Driver Questions - FJ45

[bulldog77]

Hi,

I'm considering purchasing a RH driver FJ45 and just wanted to get some thoughts from those living in the US. I realize that it's easy to get the hang of it and legal but I'm more concerned with how much this will effect the value of the vehicle. Are there any other pitfalls of owning a RH driver in the states besides the obvious (drive throughs, tolls, etc)

I've always admired these trucks since I was a teenager. A friend's father (a toyota mechanic) had one at his shop that he would use for plowing in the winter. It was completely rusted out but was indestructible!

Do a lot of owners use these vehicles a everyday drivers? I'd like to make this my primary vehicle but I'm a little concerned about highway speeds.

Thanks for your input,

Rob

 

[Eco 45]

The RHD models do seem to have lower resale value here in the states as opposed to there LHD versions. With that being said you can get a truck in better condition that is RHD for a more reasonable price.

Depending on the year of truck it doesn't take a hole lot of things to make them more highway friendly--changing the differential gearing or transmission can make a big improvement---do both together and you will be flying down the road. I drive one several times a week and enjoy it greatly. Good luck with decision.

 

[Leaping Deer]

The RHD models do seem to have lower resale value here in the states as opposed to there LHD versions. With that being said you can get a truck in better condition that is RHD for a more reasonable price.

This is the truth. If mine wasn't a RHD I probably wouldn't have found one here in the north east at a price I could afford that was not junk.

My suggestion is make sure all of your steering parts are in good shape. Rebuild your knuckles, replace tie rod ends and steering rag joint if needed. It made mine feel much safer on the highway. Also make sure you brakes are in good shape and well adjusted.

I have driven mine quite a bit on the highway. I run 4:11 with a H41 and 33"s and can cruise on the highway at 65 without an issue and feel safe doing it. Just remember these are old vehicles and while Toyota makes a reliable vehicle these trucks require a fair amount of maintnence and be ready for it. Be ready to turn a wrench once in a while or pay someone to do it.

 

[3_puppies]

only downfall, I can think of right now, would be if you have to pay tolls at a tollbooth, or money collection at a parking garage, or show ID to get into the parking garage at work, that type of thing.
I guess it would work well for rural mail delivery!

I was driving my "new" 65 LPB around today and had 2 different guys come up and say they always wanted one.

there is the coolness factor.

 

[2manycruisers]

resale is definitely less, especially utes/trucks with petrol motors since LHD was available here. Diesels and troopies do better, especially diesel troopies since LHD diesel troopies are so rare. So if you are looking at an fj-45 ute, the lower resale is good for you (if you don't pay too much) as a buyer. Traybacks instead of original beds also lower value.

I drive a 1984 fj45 troopy with ps and ac and I love it. It cruises fine at 65 with 31s, though a 5 speed or 3.73s would improve it. RHD is a non-issue to me in driveability, I switch between a LHD 40 and this troopy all the time no problems. Visibility to left is very good which I find critical on merge lanes to highways. With the curtains in it, it was very dangerous; not enough visibility with just mirror on that side.

If you get it, enjoy it.

 

[mhall10407]

I can provide some good feedback as I just got back from 4.5 hour drive from Elko, NV to Utah. I bought a 1980 HJ45 with a truck shell on it. As far as driving a RHD it was really easy to get the hang of. As for highway speeds I was cruising around 65 mph on flat ground and had a couple climbs I had to make in the mountains. During these climbs I ended up going about 45 mph and had it in 3rd gear. Luckily most of my driving will not be in the mountains so that won't be an issue. Driving through the mountains reminded me of my buddies 55 as you basically had the pedal pushed down to the firewall and was still losing speed.

As for resale I'm planning on keeping this one so I can't comment on that.

 

[Chamba]

I'm 6'6", and I think that RHD is more comfortable. I just drove a RHD 1963 FJ45 LWP 2 hours through the hills, and it was not bad. I really can't drive a LHD FJ45 LWP because I can't release the clutch without hitting the door with my knee.

Yes, resale is lower, but like 2manycruisers said, if you get a troopy, there is not much competition out there from the LHD rigs. If you get a pickup, then you will have to compete with the left hookers when you sell. Diesel is probably the way to go if you are really concerned about resale.

There are plenty of RHD troopies and pickups (utes) down here in the land of Big Brother which really need a good home in America. It is pretty straight forward to ship them to the US, and you will likely be able to sell it for what you have in it (or a bit more) if you decide to get out of it.

My Troopy has a 5 speed and 3:73 gears with 33s, and I can easily and comfortably cruiser at 75-80 MPH. My troopy has been my daily driver in America since 1997. My FJ40 down here has a 5 speed and 4:11s. and it is my daily driver here. With all the speed cameras on every corner, it can easily go fast enough for me to loose my licence.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[stainless 40/45]

Just have to add I just put in a 5 speed and changed the diffs to 3.73 and the difference is incredable. Very nice on the highways,but around town it did not make a big difference.

 

[flatlandhj]

Stainless and HJ47,
Kinda new with my 1983 2H HJ47, and finding out quickly that revving over 2500RPM gets a little disconcerting. This puts my max highway speed in the not-so-fast category. Not a good option for getting out of flatland and into some hills. You guys seemed to both solve this. Based on your experience, and setting one variable (33" tires) what do you recommend for getting a decent cruising speed at 2500? If you think you have the right answer on your rig now, I would love details on the parts/techniques, or points back to the right posts. Thanks in advance.
FLHJ

 

[flatlandhj]

Whoops. I forgot...
Bulldog,
RHD in the US rocks!
As in the note above, highway gearing is however, an issue for me.
Ditto for cab space.
At 6'2" I get interference with my left knee, steering wheel and gearshift in 4th.
Planning a gear lever mod to correct. Keeping current knee stock.
Jump in.
FLHJ

 

[Chamba]

Stainless and HJ47,
Kinda new with my 1983 2H HJ47, and finding out quickly that revving over 2500RPM gets a little disconcerting. This puts my max highway speed in the not-so-fast category. Not a good option for getting out of flatland and into some hills. You guys seemed to both solve this. Based on your experience, and setting one variable (33" tires) what do you recommend for getting a decent cruising speed at 2500? If you think you have the right answer on your rig now, I would love details on the parts/techniques, or points back to the right posts. Thanks in advance.
FLHJ

Flatty,

As above, if you get a set of 3:73s out of a wrecked FJ60 (make sure you get the speedo output gear as well, or your speed will read 14% low) and a 5 speed from CDan, then you will very comfortably cruise at 75 mph at about 2700. For some reason, the 2H does not sound as loud or stressed when you have the overdrive of a 5th gear; I have no idea why that is.

As for hills: turbo. That will help with the 33s as well.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[flatlandhj]

Josh,
Thanks for the info. I really think that this may be a required update for me. Now then, if I remember from old post purusal, Patches is sitting somewhere in NM up on blocks about this time? That's a shame if true. Was this the config you had on her with the 2H? Thanks again.
Flatty (a very funny nickname I did not anticipate)

 

[Chamba]

Josh,
Thanks for the info. I really think that this may be a required update for me. Now then, if I remember from old post purusal, Patches is sitting somewhere in NM up on blocks about this time? That's a shame if true. Was this the config you had on her with the 2H? Thanks again.
Flatty (a very funny nickname I did not anticipate)

Sadly true, yes. I drive her about once per year at the moment, and the rest of the time she sits on jack stands in my garage in Santa Fe with a trickle charger going. I also have my Cousin run the Pre-Luber every so often to circulate the engine oil.

One day I will get home to live again, but for now I am down here trying to avoid the speed cameras, safety fines, Big Brother laws, bush fires and heat waves.

When I had the 2H in Patches, I had the 5 speed with 3:73s, and I loved the setup. The power was better with the 3:73s, because it kept the engine in its power band.

I did not get 33 x 10.50 x 15 tires until I had the Vortec, though. I had 265 75 R16s. However, I am sure it would have done fine with the 33s and the turbo 2H but Patches is a pretty heavy rig.

If you ask me, power steering is the first/best addition you should make.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[flatlandhj]

Josh,
You are forever expanding my scope of planned work, but in a good way. Any tips on the PS setup? You've now got me thinking about a big bunch of stuff to happen at the same time. 3:73 gearing, 5 speed, and power steering. I was reluctant to muck with the steering without finding someone qualified to do the work, but that might not be as hard as I think. Once again thanks. BTW I was out hiking last year east of Santa Fe for a week. Beautiful country.
FL