wanted:HJ45 pickup when i return from IRAQ

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chappysfj40

chappysfj40

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Hello all,
I am a navy seabee depolyed here to iraq and been here 8 months and due to return in the spring time so an
HJ45 pickup is the rig i want to get when i return home here to the states(so cal, ventura area) and my biggest questions are what years can i get imported, what is the best diesel engine to get and what year would that come in, and honestly i am trying to keep the price to around 9 grand.
Some of the mods i would do is 35 inch tires, possible spring over,(not sure yet) power steering, and of course all the other do dads that make it fun.
thanks again for the help, and i am sure there is a post out there to help me, so please hook me up. thanks again

cheers chappy
 
From what I've been told/ heard/ seen: *Most of the HJ45's coming from Central America have had a hard life already. Ive noticed many pop up on Ebay & links form here. Canada's not much better due to rust. Is it difficult to bring one back from where you're stationed? :D
 
thanks for the updates about central america and canada, and yes iam not sure how i would bring one back from a war zone, maybe one piece at a time lolol
 
Find a ship that lets you "Roll on Roll Off". thats where the truck is driven on and off the boat. It's about half price of a shipping container from Oz. to the US. Pick a truck that is 25 years or older and it's eligible for importation. Thank you for your service and good luck. Godspeed on your return.
 
I would think that if you could take a look for one in Saudi Arabia, you would be able to find something free of rust and that was LHD. You could also consider a 1980~83 HJ47, as they have the 2H diesel which is slightly bigger and more powerful than the H. Parts are more abundant for the 2H as well.

And don't rule out a BJ45 either. With a turbo on a 3B you'd have a more powerful engine than the 2H.
 
I'm sure it'll be nice to get home in the spring. 8 months is an awful long time to be away from family and friends.

Some of the mods i would do is 35 inch tires, possible spring over,(not sure yet) power steering, and of course all the other do dads that make it fun.
Click to expand...

What, they aren't fun without all that?!?! :flipoff2:

I'd definitely not rule out the HJ-47, as it's basically just an HJ-45, but with a 2H engine. Not sure how much difference there is, but parts definitely seem to be more plentiful for the 2H. Enough so that I'm contemplating sourcing a 2H instead of putting money into my H (but that's down the road). That, and a 2H with a turbo seems like it'd be the best of everything (yes, everything).

I've seen some real nice FJ-45s imported from Saudi, so that *might* be an option for you, if you get a little bit of time in Saudi to look a bit.

As to years, anything older than 25 years (so '83 or older when you get back) is easy. 21 years old is possible, but apparently a lot more work. Newer than that and you're well into the grey market. That said, there might be a way for a servicemember to bring back a newer vehicle with them... Definitely look into this option. Even if you can't find the HJ-45 you want, the profit you could make from a -70 could probably help finance the -45 project. But I really don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to my rumored exemption for a servicemember--so hopefully someone else here chimes in that actually knows what they are talking about. :)

Did the BJ-45 ever exist in pickup form? I know that there were BJ-45 troopies, but pickups? If they do, then that would be a good option too I'd think.

Good luck, and be safe over there.

Dan
 
I've read that if you live abroad, and buy a vehicle for personal use, you can bring it back to the US, without all the rules (25 years ext...) But that may not apply for service members. Somewhere on mud there is some good info on importing, maybe in the diesel section...
 
Check out Europe for used 45's. There are not plentiful but do come up quite often. There are MUD members that are in Europe and may be able to help.

mobile.de - der Automarkt für Gebrauchtwagen und Neufahrzeuge - Finden oder Verkaufen Sie einfach und schnell ihr Auto

Scout24 Group - Startseite

Both of these sites have an English version. I have seem many BJ and HJ 45's on these sites. Most have been LHD. Prices are not as bad as you would think but the $1500 to $2500 shipping and handling costs need to be considered.

When my Dad was in the navy he was on a carrier and often guys would "stash" a vehicle from overseas below decks somewhere. Maybe that's an option for you.

Good Luck
 
I would think that if you could take a look for one in Saudi Arabia, you would be able to find something free of rust and that was LHD. You could also consider a 1980~83 HJ47, as they have the 2H diesel which is slightly bigger and more powerful than the H. Parts are more abundant for the 2H as well.

And don't rule out a BJ45 either. With a turbo on a 3B you'd have a more powerful engine than the 2H.

THIS IS GREAT INFO, I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT A BJ45 PICKUP AND BY NO MEANS AM I RULING OUT THE HJ47, THE BOTTOM LINE IS I WANT A LANDCRUISER PICK UP WITH A DIESEL, SO FAR SOUNDS LIKE THE 2H IS THE WAY TO GO.
THANKS
 
bring back a cruiser from here would be quite a challenge to say the least. I am on a all iraqe base only a hand full of US forces.
I have looked into bringing back a cruiser from another country but that has drama in its self, i would have a good chance to bring one back if i was stationed here for something other than a war, then i would be living out in town and have a chance to own my own rig in the country, I have had friends get them back before but that was from japan and they were stationed there for 3 years and had plenty of time to get the legal crap worked out. thanks
cheers
 
Just buy mine; it's already here.;)
 
I've been talking about it for a couple of years now. Only drive it a couple of times a year. Built a 350 for it just cause I can't deal with the gutless H engine. Too many irons in the fire, and having too much fun with the 64lwb to seem to ever get around to cutting on it. Soooo, I figured I'd put the feelers out there for someone who wants stock.

I already spec'd it out in another thread somewhere. I'll see if I can find the link.

Mark
 
I personally would not mess around with the diesel 45's. Sure they are cool but parts for the H are getting a bit scarce. The 2H is not the best to turbo.

As people have already mentioned, a BJ45 would be a great choice but finding one may be difficult. Most were 4 speeds and the later 5 speed versions will even be harder to find.

I would rather buy a gasser with a good clean body and a tired but running F or 2F and then....... dieselize it. A turbo'd 1HZ comes to mind. or 1HDT or even a 3B drivetrain out of a BJ60 or BJ70.

This would make a much better truck if you ask me. You get a better diesel engine with better parts availability. Make it the way you want it.

Just my $.02, if it's even worth it. That is what I am doing but a tad bit different. I am taking a complete 1998 HZJ75 pickup and putting a FJ45 body on it. The 75 body is trashed and I already have the 45 pickup body.
 
Chappy...first and most important, thanks for your service and happy holidays over in the desert.

It may be possible to get a rig back. Harder part is going to be buying it. Have you located one? Too bad you dont want a two wheel drive white Toyota pickup! The way to do it would be space available military transport and you would have to call in some pretty big favors with some AF loadmasters. But, being a Seebee you have a lot to trade. You also may be able to RORO with your equipment (if you deployed with it) when you come back stateside. Once again, takes some working the system and a cooperatative CO, or one that doesnt know what the hell is going on. Easier to find those, unfortunately. Since you arent technically assigned to CENTCOM in a permanent duty status shipping it back through the normal channels isnt going to be an option, as I am sure you are well aware. Know anyone in the state department in Kuwait? How about some of the civilian contractors? Check in with SOR, they may have some other ideas.

Cheers, Dave
 
Hello all again, these are some intresting idea for sure the first on, buy a gas cruiser and diesel it, looking around and searching for what i want this does sound like a good idea, my biggest issue here is i just spent one and a half years away from my normmal life style and i want to drive and wheel and do lite fab work, so a conversion for me is out right now, great idea but not on this time line.
the next one is buying one here maybe and bringing it back in some aif force jet, i like that one, that just has all kinds of good stories if it can be pulled off. The big thing is i did not deploy with a unit persay, we came as a small team and are working on a iraqe base not a US controlled base, so there is challenges right there.
I have changed up my search some, mainly i just want a diesel cruiser, becasue what i enjoy most is being able to drive it, and at 20 plus mpg i can afford to do that in CALI, but in a gaser at 11-15 it would turn into a once a week or so driver.
thanks again all
keep the ideas coming
cheers chappy
 
That you Mike?

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Do a Vortec! They can be relatively economical, easier conversion and fun to drive. And you wouldn't be hacking up a pretty rare diesel.
 
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