FJ45 from Central America :: No VIN Plate

[savagejw]

Newbie alert ... I'm an engineer who has worked in the automotive industry and been an enthusiast since before I could drive (first JDM rally cars, then 90s Land Rovers... have family roots in car collecting and British car restoration).

I got hooked on FJs while driving a custom land rover camper (pretty cool if you want to see it at @roverlife on insta) through Central America.

I am currently looking at bringing a 1983 FJ45 from Central America to restore and use personally. I just checked the truck out... runs great, roof needs to be replaced, bed looks like it was swapped for a newer model at one point, expected amount of chassis rust, body in good shape but has been resprayed, title papers color matches respray. But the big concern is not finding a VIN/constructor's plate. I've attached photos of what I could find but it looks to be only the engine serial. I need to get through these issues before okay'ing the purchase. Any insights? I'm assuming it wouldn't be legal to have a VIN plate made to match the title paperwork... or is it just illegal to create a plate that intentionally doesn't match paperwork, etc?

 

[tonytoyota]

Hi and welcome good looking cruiser you have love the old 45's a big from Tony.

 

[savagejw]

Thanks Tony... looking forward to falling down another classic car rabbit hole ... At least this time I'm back where I belong in the JDM world, those British cars broke my spirit a bit, HA!

 

[69FJ-KY]

My FJ40 VIN was on the front passenger's side frame in the wheel well! Took the Sherriff and I doing the inspection 10 minutes of looking before we looked it up online and found the location- and even then we had a bit of trouble locating it. I would think there is a chance this one may have it in the same place.

 

[savagejw]

Will be checking the frame for stamps, thanks!