FJ45 Short Bed Question

[mangumc]

I am considering buying a 1975 FJ45 in Costa Rica. It needs some suspension work but otherwise looks to be in good condition. This will be my first FJ. When I look at photos online, I dont see ones with this short of a bed and with no tailgate. Is this original or a mod? If the later, is it a good modification and/or does it negatively affect value?

Thanks!
Craig

 

[Rodger]

Hello Craig and welcome....

Looking at the photos, the truck is not an FJ45. It is a modified 40 Series, shorter wheelbase than a 45 and it's been fitted with a 45 cab/top. I also think that it is a BJ not an FJ - BJ is s diesel engine and the FJ is a petrol one. Why? because the lower badge on the grille says 'diesel'.

You should ask the seller to send a clear photo of the VIN plate, from it we'll be able to tell you more about it. Also photos of the engine as the diesel, if stock, is a 4-pot and the petrol is a 6. They may have swapped the the diesel for a 2H which is a 6-pot (like mine) but also ask how many gears it has.

The lack of a tailgate is not standard and is slightly worrying as the original was available in removeable hardtop or as a soft top with both using the same lower body structure so no need to tie the sides together with a solid rear panel. It makes ne think that they a have replaced the rear body cross member with an insubstantial item.

It is pre-'79 and the panels look straight but then there is a company in Costa Rica who make replacement panels (and supply CCOT.com). They also do restorations and are knowledgeable. They have changed their name so years ago but used to be called Pilgrim. Might be worth a look.

Does it affect the value... no idea - willing buyer/willing seller, etc. But if their official paperwork shows it as a FJ45 and the VIN shows it as a BJ40, that could give you problems on importation.

Hope that helps. If they send a photo of the VIN plate, put it up and we can tell you more about it from the numbers. Get them to send you photos of the underside too.

Regards,

Rodger

 

[mangumc]

Rodger,

Thank you very much for the prompt and detailed reply. It is appreciated. It does have the diesel inline four cylinder engine. It is a 1975 with four gears. I drove it yesterday, and it was really nice. I have asked the seller to send me a photo of the VIN. In the meantime, below are some additional photos I took. The seller wants $9,000 USD for it. Mechanically, it seems to run fine and the car drove really well on the highway and on a very bumpy Costa Rican dirt road. Any advice you have for someone who is unfamiliar with these cars is greatly appreciated, especially in regards to price. It seems that these are undervalued in Costa Rica compared to American prices.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[mangumc]

I received the VIN. It is BJ4001480. It is registered with the Costa Rican government as "not converted."

 

[Rodger]

Hi Craig,

The truck is a BJ40 , produced in April/May 1975. It's an early one as production started in February that year. It was built as a hardtop with barn type rear doors. 3litre diesel with a 4 speed is stock for that model.

Check the seller's paperwork does not list as a FJ45 because it is a BJ40 and you may need a Certificate of Origin to import (but the US may be different). If you are still in CR then check the underside for rust, and where the chassis humps over the front axle as they can crack there, if they've had a hard life. Check the rear body cross member (above the rear chassis cross member).

This diesel engine is not that powerful - you're not going anywhere in a hurry with it but it will get you there and back and over almost anything. It has Mud tyres on it which will be noisy and will wear quickly on the road. If there's a history or documentation with it - take it. Spares are not a problem - www.sor.com are specialists in 40s based in LA.

To get 4wd you have to lock the front hubs in - you have Warn units and it's a simple twist on each side. Don't leave them locked in on the road. Check the steering - it works off a central balance and the bearing does wear. I don't recognise the make of tyre but I use BFGs on mine and they suit these trucks really well. I just renewed mine only because the Spanish annual test requires the tyres to be less than ten years old and mine were ten - still with loads of tread on them.

Having driven the 40, check underneath for any oil leaks, same with gearbox and transfer box and axles. Look at the hub cups - they should be shiny and not coated in old grease. It looks like it has a radio - don't worry without sound deadening materials fitted it will sound like a dog barking in a bucket!

Check that the hi/low ratio works and that the 4wd engages. Second short gear stick upper left is hi; down and to the right to select Low. Engage the front hubs and try it on a rough surface. Make sure that all moves and selects properly.

In your original post you said some suspension work was needed. How so and what?

The fuel tank is under the passenger seat therefore inside the cab but is covered. And the fuse box is also inside the cab on the right hand footwell. Check the floor under the covering in the footwells.

Price sounds ok. Most are looking for a restored or restorable so the price may reflect that. It should be 24v but some have been converted to 12v. Mine's 24 throughout and I have a dropper to run the CB(off roading) and phone charger.

Hope that helps.

I'm leaving for the UK in the morning so won't be able to respond until Friday, so get under it and all round it - they're pretty good to work on, straight forward and old style engineering and maintained well ultra-reliable.

Regards,
Rodger