Possible first purchase - found a 1981 FJ47 in the pickup configuration

[AdjusterTim]

Hi folks,
I've owned a Jeep Cherokee and a 4x4 F150 but have never had a Landcruiser and I found one that is very interesting to me. It's a 1981 FJ47 4wd in the straight 6 diesel in the pickup configuration. I can tell it's an import as it has right hand drive. Not a problem for me, I'll just have to train the left hand how to shift. My research is leading me to believe this is essentially a troopie with a pickup bed. Is that accurate?

My question is, are their any major pitfalls with this model I should keep an eye out for? The seller wants 10k so I do want to make sure I'm making an informed decision here. Thank you all in advance.

Tim

 

[lostworldexpedition]

I am by no means an expert, just a LandCruiser fan... There are folks here in ExPo and more at IH8MUD that would know better, but IIRC the 47 is a Troopie, but it sounds like you may have found a long wheelbase 45-like pickup. Could you post photos? It sounds very cool.

What is the rust situation like? Try to find what is the model engine...

 

[AdjusterTim]

No problem. I did find youtube videos of the fj47 in action so it appears to be a distinct model number. The more I think about it and look at it, the more I want it. The rust situation seems decent. Some surface spots.

EDIT - Further study has led me to conclude that this is a FJ47 "UTE". That's what it was called. I'm assuming UTE is an acronym for something and not the famous line from My Cousin Vinny. Researching further.

 

[77cruiser77]

a ute is was Australians call a truck. There is no such thing as a FJ47, only a FJ45. The F designates a F series gas engine. There is however a HJ47 which came as a truck or as a troopy. These had a 2H inline six diesel engine. A HJ47 is not as common as they were not made for long with that engine but it is very desirable.

 

[Ozrockrat]

EDIT - Further study has led me to conclude that this is a FJ47 "UTE". That's what it was called. I'm assuming UTE is an acronym for something and not the famous line from My Cousin Vinny. Researching further.

UTE is short for utility. The name all pickups were called in Oz. Started with Ford in 32 I think. Actually no Australian land cruisers were UTEs as it really referred to the ones that had the single body and not a cab chassis. Think El Camino!

The HJ47 is also referred to as a whoopy in the mining and oil/gas industries.

We have one on the farm in Oz that did over 1,000,000 KMs of farm use with a constant load of a least a ton (welder, compressor, oxy bottles and tools)

Now do not expect to get anywhere quickly and they are rough.

 

[AdjusterTim]

Thank you guys. I was looking over at Ih8mud and someone has a series of photos of where the Libyan rebels have been mounting anti aircraft and missiles to this truck. :Wow1: And here I was actually researching to see how it would do with a camper, lol.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/523362-libyan-cruisers.html

Btw, the positive ID on this is great. Helps my research so much. Greatly appreciated.

 

[charlieaarons]

The sale of Landcruiser utes (HZJ79s) has actually been banned in Chad, except to the army and village chieftains. Due to their widespread use as technicals (weapons carriers) by rebels.
Obviously an HZJ78 Troopy or HZJ79 ute (or an older model) is a tempting carjacking target in Chad.

Charlie

 

[redthies]

UTE is short for utility. The name all pickups WERE called in Oz.

They still ARE called Utes, no???

 

[Matto]

They still ARE called Utes, no???

Yup. They're all called utes, whether single body (like the Holden SS below), cab-chassis (separate tray/tub, like the XR6 turbo/patrol/etc), drop-side tray or tub. Single cab, dual cab, it doesn't matter.

Everything from:
http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/ute/ss and
http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/Sate...248884763211&pagename=FOA/controller&site=FOA

through to
http://www.nissan.com.au/webpages/models/Patrol_Cab_Chassis_model.html

www.toyota.com.au/landcruiser-70-series

http://www.isuzuute.com.au/Showroom_4x4-crew-ute-LS-U.aspx

http://www.toyota.com.au/hilux

</offtopic>

Tim,

Nice work on the 47. I'm no expert on Toyotas - I thought all the utes were 45's, but it might be a 47. Looking at it, I'd say it's a standard vehicle, as Toyota made them.

I've been chasing a decent condition 45 series ute for quite some time. It's hard to find one that hasn't been used as a farm truck/fishing truck, and consequently is eaten out with rust. There's quite an aftermarket over here (I'm guessing similar in the states?) for replacement fibreglass body panels (including entire cabs), which fixes that. However if you're going to use the car offroad, metal panels are the only way to go.

40's (of any config) are old cars these days, so check for rust. The old 6cyl diesel is a good motor. Not a fast motor, as has already been said, but it's solid enough. Standard things, check for any leaks that look too much - they all leak (everywhere), so long as it's not a lot then you're fine.

Good luck!
Matto