FJ45 or FJ55

[mauricio_28]

What would you rather chose an 1979 FJ45 wagon or a 1979 FJ55? Why?

 

[preacherman]

Personal perf. For me a 55 because it has more parts available, more info on upgrades like power steering etc... and is a better wheeler. The 45 wagon has a huge overhang behind the rear wheels that gets hung up on stuff off road.

Now if you said a bobbed 45...that would be different. That would be very cool.

 

[mauricio_28]

...Now if you said a bobbed 45...that would be different. That would be very cool.

What do you mean by "bobbed"? Don't FJ55s have a higher propensity for rust?

 

[taco chaser]

What do you mean by "bobbed"? Don't FJ55s have a higher propensity for rust?

A bobbed bed just means a shortened bed and this usually means that the frame will be shortened up to the backs of the shackle hangers with the bed as well. This is for better departure and approach angles, but less bed space. So not the best mod for an overland traveler. As far as the rigs go, they are both very capable rigs with very similar engines, if not the same when it came to the petrol powered. It really is a choice of what is going to work the best for your needs, and style of off roading. The US seems to have a better after market for the FJ55's, and I think that's just because not as many 45's were made available in the states as 55's.

All vehicles rust, especially vehicles that are 30 years old..

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

There is no such thing as a '79 FJ45 wagon so I'm assuming you mean a '79 troopie.

A FJ45 troopie will suffer from rust issues as well but 40 series are much cleaner and less cavernous and for some reason are more durable on the rust front. FJ55s are great (it is my vehicle of choice - but not because of logic particularly) but the FJ45 has tons of character too. More cargo and storage and are just as unique. Looking at it I would probably take the FJ45 personally. If you are off roading a lot and are concerned with the rear-end issue then build a strong bumper with sliders and it solves that problem. 55's suffer from it too but it can also be addressed.

FJ55 benefits are that they are narrow like a 40 series, are 4 door, but the weather stripping and door latches are tempemental, the sliding door and rear window are also heavy and cumbersome to an extent. And the rust issue. Otherwise they are very comparable. But 55s are also very unique and if you can find a good rust free speciment then you do have something unique.

I know of a particularly nice FJ55 in Oregon for less than $5G if someone is interested. I referred it to an acquiantance but if he passes I'd be happy to pass it along. It was originally a very clean Southwest truck and when I saw it a couple years ago it was the cleanest 55 I'd ever seen in person...

 

[tacollie]

I think it is a personal opinion. I have a 55 and am a little biased but would be equally happy with a 45 wagon. I think a troopy with a custom cage and soft top would be so freakin cool. A fj 45(lv wagon) has 4 doors but finding one that isn't rusted away is a lot harder. The new troopys(fj 47 I think but don't qoute me) are cooler but usually 2 door and were never imported into the US. People have done it and they are super cool. I think a bobbed troopy with a custom soft top would be really cool depending on your needs.

 

[mauricio_28]

There are both a 1979 FJ45 4-door wagon and a 1979 FJ55 for sale around here going for $7k and $7.5k respectively. The owner of the FJ55 assures me that the vehicle has 20k km, is in "very special" condition and I won't be dissapointed, but I haven't seen it yet.

Both the FJ45 and FJ55 are very cool, in my opinion. You can see that, aesthetically, the visual lineage of the current FJ cruiser originates somewhere in the FJ45/FJ55 realm. The FJ would be a daily beater rig that would allow me to baby and leave my present 2008 D40 Navara with only 13k km for longer hauls.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

FJ45. Suspension is easier to setup than a 55, same with PS and other basic mods. Both are pretty much difficult to get body parts for. The 45 wins imo just on rarity and neatness

 

[preacherman]

here is a pic of a fj45lv. You can see the big overhang I am talking about. I have always thought "bobbing" 8-12 inches out of the back would make it look better and have much less overhang. One again thats my personal perf.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

He is in Indionesia so my theory is the 45 is not that rare there and I'm curious to see what it looks like. If we could see pics or get a better description that would probably go a long way in my opinion I wasn't aware of the FJ45LVs being produced that late anywhere?

 

[mog]

here is a pic of a fj45lv. You can see the big overhang I am talking about. I have always thought "bobbing" 8-12 inches out of the back would make it look better and have much less overhang. One again thats my personal perf.

Here is the above FJ45 "photo-bobbed".
Although I'd never cut-up one that clean, it sure is a beauty!

 

[tacollie]

From the sounds of it you can't go wrong with either of those. Kurt is pretty knowledgeable about cruisers. The fact it is a dd beater truck I would go with the 45. Like kurt said, there are more parts that can be fitted than on the 55.

 

[jessewmcgregor]

i have a 76 fj55 so i am partial. any aftermarket body parts are non-existent (that i have found any way.) the troopy can use a lot of parts from the abundant 40 series and there is a very strong aftermarket for all kinds of items that simply arent available for the fj55. if i had it to do again i would go for the 45. not that i like them better but they are much easier to own, maintain, and modify. that being said, i would NEVER sell my 55.

 

[sami]

I vote the 45/troopy. Way cooler than a 55 IMO..

I would never bob 45.. no way! Just armor it and go

If i had a 45 it'd be a truck. But if it were a wagon, it'd be interesting to see how much you could taper the rear from the bottom of the tailgate to the fenders.. I'd think that could help a bit, and of course a good bumper.

 

[cruiser guy]

I wasn't aware of the FJ45LVs being produced that late anywhere?

I'd bet it is a modified troopy that he's talking about.