Chassis No.
FJ45-21101
| Fort Worth, Texas
300+ bhp, 350 cu. in. Chevrolet V-8 engine with a single Edelbrock carburetor, GM T5 five-speed manual transmission, leaf-spring front and rear suspension with a solid rear axle, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 90 in.
The pickup truck sibling to Toyota’s successful FJ40 Land Cruiser was the FJ45, and it looked identical to its older brother, with the exception of its pickup bed. This pickup was the working man’s Land Cruiser, and it was perfect for the individual looking for something different than a Jeep yet just as practical. While the FJ40 remained ever popular, the FJ45 proved to be just as competent and reliable, as it was ready and willing to go anywhere and everywhere it was needed.
As many of these vehicles were often used hard by their first owners, it can be difficult to find one in good mechanical and cosmetic condition. Many were also modified to receive larger engines, revised suspensions, and other modifications to increase the truck’s performance both on and off the road. This is one such example.
At first glance, this example appears to be nothing more than a weathered FJ45 Pickup in need of a paint job. But, as they say, looks can be deceiving. Under the hood is a 350-cubic inch Chevrolet crate motor that can put out more than 300 horsepower. Rather than featuring all the polished and chrome parts that would normally be found on such a custom, the air filter and valve covers have been painted in a matte beige, to match the tough exterior. The engine is mated to a GM T5 five-speed transmission and a Ford nine-inch rear end with a limited slip differential, making this FJ45 a formidable “sleeper.” This pickup has been upgraded with only new, reupholstered leather seats and a compass mounted to the windshield, while the rest of its interior retains the same character as the rest of the Toyota.
This FJ45 Pickup boasts as much charm as any of the perfectly restored classics in the Andrews Collection, and it is truly one of most compelling vehicles within the collection. Despite its outward appearance, it runs and drives as new, and it would certainly be just as reliable as a stock FJ45. This is the perfect vehicle for hauling lumber or attending the local Cars and Coffee meet, as there is nothing this Land Cruiser can’t and won’t do.
