1980 FJ45 in Dubai - Saved From the Sands

[AYM707]

Wow!! looking good.

My AC's "broke" and I have not tried to fix it yet; even though temperatures are already hitting 40+C. I would like to see how you're going to make your hybrid unit to work. Sealing the cab is important but the unit sits on the passenger side. How do you get the air to the driver's side??

 

[maxofarabia]

Wow!! looking good.

My AC's "broke" and I have not tried to fix it yet; even though temperatures are already hitting 40+C. I would like to see how you're going to make your hybrid unit to work. Sealing the cab is important but the unit sits on the passenger side. How do you get the air to the driver's side??

Haha, may God help you with no AC. The kit that I have has an outlet that is mounted on the drivers side, plus I can aim the ac from the passengers side at me. The benefit of having such a small cab is a little bit of air goes a long way.

 

[maxofarabia]

Not fair for me to go to the workshop and not update you all here.

the roof is painted and installed (white balance is off in the photo it isn't actually this color in reality.

additionally the bed has come out of paint and has been installed. This picture more accurately reflects the real color of the 45.

the tailgate , wiper motor cover, and my infamous bed hoops are all being painted.

as usual, some of the guys hard at work bringing my dream to reality. Here I think they were adjusting body mounts/ finishing up gas tank installation.

and finally a picture to show what a stellar job they have done on the floor of the truck bed. This was all hand formed and it is beautiful in my opinion.

One last pic to show the undercarriage

Everything was done with the "orange peel" underneath to ensure it holds up well.

We are getting closer!

 

[AYM707]

Haha, may God help you with no AC. The kit that I have has an outlet that is mounted on the drivers side, plus I can aim the ac from the passengers side at me. The benefit of having such a small cab is a little bit of air goes a long way.

I want a driver side AC vent too!!!

 

[boozewz]

I subscribed to this but am not getting any of the updates. Had to search for this thread to see the latest.

This. Is. Class.

Keep it up @maxofarabia

 

[Honger]

I want a driver side AC vent too!!!

I just want AC...

 

[Honger]

And this is looking fantastic!

 

[maxofarabia]

I subscribed to this but am not getting any of the updates. Had to search for this thread to see the latest.

This. Is. Class.

Keep it up @maxofarabia

7beeb wallah. Whenever you come to Dubai you are more than welcome to see it first person. Thanks for the kind words.

 

[maxofarabia]

I just want AC...

Haha in this weather you kinda need it.

 

[maxofarabia]

Ok literally it's been forever since I posted something, and that's not cool. The 45 is almost ready, just waiting on some parts I've ordered for the clutch and handbrake and some interior parts from Japan.

That being said, the interior has gone in, so here are a couple teasers from last night. Not everyone's taste, but in really soft leather I'm in love with how it turned out.

Most probably I'm going to get a carpet made so I can insulate the can more and be able to use it even during the hot summers here. Once all the necessary parts have arrived it's time to test drive, smooth out any issues and then register it. At that point I'll flood you with proper pictures to fully document how far it has come and what an amazing job the guys at performance garage have done.

 

[lostmarbles]

That soft tan leather looks pretty good to me!

 

[AYM707]

WOW!! that leather does look good. but be careful; leather and heat does not mix well. try sitting on your leather seats after your trucks been in the sun all day. burn your behind

 

[maxofarabia]

That soft tan leather looks pretty good to me!

Thanks I'm very happy with the combo, but the purists might eat me for lunch.

 

[maxofarabia]

WOW!! that leather does look good. but be careful; leather and heat does not mix well. try sitting on your leather seats after your trucks been in the sun all day. burn your behind

Haha thanks Ayman. Thankfully I have the AC installed, I am working on insulation for the floor, and as soon as it is registered in going to get all windows tinted with v-cool - colorless tint that blocks 70% of sun rays. It should be livable with them. Also, the seats are diamond stitch, same as the door panels so it is supposed to elevate you slightly and you don't touch the whole seat.

 

[ranma21]

That soft tan leather looks pretty good to me!

X2, really nice touch for the leather, I would love to have those. Give it a tad of retro touch.

 

[Honger]

Yeah dude, I love the leather. A very nice touch.
Is that the Vintage Air unit? I'm very curious to hear how you rate it.

And you are definitely going to want to put some insulation under the carpeting... that 2F gets VERY hot on any kind of sustained travel.

 

[lostmarbles]

...leather and heat does not mix well. try sitting on your leather seats after your trucks been in the sun all day. burn your behind

Wouldn't the same apply to OEM vinyl? Or are you applying this comparison just to cloth covering?

 

[maxofarabia]

Yeah dude, I love the leather. A very nice touch.
Is that the Vintage Air unit? I'm very curious to hear how you rate it.

And you are definitely going to want to put some insulation under the carpeting... that 2F gets VERY hot on any kind of sustained travel.

Awesome, thanks for the support! Haha yea my fj40 felt like it would melt my flip flops . It is a vintage air head unit, but only what's inside the cabin. I got a different compressor and combined with custom tubing for the AC system. It happened that way because I got the vintage air from a friend and he didn't have the second box of parts, so I improvised and got the parts that a friend uses on his extensive collection of classic cars. Not sure how it will work, but I am hoping it should do well.

For the insulation I'm planning on the silver insulation stuck to the floors, covered by felt insulation cut to size, then that covered by carpet.

When it is up and running pass by Dubai and we can go for a ride so you can tell me how you like it and think of how you'll do your AC.

 

[maxofarabia]

Wouldn't the same apply to OEM vinyl? Or are you applying this comparison just to cloth covering?

Vinyl is hot! Not sure leather vs vinyl, but somehow I feel vinyl is hotter as it doesn't have the breathability that some leather can have.

 

[boozewz]

Vinyl is hot! Not sure leather vs vinyl, but somehow I feel vinyl is hotter as it doesn't have the breathability that some leather can have.

Thats true…vinyl can get scorching hot. That happened on my troopy, I'd burn the back of my legs if I am wearing shorts, so I just got some quality seat covers made and threw them over. Really helps bring the heat down.

Screw the purist, I am loving the colour choice. Very classy. Almost like your sitting inside a Ferrari.

Keep it up Max!