Barnfind Fj45 pickup - from Saudi with love (1 Viewer)

[maxofarabia]

It’s been a while but I’m back. After selling my Fj45 a few years ago I’ve slowly been playing the Toyota game and have bought and sold a few cruisers. Currently I’m sitting on a 1973 hilux, two fj45s, abs two Fj60s. I have learned my lesson on full restorations so now do my best to avoid anything that needs body work, and instead focus on buying low mileage, original paint cruisers in exceptional condition. I drive one of the Fj60s (1984) on an almost daily basis, as the other waits it’s turn for full attention. The first project is getting my Fj45 pickup perfect and registered. It is an unbelievably clean truck, and the plan is to make it mechanically perfect, and then enjoy. I’ll start with a little bit of a photo dump to get everyone in the mood.

All pictures are from this morning before I drove into Seb Sports, the premier classic and landcruiser garage in the emirates.

 

[maxofarabia]

As you can see, both body and interior are in almost unprecedented condition, with only a few small issues here and there. Original paint, original interior, clean bed, no rust, she is a beauty if I may say so myself.
Here are some more photos to show just what I’m working with.

I have boxes of new parts both mechanical and rubber seals etc that will be installed at Seb Sports to make sure she runs perfectly and no stone is left unturned.

 

[John Smith]

Beautiful truck! Interesting that is comes with a heater, but no AC in your region. And I'm guessing it came fully un-smogged from the factory? Do you know if the UAE restricts vehicle exports for old vehicles like this?

 

[3_puppies]

doesn't get much better than that.

 

[maxofarabia]

Beautiful truck! Interesting that is comes with a heater, but no AC in your region. And I'm guessing it came fully un-smogged from the factory? Do you know if the UAE restricts vehicle exports for old vehicles like this?

Thank you very much. It is a Saudi spec car that I found late in 2020 when I was touring the country for 35 days. After driving it yesterday I am determined to install an ac, so working with Seb (our local fj- genius) to install the stock ac inside the cab and then an updated compressor etc in the engine bay to keep it looking stock, and not take away from the originality, but at the same time allow it to remain drivable throughout the year. Not sure why it didn’t come with ac, but I definitely need it.
There are no restrictions on exporting classics from here, I’ve sold a few cars that went abroad.

 

[maxofarabia]

doesn't get much better than that.

Hopefully it will.. All new rubbers, a full engine overhaul (the mileage is barely over 100k miles), going down to 15 inch split rims so I can put fat sand tires, insulation on the roof and inside of doors, ac, there’s lots of improvements coming I hope.

 

[skidplate]

Brilliant, you’ve found a diamond and it’s not in the rough, keep us all up on your progress.

 

[whitey45]

First pic on the wind blown sand is epic!!!

 

[maxofarabia]

Brilliant, you’ve found a diamond and it’s not in the rough, keep us all up on your progress.

Will do. There’s a lot of small things to do to get it how I want it, and lots of parts I’ve bought for it. Hopefully will be on top of the build as it’s going to be relatively quick.

 

[maxofarabia]

First pic on the wind blown sand is epic!!! View attachment 2602688

Here’s another one for you. I have to say I always find the desert beautiful.

 

[maxofarabia]

A slow day for me today so I decided to pop in to Seb Sports and check progress. Things are flying and excitement is building. As a start I’ve been collecting parts for this project for a while.

All new gaskets

As well as box upon box of genuine toyota parts, both new and NOS. There are a few parts I couldn’t source regionally so have bought from city racer - these should arrive shortly.

 

[maxofarabia]

On the 60 that I daily I have tall skinny tires, so decided to change things up and go for some fat sand tires so I can get out to the desert more often. First two pics are what is currently on the car .

And the following pics are the sandblasted 15 inch rims that Seb generously sourced for me; (they will be painted the original gray), and then the delicious looking Shaheen sand tires that I picked up and will soon be on the pickup. I love these tires, and despite their less than stelllar performance on wet roads, they are exactly what I wanted. They drive great both on road and in the sand, and look excellent in my opinion.

 

[maxofarabia]

On the 60 that I daily I have tall skinny tires, so decided to change things up and go for some fat sand tires so I can get out to the desert more often. First two pics are what is currently on the car .View attachment 2602743
View attachment 2602744

And the following pics are the sandblasted 15 inch rims that Seb generously sourced for me; (they will be painted the original gray), and then the delicious looking Shaheen sand tires that I picked up and will soon be on the pickup. I love these tires, and despite their less than stelllar performance on wet roads, they are exactly what I wanted. They drive great both on road and in the sand, and look excellent in my opinion.View attachment 2602745View attachment 2602746

Sorry forgot the picture of the rims as I was too excited about the rubber

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

-Love this thread, sub’d...and congrats mate!

 

[maxofarabia]

-Love this thread, sub’d...and congrats mate!

Appreciate it! Honestly I’m so excited to have found something this clean, to have it in Sebs shop, and to hopefully be driving it soon. I hope you are well

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Thank's Max and likewise!

I'm not serving any more in the Middle East broader area. Left there some good friends/cruiserheads though (i.e. in Bahrain)!
Returned to Greece and later, I hope, to Germany....

Keep Cruising and posting mate!

 

[maxofarabia]

Thank's Max and likewise!

I'm not serving any more in the Middle East broader area. Left there some good friends/cruiserheads though (i.e. in Bahrain)!
Returned to Greece and later, I hope, to Germany....

Keep Cruising and posting mate!

Safe travels, and come back and visit some time. There’s two more cruisers in line to be restored after this one. So lots of posts to come probably

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Great news Max!
Thanks for inviting, hope that after the Covid it'll be possible. On the other hand, I'll be more than happy to welcoming you to Greece!

PS. Did you see my latest post?

1FZ in a FJ40? Yes Sir!

The search of our co-Muder CapriCruiser from FL for the 1FZ swap in a FJ40, recalled me a time I visited the U. A. E., several years ago. I served for a while in the Middle East and I used to have a connection, Chris, in Dubai. I knew this guy from the Athens (Greece) TLC club. He had, like my...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[maxofarabia]

Great news Max!
Thanks for inviting, hope that after the Covid it'll be possible. On the other hand, I'll be more than happy to welcoming you to Greece!

PS. Did you see my latest post?

1FZ in a FJ40? Yes Sir!

The search of our co-Muder CapriCruiser from FL for the 1FZ swap in a FJ40, recalled me a time I visited the U. A. E., several years ago. I served for a while in the Middle East and I used to have a connection, Chris, in Dubai. I knew this guy from the Athens (Greece) TLC club. He had, like my...

forum.ih8mud.com

Fingers crossed. I hadn’t seen it but will check it out now.

 

[maxofarabia]

Vent window rubber, window runs etc are all being replaced, as after a few years in Saudi they have become slightly crispy