Dubai FJ45 Project! Some Questions

[Oman4x4]

So I've managed to find an FJ45 pickup that belongs to a friend. They're leaving and want to see it go to a good home.

It's a 1982 with the 2F 4.2 motor.

Given the hard life these trucks typically have over here, it's already in fantastic condition. A lot of love has already gone into it.

My goal is to "Resto-Mod" it - bring it up to date and make it usable - mainly for beach excursions and camping trips.

Questions:

First of all looking to do a 5.7L V8 swap - probably an 440 hp Edelbrock Crate Motor, EFI, all chrome and beautiful. Can the stock 4 speed handle this or do I need a new transmission to match?

Can the axles handle this kind of power if they're on 33 inch tires?




Air Conditioning - is Vintage Air the one to go for?



Suspension - it's solid as a rock right now with virtually no movement as you push down on the bumpers! What's the best set up for an every day drivability / unsurfaced track comfort. The truck will rarely carry a heavy load so some nice soft suspension is what I'm after. Are there companies making kits for this?



Any other input / thoughts / links to build threads for Resto-Mod type approaches would be much appreciated



Some pictures:

I know it's silly but I hate these things... I've seen some pics where the turn signal is a nice small circle shape... is that an aftermarket part or something from a certain year model?

Little bit of Rust:

Good frame. Wasps will need to find a new home though:

Dreaming of seeing this under the hood:

 

[Oman4x4]

Another question - steering - as expected on a truck like this - there's a massive amount of play and dead-spot in the steering... what are my options for heavy duty power steering with a nice sharp feel?

 

[Oman4x4]

And the square-ish headlight bezel.... is that interchangable with the round bezel from the older model FJs?

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Lots of chevy v8 swaps in landcruisers.. you'll need an adapter from motor to trans etc. lots of places sell the kits.
the round turnsignals are from 64-68
front bib conversion would require a whole bib as the headlights in the rectangular bezel are spaced different due to DOT and other changes in the later years.

 

[Oman4x4]

Lots of chevy v8 swaps in landcruisers.. you'll need an adapter from motor to trans etc. lots of places sell the kits.

Thanks - but the 4 speed that's already in the truck can handle it or am I better off putting something else in there?

Also the gearstick in neutral position kinda flops about a bit. Move it over between 1 and 2 and it will stay there. Put it between 3 and 4 and it will stay there. There's no spring bringing it to the center of the H gate. Something normal or something that needs fixing?

the round turnsignals are from 64-68
front bib conversion would require a whole bib as the headlights in the rectangular bezel are spaced different due to DOT and other changes in the later years.

Good info - thanks

 

[Oman4x4]

Update... new fuel pump and she starts!

 

[2fpower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tornadoalleycruiser
Lots of chevy v8 swaps in landcruisers.. you'll need an adapter from motor to trans etc. lots of places sell the kits.

Thanks - but the 4 speed that's already in the truck can handle it or am I better off putting something else in there?

Tornado Alley Cruiser was saying you need an adapter from the V8 chevy to mate with your transmission. We agree that the 4 speed is fine. Advance Adapter is major player in making this adapter.

Good looking rig!

 

[Oman4x4]

Another update... now she's running and out of the driveway where she's been sitting for 6 months, time for a good wash.

I gotta say... after reading up on ih8mud forums and seeing some of the projects you guys manage in the USA... I'm very happy to be getting a truck that someone's already put a lot of love and care into.

 

[Clint79]

man this is in great shape
good on ya mate lucky score

 

[Chamba]

Another update... now she's running and out of the driveway where she's been sitting for 6 months, time for a good wash.
I gotta say... after reading up on ih8mud forums and seeing some of the projects you guys manage in the USA... I'm very happy to be getting a truck that someone's already put a lot of love and care into.

What you really ought to do is to ship it to the US and sell it for good money before you change it too much. It would be worth very good money in the US as it is right now.

Josh

 

[Oman4x4]

What you really ought to do is to ship it to the US and sell it for good money before you change it too much. It would be worth very good money in the US as it is right now.

Josh

That will always be an option... but to be honest I want it for me , not to turn it around and sell it. I first saw the truck a year and a half ago and said to the owner "if you EVER sell it, call me." - and I'm just glad I had the money when they called

To find one in this condition over here is probably even harder than finding one this nice in USA. Over here they are typically proper work trucks, used for farming or fishing and as long as it physically runs that's all they care about.... Normally they can be found looking more like this!

Horrible night time photos... found this at the side of the road while driving back from looking at the FJ45

I don't think I'll find another one as good as the red one!

 

[Oman4x4]

man this is in great shape
good on ya mate lucky score

Cheers

 

[a.greenspan]

... but to be honest I want it for me , not to turn it around and sell it. I first saw the truck a year and a half ago and said to the owner "if you EVER sell it, call me." - and I'm just glad I had the money when they called

To find one in this condition over here is probably even harder than finding one this nice in USA. Over here they are typically proper work trucks, used for farming or fishing and as long as it physically runs that's all they care about.... Normally they can be found looking more like this!



I don't think I'll find another one as good as the red one!

.... That`s why you shouldn`t do a V8 swap.
keep her old school .

Cheers
Peter

 

[a.greenspan]

....
.....old school .

Cheers
Peter

.... now driving with my old schooler
to this event
www.classic-days-bb.de

 

[Oman4x4]

.... That`s why you shouldn`t do a V8 swap.
keep her old school .

Cheers
Peter

If there were more classic appreciation events over here then yeah I probably would... but the reality is there aren't any. Instead, there's some nice beaches and camping spots and mountain trips that are in the area, but are a LONG highway trip to get there.

This is why the Resto-mod idea appeals to me. Keep it old-school looking, but at the same time modern power levels and drivability, but overall show winning craftsmanship and fabrication work and attention to detail.

At the end of the day while it is a classic, it's still a Land Cruiser and built to be used... and that to me is what it's all about.

But then, I'm the kinda guy that's much more interested in an Overhaulin' Chip Foose kind of Mustang than a completely original stock numbers matching Mustang.

 

[Oman4x4]

Peter,

just to give you an idea... I'm a big fan of this one....

It's not 100% original but everything done to it suits the car well... and is done to a high standard... and is in GREAT condition.

That's the goal

 

[a.greenspan]

Peter,

just to give you an idea... I'm a big fan of this one....

That's the goal

... not my taste
Cheers
Peter

 

[Oman4x4]

 

[mmw68]

Air Conditioning - is Vintage Air the one to go for?

Vintage Air of course!!

 

[JackA]

I am glad you like my 40. I tried to keep alot of the original stuff while moderizing some other things.................like 300 plus hp of fuel injected goodness