Meet Dot - the FJ73

[fridave]

Meet Dot, my newly aquired '86 FJ73.
Barely been driven, only one owner and 175,000km on the clock.
Still all original parts.

The good:
- mechanically sound, just installed new carborater and alternator but otherwise runs great
- just installed some new LED headlamps as these didnt work anymore. Also brake light bulbs were replaced.
- wheels are fine, but thinking of changing out the 16 inch tyres with something thicker as it needs more stability when going around corners.
The bad:
- rust! currently at the end of doing all the rust management on the underside, and in the engine bay. Welded some new metal panels in the engine bay as there were holes forming. Window wipers are very rusty, and the metal edges around the back windows are all very rusty...
- Interior - was used as a farm car so interior basically needs completely ripping out and reupholstering due to holes in chairs. Thinking about reskinning the headliner and getting a carpet kit.
The ugly:
- speakers are all very damaged in the car and need fixing/replacing
- Aircon is broken, will need to convert from R12 to R134a as well.
- central locking button disintegrated when I tried to use it the first time

Open to ideas, suggestions as to what you would do to bring this old girl back to her former glory!

 

[Combat Wombat]

Hey there Fridave. I really like these in Red. The first one I ever considered buying was red (was a tradie toolbox vehicle on 35" and was hammered as heck)
I have a similar setup to you, 3F and auto.
I also will be replacing the windscreen and surround frame as mine is proper rusted. I have recently been considering a Fiberglass option, as it will never rust again. Steel parts are still available too, ($1000 ish for steel, $750 ish for FRP)
Most of the other rust I have just been spraying with lanox or rust convertor and priming it to halt any further degradation.
I am convinced I will never completely be able to make it 100% free of any defects, but Im happy to get my MWB to a point where I can do adventuring and not worry too much about battle damage.

What is your final goal for Dot?
Show Queen? Resto Project? Or just all terrain transport to mountain biking trails?

Suspension wise, I have looked at Parabolic Leaf Springs (Terrain Tamer and Pedders have decent enough reviews and reputations) to help stabilise when cornering. Shock absorbers is a whole other confusing matter. Most workshops will have a preference to what they recommend, and sadly at times it is what they can get the most profit margin out of. Tough Dog are fairly reliable and not to expensive. Dobinsons are very good. I eventually want to get something adjustable as I do 80% sealed roads and 20% dirt (and then a handfull of adventure trips per year)
You are lucky with the Alloy Bullbar as it is not ultra heavy like the steel one is. (even more hefty with a winch and steel cable)

 

[fridave]

Hey there Fridave. I really like these in Red. The first one I ever considered buying was red (was a tradie toolbox vehicle on 35" and was hammered as heck)
I have a similar setup to you, 3F and auto.
I also will be replacing the windscreen and surround frame as mine is proper rusted. I have recently been considering a Fiberglass option, as it will never rust again. Steel parts are still available too, ($1000 ish for steel, $750 ish for FRP)
Most of the other rust I have just been spraying with lanox or rust convertor and priming it to halt any further degradation.
I am convinced I will never completely be able to make it 100% free of any defects, but Im happy to get my MWB to a point where I can do adventuring and not worry too much about battle damage.

What is your final goal for Dot?
Show Queen? Resto Project? Or just all terrain transport to mountain biking trails?

Suspension wise, I have looked at Parabolic Leaf Springs (Terrain Tamer and Pedders have decent enough reviews and reputations) to help stabilise when cornering. Shock absorbers is a whole other confusing matter. Most workshops will have a preference to what they recommend, and sadly at times it is what they can get the most profit margin out of. Tough Dog are fairly reliable and not to expensive. Dobinsons are very good. I eventually want to get something adjustable as I do 80% sealed roads and 20% dirt (and then a handfull of adventure trips per year)
You are lucky with the Alloy Bullbar as it is not ultra heavy like the steel one is. (even more hefty with a winch and steel cable)

Hi Wombat.
Appreciate the information. I hadn't considered the fibreglass option that sounds like something worth investigating for sure.
Yeah I am the same as you. I dont think I'll ever get it to be able to get it 100% sounds but we go camping a fair bit so it will be nice to be able to drive it inland on dirt roads for a couple hours and not worry about whether it will make the return journey.

Definitely keen to get it back to the all terrain transport level, just want it to be a bit more reliable, and possibly a bit comfier by refreshing the interior.
I know very little when it comes to suspension and shock absorbers as I haven't had to replace these in my other cars. I'll have a look into Tough Dog and Dobinsons so thanks.

 

[FJ731985]

Hey Dave,

What part of Aus are you in? How’s the 73 going?

Dan
Sydney

 

[Combat Wombat]

I reckon Dave is out mountain biking!
The FJ73 seems to be a fairly popular Aussie recreational vehicle back in its day.
I often wonder if they were driven off the ship, or assembled at a plant from CKD kits.

 

[OGBeno]

I reckon Dave is out mountain biking!
The FJ73 seems to be a fairly popular Aussie recreational vehicle back in its day.
I often wonder if they were driven off the ship, or assembled at a plant from CKD kits.

Driven off the ship.