MOOSE

[Corrugated Toy]

Any other opinions on how to tell if it has A/C from the pics. The photos are all I have to go on as well. The friend in OZ wouldn't have have a clue, and I'm a virgin to the FJ55's. It doesn't really matter at this point if it has it or not. I'm just interested to know opinions. I will figure it out when I get there.
A.

 

[Brewtus]

Just voted Orange.

 

[fjdaveinoz]

Another vote for keeping it Brown

BTW,
I didnt realise there was interest in these things over there. I know of 2 78' Barn Door pigs locally for sale. I dont want barn doors, or late model taillights, but would be happy to pick them up if anyone was interested..

Cant see an AC switch on the dash, id be suprised if it had it..

Dave


Edit, just realised this is the same one on ebay.au that I was following. No AC
2nd Edit, didnt realise you are living in Canberra atm???? If you are the two I talk of above were right under your nose! I live just up the road and work in Belconnen (at a 4wd store if u need anything)

 

[Corrugated Toy]

I am will be in receipt of Moose next week when I arrive down under. I have a full serivice scheduled before I arrive. I am in hopes everything will be in order.

Any suggestions on highway speed? I have not driven a 2F/4 speed combo. I will be driving from Melbourne to Canberra next Wed. and I want to make sure I don't push it. It will be a 650Km/7 1/2 hour trip and I want to make sure I get there! Any suggestions/recommendations welcome.

 

[fjdaveinoz]

You shouldn't have any trouble sitting on the speed limit, or 10km/h under if your worried.
Mine would sit on 100km/h all day long if necessary. 110 was a bit noisy, but more then achievable..
Any faster you'll more then likely get booked anyways. especially on the Vic part of the Hume Highway with those unmarked cameras between Melbourne and Seymour.
I drove my HJ45 for a long distance when I bought it, I was nervous at first, and poked along, gaining more confidence with every km, and was eventually passing some of the traffic that went around me!
I dont think you will have any issues, a long drive is probably the best thing for it.
For piece of mind, id be making sure they check hoses and belts and replace them if they even look a bit sus. Maybe pressure test the radiator, its the middle of summer here remember, and has been bloody hot on some days. The service would naturally replace all engine and gear oils. Id also get them to check and balance the tyres. It'll be a long annoying drive with an unbalanced wheel shaking you apart.

If you need a spell when you hit Yass, let me know and ill have a cold one waiting..
Dave

 

[Corrugated Toy]

You shouldn't have any trouble sitting on the speed limit, or 10km/h under if your worried.
Mine would sit on 100km/h all day long if necessary. 110 was a bit noisy, but more then achievable..
Any faster you'll more then likely get booked anyways. especially on the Vic part of the Hume Highway with those unmarked cameras between Melbourne and Seymour.
I drove my HJ45 for a long distance when I bought it, I was nervous at first, and poked along, gaining more confidence with every km, and was eventually passing some of the traffic that went around me!
I dont think you will have any issues, a long drive is probably the best thing for it.
For piece of mind, id be making sure they check hoses and belts and replace them if they even look a bit sus. Maybe pressure test the radiator, its the middle of summer here remember, and has been bloody hot on some days. The service would naturally replace all engine and gear oils. Id also get them to check and balance the tyres. It'll be a long annoying drive with an unbalanced wheel shaking you apart.

If you need a spell when you hit Yass, let me know and ill have a cold one waiting..
Dave

Hey Dave,
There is a good chance I'll take you up on that! I'll post later when I find out what time I'll be coming through!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[OldBeachBob]

Great Lookin Rig

Great find love the doors!

Welcome to the pen or the ward I'm not sure which is more appropriate?

I like the gray combo!

I did my wheels in gray to match the body and black centers.

I put in a picture of the regular under dash AC unit that was installed most of the time.

Have fun!

 

[Corrugated Toy]

Power steering

BOB,

Great looking rig! I do like the look of the grey w/ matching wheels.

A question for anyone that has seen or done this to their rig. I have found a 79 55 with the OEM P/S. Is it a "bolt on" modification to a rig without or is there a fair bit of fabrication involved?

 

[OldBeachBob]

Best bet is to read the power steering mod threads. There are several in the FJ40-45-55 tech section (just do mud search for power steering). Pumps and gear can come from FJ60s mini trucks, scouts etc. I'm getting ready to do one with an FJ60 pump and box. I keep hearing its a great mod for the time money and effort you put in. The experts will tell you will take a little welding to strengthen the frame when you mount the power box. Engine should be able to accommadate the mounts for the pump.

New guy 'hint' between the threads in the database and they experts help here almost anything is possible.

Welcome and enjoy - dont ever be afraid to post a question - there lots of great guys here with the skill and experience.

 

[Pighead]

A question for anyone that has seen or done this to their rig. I have found a 79 55 with the OEM P/S. Is it a "bolt on" modification to a rig without or is there a fair bit of fabrication involved?

So, you've found a '79 RHD FJ55 with the factory power steering and want to put that into your '78 RHD FJ55? That sounds very do-able, just make sure your '78 block has the same threaded holes in it to hold the power steering pump mount that the '79 has...should be easier to fit a stock RHD power steering than trying to backwards-fit a Saginaw.

 

[Corrugated Toy]

UPDATE

Hello again fellow 55 fans. I've been in OZ now for close to 6 weeks and have been a bit tied up with the new job.

I would like to thank "Dobster" in Melbourne for helping me find someone to put in a new clutch at such short notice, and Dave from Yass for the offer of assistance and hospitality. I will definitely be catching up for a cold one soon.

All that said I will now get on with the update. The Moose made the trip from Melbourne to Canberra without a bit of a worry. No A/C, no radio, no worries. It was one of the best road trips of my life! 7-71/2 hours of bliss.

659 KM to Canberra, 1.75 tanks of gas (110 L), 1/2 pack of cigarettes, it was light out, and I was wearing sunglasses. HIT IT!

And I did. The moose handled great at highway speed. The trip was mechanically uneventful.

A couple of cool things happened shortly after I got on the road. As soon as I left Melbourne and got on the Hume highway another brown 78 FJ55 entered right next to me. We ran in tandem for around 50km before he exited. I also hit another milestone, literally, when I was roughly 3 hours into the trip. The old boy rolled over 200K on the odometer "00000"! A new start for a new, second, owner. I have both events on video and will post as soon I figure out how

Anyway.....Now for a few more pics of the pristine 33 year old.

I need for someone to inform me how to insert line breaks in the photo's so that I can commentate on them.

1. Getting the new clutch in Melbourne
2. Original inspection light
3. It Works!

 

[Corrugated Toy]

Interior Pics

A few more interior pics.

 

[Corrugated Toy]

HEADLINER

The headliner and visors are in great condition as is, but does anyone have a suggestion on how to safely clean with out damaging or stretching the fabric?

 

[Corrugated Toy]

Cargo Area

I don't think the PO ever used the cargo area

 

[Corrugated Toy]

JACK

A couple pics of the jack and under the rear seat. I still need to pull out the mat and give him a good clean.

 

[Corrugated Toy]

More

Door interiors and passenger post

 

[Corrugated Toy]

Questions that need answered

Following are a few pics that have questions related with them. If I can get any feedback it will be greatly appreciated.

PIC 1. Anyone know what the toggle switch next to the "rear heater" blank is for?
PIC 2. Idea's on why this connection is unplugged, and what is it's purpose.
PIC 3. One of the only items that need fixed. Anyone know where to get one?

 

[CarmMontana]

This truck is so freaking impressive! I wish mine looked half that good when I bought it!

 

[Corrugated Toy]

The "BAD" of the MOOSE

As nice as Moose is and as happy as I am with the purchase a 33 year old vehicle is expected to have a few issues. Following a few that I have experienced in the last few weeks.

On the way to Canberra I noticed that my oil pressure had dropped about 2 hours from landing. I topped it up with 2 liters! It is apparent that there is a bit of an oil leak. The rear of the truck had oil all over the bumper and doors. It appears that it is coming from the oil pan, so hopefully a new oil pan gasket will do the trick. I only stopped once in the 7+ hours so it was a big effort for the old boy. It hasn't used any oil since.

When I got into Canberra to the in-laws I noticed that the drivers rear tire was a bit low. After pumping it up every morning for the first three days I took it in to have it looked at. The tube had a small leak that was repaired with little hassle. The service tech informed me that I had about 75-80% tread left. I was quite please with this after I was told that the tires had a manufacture date from 1987!

The next two issues are ones that I need to get sorted out quite quickly.

Firstly is the gas gauge. I worked fine for the first 3 weeks of driving. Now it works intermittently without cause. Is this a short, a bad sending unit, or some other electrical issue?

Secondly and most importantly is an issue that has left the Moose in the driveway for the past week. Last Sunday I took him for a bit of a drive into the mountains. It was a very successful trip. The gas gauge was working that day so I was happy to venture far from home. I tried the 4X4, which apparently had not been used before, and it worked flawlessly. I will still disassemble and re-grease them for piece of mind. The trip was roughly 275 Km. Ran like a top. Next day I get up for work, start up the truck to warm up between 5 and 10 min, and head out. I make it about half way to work when it starts chugging and stalls out. The gas gauge wasn't working that morning. I assume that it was out, but specifically remember that I had nearly a quarter of a tank the night before. I add 17 liters and try and start with out success. After work I come back to try again and the battery was dead from the hazzards. I towed him home and tried a couple of pull starts with no success. Now he had to sit till the weekend.

I will continue the story tomorrow....I need to get to bed.

 

[jmccandless]

That's an impressive 55! Super clean! Congrats! Enjoy driving it and sorting it out!