Newbie from South Africa

[Willem]

Good day people.

The name is Willem, and I am from South Africa.

Recently bought an old BJ61 wagon, fitted with a 350cu Small Block Chevy V8, mated to the 5
speed manual gearbox, and sporting 35" Cooper Muds.

Spring over Axle conversion was also done, sitting nice and high.

Going to drive you'all a bit crazy with all the questions I have, and some advice will be greatly appreciated as well.

Have a great day (not sure what time it is now in Aus) its just after 10am in sunny South Africa.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Nice rig. Welcome!!

 

[Ian Crawford]

Looks good! Welcome to MUD.

 

[Pepperana]

Looking good! Great country you live in. Speaking some boer taal .

 

[mattressking]

That's sick, I really like this rig.

Do you have a lot of access to parts trucks?

 

[Willem]

Thanks guys for the great welcome and kind comments on "beast"

 

[Willem]

Seems spares are not that easy to come by locally but still some breakers (scrapyards) that specializes in Toyota parts.

 

[Willem]

That's sick, I really like this rig.

Do you have a lot of access to parts trucks?

Seems spares are not that easy to come by locally but still some breakers (scrapyards) that specializes in Toyota parts. Mechanical parts not much of a problem though, but body spares are scarce.

 

[Willem]

Sorry I am still learning my way around this here forum, it works a bit different to what I am used to on our local 4x4 community forum - please bare with me.

Pic of the engine (needs a bit of a cleanup though)

 

[89BIGBLUE]

Very nice!

 

[rrv333]

Great looking 60

 

[mochosla]

Nice truck!

 

[boerboel313]

goeie dang Willem

My mother was from Groenkloof. I've lived in RSA a few times and was just there last Sept/Oct
Will be back again in about a year.

What's your sir name?

I know a Willem Skeipers (sp) we worked together overseas.

Nice cruiser by the way

 

[boerboel313]

RSA flag in rear side Window.
Where in SA are you located?

 

[Willem]

Hi boerboel. Thanks for the kind words on my truck.

I live in the northern suburbs of Pretoria which is SA's capitol city.

 

[Willem]

Painted the surrounds of the headlights satin black

Before

After (and changed them old fat spots to little LED spots)

Also changed out the old sealed beam headlights to proper Hella H4 halogens, now I can actually see where I am going at night

 

[Gengis]

Geluk Boet
Where did she grow up? Looks straight and rust free, but it's hard to tell.
Pity these conversions always toss the air cleaner , I dont believe that those pancakes have a place in a 4 wheel drive.
Did they use a kit for the conversion , does not look too bad and not a lot of cleanu up to do.
A lot of South African spring overs do not correct for camber, how does your steering feel at speed on the N3. Plenty info here if it's a problem.

all the best
George.

 

[Willem]

Geluk Boet
Where did she grow up? Looks straight and rust free, but it's hard to tell.
Pity these conversions always toss the air cleaner , I dont believe that those pancakes have a place in a 4 wheel drive.
Did they use a kit for the conversion , does not look too bad and not a lot of cleanu up to do.
A lot of South African spring overs do not correct for camber, how does your steering feel at speed on the N3. Plenty info here if it's a problem.

all the best
George.

Thanks George.

There is some rust on the drivers side front and rear doors, perhaps more than I think - been trying to source rustfree doors from a scrapyard but its proving a bit elusive. rest of the body and roof are basically rust free, bar some surface rust where paint is chipped.

Its a GP vehicle, but I suspect most of its life is in Pretoria / Gauteng.

Ja the spring over conversion did affect the steering a bit, no issues at highway speeds, no "death wobble" but at slow speeds it is a bit tricky to manoeuvre because it doesnt like to return to centre much. Also seems to have a bit of excessive steering play, perhaps I am just not used to these "old" toyotas steering feel, or perhaps the box is worn out.

I would also really love to get rid of that stupid pancake aircleaner, as I doubt it is really effective but I dont know where to source an adapter for the holley carb to fit a donaldson type system.

 

[boerboel313]

Hi boerboel. Thanks for the kind words on my truck.

I live in the northern suburbs of Pretoria which is SA's capitol city.

I know Pretoria/, Centurian very well.

 

[Willem]

My powersteering gearbox is leaking, quite a lot all of a sudden. I adjusted the play a bit a while ago - could this have caused the leak?

It looks like its leaking at the input shaft side.

Now, is it a simple seal replacement DIY job? keeping in mind I am not very good with a spanner

Any assistance will be helpfull fellow MUDH8TERS