Qatar FJ45 Project

[AYM707]

Finally worked out the paperwork to buy his FJ-45 ('82 / '83 GCC spec). Its finally mine!!

It has definitely seen better days. With the exception of some new tires / rims, i intend to keep the exterior stock; but want the interior to be more comfortable and modern. Nothing overboard thu.

I'm absolutely a newbie here; so looking for your help / advise. There's alot to fix.

Here's what i have determined so far. Need your advice.

1- Steering column vibration / movement
think wheel alignment is required; also steering support is missing. suspension is heavy duty which causes the truck to sort of bounce along. A friend suggested this is typical in pickups with heavy duty suspension; he suggested i should add weights to the back. I'm missing the spare wheel; which will add some weight in the back.

2- Power steering noises
sounds like a grinding noise when i turn the wheel.

3- Engine appears to rev up from time to time

4- Need to fix the AC. Currently, its 44C here; so AC is an absolute requirement.

5- Want to change the rims / tires; currently 15 in split rims. I want to install 17 in. not sure if i have to raise it to make it fit. I think there's enough space; but the guys at the tire shop said the tire would interfere with the body.

6- Lastly, need to install bucket seats & seat belts. Need a good sound system.

 

[AYM707]

pictures of the engine; need to degrease it & replace all the plastic / rubber hoses. radiator looks new. There is an engine number; but its full of grease.

 

[FishTacos]

Wow. Very nice.

 

[FishTacos]

It has definitely seen better days.

That truck is in beautiful shape judging by the photos. The desert is much kinder to vehicles than snow/ice/road salt. Count your blessings, habibi.

1- They tend to drive like an unbroken horse. That said, a new set of high quality shocks and a new steering stabilizer may help. You can check your alignment with some rudimentary tools.

2- Fluid level ok?

3- Hmmmm....... Dusty air cleaner?

4- How anyone in your part of the world goes without AC is inconceivable.

5- For me, you can't beat the way those 15" steel split rims look. New tires would be a good upgrade for sure

6- good idea. Sound system will always leave something to be desired in these vehicles, but.... Nice to have some music none the less.

 

[murf]

Love it. Post up what you end up doing

 

[alberta mac]

Very nice looking Cruiser !
While your at it change all the oils and filters then you know it's been done.
You must have a wrecking yard with these things there so you can pick up a decent set of seat belts and if you go you must post up some pics of the cruisers in the yard for us bunch !

 

[maldhaheri]

very nice looks clean for its age. do you have interior pictures?

 

[maldhaheri]

very nice looks clean for its age. do you have interior pictures?

 

[cult45]

There's a lot to fix?? Dude, it's mint!

 

[AYM707]

Thought I should update the progress on my truck.

After sorting out the tools and sourcing a spare parts dealer in UAE; I managed to start work on the steering. 3 of the 5 tie rod ends were dead. Hence, all the steering play. It was difficult to drive it in a straight line.

Started with the drag link tie end. After buying a ball joint removing tool; it popped right out with a big bang! Actually, thought I broke something.

Then pulled apart my central arm bracket. Cleaned the grease out; but can't seem to put everything back, nice and flush.

My steering shimmy damper is also dead. Unfortunately, the damper I purchased was the wrong size. That means I need to make another trip to Sharjah, to get the replacement.

Damper is going to have to wait.

 

[AYM707]

I did manage to change the relay rod tie end (at the central arm bracket end)

Unfortunately, that's where I have to stop. Need to replace the remaining tie-ends but noticed I got the the wrong tie-end; the right one has a connector for the relay rod. Its typical at this end of the world; you have to check everything a thousand times; otherwise you end up with the wrong parts. For me, its very costly as I have to "bribe" my wife with a shopping trip to Dubai.

Will keep you guys posted. Cheers

 

[Honger]

Great to see your progress! Bummer about the wrong parts. There's always something.

For me, its very costly as I have to "bribe" my wife with a shopping trip to Dubai.

The things we do for Cruisers...

 

[AYM707]

Managed to change the remaining tie-ends and the steering damper. Everything is back as it should. Bolts tightened; pins crossed.

Took it for a spin; and definitely, the alignment is out; but this is how I started. Steering appears tighter; but need to get the alignment fixed first. also the steering wheel's physical alignment is off too. figured i would just wait to get the alignment fixed first; then adjust the steering wheel.

My problem is that the PO installed 15" splits with "balloon" tires. apparently, these can't be aligned. Now, in Qatar, I can't get 15" tires that are 6" wide. Most tires are typically 8-10" wide; but for a 16" + rim dia. Bottom line; need new rims+tires & wheel spacers.

the list continues...

 

[Honger]

Surely you can pick up a set of the 16" splits in a junk yard somewhere... if not there then certainly in Al Dhaid.
You can't find some passenger rated suv tires for a 15" wheel? My 16" rims are also only about 6" wide and I just got 245/70 R16's put on... they come in at 10" wide. No problems.

 

[AYM707]

Surely you can pick up a set of the 16" splits in a junk yard somewhere... if not there then certainly in Al Dhaid.
You can't find some passenger rated suv tires for a 15" wheel? My 16" rims are also only about 6" wide and I just got 245/70 R16's put on... they come in at 10" wide. No problems.

Hi Joel; haven't had much luck with the local junk yards. The second-hand rim dealers are worse; they would only sell you a rim based on what you have currently. Don't have any interest of thinking a bit and the market is really small.

Did you put wheel spacers for the 245?

 

[Honger]

Hi Joel; haven't had much luck with the local junk yards. The second-hand rim dealers are worse; they would only sell you a rim based on what you have currently. Don't have any interest of thinking a bit and the market is really small.

Did you put wheel spacers for the 245?

No wheel spacers. I can take more photos for you if you'd like to see side-profile and whatnot. Dude, if your rig currently has those balloon tires you should be able to get tires the same size as mine and have no issues.

 

[AYM707]

No wheel spacers. I can take more photos for you if you'd like to see side-profile and whatnot. Dude, if your rig currently has those balloon tires you should be able to get tires the same size as mine and have no issues.

Thanks; need to go hit the market again. cheers

 

[Living in the Past]

very nice looks clean for its age. do you have interior pictures?

X2
Would like to see pictures of the interior. You could sent your split bench seats my way.

I do have a question for you and anyone with a post 7/80 FJ45LP-B. Where is your hand brake located? I'm going to update the running gear on my 1965 FJ45. I would like to use the rear axle hand brake if a OEM cable is available. If not I'll use the hand brake on the back of the split transfer like in the Australian market. Looking at the one picture of the rear of your 45 I wasn't seeing the cable for the hand brake running across the back. If your bumperettes weren't in the way I could see better. You could remove those as well and throw them in the box with the bench seats.

Very nice 45 by the way. The internet has made it very easy for us US cruiserheads to see all the nice 4X series we never got.

 

[AYM707]

X2
Would like to see pictures of the interior. You could sent your split bench seats my way.

I do have a question for you and anyone with a post 7/80 FJ45LP-B. Where is your hand brake located? I'm going to update the running gear on my 1965 FJ45. I would like to use the rear axle hand brake if a OEM cable is available. If not I'll use the hand brake on the back of the split transfer like in the Australian market. Looking at the one picture of the rear of your 45 I wasn't seeing the cable for the hand brake running across the back. If your bumperettes weren't in the way I could see better. You could remove those as well and throw them in the box with the bench seats.

Very nice 45 by the way. The internet has made it very easy for us US cruiserheads to see all the nice 4X series we never got.

@Living in the Past - photo of the interior is below.

I want to change the bench seats for bucket seats. So you're welcome to take them off me; but cost of shipping them to the States might be more expense!

view of the back is

Don't like the little bumperette's either. Think the PO locally fabricated them; they are crudely made. I was going to take them off, but have to admit they are very useful. They are welded to the back chassis, so I would have to cut them off. More hard work them i'm prepared to do right now.

 

[AYM707]

Finally managed to get rid of those balloon tires. Replaced with Yokohama 31x10.50R15 on splits. Of course, had to install tubes for the splits, so lost my 6-month warranty; not that it is worth anything anyway.

Went to check my alignment; still had extensive movement. At the 12 & 6 o'clock position; tire moves vertically. Was told that I should check / change the steering knuckle bearings.

The 3 & 9 o'clock position is good; nice and tight.