Build Saudi Arabia: 1982 FJ45 Troopy

[Oman4x4]

Thanks. The question I have for you guys, and sorry if I offend any of the purist out there: Do I keep the look stock? Restore it to its original state? I've yet to order the lift kit, so I'm having an internal debate there

It really depends on the end goal - did you buy this to restore and sell, or to keep? Given your wife surprised you with it, I get the impression you'll be hanging on to it for as long as possible

Personally - I say treat it how you would if you'd bought it new, and looking at your signature I'm guessing you're like me, and like things upgraded.

My FJ45's sitting on new wheels and tires, it's going to get air-con and a modern stereo soon and long term it's going to have coilover suspension, disc brakes and an EFI engine. Essentially how Icon does it. Then the bed's going to get some work to make that more useable for me with a cage, shade, awnings, liner etc. etc. etc.

Originality is great for an old Rolls Royce or a Duesenberg, but Land Cruisers were not meant to be kept stock as your new ones prove.

Some time in the near future I'll have to stay a few extra days in Jeddah and let you show me where these rust free examples are kept One of the guys at the office in Dubai is very jealous of my 45

 

[lostmarbles]

I wonder if the PO put the 88K Miles on it in one trip? He wore the gas pedal completely off!!!


Nice Rig!

To my knowledge, Toyota never put any rubber on the accelerator/gas-pedal.

AFAIK that rubber comes only from after-market suppliers.

.......
Just out of curiousity, I thought Toyota did away with the cowl vent long before the 82 model year. Did different markets still get the cowl vents? Anyone know?

Continued right through to 86 on some models:

 

[skidplate]

Honestly, I would change all the fluids and filters, give her a tune up and drive it! That looks perfect the way it is. A true classic. cheers

 

[desertpat]

Nice Troopy .... I too have been searching for the "Holy Grail" of Land Cruisers which I reckon is a late model troopy. I haven't come across anything (either a shorty or a troopy) as nice as yours, but I did come across a 1984 troopy that had great metal. Still kicking my own butt for not scooping it up. At that time we gringos could have a bunch of vehicles registered in our name - now, only 2.
Troopies are not rare. They are just really beaten up work trucks.
Still see them out in the deep desert on pipeline jobs, etc, with trailer hitches hauling welding machines and crews around.
That says a lot about how tough they are.
Lot's of pickups on duty out there herding camels too.
I have bought three 40's here - sold the 1975 and restored the 1983 and 1984.
Shipped the 1983 to Canada a few years back and the '84 is soon to go.
It's easy to ship them out. For around $2000 it can be in it's own container.
A friend of mine (Magnet Mike) who just retired outta here shipped 2 of them back and they just arrived last week.
Chime in Mike!

I'm in Dhahran if you ever pass thru.

 

[boozewz]

Update

Here is small update. Near the office there is an awesome workshop that I have access to, that have a couple of very good mechanics, and a full on body repair and paint shop. I took the troopy in yesterday during our weekend (Thurs and Fri) and did a full service and check up. It also gave me a chance to check the undercarriage.

Here are some pics:

Changed all the filters

and all the oils

The transfer case magnetic plug had a bit of worn particles. Should I be concerned?

The brakes turned out ok for now.

Body mounts seemed to be holding up well

And engine mounts can stay for now

Undercarriage shot

I'm amazed at how durable these rigs were built!

Some rust on the corners of the rear tub

Close up

The front frame/bumper rust.

Rust cracks between the rear doors and roof

The radiator looks aweful from inside. Need a new thermostat housing. Whats the best way to salvage/clean the radiator?

Thermostat housing

And a question for you history buffs: Is this the origina factory glass?

So after doing ther service, the following is on our checklist:
- new spark pugs
- new contact point/distributer
- new thermostat housing
- new cooling system hoses

On my wish list:
- A/C! (God its hot without one, and its only June. Aug/Sept will be hell!)
- power steering. What are the best and most cost effective ways about doing this? I've heard the 60 series offers a great option if I can locate the parts. Ordering a kit from the US seems too expensive. I know peope who've gone the simple route and taken pumps off a GM, but despair not as I want to stay as pure as I can to the Toyota roots.

 

[boozewz]

Nice Troopy .... I too have been searching for the "Holy Grail" of Land Cruisers which I reckon is a late model troopy. I haven't come across anything (either a shorty or a troopy) as nice as yours, but I did come across a 1984 troopy that had great metal. Still kicking my own butt for not scooping it up. At that time we gringos could have a bunch of vehicles registered in our name - now, only 2.
Troopies are not rare. They are just really beaten up work trucks.
Still see them out in the deep desert on pipeline jobs, etc, with trailer hitches hauling welding machines and crews around.
That says a lot about how tough they are.
Lot's of pickups on duty out there herding camels too.
I have bought three 40's here - sold the 1975 and restored the 1983 and 1984.
Shipped the 1983 to Canada a few years back and the '84 is soon to go.
It's easy to ship them out. For around $2000 it can be in it's own container.
A friend of mine (Magnet Mike) who just retired outta here shipped 2 of them back and they just arrived last week.
Chime in Mike!

I'm in Dhahran if you ever pass thru.

I could not agree more, but out here west the troopys are still hard to find. I work in the construction supply business, hence I travel to a lot of job sites in remote areas, passing through villages etc, and man the amount of good clean cruisers you find out there is amazing. I've offered to buy so many times, but them villagers just wont let go of their cruisers, as the price they would get for them would be well below the cost of buying a new replacement vehicle.

My brother spotted this one outside his office in Dammam a few months ago. He just doesnt understand this disease I've got, so made no offer to the owner. Not that it matters now

Let me know next time you're in Jeddah and I'll show you around the cruiser junk yards and auction area.

 

[TROOPERIIandFJ]

Wow, that truck is in fantastic shape. I just have to ask, do you have a lot of kids or people in your family where a lot of seats will be handy? Not that it matters. You dont need an excuse to own such an interesting and rare gem.

 

[John Smith]

Here is small update. Near the office there is an awesome workshop that I have access to, that have a couple of very good mechanics, and a full on body repair and paint shop. I took the troopy in yesterday during our weekend (Thurs and Fri) and did a full service and check up. It also gave me a chance to check the undercarriage.

Here are some pics:

Changed all the filters

and all the oils

The transfer case magnetic plug had a bit of worn particles. Should I be concerned?

The brakes turned out ok for now.

Body mounts seemed to be holding up well

And engine mounts can stay for now

Undercarriage shot

I'm amazed at how durable these rigs were built!

Some rust on the corners of the rear tub

Close up

The front frame/bumper rust.

Rust cracks between the rear doors and roof

The radiator looks aweful from inside. Need a new thermostat housing. Whats the best way to salvage/clean the radiator?

Thermostat housing

And a question for you history buffs: Is this the origina factory glass?

So after doing ther service, the following is on our checklist:
- new spark pugs
- new contact point/distributer
- new thermostat housing
- new cooling system hoses

On my wish list:
- A/C! (God its hot without one, and its only June. Aug/Sept will be hell!)
- power steering. What are the best and most cost effective ways about doing this? I've heard the 60 series offers a great option if I can locate the parts. Ordering a kit from the US seems too expensive. I know peope who've gone the simple route and taken pumps off a GM, but despair not as I want to stay as pure as I can to the Toyota roots.

That is the original glass. Hopefully your tech does not shear the thermostat housing bolts replacing the thermostat. I would run some muriatic acid or radiator flush though that cooling system before you replace the hoses. I would also install a new water pump while you are there. The cooling system looks like it was run on straight non-distilled water for most if it's life.

Look in the FAQ at "Mini Truck" power steering if you want to keep it as close to stock as possible.

 

[lostmarbles]

Beautiful truck Boozewz!!!!

The only rust I see there is minor surface rust. And this can actually be useful because if you paint such areas now (using quality products) the paint will actually adhere better than the factory paint did (because of the roughened surface).

And it is normal to find small amounts of metal during transmission oil drains - and more so if the change interval is long. (So I wouldn't worry there.)

Furthermore, the gap you pictured at one top-corner of your ambulance-door-opening is simply cracked sealant and this is quite common/normal. I think in your case it is probably caused as much by the dry hot climate as from any body movement there.

My area of concern is really limited to that coolant system. It is a shame the PO didn't take more care of it. So I back John's advice about that.

I see in the photos that you may have changed your coolant already ... That's fine.... But I'd dump it all again when you replace the hoses .... So that coolant (pictured) may perhaps suffice as your "flushing agent" if your lucky. (You'll know for sure when you see how clean things look inside when you change your hoses.)

With the previous poor maintenance of your coolant system, I'd keep a wary eye on your water pump (and replace it right now if you detect any abnormal play at all in the bearings).





PS. You may find the aluminium thermostat cover/housing is so corroded/pitted that you need to replace that too.

 

[1tontoy]

That 76 series next to yours in the shop is sick, too!

 

[wongtsenhin]

Awesome truck! Still as show room condition.

 

[fj user]

+1 for replacing cooling system parts/hoses. +20 for a really nice cruiser and great story! Lift it, drive it, mod it however you want, but for the love of cruisers don't put a SBC in it Best of luck.

Beautiful truck Boozewz!!!!

The only rust I see there is minor surface rust. And this can actually be useful because if you paint such areas now (using quality products) the paint will actually adhere better than the factory paint did (because of the roughened surface).

And it is normal to find small amounts of metal during transmission oil drains - and more so if the change interval is long. (So I wouldn't worry there.)

Furthermore, the gap you pictured at one top-corner of your ambulance-door-opening is simply cracked sealant and this is quite common/normal. I think in your case it is probably caused as much by the dry hot climate as from any body movement there.

My area of concern is really limited to that coolant system. It is a shame the PO didn't take more care of it. So I back John's advice about that.

I see in the photos that you may have changed your coolant already ... That's fine.... But I'd dump it all again when you replace the hoses .... So that coolant (pictured) may perhaps suffice as your "flushing agent" if your lucky. (You'll know for sure when you see how clean things look inside when you change your hoses.)

With the previous poor maintenance of your coolant system, I'd keep a wary eye on your water pump (and replace it right now if you detect any abnormal play at all in the bearings).





PS. You may find the aluminium thermostat cover/housing is so corroded/pitted that you need to replace that too.

 

[jbee]

Hooray wife!

 

[boozewz]

Wow, that truck is in fantastic shape. I just have to ask, do you have a lot of kids or people in your family where a lot of seats will be handy? Not that it matters. You dont need an excuse to own such an interesting and rare gem.

No kids yet, which doesnt help explain why I wanted the troopy. I dont think anything can explain the sickness of wanting a classic vehicle that is rare.

Beautiful truck Boozewz!!!!

The only rust I see there is minor surface rust. And this can actually be useful because if you paint such areas now (using quality products) the paint will actually adhere better than the factory paint did (because of the roughened surface).

And it is normal to find small amounts of metal during transmission oil drains - and more so if the change interval is long. (So I wouldn't worry there.)

Furthermore, the gap you pictured at one top-corner of your ambulance-door-opening is simply cracked sealant and this is quite common/normal. I think in your case it is probably caused as much by the dry hot climate as from any body movement there.

My area of concern is really limited to that coolant system. It is a shame the PO didn't take more care of it. So I back John's advice about that.

I see in the photos that you may have changed your coolant already ... That's fine.... But I'd dump it all again when you replace the hoses .... So that coolant (pictured) may perhaps suffice as your "flushing agent" if your lucky. (You'll know for sure when you see how clean things look inside when you change your hoses.)

With the previous poor maintenance of your coolant system, I'd keep a wary eye on your water pump (and replace it right now if you detect any abnormal play at all in the bearings).





PS. You may find the aluminium thermostat cover/housing is so corroded/pitted that you need to replace that too.

That is the original glass. Hopefully your tech does not shear the thermostat housing bolts replacing the thermostat. I would run some muriatic acid or radiator flush though that cooling system before you replace the hoses. I would also install a new water pump while you are there. The cooling system looks like it was run on straight non-distilled water for most if it's life.

Look in the FAQ at "Mini Truck" power steering if you want to keep it as close to stock as possible.

John and Marbles: Thanks for your kind comments and advice. Well spotted regarding the coolant fluid, we didnt actually end up using it for the very reason that we want to change the hoses, thermostat, and clean the radiator before adding it. Looks like the consensus here is to replance the water pump as well, so we'll have a look at that too.

 

[boozewz]

+1 for replacing cooling system parts/hoses. +20 for a really nice cruiser and great story! Lift it, drive it, mod it however you want, but for the love of cruisers don't put a SBC in it Best of luck.

Thanks!

Btw whats a SBC?

 

[John Smith]

Thanks!

Btw whats a SBC?

SBC = Small Block Chevy. The most ubiquitous motor in America.

 

[rutbeer]

Sweet!

 

[akifjanjua]

lovely cruiser

 

[TROOPERIIandFJ]

I dont think anything can explain the sickness of wanting a classic vehicle that is rare.

Preaching to the choir my friend, preaching to the choir. Awesome rig. Love it.

 

[boozewz]

Here is a little update. We managed to sort out the cooling system, but not after getting the wrong parts. Turns out I ordered the water pump and the thermostat housing for the 2F that doesnt have an oil cooler. It was not a big deal as we popped down to the local dealership and they had all the parts in stock and we were able to exchange them for the correct parts.

Apart from that we drained the entire cooling system, cleaned the radiator, fan, changed the hoses, put new gaskets for the water pump and the thermostat housing, and put a new timing belt. I also put in new spark plugs.

Here are some pics:

All parts are ready. Or so I thought

Out came the radiator, fan, pump, and coolant resevoir

Thermostat housing in bad shape

Spot the difference?

Everything back in place

Removed headliner. I have ordered a complete new headliner from SOR and its on the way, along with some other goodies.

Anyone know what the paint code is for the bracket that goes outside the weatherstripping? Is it black?

Regarding the headliner, would it be possible to install the new one without removing the roof. I am bit scared of losing the weatherstripping if we remove the roof as finding a replacement is not easy. If we were to take the roof off to make the installation easier, would it be possible to re-use the weatherstip?