thoughts on an '83 FJ45 Troopie for expedition?

[ianfotheringham]

Hey there mud family - just wondering if any of you out there would have any constructive thoughts on me purchasing and doing up a 1983 FJ45LV Troopie for the puropses of driving from Oman all through Africa and ending up in England....

Its a bit of a beater at the moment [read missing windows, rust holes in doors, leaking bits, but still solid] but i got a pretty solid vibe from it the other day...everything is stock, its got about 250,000km on the clock, 2F engine, and the guy wants about $2000US for it...any thoughts would be greatly appreciated - and hurry - because im cutting a cheque this wednesday...

here in Oman mechanics are paid roughly $150US a month, so anything that requires manual labor is ridiculously afforable [you can get the engine and tranny rebuilt for under $300 less parts]...
just something to take into consideration - also parts are wicked cheap as every fisherman along the 2000km coast has one as well...

any thoughts more than welcome...

ian

 

[roscoFJ73]

The cost of gas will kill your wallet. It would be fine for the trip but IMO you would be better off with a diesel 60 or 7*

 

[ianfotheringham]

petrol..

ah - but petrol is still wicked cheap in africa - hence this is the time to be doing such a trip - because once prices hit what they're like in the US - i wont be going anywhere...

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

The big difference between the diesel and petrol powered rigs is mileage, which not only means fuel costs, but also range between fill-ups.

If the diesel engine provides fuel mileage that is 50% better than the petrol does, that really adds-up fast in regards to the amount of fuel you will need to carry to have the same range of travel.

If you decide to go with a petrol engine, have those low-cost mechanics fit the rig with a second, oversize fuel tank (like, 160 litres.) I'd also pack plenty of fuel filters, a spare carburator, and a complete spare ignition system (plugs, wires, coil, ignitor, distributor, and so on.)

Good luck!

Alan

 

[SWCruiser]

ian,
If cost isn't a concern i would go with something a little newer with a few more ammenities. I drove an fj40 across the U.S. (not on dirt) and it really wears you out. I now have an lx450 and wonder how I could have done it before. There is something nastalgic about taking an earlier cruiser on your adventure but when you have to tinker with s*** way out in the sticks you are going to swear at yourself endlessly!!!! Which also should play into your decision. If you are not mechanically inclined than its probably not a great idea.

 

[rgsiii]

I have a BJ42 and like driving it for short trips. It is much less comfortable than my other LC's. It does not seal as well as the newer ones and is much noisier. North Africa can be cold and extremely hot and it might could pose some problems.

I would try to get a newer one for such a long drive.

I am unsure of your nationality, going across Algeria might be dangerous and transiting Libya might not be too easy with some of the tourist restrictions.

Having said that, it would be a fun trip!

 

[Deny]

I say do it, who cares if the ride sucks, who cares if you need to carry lots of gas, if you want it, you get a good vibe, then go for it. you only live once.
Take lots of pictures!
Cheers and good luck,
Deny

 

[Grolar]

Wow. Awesome project. I'm jealous. Planning a blog?
Some questions:
How would you cross the Red Sea? Aden to Djibouti?
Is Yemen safe now? I heard that Hadramawt was a bit hairy to drive.
And then I suppose you would hit Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and France?
Some Austrian bikers did that the other way round: schmalspurnomaden.at - "Auf der Achse des Bösen"

Anyway, I would strongly advise you run a diesel. Twice the range between fillups or two times less fuel to carry.

There's also the easier way: Oman-UAE (Dubai) - Iran via Ferry -Turkey - Greece - Italy via Ferry - France - Britain. Whaddaya think?

 

[Grolar]

I have a BJ42 and like driving it for short trips. It is much less comfortable than my other LC's. It does not seal as well as the newer ones and is much noisier. North Africa can be cold and extremely hot and it might could pose some problems.

I would try to get a newer one for such a long drive.

I am unsure of your nationality, going across Algeria might be dangerous and transiting Libya might not be too easy with some of the tourist restrictions.

Having said that, it would be a fun trip!

You don't have to drive across Algeria. There's a ferry service between Tunis and Marseille (France). About Libya, that would need a good deal of planning but it can and has be done. Overlanders have been complaining a lot more about the harrassment of Egyptian bureaucracy. A real pain to deal with.
X2 on a newer cruiser. An HJ61 might be the way to go.

 

[samba]

man, get it and go for it. its the adventure you're after, right? just make sure you're well prepared. have fun and talk about it later.

 

[redsands]

my .02- if oman is anything like saudi..you wont find a toyota diesel, except maybe a newer(much newer) one- the few diesel cruisers ive seen here are all RHD to LHD conversions that the vast majority of mechanics here have little experience with. parts will also be difficult at best to obtain, and most likely the vehicle will have been poorly maintained with lots of makeshift butch repairs done over the years. so youll already be starting with a huge disadvantage. go for the gasser. more expensive to get it home yes, but far more likely to make the trip IMHO. however if they did import alot of diesels of that vintage to oman id lean that way.

you could also find some different bucket seats from a later model car and have them put in..that'll go a long way for comfort. dont get real poofy cushioned ones- youll sit too high and the steering wheel will be hitting your legs assuming its original.

and what deny said x2. have fun with this

 

[Hltoppr]

I'm in the process of building mine as an expedition rig; although it'll be awhile before I'll ship it to Africa.

I think they're a good platform. If you're worried about range, a nice rear tire carrier and a large auxillary tank will fit nicely under the rear end...

There are a few builds in the 45 Series section here, and a lot of expedition resources at: Expedition Portal: Vehicle Dependent Overland Community

-H-

 

[joshoisasleep]

I agree with the guys shouting diesel. If mechanics are so cheap, forget the engine rebuild and have them put in an economical toyota diesel engine... add an A/C, P/S and those missing windows and you're comfy like a 100 series! Don't forget to have them build you a camping kit...