A Cruiser called BRUISER

When I bought Bruiser in 1998, it was in perfect nick and fitted with a Chev 350 V8 engine. It was a demo model so I had to redo some of the previous owner’s work but luckily he had already created the basis for a fantastic vehicle. I made loads of modifications myself because standard equipment hardly ever fits a FJ43.
Bruiser is noisy on the open road and doesn’t handle in the same way as a modern car, but that’s part of the fun. A comfortable speed is 100 km/h, though the old beast can reach up to 140 km/h, but then it’s no longer enjoyable and the fuel gauge drops dramatically. The Cruiser maintains a speed of 100 km/h uphill or downhill, whether loaded or empty, towing or not.

When we were still allowed beach drives, Bruiser was in his element. Other folk had to drive in 4x4 mode while Bruiser was breezing over the dunes in 4x2 – no problem. Something about the weight distribution makes it extremely suitable to sand cruising.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BUY IT?
It was easy: at R35 000 the price was right and everyone who sees it wants it!

ANY MODIFICATIONS? Lots.
• 33 x 12.5 x 15 Yokohama Super Digger tyres
• 2-inch re-arching of the springs
• Firestone air-spring system
• Extra 76-litre fuel tank (which I fitted myself)
• The back bumper was sealed and is now a 38-litre water tank. The necessary
   recovery points were added here (by me). The bumper is also the mounting point
   for the swivel arm of the spare wheel.
•  Swivel arm (fitted by me) for the spare wheel, mounted with a wing nut
•  14-litre air tank driven by a York air-conditioning compressor operated
   by a fan belt from the engine (done by me).
•  A Warn 8 000 lb winch in the front
•  A bull bar with an attachment point for a high-lift jack
•  Four additional spotlights
•  A roll bar
•  Two steel boxes bolted on the inside above the wheel arches
   (installed by me). This is where all spare parts and equipment are stored.
•  Sliding drawer (fitted by me). The guys laugh at me for driving around with
   so many tools, but they always know where to find help.
•  Toyota Corolla seats with canvas covers
•  Inertia-reel seat belts from a Tazz (fitted by me)
•  ICOM IC-V8000 VHF-radio
•  29 Mhz two-way radio
•  Chev 350 V8 5.7 litre
•  Edelbrock intake manifold, camshaft, carburettor and tappet covers
•  Dual battery system (fitted by me)

ITS BEST QUALITY?
Its adaptability and the fact that it’s just about indestructible.
Also, you don’t need a degree in engineering to work on it.

WHY BUY AN OLD VEHICLE?
Modern vehicles with diff-locks can sometimes beat the old Cruiser, but only just. If the “old man of the bush” was fitted with diff-locks, he would be unstoppable.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT IT?
Driving with the top and windscreen down, the wind in my face, and the sound of that old V8 roaring in my ears. Sometimes I get carried away and put my foot down just to feel the thrill of all that speed. It’s great…

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?
The noise when I’m driving long distance and the soft top is on. It also has a high wind resistance, which is a pain.

MAINTENANCE COSTS?
Due to my own negligence, I once had to overhaul the V8, but apart from that I’ve only replaced oil, plugs and points – and that’s after more than 40 000 km.

NAME ITS MOST TYPICAL PROBLEMS.
Not many – in general they are extremely reliable and robust. The Birfield “knuckles” in the front can disintegrate if you drive it too hard (and I mean hard). But since I treat the old boy with respect, I haven’t yet broken anything. (I don’t treat him roughly, but I don’t drive too gently either.)
Most old Cruisers perish because of rust problems. In that respect Landies are one step ahead with their aluminium bodywork, which helps it stay rust-free.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN BRUISER?
The longest trip was from Durban to Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, via Pafuri. We’ve
been all over the Transkei, to Lesotho and, of course, KwaZulu-Natal.

WHAT IS A COMFORTABLE TRAVELLING SPEED?
100 km/h.

FUEL CONSUMPTION?
4-5 km/litre

WHAT TERRAIN CAN YOU COVER?
Right up to where it gets stuck, but then it’s fun to get it out again. The shorter axle span, wider tyres and decent ground clearance make Bruiser a dream to handle in the bush.
Its height and 360˚ view once the top and windscreen are down make it easier to see where you are going, so that you can plan the course of the wheels properly.

DO YOU TAKE ANY SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS BEFORE A LONG TRIP?
Service properly beforehand and, because the old boy is getting on and has a V8, plan ahead and think of things that can go wrong.
Because it’s so old, spare parts can be difficult to get hold of. I usually take a spare water pump, gasket kit, alternator and ball bearings, just in case.

HOW MUCH WOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR AN FJ43?
Lots of money, because as far as I know, Bruiser is the only FJ43 in the country. If there are other FJ43s out there, I would love to hear from their owners. There are a couple of FJ40s in the country, but they’re also pretty scarce.
Because they are so hard to come by, expect to pay anything between R50 000 and R80 000.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING ONE?
Your wife! If she doesn’t share your passion, she might get jealous because you are definitely going to fall in love with your Cruiser.

WHO SHOULD BUY ONE?
People who enjoy fixing cars and who are prepared to spend time on them. You need to be handy and skilled at using specialised tools. There is probably not one part of my Cruiser that I haven’t removed or loosened while modi-fying or restoring it. But that’s what I love doing. I wouldn’t recommend a Cruiser to a novice – you should definitely enjoy fiddling and fixing.