Hello every one. My name is Steve and I live in the mountains of western Panama. I have enjoyed a hobby of restoring cars for 45 years and found an LJ70HD 1986 (240,000km)
in a warehouse in Panama City last year. It was abandoned when the US turned over the canal to Panama and hadn't been used since 1998. Popped in a new battery and it fired up then drove it back 500km to Chiriqui. Since then I have been doing a complete restoration. It has a 2.4 liter 2L diesel naturally aspirated. I put a 2 1/2" Emu suspension kit on it, a snorkel, custom wheels, LED head lights, repainted the body (no rust) and rhino lined the frame and wheel wells. I had to do quite a bit of electrical work on it, had to find a new printed circuit which I finally found in Italy and now all of the gauges work except the tach. Still trying to find one. Completely redid the interior with new high density foam and re-made all the door panels and replaced the window regulators. Just finished a rebuild on the engine, replacement of the radiator and water pump and now it runs like a top. I am amazed with this vehicle, it climbs like a squirrel! I took it to the top of Volcan Baru (11,400') two weeks ago and I was amazed. I have had 4x4's most of my life but this is a step above. Hooked on 70 series land crusiers! I am looking for a 70series pickup to restore now.