LJ70 Build Thread!

[Ben]

Sorry havnt got any pics of the girls for you yet.

Did fix the one blonde girls car today.

She was convinced her clutch had gone and that it was going to cost her a fortune.

Had a quick look and noticed the clutch master cylinder was empty. So filled it up with clutch fluid and bled it and now its working perfectly.

Still cant get over how many single, hot, girls their are here.

Anyway..................................

I'm going to bore you all with more pics of horse jumps.

We had to build a faux lorry cab next. This will be positioned in front of some trailers/jumps.

Next we built some benches. Again these had to be to exact sizes and be strong enough to take the weight of a horse. The idea is that benches will all be positioned to form a sort of garden/shopping mall scene. With some big raised wooden flower beds in between which will also be jumps. I think their is also going to be some lights on poles.

They have already got a miniature manor house, that forms some of the big jumps, and they wanted us to make an out building/barn and a chicken coop.

Thought I'd take a few pics this morning of the course, but in hindsight I should have taken them this afternoon when the sun had moved.

On the pic below is Landrover arch. A few years ago when they used to hold world cross country events here and have lots of big sponsors, they used to park landrovers each side of the arch and one above, and the course used to come under the arch.

All of the jumps will be dressed up, so people can see what they are supposed to be. The chicken coop will be getting mesh nailed on the outside.

The train carriages should look great when the painting is finished.

Been building some tyre jumps today.

The drive out looked a bit different, as the place is getting setup for the 4x4 show.

Saw one of the nicest looking 40's I've ever seen today, but sadly couldnt get a pic. Hopefully it will be at the show on Sunday. It was a red/orange 40 softop, sporting a huge suspension lift, 37"s, full roll cage, ARB bumper. Looked awesome!

Its 7pm now and still 30 degrees!!!!!

Off to open a bank account tomorrow morning, buy an akubra hat, and then to the coast for a spot of snorkelling. Then finally staying at Laura's and having a pizza and movie night.

Then Sunday is the 4x4 show, so expect lots of pics of all things Toyota!

Right.......... time for more beer and steak!

 

[Graham]

Your having far too much fun,

Gra

 

[adrianr]

Yep, Ben is in heaven

 

[Ben]

I will be when I've got my LandCruiser back!

It should be in Melbourne in less than a month now.

Then 3 weeks in quarantine and I can have it back!

I'm so excited about doing my first trip in it over here!!!!

I'm thinking of going back to the Victorian High Country.

Got to find all the good trails for all the club members who are coming over.

 

[sae70]

All looking very good so far Ben I can't see any negatives, except that you want be on mine and Giles laning trip at the beginning of April Were going to camp at the high up spot above Chuckle lane Then up and down Chuckle, Happy Valley, then the plan is to mop up all those lanes that we've always shot past between Machynlleth and LLandovery, T' Bont, Nant, Mole, Short Ford, Go West, Pant, hopefully getting Epic ZigZag in. Camping near to Bastard lane on the second night and having a play there in the morning then taking in lanes to finish for a couple of descents and climbs of Motel What time shall I pick you up from Heathrow on way past?

 

[Graham]

I will be when I've got my LandCruiser back!

.
Will be when he gets on the back of them two blonds, he keeps telling us about.

Gra.

 

[Maverick]

From all the pictures above -- this one http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx24/ben-uk/P1020240_zpsf5868723.jpg

Ben is this you in your new Aussie hat??

 

[grantw]

Could very well be!

If not it is one of these he is after.



Very popular in the country - made from rabbit fur.

 

[Chas]

Could very well be!

If not it is one of these he is after.

View attachment 5783

Very popular in the country - made from rabbit fur.

I've got a 'Statesman' bought when I was in Oz in '94, still in immaculate condition as it's hardly been worn, it's very similar to the Akubra. This eBay one is not mine though; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-A...Felt-Statesman-Bush-Hat-size-59-/271154229926

 

[Paddler Ed]

I use a Barmah Squashy Full Grain, but the company I worked for preferred us to wear Akubra's... wasn't happening. My Barmah's been everywhere with me for the last 6 years now, and is faded, smelly and lovely and comfortable!

Looking good Ben!

Ed

 

[Ben]

Thanks guys.

Brett, that link you posted to one of my pics. Thats my workmate in an Akubra hat.

All looking very good so far Ben I can't see any negatives, except that you want be on mine and Giles laning trip at the beginning of April Were going to camp at the high up spot above Chuckle lane Then up and down Chuckle, Happy Valley, then the plan is to mop up all those lanes that we've always shot past between Machynlleth and LLandovery, T' Bont, Nant, Mole, Short Ford, Go West, Pant, hopefully getting Epic ZigZag in. Camping near to Bastard lane on the second night and having a play there in the morning then taking in lanes to finish for a couple of descents and climbs of Motel What time shall I pick you up from Heathrow on way past?

Gutted I cant be there mate.

The trips with you guys are always such a laugh! Really going to miss them.

Regarding the laning plans, it sounds good but Mole Fre city is all closed.

 

[Chris Mann]

It looks amazing out there Ben, not jealous at all!!!

Looks like you've landed on your feet out there as well, great that you had a job and accomodation to roll straight into. Is it a permanent job or only for a few months?? Keep the pics coming mate.

 

[AndyCook]

Love the chicken coop jump.

 

[Ben]

Thanks guys.

Well initially it was for a month to build all the new jumps for the horse event, but theyve said theyd love me to stay and are happy to employ me permanently.

I imagine I will stay for 6-12 months. But if they move me into one of the bigger cottages on the property that they have hinted about then I could be tempted to stay longer.

I've definitely been very lucky and have certainly landed on my feet.

 

[Ben]

4WD Show.Tl

I've had an awesome weekend, in fact the best one of 2013!

Yesterday morning I got a bank account opened and bought an Akubra hat and then spent the day snorkelling in the sea, then stayed at Lauras.

The bay was quite busy, water skies, snorkellers, jet skis, swimmers, everyone was out.

Then today was the 4WD Show!

So I got a free ticket.

Their were hundreds of cool 4x4's in the car park.

So I went in and the first few stands I looked at were the local 4wd clubs. The Toyota 4wd club of Victoria seemed particularly good.

Chatted to one of the guys for ages about his 70 series troopy.

Hes running a water cooled intercooler which I was interested to hear about.

Then had a wonder round drooling over all the cool 4x4's and accessories.

Then I spotted it on the ARB stand!

The new double cab 70 series pick up that I WANT!

They also had a nice 200 series.

Terrain Tamer had their beautiful 40 series there!

Got to love some of the quality kits they sell. All Koyo bearings.

Another nice 40.

OK its a Datsun but even so, got to love the beefy Patrols!

I stood and listened to a guy showing a selection of the snakes found locally in Australia which was very interesting and informative.

As Australia has got the top 10 worlds deadliest snakes, I found what to do in the event of a snake attack/bite very interesting.

Apply a pressure bandage up the entire arm/leg, and make sure its failry tight. Mark the bandage where the bite is, and DONT wash it or try to remove any venom. Then when medical help is reached they can cut the bandage where the bite is and use a swab to identify what sort of snake it was and administer the correct anti venom.

The suzuki club had an interesting display. A vit on its roof.

Loads of trailer tents and off road caravans on display.

Another nice 40.

Old willis jeeps.

OZ pigs.

SWB 70.

Cool VW pickup.

I particularly liked the tube work and bumper on this 80.

Sat down to watch a recovery demonstration next.

Next I jumped on one of the buses down to the off road course.

Not many Toyotas going round so I ended up in a lamerover 110.

This was my ride.

Then I spotted it!!! The gorgeous 40 I saw the other day.

So I cued up again and told the guy I really wanted to go in the 40.

While I was stood waiting it came over the radio that one of the Lamerovers had broken down.

What a machine!

Caged up, 36" tyres, ARB lockers front and back!

Broken down Range Rover, with passengers waiting for a more reliable 4x4 to pick them up.

Then back on the bus to go back to the main show area.

I stopped at the Dandenong Ranges 4wd club stand and spent 30mins chatting to the guys. They were all a great bunch and we really seemed to click. I'm going to attend their next club meeting and I think this will be a great club to be part of, with loads of trips happening all the time.

They have said seen as I wont have my cruiser on the road for a few months, I can jump in with some one else on the trips.

More awesome camper trailers.

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!

Jeep had got some nice bright 4wd's there.

Walking back to the car I spotted a few nice cruisers.

A very dusty drive off the field.

ARB were giving away free bags with stickers and product information inside, and I also bought a hat from them.

This is the club I think I'm going to join.

So all in all a great weekend and day at the show. I'm feeling particularly positive about the 2 4wd clubs that I liked the look of.

Off to the city now with 2 of the blonde girls for a night out.

Loving life so much right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Graham]

Great looking show.
They seem to have every thing.
So your offered a ride for some trails, another good plus point.

Gra.

 

[Chas]

Morning Graham, can't sleep so just logged in, Ben can we expect an as detailed account of the night on the town with the two blondes.

 

[bravo669]

"Off to the city now with 2 of the blonde girls for a night out"

Good ol' boy!!

 

[revs4x4]

Looks like you enjoyed the day out, great pics as usual!

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Scott]

Awesome stuff Ben! Excellent pics