Don’t rush him Andy, this will need at least a one-week drum-roll
Brilliant work Ben, as usual
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LJ70 Build Thread!
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
Don’t rush him Andy, this will need at least a one-week drum-roll
Brilliant work Ben, as usual
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awesome job! I love how the truck is looking, well done!
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I'm aiming for February, lots still to do but if we get this new house (auction is this Saturday) then that will no doubt take up a lot of my time and I've got another 3 4wd trips planned for this year.
I'm working on the rear bumper at the moment which I'm hoping to have finished next week. Then I need to run all the fuel lines. Design and build a new engine sump as its too close to the front diff in this chassis (was fine in the RJ70 one), then its just a mountain of wiring.
Don’t rush him Andy, this will need at least a one-week drum-roll
Brilliant work Ben, as usual
Thanks mate.
Thanks Steve, its going to look awesome when its finished!
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I built a rear bumper for LJ. 
Started off with some quality Aussie made steel.
Drilled some pilot holes in it.
Put a 20mm hole saw through them.
Joined the holes up with an angle grinder.
Cleaned the cut out up with a die grinder and inserted the receiver hitch section.
Cut and drilled some 8mm thick plate and bolted them on.
Drilled some more holes.
Joined the holes up with the angle grinder.
And cleaned them up with the die grinder.
I found some 2.5mm thick washers to use to space the plates away from the chassis slightly to give me some room to get the bumper on/off again once its built, especially after its powder coated.
Bolted them on.
Tacked them in position with the MIG.
I bought some 75mm x 25mm flat.
Drilled a 25mm hole in each end of it.
Cut the ends on a 45 degree angle then cut it in half.
Cleaned them up on the linisher.
Brought it to work and TIG'd it all.
Cut and marked some 3mm sheet.
Folded it up then tried it in position.
Cut and folded some more 3mm for the ends.
Started off with some quality Aussie made steel.
Drilled some pilot holes in it.
Put a 20mm hole saw through them.
Joined the holes up with an angle grinder.
Cleaned the cut out up with a die grinder and inserted the receiver hitch section.
Cut and drilled some 8mm thick plate and bolted them on.
Drilled some more holes.
Joined the holes up with the angle grinder.
And cleaned them up with the die grinder.
I found some 2.5mm thick washers to use to space the plates away from the chassis slightly to give me some room to get the bumper on/off again once its built, especially after its powder coated.
Bolted them on.
Tacked them in position with the MIG.
I bought some 75mm x 25mm flat.
Drilled a 25mm hole in each end of it.
Cut the ends on a 45 degree angle then cut it in half.
Cleaned them up on the linisher.
Brought it to work and TIG'd it all.
Cut and marked some 3mm sheet.
Folded it up then tried it in position.
Cut and folded some more 3mm for the ends.
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I cut and folded some more 3mm sheet.
Tacked them on.
Welded some more 3mm sheet on to the bottom of the wings to add some strength and to stop me getting hung up on things.
I also added some 50mm x 10mm steel to brace the whole thing further forwards on the chassis
1 last trial fit.
Took it back to work, fully welded it all up then smoothed all the welds down, welded the recovery points on and drilled some holes for the LED lights and a hole for the exhaust.
Got it electroplated.
Also got the mud flaps brackets done and the 2 chassis plates for the bumper.
Unfortunately there was a short circuit and they didnt get fully plated so had to get re-done.
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Got it powder coated satin black.
Fitted the LED lights.
And bolted the bumper on.
Wit the bumper finished I started making the new hard fuel lines to run from the tank to engine.
I used a brake line flaring toolto flare the ends of the pipes to stop the hoses slipping off.
Cut, bent and flared the first 3 pipes.
And bolted them on.
Made the last section to go along the chassis rails.
Diff breathers went on next along with ARB air locker air lines which were run in split tubing.
I picked up and fitted a new fuel filter.
Fitted the LED lights.
And bolted the bumper on.
Wit the bumper finished I started making the new hard fuel lines to run from the tank to engine.
I used a brake line flaring toolto flare the ends of the pipes to stop the hoses slipping off.
Cut, bent and flared the first 3 pipes.
And bolted them on.
Made the last section to go along the chassis rails.
Diff breathers went on next along with ARB air locker air lines which were run in split tubing.
I picked up and fitted a new fuel filter.
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I got the parts necessary to control my ARB air lockers using an OEM switch for that factory finish.
I drilled a hole in the dash and fitted an M6 rivnut.
And bolted the switch housing on.
I couldnt justify the extortionate amount of money Toyota wanted for a 6" piece of wire with the correct crimped on terminal on the end, so I broke the plastic connector off a piece of old wiring loom.
And cut 3 piece off.
And fitted those into the connector and then fitted that onto the switch.
And pushed the switch into the housing.
When I got the bits for the rear bumper electroplated I also got the 3 little spring clips done for the KZJ70 airbox I've restored.
I think they finish it off nicely.
One of the other members of the Bundera club got in touch recently to say that he had bought the same cover set as me for the door tops and that he'd noticed 2 of the covers were wrong.
It turns out these 2 dont belong in this set.
They should look like the 2x numbered one and two.
They fit the doors with the door tops fitted but dont cover the holes when they are removed.
So I will have to order the correct 2.
I got the Toyota tool that all soft top models came with for unbolting the door tops.
The 1UZ V8 sump cleared the front diff OK in the older RJ70 chassis but not in LJ's chassis.
So I removed it.
And started designing my own.
Cardboard template first.
Followed by a sheet of 6mm alluminium.
I did look at what other sumps or sump parts were available and I found this DIY kit from the US but it was very expensive, interesting though.
LJ got put on hold for a little while while I made some 1KZ engine conversion plates which allow owners of LJ and RJ 70's to bolt a 1KZ engine straight in with no cutting, drilling or welding to the chassis.
They've been selling well and if anyone wants a set just give me a shout.
Sam has taken quite a likening to LJ and happily sat in the cab for an hour the other day while I was working on it.
3 weeks ago today it was Sam's first birthday.
So we went out and bought him a house.
Sam had a nice party in a local park.
Then we went back to the house to show him what we had bought.
We move in in less than 2 weeks and we cant wait!!!!
I drilled a hole in the dash and fitted an M6 rivnut.
And bolted the switch housing on.
I couldnt justify the extortionate amount of money Toyota wanted for a 6" piece of wire with the correct crimped on terminal on the end, so I broke the plastic connector off a piece of old wiring loom.
And cut 3 piece off.
And fitted those into the connector and then fitted that onto the switch.
And pushed the switch into the housing.
When I got the bits for the rear bumper electroplated I also got the 3 little spring clips done for the KZJ70 airbox I've restored.
I think they finish it off nicely.
One of the other members of the Bundera club got in touch recently to say that he had bought the same cover set as me for the door tops and that he'd noticed 2 of the covers were wrong.
It turns out these 2 dont belong in this set.
They should look like the 2x numbered one and two.
They fit the doors with the door tops fitted but dont cover the holes when they are removed.
So I will have to order the correct 2.
I got the Toyota tool that all soft top models came with for unbolting the door tops.
The 1UZ V8 sump cleared the front diff OK in the older RJ70 chassis but not in LJ's chassis.
So I removed it.
And started designing my own.
Cardboard template first.
Followed by a sheet of 6mm alluminium.
I did look at what other sumps or sump parts were available and I found this DIY kit from the US but it was very expensive, interesting though.
LJ got put on hold for a little while while I made some 1KZ engine conversion plates which allow owners of LJ and RJ 70's to bolt a 1KZ engine straight in with no cutting, drilling or welding to the chassis.
They've been selling well and if anyone wants a set just give me a shout.
Sam has taken quite a likening to LJ and happily sat in the cab for an hour the other day while I was working on it.
3 weeks ago today it was Sam's first birthday.
So we went out and bought him a house.
Sam had a nice party in a local park.
Then we went back to the house to show him what we had bought.
We move in in less than 2 weeks and we cant wait!!!!
Last edited:
Looking great Ben. Can’t believe the little man is one already!! House looks great. Smooth move buying it for Sam, he’ll enjoy paying all the bills, doing the repairs, doing the garden etc and saving on inheritance tax.
I couldn’t see clearly but I’m guessing those recovery plates are inserted through a cutout in the 3mm steel to be welded to the sides of the chassis plates. Nice bumper design. You’re getting quite a dab hand at them. Did you consider doing the corners at a 45 degree angle at all? I probably would have and then made a total hash of it. Nice touch using the flare tool to put some barbs on the fuel lines. Are they copper or bundy tube?
I couldn’t see clearly but I’m guessing those recovery plates are inserted through a cutout in the 3mm steel to be welded to the sides of the chassis plates. Nice bumper design. You’re getting quite a dab hand at them. Did you consider doing the corners at a 45 degree angle at all? I probably would have and then made a total hash of it.
Nice touch using the flare tool to put some barbs on the fuel lines. Are they copper or bundy tube?
Brilliant!
Great work on the truck as usual Ben, and many congrats on the house purchase
Dreams coming true the way they should.
(Did someone once mention staying single and doing 5 years down the mines? Surely not!!)
Great work on the truck as usual Ben, and many congrats on the house purchase
Dreams coming true the way they should.
(Did someone once mention staying single and doing 5 years down the mines? Surely not!!)
Paddler Ed
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Thanks guys.
Yes welded to the side of the chassis plates, so nice and strong.
I considered doing the sides at 45 degree angles but I was limited by what our folder at work can fold, technically its not meant to go above 2mm so bending 3mm on it is a real struggle.
Yes its Bundy tube, so double walled, annealed, copper coated steel.
The mining boom ended before I could get there.
Then I met Bec!
Thanks Ed, I spotted that on Facebook and upset him by saying it was a shame to wreck it.
The removable FRP roof was already sold anyway.
Yes welded to the side of the chassis plates, so nice and strong.
I considered doing the sides at 45 degree angles but I was limited by what our folder at work can fold, technically its not meant to go above 2mm so bending 3mm on it is a real struggle.
Yes its Bundy tube, so double walled, annealed, copper coated steel.
The mining boom ended before I could get there.
Then I met Bec!
Thanks Ed, I spotted that on Facebook and upset him by saying it was a shame to wreck it.
The removable FRP roof was already sold anyway.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2010
- Messages
- 6,055
- Country Flag
Air Boat!
I dont really take many pics anymore of what I do at work, mainly because I'm working as an auto electrician/fitter 3 days a week and only get 1 day a week to work as a toy builder.
But I have been doing some work on the airboat project lately!
I mounted the Subaru Impreza engine on an alluminium stand.
Then we sat that in the boat.
We were not sure exactly where in the boat it would need to sit as we were not sure what the boat would sit like in water.
So we went to a local lake to test it!
Amazingly it floated beautifully, didnt leak and was really stable in the water!
The New House
Before we moved into the new house I began making a set of gates for it out of 25mm x 25mm x 3mm box section steel.
I sent them to be powder coated satin black and then did the big move.
I owe a huge thanks to my friends Jiri and Aneta, they worked really hard!
I fitted the gates.
Then clad them in Australian hard wood decking boards.
As the house has 2 driveways, one down each side I needed to do something with the other side.
My plan is to block the other side off with a big shed/garage.
But for now I got the base from a big crate my South African colleague's kit car came on from the UK and that fitted perfectly in the gap between the house and fence.
Then it was time to go and fetch LJ!
My friends lent me their Troopy to tow it with as The 78 was having some mechanical work done and wasnt usable.
That got put in one side of the double garage and the other side will be my workshop.
This eyesore, cement sheet clad, rat infested garage will be getting demolished shortly as it blocks the amazing view down the valley and is in the way of where I will extend the driveway down to the bottom of the garden.
The garden beyond is an overgrown mess with random fences, sheds, old baths and junk everywhere.
Nothing like an old bath full of stagnant water to attract the mossies!
This is actually the third one, the other 2 I tipped out on the first day, this one is a little harder to get to.
Yesterday I chopped the first 3 trees down.
This shed I will dismantle over the next few weeks, the tin sheets I will keep but the timber frame will get burnt.
This shed is actually quite well built and the metal frame all bolts together so this shed I will move and keep.
The lemon tree on the left and mandarin tree on the right I want to save, but they're in the wrong position so will need to be carefully dug up and moved.
The big apple tree in the middle I'm hoping to keep but it needs a really big prune as it hasnt had a hair cut in years and all the apples are small as its spreading its self too thin.
Just in front of the apple tree there will be a meter high retaining wall running left to right in order for me be able to terrace the sloping block of land and create a huge flat, level grassy area for the kids.
On the piece of land where The 78 is parked I will build a big 2 story extension with a huge open plan kitchen/lounge above with balcony overlooking the garden and views of the valley, with another double garage below.
To the right of that, where the other driveway comes down and the pallet is currently blocking the entrance is where the sheds will go, which I will be building over the next few weeks as I'm struggling with storage in the double garage and have been forced to store a few things in the single garage, which I didnt really want to do as its pretty gross in there with dead rats all over the place.
I harvested some good fire wood from the trees I chopped down which will come in useful in winter as currently our only source of heating is a log burner.
Have a great Christmas and New Years guys.
I dont really take many pics anymore of what I do at work, mainly because I'm working as an auto electrician/fitter 3 days a week and only get 1 day a week to work as a toy builder.
But I have been doing some work on the airboat project lately!
I mounted the Subaru Impreza engine on an alluminium stand.
Then we sat that in the boat.
We were not sure exactly where in the boat it would need to sit as we were not sure what the boat would sit like in water.
So we went to a local lake to test it!
Amazingly it floated beautifully, didnt leak and was really stable in the water!
The New House
Before we moved into the new house I began making a set of gates for it out of 25mm x 25mm x 3mm box section steel.
I sent them to be powder coated satin black and then did the big move.
I owe a huge thanks to my friends Jiri and Aneta, they worked really hard!
I fitted the gates.
Then clad them in Australian hard wood decking boards.
As the house has 2 driveways, one down each side I needed to do something with the other side.
My plan is to block the other side off with a big shed/garage.
But for now I got the base from a big crate my South African colleague's kit car came on from the UK and that fitted perfectly in the gap between the house and fence.
Then it was time to go and fetch LJ!
My friends lent me their Troopy to tow it with as The 78 was having some mechanical work done and wasnt usable.
That got put in one side of the double garage and the other side will be my workshop.
This eyesore, cement sheet clad, rat infested garage will be getting demolished shortly as it blocks the amazing view down the valley and is in the way of where I will extend the driveway down to the bottom of the garden.
The garden beyond is an overgrown mess with random fences, sheds, old baths and junk everywhere.
Nothing like an old bath full of stagnant water to attract the mossies!
This is actually the third one, the other 2 I tipped out on the first day, this one is a little harder to get to.
Yesterday I chopped the first 3 trees down.
This shed I will dismantle over the next few weeks, the tin sheets I will keep but the timber frame will get burnt.
This shed is actually quite well built and the metal frame all bolts together so this shed I will move and keep.
The lemon tree on the left and mandarin tree on the right I want to save, but they're in the wrong position so will need to be carefully dug up and moved.
The big apple tree in the middle I'm hoping to keep but it needs a really big prune as it hasnt had a hair cut in years and all the apples are small as its spreading its self too thin.
Just in front of the apple tree there will be a meter high retaining wall running left to right in order for me be able to terrace the sloping block of land and create a huge flat, level grassy area for the kids.
On the piece of land where The 78 is parked I will build a big 2 story extension with a huge open plan kitchen/lounge above with balcony overlooking the garden and views of the valley, with another double garage below.
To the right of that, where the other driveway comes down and the pallet is currently blocking the entrance is where the sheds will go, which I will be building over the next few weeks as I'm struggling with storage in the double garage and have been forced to store a few things in the single garage, which I didnt really want to do as its pretty gross in there with dead rats all over the place.
I harvested some good fire wood from the trees I chopped down which will come in useful in winter as currently our only source of heating is a log burner.
Have a great Christmas and New Years guys.
You’ve an interesting plot there Ben, I’m sure you’ll make the best of it.
Shame there weren’t a few barn-finds amongst that lot
The rats will dissapear once you get the place cleaned up. What is with folks who want to litter the place up with junk? Its one thing I’ve never understood.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, our daughter got us up at 4:00am this morning so excited that Santa had come.
It’s blowing a hooley, -3C and snowing ATM....
Shame there weren’t a few barn-finds amongst that lot
The rats will dissapear once you get the place cleaned up. What is with folks who want to litter the place up with junk? Its one thing I’ve never understood.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, our daughter got us up at 4:00am this morning so excited that Santa had come.
It’s blowing a hooley, -3C and snowing ATM....
Pat
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Ben,you are making a great start,with the old cement sheet garage be careful it hasn’t got asbestos in it as council regulations on its removal And disposal
May be tough.inNZ mention the word asbestos it can cost you.
It sure seems to be a nice section with a good outlook.Cheers pat
May be tough.inNZ mention the word asbestos it can cost you.
It sure seems to be a nice section with a good outlook.Cheers pat
You’ve clearly chosen well with that house Ben. It’ll be interesting to see what you make of it in the coming years. Looks like a good plot, good versatile access, potential and a view. Great start.
Hope you’ve had a good Christmas.
Best wishes from Rich and Lynn.
Hope you’ve had a good Christmas.
Best wishes from Rich and Lynn.
