LJ70 Build Thread!

[Shayne]

I remember when it was like that here in the UK, I did just that working in building industry (electrical installation) the 60's.

It was like that in the Isle of Man when i left school in the 80's , the government is panicking now though because unemployment has reached DOUBLE figures !

 

[AndyCook]

Hi Ben jealous that you can just nip out on some great trails, to warm the diff oil up for an oil change!!


is the back-end of your truck sagging a bit, or is it just the angle of the truck when photos taken

enjoyed the photos

will be posting a trip report soon as i am just back from 4 days away in Wales and Lakes, laning and camping.
didn't do that deadend trail Parkamoor above coniston water in the lakes this time, as we decided it was too extreme to do when laden with roof tents and camping gear.

 

[Ben]

Hi Andy,

Its awesome mate!

It feels like all the stress, worry, expense and many sleepless nights were all worth it!

This place is 4wd heaven.

The back end is definitely sagging.

The Ironman suspension currently fitted is near the top of the to do list, to be changed.

I want to change the suspension and all the bushes. Still havnt decided which brand I'm going to go for, but certainly wont be Ironman.

The rough list is:

Front axle rebuild with Trail Gear upgraded bits, all new Koyo bearings, genuine seals, ARB air locker fitted.

Warn 12,000LB winch.

Suspension & Bushes.

Buy a fridge.

Buy a set of 35" x 12.5" Mickey Thomson tyres.

Still need to get the re-spray done, bought all the paint before I left the UK but havnt got round to it yet.

Looking forward to the trip report mate!

 

[Paddler Ed]

I'm thinking of experimenting with Plasti-Dip on the 4Runner as a respray; requires minimal prep and no special gear (can be put on with a Wagner from Bunnings)

Not sure on colour yet, but the GF wants to do all the shuts etc properly, so it could be a door off job... I'd like something subtle, but I think GF would like a bright French Racing Blue (like the RenaultSport Clio colour)

 

[Shayne]

Can't beat this stuff , use the all in one primer/undercoat first and the topcoat will last for years . 7 years so far on my 50 year old iron garden gate and still looking good .

http://www.international-paints.co.uk/products/index.jsp

 

[TonyS]

Hi Ben,

Good to know all going well, looking forward to heading out with youth the trails next time, might need a rear locker in Betsy!
Ironman have revamped their whole range in the last 12 months, much higher quality. Might be worth a look, drop Chris at FNB an email, or a quick call. He will give you the best ideas for your budget. He knows where all makes are made, and which factories are shared etc!
The weekend here was great, missed you being here, and no one did the rocks! Think I might tame them down a bit.
Say"hi" to John and Ange.

Cheers,

 

[Ben]

Hi Ben,

Good to know all going well, looking forward to heading out with youth the trails next time, might need a rear locker in Betsy!
Ironman have revamped their whole range in the last 12 months, much higher quality. Might be worth a look, drop Chris at FNB an email, or a quick call. He will give you the best ideas for your budget. He knows where all makes are made, and which factories are shared etc!
The weekend here was great, missed you being here, and no one did the rocks! Think I might tame them down a bit.
Say"hi" to John and Ange.

Cheers,

Hi Tony,

Awesome! Cant wait till you come over and we can get out on a trip.

Scott too if hes here at the same time.

Cool, I've been meaning to give Chris a call anyway, so I will definitely give him a shout about my suspension options.

You cant tame the rocks down.

I think pretty much all the cruisers at the event could have safely driven it without damage. So long as there are plenty of waffles, a high lift jack and wheel mate, and enough people willing to help and spot the driver across.

Trev drove it last time in Lil Blue and drove it perfectly!

Starting to get bloody cold now.

Didnt get much above 12 degrees all day.

Just need to get through the next 3 months and then it should be nice and warm again.

John and Ange are on holiday in Spain and Portugal enjoying the sun.

 

[Rich Sims]

Hi Andy,

Its awesome mate!

It feels like all the stress, worry, expense and many sleepless nights were all worth it!

This place is 4wd heaven.

The back end is definitely sagging.

The Ironman suspension currently fitted is near the top of the to do list, to be changed.

I want to change the suspension and all the bushes. Still havnt decided which brand I'm going to go for, but certainly wont be Ironman.

The rough list is:

Front axle rebuild with Trail Gear upgraded bits, all new Koyo bearings, genuine seals, ARB air locker fitted.

Warn 12,000LB winch.

Suspension & Bushes.

Buy a fridge.

Buy a set of 35" x 12.5" Mickey Thomson tyres.

Still need to get the re-spray done, bought all the paint before I left the UK but havnt got round to it yet.

Looking forward to the trip report mate!

Hi Ben, hope your keeping my roof polished well (I'll be over to check on it later in the year) are you sure you want to stick with 35"s what size are all the others using as it would be good to match their size so you can all share tyres if you get desperate. 33" would make the transmission more reliable.

Later

Rich

 

[wobbly]

Can't beat this stuff , use the all in one primer/undercoat first and the topcoat will last for years . 7 years so far on my 50 year old iron garden gate and still looking good .

http://www.international-paints.co.uk/products/index.jsp

Didnt know you had a Landy as well.....

 

[Ben]

Hi Ben, hope your keeping my roof polished well (I'll be over to check on it later in the year) are you sure you want to stick with 35"s what size are all the others using as it would be good to match their size so you can all share tyres if you get desperate. 33" would make the transmission more reliable.

Later

Rich

Taking really good care of it mate.

The other guys are either running 35" or 33". If I go on any big trips I can always take 2 spares and a puncture repair kit, Although I know what your saying about sharing spare wheels/tyres, its a good idea.

Good job I drive a Toyota and not a landy.

Almost everyone in the club drives Toyota or Nissan.

I think there is 2 landys and a jeep.

35" will be the perfect size for me. Remember I'm not running normal KZJ70/78 diffs, I'm running lower ratio LJ70 diffs. So its fine even on bigger tyres.

When I had the little 31"s fitted to get LJ road registered it didn't feel any quicker on acceleration which surprised me and obviously top end it was worse because the revs were so much higher.

35"s feel like the perfect size.

 

[AndyCook]

Ben what ratio are the diffs you have and those in the normal 70/78s?

 

[Victor]

Should be 4.88 in Bens lj70 =)

And speed-wise on low i think 35" is pretty good, not to fast over rocks, and not to slow in the mud

 

[Ben]

As Victor rightly said my diffs LJ70 (2.4TD) are 4.8.

Cant remember what KZJ70 (3TD) diff ratio's are but I know there a higher ratio.

 

[hairyguy4]

i think the kzj70 diff ratios are 4.56's

 

[Ben]

Really need to get the suspension changed.

Theres a lot of tools in the back and axle stands etc. that need to come out before Saturdays trip but even so shes really sagging at the rear.





So today I called Chris at FNB.

Great guy who has helped Tony and Scott out a lot.

Hes going to have a look and work out what options I've got.

Also finally got my membership card for my breakdown cover, has only taken them 3 weeks to send it to me.



Its rained everday this week and has been raining now for over 12 hours!

Should make the tracks nice and muddy for Saturdays trip!

 

[Victor]

What MT tires are you looking into buying? I have 35" creepy crawlers (Maxxis) which work pretty good, a bit stiff sidewalls though, but not extreme..

 

[Ben]

I want Mickey Thompsons.

At the last but one club meeting we had a guy come along from a local tyre shop and he brought with him a sample tyre of the complete range. I like them! They look like good tyres and all the guys in the club running them are very impressed with them.

I don't need them immediately as my 35"s have still got a bit of life in them. Its just for the bigger trips away, and certainly sand/desert trips I wouldn't want to be running the 37"s.

 

[Olazz]

I want Mickey Thompsons.

Good choice Ben , I've been using MT Claw 315's now for thousands of KM on everything - Tar, Gravel, Calcrete, 2-spoor, Mud, & Sand dunes.. Tyres are fantastic!
Never need to air down to less than 20psi.

 

[Ben]

Have they worn well Ollaz?

Over here there are really only 3 manufactures that I can think of making decent tyres. Mickey T, Cooper and BFG, and out of those 3 the Mickey T's definitely look the best.

I'm so excited about tomorrows trip!

Its not been a great week, working outside everyday in the rain. But all that will be forgotten about tomorrow when I hit the tracks.

10 trucks going in total and the tracks are going to be very wet and muddy!

 

[grantw]

If you really like mud that much you definitely need to get to wombat state forest. It's the muddiest place I've ever driven. Lincomb actually looks dry in comparison when it's at it's finest.