LJ70 Build Thread!

[warrenpfo]

Jeez Ben you know how to keep busy. Some great fabrication yet again and It's great to see you have surrounded yourself with like minded people.

 

[Ben]

Thanks Warren.

Life is really really good right now!

I read that article in the 4wd magazine where they compare the new Discovery 4 and the 200 series.

Basically the Disco is better on road and off road and much more comfortable and better value for money. But its only got a small fuel tank compared to the 200 and it comes with 19" wheels so its not ideal for off road use and the smallest wheels that can be fitted are 18" and that then still isnt ideal for tyres for off road use apparently.

If you want to read it I can put some pics up of it?

 

[Paddler Ed]

Found a solution for you Ben:

 

[Ben]

Where did you find that pic? There must be a story attached?

I've just got home from work and now I'm going to Michaels factory to try some more 79 series front springs on the front of LJ.

 

[Paddler Ed]

Found it over on TurboBricks, and they'd got it from Imgur. I suspect it's a lazy American fix...

 

[clivehorridge]

Looks like a waste of good tennis balls to me! Surely it can't be effective and even if it is, there must be a more professional approach. Sponsored by Wilson no doubt!

 

[Ben]

Just seen this ad on eBay... why haven't you got a pic of LJ with scenery like this?!

Just spotted this on facebook and thought of your post.

 

[Chas]

Phew! they look as though they could do you some serious damage.

 

[clivehorridge]

Phew! they look as though they could do you some serious damage.

Certain to sort any suspension problems... immediately!

 

[Shayne]

I bet they've got bigger rubber at home ................ ............. who said that ?

 

[wobbly]

Awesome, some seriously attractive figures there - 4500 EFi !! Shame you cant see the whole truck......

 

[Ben]

I think its a shame Australia doesn't get the big engined, short wheel base 70's like the UAE does.

 

[Ben]

So yesterday I took my boss back his OME lifted springs and told him they gave LJ too much lift.

So he said well they are +3" springs and I've got 2 pairs of standard springs you can take and try.

Its a few years (6+) since he played around with the suspension on his 79, so he couldnt remember exactly what the other pair of springs are from but hes pretty sure one pair is his original 79 series springs and the other pair are off a petrol one.



Petrol ones.



Diesel ones.



Comparing the 2.



Comparing a diesel one to one of the worn +2" Ironman ones off LJ.



So only slightly taller (10mm), but they would prove to be much stiffer and so give me too much lift.





Its not far off but still 20-30mm too high.



Comparing my old +2" Ironman ones to the petrol ones.



The base of theses springs were much wider than my ones.





They actually gave me the perfect height.





But I wasn't happy with how the bottom of the spring was sitting on the spring perches on my axles, and with a big trip across the Simpson Desert next year it needs to be right.

So we took them back off. I'm going to enquire about some OME +2" LJ70 springs and might even get a set to try.

Michael and I then came home and packed the cruisers ready for this weekends snow trip!



Were heading over Mount Skene and according to the weather reports we've been monitoring all week they've had a significant dump of snow up there!

The plan for tonight is for us both to remove our 37"s from the cruisers and put our 35"s on for the journey there. Michael will trailer the 37"s to his friend's house near where were camping and we will swap the 37"s back on for the trip.

I wasn't too bothered about driving there on the 37"s, but it will save 500+ k's of wear going on them and obviously we wont have to worry about getting stopped by police on our way.

Trip report to follow.

 

[Paddler Ed]

Awesome, some seriously attractive figures there - 4500 EFi !! Shame you cant see the whole truck......

I'm glad to see that I wasn't the only one who read the sticker...

I think its a shame Australia doesn't get the big engined, short wheel base 70's like the UAE does.

Bring one in from Japan; they had HZJ73's over there... this site has one listed, stock number 2549; shame it's an Auto... or try stock number 3729...

There's still a couple of companys doing grey imports from Japan; so basically the compliance plate states it was manufactured in 2013, whatever the actual build date was...

 

[Ben]

There all old ones though Ed.

I'd like a brand new one like the ones sold in the UAE.

Basically the same as the latest 70 series utes sold in Australia. So coil front end, V8 TD etc.

 

[Ben]

A couple of pics from my day at work...................................

The Jimny build is progressing well, I've been working on it all week.

Today I've been trying to work out what length shocks to fit and how best to mount them.



Yesterday I started making the rock sliders.







Better shot of the rock sliders.





Used 80 series rear bump stops as dislocation cones/bump stops.







Also had 2 bottles of anti freeze delivered for the diesel in the cruisers for this weekends snow trip.





Right going back to work now to swap all the wheels and tyres ready for tomorrows trip.

 

[Ben]

Oh I must point out that the piece of high lift jack which were currently using as a drag link on the front axle is only temporary so we can move it around.

I'd hate for anyone to think that was staying like that!

There is a story to tell regarding high lift jacks and the fact we end up with loads and loads of pieces of high lift, but I haven't got time now, got to dash.

 

[bravobrak]

Gday Ben,

Writing after reading your entire thread over the last week or so........,damn mate what a legend!! Got the same truck LWB 1991 2.4 TD . Love the 8274 in the front just got mine in 2 weeks ago after a complete rebuilt + mods!! Will put some picks up to compare.
Over here in NZ these truck are all over the place so if you are hunting for parts let me know if I can help.

Will share some pics of the trips we do down under.

Keep up the good work!!

 

[Paddler Ed]

There all old ones though Ed.

I'd like a brand new one like the ones sold in the UAE.

Basically the same as the latest 70 series utes sold in Australia. So coil front end, V8 TD etc.

Did you see the 2nd one I put up there?

Have no 4Runner... timing belts are a mongrel when they're in a V6... Have it all back together, just don't have the timing right (I've got a mark lined up wrongly somewhere, so I get whoosh whoosh but no compression/spark/fire/go) so tis all coming apart again tomorrow...

 

[Ben]

Gday Ben,

Writing after reading your entire thread over the last week or so........,damn mate what a legend!! Got the same truck LWB 1991 2.4 TD . Love the 8274 in the front just got mine in 2 weeks ago after a complete rebuilt + mods!! Will put some picks up to compare.
Over here in NZ these truck are all over the place so if you are hunting for parts let me know if I can help.

Will share some pics of the trips we do down under.

Keep up the good work!!

Thanks mate.

Hope you enjoyed the read.

Love what youve done with your 8274.

What make is the extended low profile drum?

How much rope can you get on it?

I need to pull mine back out soon and re-build it. Bloody thing is leaking oil and when I peaked inside the big bottom gear doesn't look too healthy.

Thanks, I didn't realize there are many 70's in NZ.

Trip pics would be great!

Did you see the 2nd one I put up there?

Have no 4Runner... timing belts are a mongrel when they're in a V6... Have it all back together, just don't have the timing right (I've got a mark lined up wrongly somewhere, so I get whoosh whoosh but no compression/spark/fire/go) so tis all coming apart again tomorrow...

Apologies Ed, I only looked at the first one.

The Mega Cruiser on your second link is cool. Toyota's version of the Hummer.

Sucks about your engine.

Fingers crossed you manage to sort it without too much hassle.