LJ70 Land Cruiser 1988 Build

[Simon_LJ70]

Decided I would keep a record so that I don't forget how much work is going into this project, think there must be a Land Cruiser bug! This one arrived at the end of August 2010 from a farm in Lincolnshire, 150k miles great underside which is as solid as a rock. Body is in need of some work and the inside is what you would expect from a farm vehicle (covered in mud and bits of sheep), anyway this is how it looked when I picked it up.

 

[Simon_LJ70]

First job was to get rid of the wheel arches that where falling off and cracked, they had not a lot but rust holding them on. Took these off and then drilled the rivets out, welded on some strips and then the local body shop filled in the gaps to leave a flat finish, left it without the arches as though it looked better.

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Next job was to sort the brakes as the callipers where not working properly, pads where worn and the shockers as they had leaked, went for Iron Man as had some good recommendations and they were a good price.

 

[Gav Peter]

This is a good looking thread Si

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Thanks Gav,I am trying to remember to take pictures when doing the jobs! although when wet, cold covered in oil I sometimes forget!

 

[Ben]

so what are your plans for your truck?

i would like to do a similar thread with my truck, just need to sort all my pics out.

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Decided that the bumper and grill needed a bit of work as the years had been unkind! Not a fan of lots of chrome and much preferred the European models that had no chrome and matt black bumpers, also the lights where rubbish they needed fixing. Changes made where

Dechromed bumper, welded holes and powder coated matt black
New indicators as they were cracked
Dechromed grill, powder coated matt black and new badge (couldn't help it)
Uprated IPF bulbs & IPF spot lights
Plastic trim painted matt black to match grill

 

[Gav Peter]

Thanks Gav,I am trying to remember to take pictures when doing the jobs! although when wet, cold covered in oil I sometimes forget!

I know what you mean!!! But keep it up - we all like a good project build thread

i would like to do a similar thread with my truck

We'd like you to as well Ben so gerronwithit!!!!

Another earlybird eh Si?

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Thanks Ben, Do it! you forget what you have done otherwise!

Have done a fair bit which I will upload over the next few days, but have a lot still left to complete over the next few months such as engine swop, rear axle (with diff and discs) swop, uprated springs, also a couple of inside bits, seat covers, new stereo to do as the old ones broken.

Yes Gav, body clock set to 6am unfortunatly! time to go fix an oil leak & fit new audio

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Couple of engine jobs today, rocker gasket had a few small leaks so time to replace it, along with the half-moon at the back. The v belts also had seen their best days and they got replaced also.

 

[Simon_LJ70]

The intake pipe on the turbo had a split rubber that was blowing oil all over the engine so managed to get a replacement from Mt T and replaced.

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Busy week this week! new exhaust from the down pipe in 2.5" stainless steel, custom made by Zorst in Shipley, great job, really tidy and not noisy at all, just a nice deep note and a better response through the gears. Moved the tail pipe to exit at the side so it has greater clearence than the Toyota design (Just).

 

[Gav Peter]

 

[Jimbo4x4]

That's the same way I had my exhaust routed, although mine's a little higher at the back. Looks well

You've inspired me to sort my rocker cover gasket out as it's had a small seep going on since I bought the truck, think I might paint the rocker cover while I'm about it thanks..

Loving the front bumper/grill work etc, looks 10x better for the new paint

Jim.

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Thanks Jim, the rocker cover will look good with a coat of paint go for it - thought I had sorted all the oil leaks with the rocker cover and the intake pipe, but steam cleaned the mess (had a fuel pump leak as well early Jan) and I have another to sort the vacuum pump has a leak either from the o ring between it and the alternator or out of one of the gaskets connecting the hoses, looks like a few more parts to go...

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Couldn't help this one, i am a bit of a fan of the old 80's graphics and the spare wheel cover was ripped, so got a friend of mine who works in the graphics business to make me a new one using the old design

 

[Ben]

that looks very smart, nice work.

 

[Conrad-BJ70]

wow! I love it!!!!

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Next was to fit some rock sliders as the original steps had rotted and where no use apart from gathering rust.

Construction is from steel, bent and welded and bolted to the chassis by James from Sunderland 4 x 4 in Halifax - top man.

Have finished them with matt black powder coating to match the bumpers, thick coating so will stand up to a good bit of wear.

 

[Simon_LJ70]

Time to replace the rusty steel sunroof which had leaked and caused the head liner to fall down and rot. Managed to get a glass one from a later 91 model which was in mint condition, removed all the old cloth from the head liner card and replaced the material. looks like new!