LJ70 Build Thread!

[Ben]

Thanks Clive.

I'm working on the bathroom every night and making good progress. I want to have it all done by the end of this weekend.

I found an easy way to get my bushes out of my radius arms (before I had my press) was to chain drill the rubber around the outer collar, knock the center out and then cut the seized in ring with a hack saw and just pop it out my hand , for your mud flaps im sure you could knock something like this out in no time

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/inde...k-disconnect-mud-flap-hanger-kit-no-drop.html

Thats a good idea, in the past I've burnt them out using a blow torch and then used a hack saw to cut the metal outer ring out.

Thanks for the link, that gives me a few more ideas.

 

[Ben]

OK super quick update then I've got to go to work for the last time for 5 weeks.

The bathroom is almost finished.

























Michaels inset wall shelves which were a pain to tile.





I spent last weekend in the city with my friend Erin and got a few pics with my new camera whihc has got some interesting features.





































We went up the Eureka sky deck which is the highest viewing platform in the southern hemisphere.





















We stayed up there and watched the sunset.











We then came down and enjoyed a night out in the city.























Then on the Sunday evening I took my friend Lana to my works christmas do.



OK back to cars..............................

The final prototype of my first battery tray is almost ready.







My boss took me to the local rock shop earlier this week and we selected which rocks we wanted for displaying Frankenzuke on and had them delivered. Then yesterday we positioned them and tested the height and position with the comp truck.















I gave the Astra a service ready for my big 5 week road trip.





To celebrate my first christmas in my new country I've bought myself a gold Engel fridge.





These are the bits that come inside.



My boss and the other auto electricians were horrified when I said I needed a 3 to 1 12v socket splitter to run the fridge and other electrical bits n pieces.

They told me to bring the car into the workshop and do it properly.



Ran one 6mm wire from the battery through the bulkhead.



Under the dash.



To the back where we mounted a proper Engel fridge socket as well as 3 12v sockets.







Looked neat under the bonnet when we were done, all that is visible is the fuse holder next to the battery.





Brought the fridge home.



Needed to bolt the handles on.







Bag next.





Will probably use the proper wiring when I fit it in LJ.



It was too big to go in the boot of the Astra.





So it will have to live on the back seat for the road trip.





I'm going to need to make or buy a drop down fridge slide for when it lives in LJ.

Any suggestions? Good make?

Will have a week off when I get back from Queensland so going to do a load of work on LJ.

One of my best mates from the UK arrives tonight. Then we've got a big music festival all weekend in the city, then Monday/Tuesday we set off on our road trip. Ridiculously excited.

 

[Olazz]

I'm going to need to make or buy a drop down fridge slide for when it lives in LJ.
Any suggestions? Good make?

The best one by miles is made by MSA in AUS Ben...

http://www.msa4x4.com.au

 

[grantw]

Have a great trip mate. I look forward to the report and photos

 

[fridayman]

Are you passing through Brisbane?

 

[Ben]

Thanks guys.

Yes will be passing through Brisbane.

Rough plan is to drive from Melbourne straight to Byron Bay, possibly stopping off in Coffs Harbour on the way to see a mate. He owns a nice 80 so maybe he will take us out 4wding in it.

Then a week in Byron, a few days in Nimbin (don't think id have any sanity left if I stayed longer. )

Then a week on the Gold Coast, which is where I want to go jet skiing again. Last time we only went for a few hours but this time I want to go all day. We've also bought NYE tickets to a rave on the Gold Coast.

Then a few days/week in Brisbane, then fly to Cairns and have a few days/week there and go snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Then drive back via the hinterland to Melbourne.

The best one by miles is made by MSA in AUS Ben...

http://www.msa4x4.com.au

Awesome thanks mate.

We already do business with them so I will be able to get a fridge slide at cost.

The fridge was an awesome price, its surprising how much mark up on them their normally is.

 

[Ben]

We got Frankenzuke out for a play on the rocks this morning.

















Its almost ready to go for its respray then I've got to make a front winch bar for it.

Then were doing a photo shoot for 4wd Australia magazine and then 4wd TV want to film a feature on it.

 

[sae70]

Bathroom looks great, I like the beer shelves

It's about time someone forced you into doing some proper auto electrics and that fridge looks great in GOLD all it needs now are some Frigazzles

Sounds like your holiday is going to be a ball

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

Don't think I've seen such a bling car fridge as that before

 

[Ben]

Well I was meant to pick my mate, Danny up (who some of you have met) at 9.30pm last night. But due to what can only be described as a nightmare of a journey, involving missing visa paper work, and a 10 hour delay due to a plane breaking down he will finally be in Melbourne at 7.15am!

Havent seen him for nearly a year so im ridiculously excited!

And now cant sleep.

I would go and re-pack the car but its still raining, as it has been almost constantly now for the past 36 hours.

Oh well no more work for 5 weeks now!

Bathroom looks great, I like the beer shelves

It's about time someone forced you into doing some proper auto electrics and that fridge looks great in GOLD all it needs now are some Frigazzles

Sounds like your holiday is going to be a ball

Thanks mate.

What are Frigazzles?

Don't think I've seen such a bling car fridge as that before

Yeah it is a bit bling, thankfully its in a cover!

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

What are Frigazzles?

say it with an Essex accent you might get it

 

[Ben]

OH now I get it!

 

[clivehorridge]

Well cool Ben.. lousy pun but just the job!

like them rocks, must be pretty heavy those.... Could do with a few of them in my garden

Tiling, I love it, very therapeutic. Bet you cussed those inners, outers are easy, but inners !!! Lovely work mate, enjoy your hols.

 

[Ben]

Well cool Ben.. lousy pun but just the job!

like them rocks, must be pretty heavy those.... Could do with a few of them in my garden

Tiling, I love it, very therapeutic. Bet you cussed those inners, outers are easy, but inners !!! Lovely work mate, enjoy your hols.

Thanks mate.

I hate tilling.

The bathroom should look good when its all done though.

 

[Ben]

Well I picked Danny up from the airport on Friday morning.



And yesterday Danny, Erin and I went to Stereosonic music festival.















We bumped into my house mate Michael.

















































































































Above & Beyond and Armin Van Buuren were amazing on the main stage last night.

Today we've got day 2 and the line up looks awesome! Nicky Romero, Sebastian Ingrosso, Calvin Harris and Ferry Corsten.

Then were finally starting the road trip and heading to sunny Queensland for a few weeks of recovering/relaxing on the beach.

 

[sae70]

Blimey Ben!!! I'm surprised you can focus enough to type

 

[Ben]

Not sure what your talking about Steven!

 

[clivehorridge]

Not quite appropriate, but the nearest to it icon on the list!

 

[Maverick]

I am amazed at how well (good) Danny looked at Stereosonic considering that he had recently flown across (around) the globe ... top marks Danny!!

 

[Olazz]

I am amazed at how well (good) Danny looked

Didn't realise you were female Mav.

Then again maybe not