LJ70 Build Thread!

[Ben]

Not sure mate, I'm leaving all the electrics to the auto electrician at work. Hes been doing it for 30+ years and really knows his stuff!

I've just got to do some welding for him in return.

 

[Chas]

What size Anderson are you going for? I want to set mine up with a jump start plug, but I'm not sure what to go for... I'd be looking at getting mine from these guys, but I suspect you may have an alternative source I think that either the 175 or the 350A would be the right rating, but I'm not sure... I don't understand electricity well enough

I've got the 175a Anderson plug on the winch bumper for jump starts and charging the batteries when needed, been working fine for years now.

 

[Paddler Ed]

Cool, thanks for that guys! Ben, let us know what he fits...

 

[RJ70 BUNDERA]

awesome work ben! love the flares!

 

[Ben]

Thanks mate.

 

[Ben]

It was my last day at work today and I told my boss that ideally I'd like to go back to Europe for more than 2 weeks................

And they've very kindly given me an entire month off!

My bosses are truly awesome!!!!

So I've changed my return flight and will now be spending longer in the UK.

In return I've got to cram some more hours in when I get back, meaning less time to get LJ finished + I will only be back at work for 4 weeks before I'm off on my big Simpson Desert trip.

The new tyres, awning and OZTent wont be a problem as I will just order them but making the new rear shock mounts, converting the rear suspension to 4 link, finishing the roof rack, rear bar, aux fuel tank and all the changes to the interior might be.

I think I will have to prioritize jobs and some things might not get done before the trip.

Will get an update up when I get chance and I will see many of you this weekend at Lincomb.

 

[warrenpfo]

Great news you lucky man. Travel safe.

 

[AndyCook]

Good news. I think if it were me I wouldn't change the rear suspension before such a big trip, since you will have so little time to test it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Rich Sims]

Good news and bad news!

Good- it will be nice and quiet on here!

Bad- we'll have to put up with him for longer in the uk! Lock up your daughters.

 

[stumog]

Bad- we'll have to put up with him for longer in the uk! Lock up your daughters.[/QUOTE]

hes going to be busy with the horsey lot at the farm.....

 

[Ben]

 

[Reddave]

Hey that's my car

Great read Ben, your trip reports are amazing!!

The Gold GU patrol in your pics from around May last year in Toolangi (apparently I need to make 15 posts before I can link your photos) is mine, here I am googling pics of rollcages for an LJ71 I'm looking at buying and I see pics of my tourer!!!

 

[Ben]

Thanks Dave.

hmmm................

Does that mean we've met, or have you bought it since that trip?

Hoping to update this thread very soon, got a trip report from this weekends awesome green laning trip in Wales.

 

[Reddave]

I would imagine we have met, small world. Here I am on a UK based forum speaking to someone in Australia who helped us out last year

My mate owns the Disco and we were winching him up with your help rigging with us.

I still own the patrol but am looking at an LJ71 at the moment as a weekend toy

 

[Ben]

Was this the trip:

http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/showthread.php/42837-LJ70-Build-Thread!/page131

Give me a shout if/when you get one or if you want a hand looking at any potential ones.

Just working on a thread update/trip report now.

 

[Ben]

OK.....................

A few work pics first from my last few days at work, then we can get to the holiday pics and videos.

I got the fuel tanks I made for the back of my bosses 80 back from the powder coaters and fitted on the vehicle.









I finished the modified Vitara axle/diff housing I've been TIG welding.

I plasma cut the drain plug out of an old axle.





Drilled a hole in the modified axle for it.





And welded it on.



I bolted some ply to it ready for sand blasting and powder coating.





I had to do one last finishing job on Frankenzuke.



We had had a pair of Jimny seats recovered.



To replace the standard ones.











Also fitted some of our floor mats.







Frankenzuke is now almost ready for the magazine photoshoot and filming for the tv program.

I've been looking at different panhard rods trying to see if any from other vehicles will fit.

Below is a 79 series adjustable panhard rod and a rangerover one. There both about 60mm too long for the front of LJ and slightly too small on one end.

I'm going to have a look at the ones on my work mates Patrol when I'm back.



OK...........................................

Holiday pics next but this might take a while as I've got a 300+ to sort through.

I have got some awesome pics and videos from my club laning trip and Lincomb though!

 

[Reddave]

Was this the trip:

http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/showthread.php/42837-LJ70-Build-Thread!/page131

Give me a shout if/when you get one or if you want a hand looking at any potential ones.

Just working on a thread update/trip report now.

No, was the Toolangi trip when you went with the Suzuki boys
http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/showthread.php/42837-LJ70-Build-Thread!/page142

Post #2828, my patrol is the later gold GU with twin wheel carriers, you guys were coming down the hill and we were going up. I had already winched up and we were rigging my mates Disco up to come up the hill

I have my heart set on an LJ71 that I have found, left a deposit with the guy, just waiting for him to sort out RWC
Holden V6 conversion, front and rear auto lockers, room for 35's etc etc.

Learnt a lot reading all of your thread

 

[Ben]

Aww awesome I remember you now!

It really is a small world isnt it.

Cool, fingers crossed you get it.

 

[Ben]

So Erin and I flew out on Thursday morning.

Our plane.



The 26 hour plane journey wasnt too bad.

We landed at Heathrow and picked up our little hire car.



We drove up to Shropshire and it was amazing seeing my parents and dog for the first time in 18 months.







I also got to see my sister.



I had really missed my mums cooking, roast dinners are her specialty!



We had a few hours with them and then drove up to Lincomb, stopping in beautiful Ironbridge on the way. I wanted to show Erin where the industrial revolution began and the world heritage listed, first Iron bridge in the world.





We made it to Lincomb and dropped the hire car off and then headed off to Wales with Steven, Chas and Rich. Giles surprised us by turning up unannounced in his Defender 90 and shortly after Rob arrived.

We arrived about 11pm and soon had tents up and fire lit.



Stevens 12v blower soon had it roaring.







I got woken at 5am by the sun.



I got up and went for a walk.







I had a walk up the mountain and found a stream and followed it up the mountain to its source where it first bubbled out of the rocks. It tasted really good so I filled my water bottle up.







I sat at the top of the mountain for a while enjoying the complete silence and beautiful scenery and then headed back to camp.



Rich's beautiful 78!







We had been lucky so far in that the rain had held off. We could see rain was imminent and just about got the tents packed away before the heavens opened. We cooked breakfast in the torrential rain.





By 8.10am we were on the lanes.

























































We stopped to air down.















Erin enjoyed seeing all the ruins and derelict buildings dotted around the Welsh countryside.



We headed off Bomber Lane onto a very tight and challenging lane that rarely gets driven.





















We drove Happy Valley next.

















































We headed to Chuckle lane next and passed the oak tree on the way that we used to winch LJ's roof back out on that fateful day.







We stopped at the accident spot where LJ went off the track and rolled.





The tree stump that saved LJ from rolling down the mountainside and ultimately saved my life was still there.



I thought it might be nice to have a minutes silence in memory of the fallen LandCruiser, but the guys wouldnt shut up so we carried on with the lane.



























We drove down the waterfall next.







The video below shows Steven almost ripping his rear bumper and flare off!



Chas made it down with out any damage.





Followed by Rob who squashed the end of his exhaust slightly.







Followed by Giles who drove it perfectly.

(You may wish to turn the sound down if you have little ones around. )



Surveying the damage.

The 78 had picked up a slight bit of cosmetic damage.





Robs exhaust.



Which he soon had straightened with the aid of a crowbar.



Steven soon had the bumper and flare duck taped on.





We carried on with the lane.









We headed to Lincomb and when we arrived the sun came out and the rain stopped!

Tony S very kindly lent me his classic Hi-lux which we filled with fire wood and the fire pit.





It was great seeing everyone.







I cooked Nelson and I steak for dinner.



The evening was spent socializing round the roaring fire.



The next morning I had a very sore head!











Steven put his best shirt on for the occasion!



It was great to see my best mate Nelson again and also Jim.



And Jim's dog Sandy.



I met a few members I've not met before who were all great people, such as Stu, Grant and Gary who brought his beautiful black 80.



I had to shoot off from Lincomb at 12 to be back in time for a big family party, on the way I had a bit of a race with this beast of a car. Anyone know what it is?



I picked up my 87 year old Nan and on the way back to my parents I was telling her I'm at college getting qualified as a welder. She then told me that she used to be a welder!

In the war she worked in an arms factory in Birmingham welding fins onto incendiary bombs. So its in my genes!



I also got to see my brother.



Today Erin and I are finally off to see Danny!

I wanted to see him on Friday but didnt dare call in on him as I knew if I did I wouldnt have made it to Wales and Lincomb as we would have just wanted to party together!

Were doing some sight seeing this week, then weve got Global Gathering music festival this weekend then a week in Ibiza!

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

I guess the car is a Marcos.
Great to see ya Ben at the weekend.

Andy