My Lj70 '86 from Italy

[yota_lj]

Hi to all and sorry for my English I'm not usual to speak it.
Here I would like to post the story of my sweet Lj70 2.4 '86 LX

I bought it on March 2016 from a guy that have had it for 6 years, I didn't pay too much for it.
Car had 305.800km ( 190.000mls) +2'' lift suspension kit, and km2 tires ( too worn )

Car have had 3 previous owners, but it's in good condition, there is only a little rust in the usual place of lj70, but nothing important.

Engine and trasmissions are good and this I thinks it's more important!!

Here is when I went to Genova to pick it up ( about 180km fare from Turin)





First of all I check all the filter the aren't so bad, it was a good "news" for me






But I see also a little oil leak from the top of the head, it must be repair!


Another problem was the radio....someone stole the radio and destroyed all the cables.
First of all, I started cleaning all the interior, because there was a lot of glass yet everywhere!




Then I repaired a turbo inlet that was cutted with a resin and I've covered all with a a tape, not a wonderful repair but it works



...this was my start!!!

PS...sorry I have some problem with image posting....

 

[Ako]

Nice. Looks like a solid little unit.

Good luck with the wiring. Always 'interesting' in working out inherited wiring problems

 

[yota_lj]

I'm sorry for double images, I'm sure I'm making some mistake!

However my first trip was on 25th April checking what is working and what are the problems with my brother that has a Patrol Y60 '89 and other friends



Here I've had the first problem, starter didn't work as well, sometime it didn't work and I must try more times!

 

[yota_lj]

So I started rebuilding my starter:



First of all I had cleaned it, because the leak of the head goes on the starter!!


I check the motor brushes, but their thickness is ok!


I check the rotor and it ok!


the problem was the solenoid!
I don't have the right replacement, but I get the solenoid from a Rav 4 '95 starter!!



So, i changed the solenoid, cleaned the Brushes and the rotor and my starter return like new

 

[yota_lj]

After that I had done some copy of the only key that I had, because it was really worn-out!
2 originals and 1 not original



I also make a complete service, including all filter & oil, but the older filter and oil was not so bad.
For the Engine I used a Pakelo 10w40
For the Gearbox I used Pakelo 75w90
For the front differential & reducer Pakelo 90 and for rear diff Castrol epx90 LSD

 

[Ben]

Great thread!

Love your 70.

Did you get the new keys from Toyota? I need some new ones for my RJ70 project, the only key I have is really worn like yours was.

 

[yota_lj]

Thank you Ben!!!

About the key, I have asked it at my Toyota Dealer and with the VIN, he ordered the 2 keys.

I spend 14€ each (about 15$) + 5€ for right cutting in a "ironmongery", because new one arrives without any cut as you can see

If you can't find it, ask me, I'll call me dealer for the right part number

 

[yota_lj]

Speaking about original parts, I also bought a couple of pad pedals, because I haven't on my LJ (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Clu...055982?hash=item3acc5268ae:g:1IAAAOSwFNZWwZ4B)




I have also made a new wiring for the radio, because the existing one, takes the power from the clock !!
I put a waterproof fuses-box next to the battery and changed original speakers with Hetz one that I had

 

[Ben]

If you could get me the part number for the key that would be awesome, please.

 

[alexy]

hello,
check thermostat and fan clutch before you force the engine.
I have got my 1986 lj from montebeluno and the fan clutch was dry inside!
Its easy to find silicone oil and refill the clutch.
Your dash looks like its an 82deg thermostat.

 

[yota_lj]

If you could get me the part number for the key that would be awesome, please.

This is the code on the receipt.
90999-00084

Please make sure that is ok WITH you VIN!

Thanks Alexy for you message, knowing the normal issues of lj70 '86, I have just changed radiator, water pump, and fan clutch when I changed my timing belt!

I have also changed the gasket of head cover



Furthermore I changed all the lights (w5w) behind the dash, because it was impossible to read anything!

So i put new lights and i Didn't inserted any green cover on the light, so now I have a really good instrument!



I also installed a Turbo Gauge, because I'll later install a variable geometry turbo (GT2256)



Unfortunately my BF were too worn, so I buyed used Extreme Tyres 32'' (235/85 16)
I little bit heavy, but very good in the mud!



To finish the today update of my topic I have also installed 2 new chinese switch for front and rear light!
But rear light need to changed because it haven't a good light!
Incredible switch fitted without any mods in a hole of instrument!!

See you soon guys!!

 

[doyle61]

I like the lights in the dash. Was planning on doing this I mine with leds but yours looks nice and bright so might just go with the normal bulbs instead

 

[Ben]

Thanks for the part number for the blank keys mate and great work on your 70!

Those new tyres look great1

 

[yota_lj]

Hello Guys!

Some updates for my topic!

I have tried a short exhaust on my lj: feedback was really good, I get more power at low rpm (incredible!) but noise was too much, so after some weeks i decided to sell it!


During september I have had a wonderful trip with my friends, in two days we covered more then 300km off road between Italy and France, on the Salt Road, but During this trip, my master cylinder left me!
I can't brake any more!! I need to use low gear to stop my car!
It was really annoying, so i Decided to change all the brake parts!

I started from the rear drums! I had problem with handbrake system! It was completly blocked from the rust!! After 2 hours i win! Now the rear was like new!!





With master cylinder I have had some problem!
New one bought was not ok!
I bought a repair kit for the old one!
I was alone, and the oil bleeding was a problem, because i need to press brake pedal and open the bleed screw together !!
So I cutted an old inner tube of bicycle and use It like a bleeder pump!

It was a bad work, but it WORKED

Now I would like to change brake line, and all the parts of front calipers!

Last sunday morning I use it to test new brakes with my friends!
We have a nice trip but really hard! I have no photos of this, only this one when we started,

It was really fun
After all my starter begin to make a strange noise some times during the start...after 30 years he would like to be changed!

 

[Ben]

Nice update.

 

[Pat]

Very interesting.You are a good mechanic.

 

[yota_lj]

Hello to everyone,
...my starter has continued his work, so I haven't changed it yet, but I've the new one in the box

Continuing my job on brake system I have also changed front brake pads, but I haven't make any photo during the work

After that I'm trying to convert my lj70 from 2 seats to 5 seats, so I have eliminate the grill behind the seats, restored the old holes where the seats were fitted, and installed again old rear seats

I also installed originals front seats because actual one are not reclinable

Another problem was rear seat locking because it was impossible to find the original lock system, so i've made it alone

and that is the result:

It was also impossible to find original rear seat belts, but I found front ones and they fitted without problems
after a good cleaning :

Now I'm waiting the MOT (it's called so?) for the homologation of this modification, and homologation of new tyres set, cooper stt pro 31x10.50 a real good polyvalent tyres (extreme are also ready to use if necessary )

Here is ours last trip testing new tyres in the mud

Yestarday I saw a strange thing:
When engine is cold the idle is correct (750)
When engine is hot idle goes to 1000-1050 rpm
So I have studied how it works and I understand that there is a system called thermo-wax or ACSD and I understand I little bit how it work.
Now the question is...How could it works other way around?

If I exclude the water passage, my engine will work always with right idle and right advance?

Now I've only screw down a little bit the termo-wax system, so now the idle is about 900 rpm when hot, but I now the this system works also on advance....any idea?

 

[yota_lj]

Hello to all!
MTO passed my modifications!!!

About thermo-wax, it's ok, the problem are injectors that when are hot, open at low pressure so engine idle go up

Last Sunday I went to a nice meeting in north Italy! there was also a race in the same place, WTI (Warm Trophy Italy Extreme Offroad), really interesting!




There was also a Trial track, to test our car, and I see the my LJ can't move very well, because the spring are too hard...I'm thinking to change it, as soon as possible!

 

[clivehorridge]

Nice thread Yoga, somehow I've missed this since you joined last November, so a belated welcome to the forum from me

A good looking trip you did, and heavy going in the mud, in places.

Keep up the posts, especially your trips.

I've only been to Italy once, to Alba, near Asti. Very beautiful, and we took a drive over the mountains to Savona, along the coast to Genoa, then down to Portofino.

The truck is coming along nicely, good work!

 

[yota_lj]

Hello Clive!

Thanks a lot for your answer !!

Yes, Alba is not so far from here, just 1 hour. You made a really nice trip!

Now I have buyed a full rebuild kit for the front axel, during this holiday I have to work