Hello all , Coincidence is a Funny Thing - The Story of my 1985 BJ70 Rebuild - My BIG Girl
My name is Neil and I have been on this site for a couple of years since I bought my Landcruiser - My 1985 Bj70.
She wasa great girl, a bit ruff around the corners, and Canada`s winters have lightened her up over the years (rust and lost of it lol). The last year has been an interesting twist of challenges and excitement and I have a new respect for Accepting Fate - and believing in Coincidences!
I began with a BJ70 last May, 2012 and its been an exciting journey over the last year and half creating my nearly completed REBUILD.
With amazing twists of fate and unadorned excitement the journey began with a series of unbelievable Coincidences that leads me to where I am today
.
Since I owned her in 2009 over the years slowly I installed a Dobsion Suspension on my BJ 70. I had bought the turbo system from Diesel42 (Keith) on this site and installed it the turbo rocked and really woke up the truck. She drove amazing on the highways. She had around 400,000 km`s on her and drove like a dream.
The Amazing Story begins on how this `Build` all came into play! And what a story it was...Never a dull moment!
My 1985 BJ70 had the turbo installed but I noticed that the engine was puffing white smoke. The idle kept increasing after it warmed up and after talking to one of my friends on this site, he told me to check the diaphragm on the injection pump.
I had the pump and injectors checked at a performance diesel injection shop here in Toronto. The truck came back amazing and felt like it had a new engine, with lots more power and torque. But, `the white smoke` continued, so I took the next step.
I decided to have the head taken off and rebuilt to clean it up. I asked a good friend if he can do the job and he took out the head. I forwarded the `head` to another friend to get `port and polished` and the flow check fine tuned. We ordered the ARP head bolts and an all new gasket kit. It was ready to put all back into the the BJ 70 when...
Unfortunately my friend had some health issues and could not complete the work. I was advised that there was a guy in London, ON, that specializes in Landcruisers and he could complete the install of the `head`. This is where the Story becomes really interesting...I wasn`t sure if I should laugh or cry but it certainly changed the results of where I am today!!! LOL.
The London guy agreed to install the head for a reasonable price. I towed the car all the way out to his workplace in London. After 2 weeks a screwing me around with delays, he jacked up the price $$$ by double and said that was the cost. I had booked a Landcruiser meet that weekend, but now he left me high and dry. Not only was the work not completed as originally arranged, the price had doubled up `for no reason`. I was not impressed and was upset he was so unprofessional.
I decided that his `new` sudden increase on his Quote was way overpriced, I ask him to have my truck towned back since he did not want to do the work and screwed me around he said he would not do that
I told him I can only pic it up next week and told him its better if he pays to have the truck moved out of there asap so nothing happens to it he told me the truck will be safe there until I can pic it up to tow it back to Toronto at my cost and get the job done elsewhere. Rather get someone I can trust. I told the London guy I`ll pick up my unfinished Landcruiser the following weekend, since I was out of town.
Here is how irony plays it`s interesting ways!
I happened to be up at my cottage near Midland when I drove to visit some friends going on a Off road meet - to wish them a good trip. Since my truck was not driveable. I told the guys about my story of the unfinished head and the London mechanic.
As I talked to the guys a very well known person on this site who was off-roading `told me There`s a guy in the London area looking for a Hood for a truck EXACTLY like MINE - 1985 BJ 70 and he was in a hurry. Now what are the ODDS!!!
I called the London mechanic immediately....my instincts were telling me `something wasn`t right`.!!!
The London mechanic finally had to admit there was an accident at his shop and my truck was hit. He told me it was nothing and he would have it fixed and all would be fine. I asked him `why didn`t he call me and tell me on the day this accident happened...he said he didn't have a chance to. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since this guy has been screwing me around up till now, I was not cool with all this.
My gf was home so I asked her to go drive and check out my truck at his London Shop. (to see what was really going on).
She arrived at the shop and was Shocked to see the extensive damage on the entire front hood, rad and headlights. It looked like a Massive truck had hit the front and it was `not minor` as we were told. She asked the owner if she could have his Insurance information as this was extreme. He said NO and would not give it to her. He made up a story about some Garbage truck hitting the front of my truck and that he suddenly didn`t know who the guy was..(interesting) - Memory lapse. She is not stupid and caught on real fast that this guy was lying to her and was protecting himself or the person who reversed the massive trucks on his lot, and hit my 1985 BJ70.
She asked several times for the insurancepolicy info of his garage, and he denied giving the info. This would go onto the SPF 4 Garage Policy - as he is under the Care, Custody and Control of the vehicle and ultimately responsible. He made up a story that he had no idea who hit it...but at the same time his garage has cameras and also his house is on the property. Also , how did he know it was a Garbage truck, if he didn`t know LOL. She said she will have to call the Police as that is against the law not to divulge. She called and asked me to meet her and I did.
Long story short - Police demanded the ins co. information. We made a third party report. The insurance company after much investigation, agreed to pay us after 4 months and I walked out with a good chunk of change. The truck was deemed `Repairable`and not A Write-off, so I also got to keep the truck. With that part, I was happy.
Another ironic twist of fate:
While all this was happening, my cousin calls me and says `Neil , you won`t believe this but there is a 1992 LJ71 beside my uncles shop with No Engine, that is being sold. Since I was occupied with this insurance bs I forgot or paid no attention to what my cousin told me after the insurance bs was done and over with I had time to go to his shop and see how my cousin was there. He immediately told me to go next door and look at this truck there. I went to the shop and to my happy surprise, I was shocked to see this beautiful
, perfect conditioned - Landcruiser 1992 lj 71 RHD. I offered the guy $2000 for the truck on the spot and after 30 minutes of back and forth he agreed.
The REBUILD began:
I called my good friend who own “Street Rate” and is a master fabricator and told him what I bought. I told him I wanted to put my 1985 BJ70 engine after I have it fully rebuild and put it in the Prefect conditioned 1992 LJ and let`s make this a ÒNE OF A KIND`Smoking Rebuild. We wrote down our PLAN and I was so excited as Not only do I get a Non Rusted perfect conditioned 1992 LJ, I get to use my brand new BJ engine and change it to a LHDrive, with all the extra`s!!! My dream truck will come true after all!!!
Rebuild Start date: November, 2012: I have listed below the Stages and Pictures to show the great workmanship by the team!!!
Stage 1 - RHDrive to LHD drive
Strip both trucks and swap over everything from my bj70 to make the lj LHD
Install sound protection
Clean sunroof drains
Take out engine from bj70 for total rebuild
Install LHD A/C
Rewire truck for LHD conversion
Stage 2
Remove body from frame
Link front and rear for large coil overs
Move front axel forward 1 to 2 inches
Install hydro assist
Check all break lines and install hydro brake booster
Fabricate diff armor
Make sure electric hubs work as well as lockers all work front and rear
And rebuild front axel and rear axel with all new seals
Stage 3
Install engine and wire it up
Install diesel coolant heater “espar”
Install intercoolers
Reinforce frame if needed
Install custom 3” exhaust
Stage 4
Install front and rear winch with custom bumpers
Install custom snorkel
Install auxiliary lights
Install back up lights and camera
Install new tires and rims
And install alarm gps system
It was a lot of planning, buying parts , finding parts in Australia to Japan, but I`m so happy with the work! It has been fun, exciting, challenging and creative - and my Vision of my Perfect Truck has come to Fruition - At last !!!
My friend used all his creative ideas and thoughts and professional expertise and worked hard to make this happen. I told him he can do what ever he wants as long as its within my budget and it works and looks Great!!!
My only request was it has to be a `daily drive and be Fun on the Trails` and Look Original!!! He did the job!!! It`s Fantastic, and I am really happy!!! With all the challenges, disappoints in the beginning with the BJ - it all turned out for the Best!!!
Remember, just when you think something is bad or negative, it can actually Turn into something Positive and even Better!
So now for some pics, I hope you enjoy my build. It’s all on a budget since I don’t have big pockets!!! Enjoy!!! If you have any questions I would be happy to answer. As I almost need a ladder to get into my new truck - people have commented `wow, she`s a Big Girl...hmmm, I think I have just found a new name for her. Cheers to BIG Girl!!!
Neil
Stage 1 pics
Stripping of bj70
It took 1 full week to strip her down every bolt was rusted and broke off well most did
She faught us the hole way
pile of parts lol
the left overs
My name is Neil and I have been on this site for a couple of years since I bought my Landcruiser - My 1985 Bj70.
She wasa great girl, a bit ruff around the corners, and Canada`s winters have lightened her up over the years (rust and lost of it lol). The last year has been an interesting twist of challenges and excitement and I have a new respect for Accepting Fate - and believing in Coincidences!
I began with a BJ70 last May, 2012 and its been an exciting journey over the last year and half creating my nearly completed REBUILD.
With amazing twists of fate and unadorned excitement the journey began with a series of unbelievable Coincidences that leads me to where I am today
.Since I owned her in 2009 over the years slowly I installed a Dobsion Suspension on my BJ 70. I had bought the turbo system from Diesel42 (Keith) on this site and installed it the turbo rocked and really woke up the truck. She drove amazing on the highways. She had around 400,000 km`s on her and drove like a dream.
The Amazing Story begins on how this `Build` all came into play! And what a story it was...Never a dull moment!
My 1985 BJ70 had the turbo installed but I noticed that the engine was puffing white smoke. The idle kept increasing after it warmed up and after talking to one of my friends on this site, he told me to check the diaphragm on the injection pump.
I had the pump and injectors checked at a performance diesel injection shop here in Toronto. The truck came back amazing and felt like it had a new engine, with lots more power and torque. But, `the white smoke` continued, so I took the next step.
I decided to have the head taken off and rebuilt to clean it up. I asked a good friend if he can do the job and he took out the head. I forwarded the `head` to another friend to get `port and polished` and the flow check fine tuned. We ordered the ARP head bolts and an all new gasket kit. It was ready to put all back into the the BJ 70 when...
Unfortunately my friend had some health issues and could not complete the work. I was advised that there was a guy in London, ON, that specializes in Landcruisers and he could complete the install of the `head`. This is where the Story becomes really interesting...I wasn`t sure if I should laugh or cry but it certainly changed the results of where I am today!!! LOL.
The London guy agreed to install the head for a reasonable price. I towed the car all the way out to his workplace in London. After 2 weeks a screwing me around with delays, he jacked up the price $$$ by double and said that was the cost. I had booked a Landcruiser meet that weekend, but now he left me high and dry. Not only was the work not completed as originally arranged, the price had doubled up `for no reason`. I was not impressed and was upset he was so unprofessional.
I decided that his `new` sudden increase on his Quote was way overpriced, I ask him to have my truck towned back since he did not want to do the work and screwed me around he said he would not do that
I told him I can only pic it up next week and told him its better if he pays to have the truck moved out of there asap so nothing happens to it he told me the truck will be safe there until I can pic it up to tow it back to Toronto at my cost and get the job done elsewhere. Rather get someone I can trust. I told the London guy I`ll pick up my unfinished Landcruiser the following weekend, since I was out of town.
Here is how irony plays it`s interesting ways!
I happened to be up at my cottage near Midland when I drove to visit some friends going on a Off road meet - to wish them a good trip. Since my truck was not driveable. I told the guys about my story of the unfinished head and the London mechanic.
As I talked to the guys a very well known person on this site who was off-roading `told me There`s a guy in the London area looking for a Hood for a truck EXACTLY like MINE - 1985 BJ 70 and he was in a hurry. Now what are the ODDS!!!
I called the London mechanic immediately....my instincts were telling me `something wasn`t right`.!!!
The London mechanic finally had to admit there was an accident at his shop and my truck was hit. He told me it was nothing and he would have it fixed and all would be fine. I asked him `why didn`t he call me and tell me on the day this accident happened...he said he didn't have a chance to. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since this guy has been screwing me around up till now, I was not cool with all this.
My gf was home so I asked her to go drive and check out my truck at his London Shop. (to see what was really going on).
She arrived at the shop and was Shocked to see the extensive damage on the entire front hood, rad and headlights. It looked like a Massive truck had hit the front and it was `not minor` as we were told. She asked the owner if she could have his Insurance information as this was extreme. He said NO and would not give it to her. He made up a story about some Garbage truck hitting the front of my truck and that he suddenly didn`t know who the guy was..(interesting) - Memory lapse. She is not stupid and caught on real fast that this guy was lying to her and was protecting himself or the person who reversed the massive trucks on his lot, and hit my 1985 BJ70.
She asked several times for the insurancepolicy info of his garage, and he denied giving the info. This would go onto the SPF 4 Garage Policy - as he is under the Care, Custody and Control of the vehicle and ultimately responsible. He made up a story that he had no idea who hit it...but at the same time his garage has cameras and also his house is on the property. Also , how did he know it was a Garbage truck, if he didn`t know LOL. She said she will have to call the Police as that is against the law not to divulge. She called and asked me to meet her and I did.
Long story short - Police demanded the ins co. information. We made a third party report. The insurance company after much investigation, agreed to pay us after 4 months and I walked out with a good chunk of change. The truck was deemed `Repairable`and not A Write-off, so I also got to keep the truck. With that part, I was happy.
Another ironic twist of fate:
While all this was happening, my cousin calls me and says `Neil , you won`t believe this but there is a 1992 LJ71 beside my uncles shop with No Engine, that is being sold. Since I was occupied with this insurance bs I forgot or paid no attention to what my cousin told me after the insurance bs was done and over with I had time to go to his shop and see how my cousin was there. He immediately told me to go next door and look at this truck there. I went to the shop and to my happy surprise, I was shocked to see this beautiful
, perfect conditioned - Landcruiser 1992 lj 71 RHD. I offered the guy $2000 for the truck on the spot and after 30 minutes of back and forth he agreed.
The REBUILD began:
I called my good friend who own “Street Rate” and is a master fabricator and told him what I bought. I told him I wanted to put my 1985 BJ70 engine after I have it fully rebuild and put it in the Prefect conditioned 1992 LJ and let`s make this a ÒNE OF A KIND`Smoking Rebuild. We wrote down our PLAN and I was so excited as Not only do I get a Non Rusted perfect conditioned 1992 LJ, I get to use my brand new BJ engine and change it to a LHDrive, with all the extra`s!!! My dream truck will come true after all!!!
Rebuild Start date: November, 2012: I have listed below the Stages and Pictures to show the great workmanship by the team!!!
Stage 1 - RHDrive to LHD drive
Strip both trucks and swap over everything from my bj70 to make the lj LHD
Install sound protection
Clean sunroof drains
Take out engine from bj70 for total rebuild
Install LHD A/C
Rewire truck for LHD conversion
Stage 2
Remove body from frame
Link front and rear for large coil overs
Move front axel forward 1 to 2 inches
Install hydro assist
Check all break lines and install hydro brake booster
Fabricate diff armor
Make sure electric hubs work as well as lockers all work front and rear
And rebuild front axel and rear axel with all new seals
Stage 3
Install engine and wire it up
Install diesel coolant heater “espar”
Install intercoolers
Reinforce frame if needed
Install custom 3” exhaust
Stage 4
Install front and rear winch with custom bumpers
Install custom snorkel
Install auxiliary lights
Install back up lights and camera
Install new tires and rims
And install alarm gps system
It was a lot of planning, buying parts , finding parts in Australia to Japan, but I`m so happy with the work! It has been fun, exciting, challenging and creative - and my Vision of my Perfect Truck has come to Fruition - At last !!!
My friend used all his creative ideas and thoughts and professional expertise and worked hard to make this happen. I told him he can do what ever he wants as long as its within my budget and it works and looks Great!!!
My only request was it has to be a `daily drive and be Fun on the Trails` and Look Original!!! He did the job!!! It`s Fantastic, and I am really happy!!! With all the challenges, disappoints in the beginning with the BJ - it all turned out for the Best!!!
Remember, just when you think something is bad or negative, it can actually Turn into something Positive and even Better!
So now for some pics, I hope you enjoy my build. It’s all on a budget since I don’t have big pockets!!! Enjoy!!! If you have any questions I would be happy to answer. As I almost need a ladder to get into my new truck - people have commented `wow, she`s a Big Girl...hmmm, I think I have just found a new name for her. Cheers to BIG Girl!!!
Neil
Stage 1 pics
Stripping of bj70
It took 1 full week to strip her down every bolt was rusted and broke off well most did
She faught us the hole way
pile of parts lol
the left overs
