Build 1985 BJ70 Story and Modifications
- Thread starter AlbertoSD
- Start date
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- Joined
- Feb 7, 2005
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- Leucadia (San Diego)
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- www.anzaborrego.net
Think I like the look of "Baby Lion's Back" better than "Lion's Back". 
BJIs0
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- Thread starter
- #123
The head came back from the machine shop. The shop said it looked really good and the magnaflux did not revealed any cracks. I brought the old pre-cups back home with me. Surprisingly, onyl two pre-cups were cracked.
I also started cleaning the head bolts in preparation for the head install.
I also started cleaning the head bolts in preparation for the head install.
- Thread starter
- #127
Then, following the specs of the factory service manual, Andy and I installed the head on the engine. I found a marker that etch on metal and marked head bolts numbers to make it easier (on me anyways) to follow the torque sequence.
Yes, those rims look great-much better than grey. Chrome rims look good too. 
This is shaping up to be the nicest BJ70 ever on planet Earth.
This is shaping up to be the nicest BJ70 ever on planet Earth.
I'm enjoying your build Alberto. Wayne, I got a chance to see the Defender in person and it is nice. I was in Moab last year on a mountain bike (broke my arm in the process) but hope someday to take my cruiser out there. Thanks for sharing Alberto
Looks like a cool build. Hubs look good on there! 
- Thread starter
- #139
I bought a set of ISSPRO gauges to monitor the engine when the turbo is installed. I bought a Water Temperature Gauge, a Turbo Boost Gauge, and an Exhaust Temperature Gauge with all the proper sending units.
To mount them, I bought a gauge plate from Wayne (crushers) to install the 3 gauges under the factory radio. Wayne's plate is an amazing piece of work and it fits the 3 gauges perfectly. Thanks again, Wayne!
I learned about Wayne's plates on the thread titled:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/349415-post-your-gauge-install-photos.html
I liked the configuration that "bj74redrider" (3rd photo below) had on his truck and decided to go in the same direction (Page 3 of link above):
https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/349415-post-your-gauge-install-photos-3.html
To mount them, I bought a gauge plate from Wayne (crushers) to install the 3 gauges under the factory radio. Wayne's plate is an amazing piece of work and it fits the 3 gauges perfectly. Thanks again, Wayne!
I learned about Wayne's plates on the thread titled:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/349415-post-your-gauge-install-photos.html
I liked the configuration that "bj74redrider" (3rd photo below) had on his truck and decided to go in the same direction (Page 3 of link above):
https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/349415-post-your-gauge-install-photos-3.html
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- Thread starter
- #140
I made the decision of holding on the turbo install for a couple of weeks after the engine is back up running again. I have touched a bunch of parts as it is already and I want to test drive it and make sure the head install went well before I add an extra component (turbo) to the system. Plus, the down pipe for the non-turbo configuration is already there.
I think that I will wrap all these little projects (rear axle swap, and finish interior) prior to take on the turbo install. My guess is that I should be able to have the turbo installed within a month...but we will see.
In preparation for the turbo install, I mounted the sensing unit for the water temperature sensor in the plug that 70 series 3B's (not sure if all of them have the same plug) have on the thermostat housing next to the factory temperature sensor. The nice thing is that the ISSPRO water temperature sensor comes with adapters that actually matched the thread and pitch of the factory thermostat housing plug
I think that I will wrap all these little projects (rear axle swap, and finish interior) prior to take on the turbo install. My guess is that I should be able to have the turbo installed within a month...but we will see.
In preparation for the turbo install, I mounted the sensing unit for the water temperature sensor in the plug that 70 series 3B's (not sure if all of them have the same plug) have on the thermostat housing next to the factory temperature sensor. The nice thing is that the ISSPRO water temperature sensor comes with adapters that actually matched the thread and pitch of the factory thermostat housing plug