Builds 1985 BJ70 Story and Modifications (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter AlbertoSD
- Start date
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boozewz
SILVER Star
Bravo!
Cant wait for the rest of the pictures. Loving the spirit of adventure!
Edit: being gassers, what measures did you guys take to make the water crossings as trouble free as possible? ie removing fan belts, foam sealing wiring etc?
Cant wait for the rest of the pictures. Loving the spirit of adventure!
Edit: being gassers, what measures did you guys take to make the water crossings as trouble free as possible? ie removing fan belts, foam sealing wiring etc?
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- Thread starter
- #183
Fernando's FJ40 was leading the pack, pulling Iker's FZJ71 with a tow strap followed by Omar's and Robert's FZJ71. Everything was going well until we hit a section of thick bushes...what seemed to be a fallen tree. Multiple times Fernando had pushed forward with the FJ40 through sections like these, but this one in particular seemed different. Fernando tried to go forward once and suddenly stopped and told me "Alberto...look ahead!". Fernando killed the engine and we both got out of the 40 to find that a "bridge" (usually 2 or 4 trees) was completely washed out and there was literally nothing there for us to cross. We communicate the news to the group and everybody start thinking on how to rebuild the bridge.
The trail to Angel Falls is also used by what we call "Pipoteros" which is basically people that transport fuel in 55 gallon drums to the local mines. These "Pipoteros" only drive Toyota 70 series pick-up loaded with 6 - 8 drums.
We spent about 15 minutes clearing the debri in front of Fernando's truck to asses the condition of the crossing and figure out exactly how to anchor the bridge to each side. Suddenly, we hear another truck from the other side of the road and we knew it had to be the "Pipoteros".
Another 7 guys were added to the crew that worked on the bridge. We wanted to move towards Angel Falls while they (The Pipoteros) wanted to move towards "La Paragua" to re-fuel.
The goal of reaching "Tierras Blancas" seemed more distant every minute.
The trail to Angel Falls is also used by what we call "Pipoteros" which is basically people that transport fuel in 55 gallon drums to the local mines. These "Pipoteros" only drive Toyota 70 series pick-up loaded with 6 - 8 drums.
We spent about 15 minutes clearing the debri in front of Fernando's truck to asses the condition of the crossing and figure out exactly how to anchor the bridge to each side. Suddenly, we hear another truck from the other side of the road and we knew it had to be the "Pipoteros".
Another 7 guys were added to the crew that worked on the bridge. We wanted to move towards Angel Falls while they (The Pipoteros) wanted to move towards "La Paragua" to re-fuel.
The goal of reaching "Tierras Blancas" seemed more distant every minute.
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- Thread starter
- #187
Finally, after 5 hours, the bridge was complete enough for us to cross it. It was already dark and we were still about 6 miles away from "Tierras Blancas". Fernando and Omar knew that there were some serious obstacles on the road between our current location and "Tierras Blancas". A decision was made to cross all the trucks (and allow the Pipoteros to go their way) and set up camp on the trail and get to "Tierras Blancas" the next day.
Fernando crossed first, and then Iker anchored his 8274 winch to Fernando's truck. Our fear was that Iker's truck (currently in front wheel drive only) could slip of the bridge when the front tires pulled forward.
We provided the drivers with crossing instructions as visibility was limited.
Fernando crossed first, and then Iker anchored his 8274 winch to Fernando's truck. Our fear was that Iker's truck (currently in front wheel drive only) could slip of the bridge when the front tires pulled forward.
We provided the drivers with crossing instructions as visibility was limited.
- Thread starter
- #189
All these FZJ71 had a 4.5L EFI engine with the 3-coil ignition system. I was amazed how bullet proof this 3-coil ignition system is. They only added dielectric grease to all the connections and made sure that the air intake was truly water-tight. All the breather hoses were routed to the bulkhead at least (even with the raised breather hoses the differentials and transfercase get full of water).
The FJ40 had the carburated 2F+ with electronic ignition. The distributor cap was sealed and it did surprisingly well on all water crossings. The truck did not ever stall.
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this is awesome. Thanks for posting all of this!
- Thread starter
- #198
By the time we got to Tierras Blancas, all the trucks had taking a little beating and they were due for some love.
A group started working on pulling Iker's 3rd member and see what all failed. Also, we were hoping that somebody had brought the spare parts needed to get it going.
Omar's alternators (dual alternator set-up on his FZJ71) quit charging and they were needing some attention. Also, his lockers quit engaging and inspection as why this was happening was needed.
Fernando's rear leaf's were loose and the two load leaf had shifted a little. Also, the rear flexible brake hose had been ripped by the jungle. Fernando condened the rear lines leaving the FJ40 with front wheel brakes only (which worked perfect by the way).
Robert's truck started showing signs of wear in the throw-out-bearing (heavy noise) but other than that was in pretty good shape.
A group started working on pulling Iker's 3rd member and see what all failed. Also, we were hoping that somebody had brought the spare parts needed to get it going.
Omar's alternators (dual alternator set-up on his FZJ71) quit charging and they were needing some attention. Also, his lockers quit engaging and inspection as why this was happening was needed.
Fernando's rear leaf's were loose and the two load leaf had shifted a little. Also, the rear flexible brake hose had been ripped by the jungle. Fernando condened the rear lines leaving the FJ40 with front wheel brakes only (which worked perfect by the way).
Robert's truck started showing signs of wear in the throw-out-bearing (heavy noise) but other than that was in pretty good shape.
