Hey guys just a couple of photos to show the progress of my Landcruiser over the couple years I've had it for. From when I first purchased it to current. Will be doing a complete build with photos and info. Cheers Aaron!
Build 1987 BJ70/75 Toyota Landcruiser SWB Build Up
- Thread starter 87SHORTY
- Start date
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- #2
She started life as stock as a rock when I first purchased it off it's original owner. All that was done to it was a UHF radio & antenna and what looked like the factory fitted ARB steel Bullbar.
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I was completing my apprenticeship at the time so I wasn't on much money per week, which meant the mods took a little longer but it was all worth it!
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List of mods before ute conversion
- 2" Lifted springs
- 2" Extended shackles fabricated by me
- Longer shocks & brake lines
- 2" Body lift
- Custom roof rack fabricated by me
- Complete rear drawer setup built by me
- 33x12.5x15 Federal Couragia's wrapped on some 15X10 -44 offset steel rims
- Dual battery setup
- A couple LED work lights & driving lights
- 2 bucket seats out of a Subaru WRX (had to replace factory seats for those long trips)
- DVD head unit & Stereo system
- Fridge mounts in the rear for the 40L Engel
& a couple other little bits and pieces.
- 2" Lifted springs
- 2" Extended shackles fabricated by me
- Longer shocks & brake lines
- 2" Body lift
- Custom roof rack fabricated by me
- Complete rear drawer setup built by me
- 33x12.5x15 Federal Couragia's wrapped on some 15X10 -44 offset steel rims
- Dual battery setup
- A couple LED work lights & driving lights
- 2 bucket seats out of a Subaru WRX (had to replace factory seats for those long trips)
- DVD head unit & Stereo system
- Fridge mounts in the rear for the 40L Engel
& a couple other little bits and pieces.
Cute cruiser
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Hahaha thanks guys! Will be posting a couple pics later on tonight to show up to date with the longer leafs and new shocks mounts!
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Quick shot of the new shock mounts tacked on that I had to fabricate to compensate for the diff moving back.
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Here's a couple photos to show the wheel base stretch. First photo was after it was converted into a ute still running a standard wheel base of around 91".
Second photo is sitting roughly 4-5" longer. All I done was unbolted my stands leafs from the chassis and did and replaced them with a standard set from a 79 series cruiser. Modified the leaf pack a little so it doesn't need 2 ton on the ass to compress hahha.
Third photo is still with the standard leafs out of the 79 they are just simply rotated 180 degrees. Which gave me a total wheel base of close to 103" because the diff locator is offset on the springs. Had to relocate the shackle hangers as far back as possible to retain a decent shackle angle.
Still need to push the front diff forward a couple inches aswell. Thinking about chucking the old rears up front. (RUF CONVERSION)
Second photo is sitting roughly 4-5" longer. All I done was unbolted my stands leafs from the chassis and did and replaced them with a standard set from a 79 series cruiser. Modified the leaf pack a little so it doesn't need 2 ton on the ass to compress hahha.
Third photo is still with the standard leafs out of the 79 they are just simply rotated 180 degrees. Which gave me a total wheel base of close to 103" because the diff locator is offset on the springs. Had to relocate the shackle hangers as far back as possible to retain a decent shackle angle.
Still need to push the front diff forward a couple inches aswell. Thinking about chucking the old rears up front. (RUF CONVERSION)
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Cheers Clint!
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It's still got a fair bit to go 
lol just wanna drive her already been a couple months
lol just wanna drive her already been a couple months
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Finally got a tiny bit more done on the shorty
Tailshaft sorted out, used a tailshaft out of a hj75 bolted straight in LOL didn't realise how much increase wheelbase I gained. All new braces and shock mounts all welded up. Couple more bits and pieces then the barwork can commence
Tailshaft sorted out, used a tailshaft out of a hj75 bolted straight in LOL didn't realise how much increase wheelbase I gained. All new braces and shock mounts all welded up. Couple more bits and pieces then the barwork can commence
Cool rig. I've always loved the 70 series.
I've got a 75 series cab for sale in Vancouver BC if someone wants to build something similar.
PM me for details.
I've got a 75 series cab for sale in Vancouver BC if someone wants to build something similar.
PM me for details.
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- #15
Thanks bj70cruiser!
Got some pretty big plans for this one! I'd love to do the same thing again when this ones finished
one day haha
Got some pretty big plans for this one! I'd love to do the same thing again when this ones finished
one day haha
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- #16
Finally got abit of a start on the tray. Pretty much the basic design of it but still definitely have to put a fair few more stiffeners, gussets & mounts to the chassis as this will be a main anchor point for the external cage. Making time to work on your own car while working on customers cars is like trying find that pot of gold at the end of a rainbow lol.
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- #17
Also turned my front springs around which gave me an extra couple of inches. May need to put longer springs in the front but at the same time considering on doing a spring over conversion.
hey there i always wanted to do this to my shorty one day i got the idea and was like, hey i wonder if its being done before so to the interwebs i go and then i see this .
but about 6 weeks ago i rolled shorty at 100kmh down the highway and now have a crushed beer can for a 70 but good news is motor, diffs ,trans and interior are all mint (some how) so in a way i now a see this as no better time to build a BJ75
im keeping an eye out for a shorty or middy chassis witch im finding very hard to find.
so once i get the ball rolling il be asking a ton of questions but i love you work and keep the updates coming
but about 6 weeks ago i rolled shorty at 100kmh down the highway and now have a crushed beer can for a 70 but good news is motor, diffs ,trans and interior are all mint (some how) so in a way i now a see this as no better time to build a BJ75
im keeping an eye out for a shorty or middy chassis witch im finding very hard to find.
so once i get the ball rolling il be asking a ton of questions but i love you work and keep the updates coming
yeah Delancy- this could be the quickest recipe for that 7x of yours. forget the 80/70 marriage and just make that 70 achieve its potential: advantages:
- shorter wheelbase rig
- lighter
- easy chop
- easy to pull a leaf or two in rear to make rear flex with less rear weight. (easy fix vs 80 re design)
- any engine is going to push that lighter rig ....think 13bt / kzt / 3bt / merc turbodiesel- even chopped 80 wont work with those engines.
lots of advantages in keeping the 70 frame/wheelbase and leafs......and has a bit better potential for "drive to trail wheeler vehicle for your arsenal"
@Delancy
- shorter wheelbase rig
- lighter
- easy chop
- easy to pull a leaf or two in rear to make rear flex with less rear weight. (easy fix vs 80 re design)
- any engine is going to push that lighter rig ....think 13bt / kzt / 3bt / merc turbodiesel- even chopped 80 wont work with those engines.
lots of advantages in keeping the 70 frame/wheelbase and leafs......and has a bit better potential for "drive to trail wheeler vehicle for your arsenal"
@Delancy