Builds 2L-T vs 2L-TII LJ70 Build (2 Viewers)

[Dprio34]

@GTSSportCoupe Nick, Thanks again for all the help and support. I did think about the horn disrupting airflow, but I didn't want to throw anything else into the mix at that point. I will probably relocate the horns in the spot the battery use to be. I really am disappointed in the tone of the Blue/Gold Hellas, and may go with another brand. They are only marginally less whimpy than the stock horns. Also, one of these days I'll get around to a fan shroud.

 

[Dprio34]

Then get your 1/4" Aluminum Plate and 57mm Hole Saw to cut the flange for the Intake Manifold. I found it easier to cut the (3) mounting holes first and then cut the 57mm hole second. Much easier to get the spacing correct. Also, get some shorter stud bolts for the Intake Manifold, as the stock bolts will be too long.

 

[Dprio34]

Next, relocate the stock battery tray back toward the firewall approximate 3-4", or the battery will hit the tube from the IC to Intake Manifold. If you are lucky like me, the PO will have installed an alarm system in the real estate you now need, and you get to deal with going from under the hood to under the dash, fun stuff. I used the stock support holes on the fender and wheel wells as best as I could to provide strength and support the weight of the battery.

 

[Dprio34]

Just to recap some Throttle issues, My LHD LJ70 is a 1989 that came with the first generation 2L-T engine which I replaced with an 2L-TII that came out of RHD vehicle. The previous Throttle Cable support / actuating system was somewhat cobbled together due to a variety of reasons. Previous set-up utilized the "Turbo Intercooler / Cross-over Tube" to hold the Throttle Cable. Fabricating the new Throttle Bracket was probably the most difficult part of the job. Everything needs to line-up and be supported. Just tedious, not impossible.

We shall see how this solution holds up over time. It is a bit more rigid than the previous set-up since the previous had hoses at each end to cushion vibrations. Time will tell.

 

[Dprio34]

I got everything lined up with the Throttle Cable, finally. I also bought a new Ignition Switch Harness and I went with a new Ignition Key Cylinder Set as well, since there wasn't any key code on my cylinder and the key was occasionally getting jammed up, usually when it got cold.

As a side note, I managed to knock loose a very compromised ground wire on the starter when I was installing the Injection Pump. I did manage to talk myself into something that was not causing the problem, and went down another rabbit hole.

 

[Dprio34]

The final result after a 100 mile test drive yesterday made this long involved project worth every busted knuckle and cuss word. Around town between 0-3 psi of boost, I would say there is a very minimal decrease in power, maybe due to turbo lag, or maybe it was my imagination. From 3-5 psi of boost, I say it is running about 20 - 30 degrees Celsius cooler on flat ground, certainly no decrease in power. However, on the 20 mile road where I usually pay attention to climbing EGTs the results were impressive. In the past, I've hit 700 - 715 Celsius EGT on a number of occasions, was which the entire reason I wanted the FMIC. Yesterday's temps / OAT was over 90 degrees Fahrenheit / 33 Celsius and my EGT never got past 585 degrees Celsius. So the 130 degree Celsius drop in EGT was worth doing this upgrade for me. I hope this writeup helps someone out and saves a cylinder head or two. Cheers.

 

[Dprio34]

We just wrapped up a 5793km / 3600 mile Road Trip in Nevada, Oregon, Washington State Coast, and California Coast. This is the first time we had the LJ70 out on an extended road trip with the Intercooler and 33" KO2 Tires. Mileage was about the same, averaging 25 mpg the over the entire trip. It was also the first time I put B-20 Bio-Diesel in the tank and I really didn't notice any difference in mileage or operating temperatures. The 2L-TII burned .75 quart of oil and I had to add a 1/2 gallon of coolant after arriving home.

We tent camped for 13 nights and 1 hotel when T-Storms were forecast and arrived.
That said, we are tent campers, but not the best campfire chefs. Most of the food was pretty average or not so good where we stopped (we were however, turned away from what appeared to be a lot of great places due to limited seating capacity by Order of the Governors). However, we'd definitely recommend the following 3 places to stop when on a road trip:
* River Tap, The Dalles, Oregon (Tasty Food & Craft Beers)
* Taylor's Sausage, Cave Junction, Oregon (Awesome Breakfast) / Really a one of a kind place!
* Tall Town Cafe & Bakery, Lakeview, Oregon (Awesome Breakfast)

Attached a few highlight pics from the trip.

SOUTHERN NEVADA - US 95

 

[Dprio34]

Northern NEVADA / Eastern OREGON

 

[Dprio34]

Rogue River / Oregon Coast

 

[Dprio34]

NorCAL, US 101 & US 1

 

[coldtaco]

Nice, thanks for sharing

 

[Dprio34]

@coldtaco , glad you enjoyed the pics. One of these years, we hope to get up your way. It is #1 on the bucket list.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Looks like a great trip! I'm glad the LJ70 ran well for you. Excellent pictures.

 

[Dprio34]

@GTSSportCoupe , Thanks Nick! I was a very nice trip even with the covid closures and smoke from the fires. Hope to get up to your way one of these days and explore Vancouver Island. I had hope to visit Kris this trip, but we ended up staying on the Olympia Peninsula area and the coast. Maybe we can to a PNW meet up once the border opens back up.

 

[Dprio34]

Cut out some new panels out of ABS for the back of the LJ70.
PO really jacked up these panels up, cutting holes for rear speakers.
The Importer blamed U.S. Customs for destroying the panels, as they supposedly were looking for contraband.
I'm not buying that excuse though. Hopefully these ABS panels turn out alright w/r/t not making too much vibration.

 

[Dprio34]

I finished dialing in the Inside Trim Boards today. Everything lined up pretty well, and I wish I had done this project a few years ago when I did the rear carpet. 1/8" Black ABS sheet match the grey interior rather well. I had grey on order, but the supplier couldn't get at this time.
So overall, I'm happy with the black. Don't for get the Trim Board Clips #90467-12031 for this job.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

That looks great!!!

 

[Dprio34]

Fabbed up a mount for the Amplifier. The longest thing about these projects is deciding where to put things. In the end the amp went behind the center console. Toyed with the idea of hinding it behind or mounting it to the Inside Trim Boards but it ended up behind the console. There also seemed to be excessive dust and dirt entering the area behind the trim panels. Seat Belt mounts hold this unit in place.

 

[Dprio34]

Starting to button things back up. Not sure if this will work long term, but put “Frost King” self stick Weatherseal & Vinyl Foam on the vent openings. Factory stuff was pretty much all gone. We shall see how long this aftermarket stuff lasts...

 

[HP96]

Looks like a great trip! I'm glad the LJ70 ran well for you. Excellent pictures.

Hi Nick and Everybody!

I've got the 2.4TD 2LTII engine in my 1990's LC. The engine has been washed 2-3 times in the last 3 weeks and now it's sure, we have to take off the cylinder head, because the oil is leaking from that area (in the front at the left side, where the engine number is, in the rear at both sides). I hope it's only a faulty gasket, because it hasn't got any coolant loss, power is constant and the engine starts and runs smooth.

1. I'm on the way to order the parts like engine overhaul gasket kit, cylinder bolts- and gasket. What do you think? Should I buy original parts, or are Elring/Victor Reinz parts good as well?

2. I've got some manuals for the car. But I'm not sure which one to use because the bolt torquing powers are not the same. Manual 1.: three passes tighting, torquing (118Nm) on the final pass. Manual 2.: 1. pass torquing with 78Nm, 2. pass 90° retighting, 3. pass additional 90° retighting.

3. Can I find somewhere a correct manual for the engine 2LTII?