Builds A Canadian build of a JDM BJ74 - *TECH ONLY PLEASE - NO CHAT*

[Malahki]

Finally some progress to report. I pulled the rear limited slip differential out, threw it in a bucket and shipped it off for a ARB locker install and pinion crush sleeve eliminator kit.

 

[earl]

Nice work! Gives me motivation to get doing something with my BJ. Good to see another 70 series in Lethbridge too that isn't for sale

 

[Malahki]

Nice work! Gives me motivation to get doing something with my BJ. Good to see another 70 series in Lethbridge too that isn't for sale

The irony is I am getting my BJ71 ready to put up for sale in Lethbridge.

 

[Malahki]

The starter decided to give up on me the other day, after 20 years of use I guess it can be expected. Pulling the starter out is very tight but can be done without any additional work. After unbolting the starter it is necessary to rotate it in position so that the motor is on top and the drop the front end down between the frame and engine. The gear housing will then drop through with a little twist.

Like I said it is extremely tight and probably took me half an hour to get it out. Putting it back in was a 10 minute job

 

[Malahki]

Decided it was finally time to update my build thread.

So after a bunch of grief with the original locker install, I had it rebuilt and re geared with 4:56's

The whole story can be seen here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/334465-gear-noise-after-locker-install.html

And the complete rebuild here:
http://gearinstalls.com/preston.htm

 

[Malahki]

I bought a second complete third member and ARB locker with the 4:56's from Justdifferential.com

The original diff is on the left and has the ARB RD-124 which is for the semi of full floating axle, I put it in the front. It is the older design and has since been replaced with the RD-153

The new diff on the right is the ARB RD-142 for the full float axle only and also being the newer version I chose to use it in the rear

 

[Malahki]

Next up was the Safari snorkel install. As many of you may know the template pattern that comes with these kits has the holes marked wrong. So after marking the template holes and lots of measurements I determined the placement of the large hole was correct and cut it first.

I then inserted rubber nipples into the threads on the back side of the snorkel body and used paint on them to transfer their position on to masking tape on on the quarter panel

You can see in the last pic how far out the template marks are from where the actual holes were drilled

 

[Malahki]

I cut the square hole in the air box and drilled and riveted extra holes on the neck that attaches

 

[Malahki]

For the upper pillar attachment I simply drilled round holes and riveted the mount in place rather then using the plastic thread inserts supplied. Which works fine sinse I have never had any desire to fold the wind shield down

 

[Malahki]

I installed a Cobra 75WXST CB radio and Uniden external speaker on the dash. The reciever box for it is mounted behind the glove box attached on the metal brace beneath the dash.

 

[Malahki]

Then came winter and a new set of Firestone Winterforce LT studded tires in a 285/75-16 (33x11x16), mounted on ProComp Rock Crawler 16x8's

 

[Malahki]

Just in case I ever need them I also downsized and fitted the tire chains off of my old Unimog 401. I sure do miss that thing

 

[ForealBoreal]

Sweet!

Ps those mog tires look sick!

 

[Malahki]

It was late last night when I was updating the thread and skipped over a few things.

When I installed the front locker and had everything apart, I upgraded to the Longfield wipers and the MarlinCrawler heavy duty inner axle seals. It has been a long time and a lot of miles and the knuckles still look clean and dry!

At the same time I purchased a front and rear 4+Plus U-bolt flip kit through Man-A-Fre. Their was some initial confusion on what length U-bolts and direction of the right and left rear shock mounts because they had not installed a kit on a 70 series at the time. Dave Gore (LCWizard) who makes the 4+Plus products was super helpful and made sure I got the right parts in the end. And of course I had to redrill the bottom plates to accomadate the front axle being moved ahead

Unfortunately I have still have not installed the rear flip kit......

 

[Malahki]

Excuse the poor picture quality

 

[NGray]

I envy your front bumper. Great job on that.

 

[Malahki]

and a shot of the upgraded seals

 

[Malahki]

New 3" exhaust with a combination of mandrel and relief bends.

 

[Malahki]

Not to happy about the bends that came after the muffler. One of those times when the shop thinks they're doing the right thing and saving you money but I should have been more clear about wanting mandrel bends through out

 

[Malahki]

The stainless steel Aero Turbine muffler is a thing of beauty!! It claims to increase exhaust flow and help reduce EGT but without a Pyrometer I cant really verify that. I can tell you I love the deep throaty sound of this exhaust system.

Some info on the muffler:
http://www.blackclouddiesel.com/Aeroturbine/aeroturbinemufflers.htm