Aussie 55 Restomod (1 Viewer)

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Got a bunch of things done, new radiator is here. Picked up a set of cheap headers, and I'm slowly getting it back together. Nothing exciting though.
I am putting together ideas for a rear disc brake swap with all landcruiser parts so stay tuned.

Also I'm not sure what to do. I'd like a cruiser that can comfortably cover large distances in the Aussie outback. But don't have funds for a second cruiser. I'm contemplating just bolting the 2f back together as cheap as I can and running it until I can drop in a diesel and 5 speed combo. Either a 1hz, 12ht or 1hdt. I'm not after power, but some of the places I want to go are over double the range of the 2f with the stock fuel tank.
 
Mate you can do the front knuckle cut for mounting the caliper on the rear for disc brakes. It's probably the easiest way to do a disc brake conversion. Very common down here and uses all landcruiser parts.

As for you diesel motor the easiest conversion will be a 2h or a 12ht. You'd want to swap in a 5 speed gearbox and get the later model engine crossmember for it too. But the 2h or 12ht should mount straight on to the 2f mounts on the chassis. It's then just wiring for the glows and the edic system. Plus they're cheap and nearly bulletproof. Well, the 2H is, the 12ht is a bit pricier
 
oh yeah - how much was the new rad? Mine has had quite a few repairs. I don't think i'll trust it for very long....
 
Yeah I was planning the front knuckle cut for the rear brakes. A 2h is my most likely choice, they are a solid motor and parts here are cheap and plentiful.

The radiator was $430 locally, $405 on eBay but I decided to support a local business.
 
Got the water pump, freshly painted pulley and new plastic fan mounted the other day. Painted the shroud last night and got it and the new radiator bolted in today. Onto the rocker cover and power steering pump bracket at the moment. Being cheap and using the 8 cans of satin black rustoleum I already have for all my painting.

Edit: rocker cover is done, and slightly better photo.
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More stuff done, thermostat housing with new thermostat is mounted. Intake is cleaned and painted.

Rebuilt and painted the power steering box, just gotta clean the pump and mount everything up and that system is complete.
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Started on my exhaust this afternoon, cut off the junk and welded on fresh pipes and a collector. Going a 2.5" pipe with a single muffler.
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Had a few minutes after work today, did some more work on the headers. Not 100% happy yet, I don't like the angle of the pipe from the front bank. Thinking of cutting the elbow back a few more degrees.
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It's been a while since I did anything on my 55, had all sort of things get in the way including buying back my old hzj80 that I owned previously. It needs a lot of attention. But today I had a good crack at some work on the 55.
Got the headers all finished off and bolted in with a new gasket, carb is back on, just awaiting new vacuum lines now. Turns out the 1 3/4" exhaust pipe I bought for the headers is also the same size as the join between the lower radiator hoses! So I just have to grab some 5/8 tube to tee into it for the heater hose and I will be able to close up the cooling system. Not long now and I will have this thing running again, then it's on to the body work!
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Guess how I got these guys clean, and it wasn't elbow grease that did it.
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scrapdaddy said:
I'm thinking, he had his Wife clean them. :)
Click to expand...

She is more than willing to drive but she draws the line at doing actual work!

I just bathed them in phosphoric acid for a few hours and hit them inside and out with a plastic scouring pad. Came up like new. The phosphoric also does this to the hose clamps:
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You guys crack me up! I'll start calling my wife phospho and see how it goes.
 
Got half an hour tonight after work and produced this. Gonna run a bead around the ends of the pipes to give the hoses something to grip to, then it will get a coat or 2 of por15 to stop it from rusting.
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