Gary's Ossewa - an Aussie '84 BJ42 LX

[tlc_4play]

Gary

Nice find the 84 BJ LX, wasnt that the last year of production

I'd really like to fit an Air Con to my LX, if you find a complete one lying around there down under - please feel free to contact me and I'll have it flown in to ZA

 

[baas]

Gary

Nice find the 84 BJ LX, wasnt that the last year of production

I'd really like to fit an Air Con to my LX, if you find a complete one lying around there down under - please feel free to contact me and I'll have it flown in to ZA

Thanks TLC, and yes I think 84 was the last year of production. I know a wrecker that has an A/C evaporator and hoses sitting in an LX if you are interested, otherwise if you send me a PM with your email address I'll gladly keep my eyes open for you.

 

[dancar]

Keith,

Are you looking for a 12v or 24v system? I have put a 24v A/C up in the classifieds, as I have found a complete 12v system (so I dont have to modify to work on our 12v).

Dan

 

[baas]

It started out as just replacing the rear carpet and the busted radio.......but you know how it goes. You uncover something that probably should be done and you figure, well, while I have got this off I may as well just take one more thing off And once that comes off, I may as well..........you get the picture

Very soon the inside looks like this......

And since then I have pulled the heater, the front sound/heat proofing, and about a mile of PO wire from under the dash that went nowhere! I took some precautionary measures on a few surface rust spots, cleaned out about a barrow full of outback dust, and dismantled almost everything on the inside. Heaps of bits have gone off to be powder-coated, I have a heater rebuild kit on it's way from aatlas1, and some more bits on their way from Japan. I must say that I am starting to appreciate the complexity of restoring an LX - so many little bits.....


But today I got my anodised bits back from the powdercoater....now just to remember where they all go....

I have heaps more pics and as I go along and finish the bits I'll post up my progress. Getting so frustrated that my truck is just sitting around , time to git'er done already.

 

[Gary Vansleve]

Recently acquired a few more missing parts for my truck - the rear bench seat side arm rest, rear middle seat belt, jump seat floor latch, cigarette lighter The list of missing bits to get her to OEM is getting shorter.

Mostly just missing the bottle jack handle and crank, a few tools for the tool bag, front bumper with gussets and extensions, rear mudflaps and brackets. The obsession continues and the wallet gets lighter but having heaps of fun.

@toyotaman - I'll get the mudflap measurements for you, just need a bit of time.

G'day there
Nice looking cruiser you have there. I have the LX rear seats in a 83 Troopy. Just would like to know where you got the jump seat floor latch from am after one myself.
Cheers
Gary

 

[baas]

G'day there
Nice looking cruiser you have there. I have the LX rear seats in a 83 Troopy. Just would like to know where you got the jump seat floor latch from am after one myself.
Cheers
Gary

Hey Gary, thanks.

I got the bracket from a wrecker - the planets aligned, I stumbled on a rusty old LX by chance, and paid through my nose They are really difficult to come by, I had all but given up hope on the bracket and the armrest to be honest.

It is a relatively simple device which should be able to be fabricated quite easily if you have the tools/skill. Happy to provide measurements or more detailed pics if you want - just shout.

 

[Gary Vansleve]

Cheers mate yep thought that was the case. It's good when the planets align ha ha . Will fab up the bracket.

 

[baas]

Shiny black goodness....

Finally got the bits back from the powder coating - they did a pretty reasonable job all told. Some teaser pics below, I'll update the thread as I finish putting bits back together again - thanks for looking.

 

[Jonny Tsunami]

Awesome truck!!! its going to look great when she's back together.
JT

 

[KY Longhunter]

Awesome work!

 

[peteinjp]

Looking great Gary- keep it up! I'm jealous of your progress for sure....


Pete

 

[baas]

Thanks for the encouragement guys - it really helps! I have so many "sub-projects" in various stages of completion but none finished yet, at times it feels a bit overwhelming. I'm aiming to make a huge dent in the task list this weekend. Just wish I was less OCD

Thanks again, much appreciated.

 

[baas]

Slowly slowly catch the monkey.......work has been keeping me busy and away from the garage. But it is going to be a busy weekend

Despite all the misfortune happening in Japan, this week I received a package that was posted on the day of or after the earthquake - thanks amayama trading and justin for the great service - hope you guys are pulling through

Also got the heater rebuild kit in the mail from aatlasx1 - thanks mate, great service and great product:

And last, got the heater core cleaned and welded:

 

[Roberto]

looks great brother, I have been there done the same and was a blast, it took me about a year to find the rear seats for mine through EBAY AUS and as well cost me a fortune, think I paid $400 for the rear set and $450 to ship to states but was worth it to me to have them. Only thing I am missing is the rear 2 seater portion armrest that mounts to hardtop wall, if you ever come across one please let me know for I would gladly like to to purchase. Keep up the great work

R

 

[dancar]

Gary,

I noticed that you got the original speaker mount powder coated - are you going to put it back in? Or just for completeness sake?

dan

 

[dancar]

Another quick question - did you score the plastic trim in the back? I am contemplating making friends with someone that does and arrange for a lend of them.... Plans, plans, plans

 

[baas]

Thanks guys, I'm having more fun than I have in years, and I'm learning some patience for sure

Rob - I'm guessing you never made one up from the measurements I sent you? If you have the plastic trimming the only visible piece would be the cushion, but I'll gladly keep my eyes open for one of those arm-rests for you.

Dan - The speaker and mount will go back in for now, looks like a viable place to mount an inverter or UHF later though. My truck came with the plastic trim (in not too bad shape for it's age), I've fitted the new carpet and have the brackets back from the powder coating now, so it will probably go back in in the next weeks. Do you have any of the plastic trim and what are you thinking? I'll gladly help if I can.

 

[dancar]

Gary,

I don't have any of the trim, but I have all of the brackets.. I am hoping to find someone local that would be happy for me to use the trim to make fiberglass moulds - I think that there would be a few MUDDERS that would be interested.

Cheers mate, keep up the good work

 

[Roberto]

not yet brother, I hope to get around to it, i still have a laundry list on my rig. Yes please keep an eye out for one, no worries I know these LX parts are pretty much unobtainium.

thanks, your rig is looking great, I wished I would have took a little more time on my resto and powder coated alot of parts as you did.

R

 

[baas]

Just a quick update (and a few pics)

Rebuilt the heater with all the metal bits powdercoated, new foam and seals from aatlasx1...
Before:

During:

After:

Also managed to get the number plate holder and lights done:
Before:

During:

I sealed up the light holder with some heat-shrink tube, time will tell if it is a good idea I guess

And last bit of the update, I finished tidying up the speedo cluster. My odometer was stuck so that got a clean and lube, cleaned up some dust, and treated some exposed metal with etching primer.All connectors got a clean and lube with electric cleaner, ready to be fitted back.
During:

After:

Tonight, the girls and I have been putting back as many of the newly anodised bolts as we could, really great to be sitting in the truck and spending quality time. I can see this little truck is fast becoming a member of the family