Intro to my LJ70, plus progress & upgrades (1 Viewer)

[LZFJ40]

When "Napoleon" showed up, I was very surprised to see that there was an intercooler installed. The guy I bought it from had not mentioned it and I never saw it in the few engine pics I got. I have not been able to find out anything about this particular intercooler but I am hopeful a forum member may have some info. The install is very tidy. If it weren't for the German internal wrenching allen bolts, it would like it was a factory installed unit. The brand is Huber and it has cast tanks similiar to what I have seen on intercooled Porsches. Here are a few pictures.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Did the PO change the colour when it was repainted?

 

[LZFJ40]

Did the PO change the colour when it was repainted?

From what I was told it was painted it Corsica. From what I read on the trim tag it was originally white. I can’t find a single bit of white anywhere on the body. Inside the fenders... nothing!

 

[LZFJ40]

Somewhere along the way Napoleon lost his jack. A quick glance at the prices for bottle jacks and the bits that go with and I was navigating to the High Lift Jack page. On this compact model there just isn't much room for gear much less big heavy jacks! I opted for the 36" model as it would just fit in the right rear of the LJ without taking up any valuable storage room for everyday needs. Of course I had to get the neoprene cover AND why not get the gear box that mounts to the jack. More lockable storage right? In a soft top this is a necessity! I ordered it and then hoped the wife would continue to understand the sickness .... err, necessity for these items.

Last pic is of the kiddos. They love riding in the "new" land cruiser!

 

[LZFJ40]

Next up for Napoleon was to add some Hella driving lights that I had sitting in the garage. I wasn't going to add any clutter to the front end as I liked the clean square look but there already was a factory fog light switch in there....not to mention those lights were just sitting in the garage so.... Since the driving lights are wired through the factory switch, they only come on when the low beams are on. The driving lights are only 55w so I can use them on the road without annoying oncoming traffic. The second pic is of a spare FJ40 front hook I had that I bolted to the bottom of the frame utilizing one factory captive nut and one freshly welded nut. This hook was needed since the original bumper and recovery points were missing.

 

[LZFJ40]

So only a few improvements over the last couple of days. I needed some rear head rest for the LJ. The rear seat had the holes for the head rest but no head rest! I had a set from a later model FJ40 and they fit like a glove. So after a little cleaning... here they are. I also had anew "old man emu" steering stabilizer from an FJ80 laying around and figured it would fit the 70. Bolted right on...

Sometimes you get a break!

 

[LZFJ40]

When Napoleon arrived it had a 1.5 inch body lift on it. I had initially thought I would replace the lift with the stock mounts but I have since gotten use to the height, although my wife sort of falls out each time she gets out of the car. Anyway, I normally would add some slightly wider wheels and tires to account for the additional height but this engine has enough trouble turning over these 26 5/75 16 tires. Instead of moving up in tire width I added a set of 1.25" bolt on wheel spacers.

 

[LZFJ40]

So Napoleon is being driven daily as my commuter. I'm getting more familiar with it and finding it more economical / practical than the FJ40. One thing it shares with the 40 though is the line of traffic behind me on the highway. I'm driving 50 mph in both vehicles and it seems traffic wants to do 70 mph! I got passed the other day by an old lady driving an 80's "oldsmobuick" At least I d idn't get the finger this time!!
After driving in the rain a time or two I noticed that the BFG's were throwing water and mud on the side of the LJ. Since I couldn't find any factory mud flaps I decided to make a set. I used the factory mud flap mounting points so no drilling. I made them longer, then I made them shorter! I ultimately settled on sort of a medium length. I used stainless bolts, washers and screws attached to the factory square nylon inserts.

 

[FJ73Texas]

It is quite an adjustment when you drive these older 70 series cruisers. They are slow to take off. I usually get either 1) Thumbs up or 2) The "you are #1" finger.

 

[LZFJ40]

It is quite an adjustment when you drive these older 70 series cruisers. They are slow to take off. I usually get either 1) Thumbs up or 2) The "you are #1" finger.

How true! I've found the least enjoyable part of the commute in either rig is keeping my eye on the person behind me....primarily at a stop light. For some reason the people behind me at the light don't understand I'm only going nine feet in first gear, then a relatively slow shift to second. Sometimes, I pretend I'm looking for something on the floor board as the car behind me roars past thus avoiding any eye contact.

 

[coldtaco]

How true! I've found the least enjoyable part of the commute in either rig is keeping my eye on the person behind me....primarily at a stop light. For some reason the people behind me at the light don't understand I'm only going nine feet in first gear, then a relatively slow shift to second. Sometimes, I pretend I'm looking for something on the floor board as the car behind me roars past thus avoiding any eye contact.

start in second.

 

[LZFJ40]

start in second.

That works in most instances in the 40, but its a wash in the LJ. In second it starts slower but goes further and in first it starts faster but as mentioned only goes nine feet!

 

[LZFJ40]

I've been driving Napoleon daily now and really enjoying it. I got a chance to snap a few pics of the new driving lights. These are only 55 watts but I can use them in town without getting flashed by on coming cars so they are not overly bright or blinding. There is a big difference with them on.

 

[OGBeno]

White letters inboard. It’s not a Jeep.

 

[LZFJ40]

White letters inboard. It’s not a Jeep.

That's the way it came. With what the tire shops charge now it may have to remain that way until the tires wear out!

 

[LZFJ40]

Well, I didn't get ANY work done on the LJ70 but I did get the "late model" hard top rebuilt and put on the '70 FJ40. Look @beno, no white letters!