Rejuvenation Treatment for Old Girl LJ73 / build
- Thread starter drujba
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Wow you really take it to the next level!! Nice input on the steering gear. I read somewhere that you can use a steering gear unit from the 80 series but I’m not sure if’s correct. Do you have good access to second hand parts in Romania or do you only use new parts?
Anyway good work
Anyway good work
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- #23
Great work …..you also might want to share with us what is lurking in the opposite corner of your shop on the coilovers
Haha, no, that's the rig of a friend, I think it was in my shop for fixing some problems he had with the electric harness at that time.
This picture was taken last year. As I think I mentioned, this LJ73 project is already finished, therefore it looks like it's happening so fast. Therefore it seems like "binging" a tv show.
But, yes, there is an idea sitting on some coilovers, only it's not yet happening...
The Patrol Y60 parts are available quite cheap as used parts, therefore I used this steering gear. In my opinion it is virtually indestructible, given the size of the LJ73 compared with the NISSAN Patrol GR.
The TOYOTA used parts are expensive and more scarce.
But installing a stronger steering gear was not the only thing it was done, we reinforced the links, the arms, and the rest of the steering. I could go into more details, if anyone's interested.
I was also using lot's of new parts, for instance everything that was containing rubber is brand new. I mean all bushes, all hoses, all weatherstrips, and others, etc., all these are new parts. You will see it later on, in a couple of days I think I will deliver the whole story.
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- #24
Anyway, as soon as the engine block was assembled, the (re)build up started:
All the aluminium parts that look new are not new, they are refurbished.
Water pump and other "functional" items are new
For suspension I have chosen the Tough Dog products, as I think this is the best you can get at hobby level. I had very bad experiences with products having a much better marketing.
All the aluminium parts that look new are not new, they are refurbished.
Water pump and other "functional" items are new
For suspension I have chosen the Tough Dog products, as I think this is the best you can get at hobby level. I had very bad experiences with products having a much better marketing.
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- #25
And on with the story: the engine was built on the spot:
New, original exhaust line was fitted.
New, original exhaust line was fitted.
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- #26
Going forward:
At this moment, she was already sitting back on her wheels...
At this moment, she was already sitting back on her wheels...
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- #27
Meanwhile we started to re-assemble the body. The "marriage" was following soon 
I'll stop with new posts for the moment, If there are more questions, I'll be happy to answer them.
I'll stop with new posts for the moment, If there are more questions, I'll be happy to answer them.
Thanks again for the pictures! There is another way to upload pictures using the 'Album' in your User Profile. But it does not put pictures nicely into the thread the way you have - also, you might only get the Album upload option after a certain number of forum posts. I know it is frustrating, but thank-you for your patience. Your build is something special and worth seeing.
I was curious about your comment of the LJ73 steering box being 'light duty' I looked up the part numbers, and it is the same housing as in the heavy duty 70 series. So I don't think it is any weaker than the 'heavy duty' 1990+ 70 series. Nice to know there are stronger steering boxes available though! Good job adapting the Nissan box.
I was curious about your comment of the LJ73 steering box being 'light duty' I looked up the part numbers, and it is the same housing as in the heavy duty 70 series. So I don't think it is any weaker than the 'heavy duty' 1990+ 70 series. Nice to know there are stronger steering boxes available though! Good job adapting the Nissan box.
- Thread starter
- #31
Adapting the Patrol steering gear is not actually that easy. The steering gear case fits the TOYOTA chassis on 3 out of 4 bolts. But the 4th must be relocated together with the spacer inside the chassis - which is quite tricky. It involves cutting and welding with high precision.
The p/n for the Patrol steering gear is 4920052N00 for LHD vehicles
Than you have to adapt the pressure hose coming from the steering pump.
You have to reinforce the steering links and at least the first steering arm - the upper steering arm on the right wheel. This is cast iron, so welding on it has to be TIG /WIG. I'll post later a picture of the reinforced arm, so you can see what I am talking about.
And last but not least, you have to reinforce the bolts that fit the steering arms onto the knuckle. By reinforcing I mean increase their diameter, from M12 to M14 X 1,25 thread.
From this point of view, the Patrol axles are much better, because the steering arm is not bolted onto the knuckle, it is casted together with the knuckle.
The p/n for the Patrol steering gear is 4920052N00 for LHD vehicles
Than you have to adapt the pressure hose coming from the steering pump.
You have to reinforce the steering links and at least the first steering arm - the upper steering arm on the right wheel. This is cast iron, so welding on it has to be TIG /WIG. I'll post later a picture of the reinforced arm, so you can see what I am talking about.
And last but not least, you have to reinforce the bolts that fit the steering arms onto the knuckle. By reinforcing I mean increase their diameter, from M12 to M14 X 1,25 thread.
From this point of view, the Patrol axles are much better, because the steering arm is not bolted onto the knuckle, it is casted together with the knuckle.
- Thread starter
- #32
Coming back to the story line, as I mentioned before, we had to prepare for the "wedding"
We brought the more or less assembled body to the elevator:
The chassis came underneath:
And that was it. They are back together again.
We brought the more or less assembled body to the elevator:
The chassis came underneath:
And that was it. They are back together again.
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- #33
As this vehicle was registered as "commercial, 2 seater" we custom built a crate for the back. We used a drawer system from Front Runner, but the rest was custom built. We integrated the air compressor, an air tank, an air outlet, some nice loudspeakers together with some amps.
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- #34
I am quite happy how this came out, so I would like to add few more pictures.
As this is an "old school" vehicle, the audio is also "old school"
As this is an "old school" vehicle, the audio is also "old school"
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- Thread starter
- #35
From this point, it was going nice and easy. We were working like in the factory, wearing white gloves that didn't got stained.
We added, and added, and added all the remaining parts, until we emptied the garage...
We added, and added, and added all the remaining parts, until we emptied the garage...
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- #36
more pics:
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- #37
and some more:
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- #38
At the beginning of this thread, I was mentioning attention for details. Check this out:
The label on the air filter case is no longer available trough the spare parts program. So I fabricated it by myself...
The label on the air filter case is no longer available trough the spare parts program. So I fabricated it by myself...
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- #39
The French version of this Land Cruiser is a little bit different from the standard European version. It comes as standard with 2 batteries, with brake discs on the rear axle, with chromed radiator grill. I really appreciate that.
More detailed pics:
More detailed pics: