Builds SAW`s 87 LJ73 thread

[saw]

Hi everybody!

First a little introduction of myself. Male, living in Norway, and a happy owner of a 87 LJ73. I`ve posted from time to time in "what did you do to your 70-series today" tread and of course been enjoying reading mods and builds by other members of mud for some years now.

Yesterday I was asked for some more pics of my front bumper, at first I thought I could send it as a pm or just add some more pics to "what did you.." tread, but making a new tread is maybe the best way to share it with those who may find it interesting.

As everyone can see the bottom of the bumper is highly inspired by Alex Gee`s bumper.


So, I started with a frame covering "skid-plate" with air intake and sideplates for attaching to the frame ends:

 

[saw]

Bottom end continues:

 

[saw]

Some insert nuts and it`s attached to the frame ends:

So that`s the bottom end step by step:

Next up were a box to hide away the winch and the bumper itself. Tried to get it as close as possible to the rest of the car, only reason is I like it neat and clean:

 

[saw]

And the rest of all bits and Peaces:

Welded it all together:

Some paint and added some tubes, leftovers after the rocksliders, binding the bumper and the bottom end together:

 

[saw]

Then it was time for installing the winch:

 

[saw]

Almost there now!
Decided to add a bar on top to binding it all together:

And then it`s done, for now:

Feel free to comment, ask questions etc.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

Such clean work. And so well designed.

 

[clintnz]

Looks great!

One suggestion I would have is to somehow make part of the winch cover clip off easily so your spotter can have a good view of the winch drum when you are winching. Apart from the ~2% of the time when you get a straight line pull, you will always need to watch that the cable doesn't jam up on one side.

Cheers
Clint

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Very nice!

 

[saw]

Thanks for kind words and suggestions!


This x-mas I`ve been looking through pics taken of my LJ from I first got it until today, appr. three years now. Since I`ve already got this tread with my resently bumper build I thought I could post up some of them here to get them in the same place, maybe some of you might even enjoy it though it isn`t much new to be shown.

This is my first pic of the car, taken at po`s place. High km but almost no rust which is rare over here:

After some cleaning, removing old and adding version one bumpers etc. It looked like this:

Next step was changing the worn out front seats. Since the car already had second row seat from a KZJ90/95 (J9 series Prado) I chased down a set of front seats from the same car. Here in Norway we didn`t get the 3 door version so the seats came from Denmark.
I mounted the seats to the original adjustable base provisional at first to get the angel/hight in front correct befor I made the final brackets.

Luckily the original headrest fitted the new seats!

 

[saw]

When I bought the car I got a windshield with almost zero rust in the deal. Had it painted 202 Black, fitted with new gasked/window and a set of painted hinghes:

Theese items represented what I wanted the rest to be like and started a long learn full prosess.

 

[saw]

I removed the plastic covers inside the B-pillar/rollcage and changed all the volvo list from beige to black:

I also got handmade (not by myself) a copy of the rollcage that goes over the second seat row. I added a set of 3-point (not sure if thatr`s the correct term?) seatbelts for improved protection of passengers:

Quite happy with the result.

 

[saw]

Next on the list was a complete set of interior plates in aluminium:

Used the old ones (what was left of them) as templates.

 

[saw]

Continues:

Decided to lift the pocets a bit higher:

 

[saw]

Continues:

Used insert rivets (I think is the correct term) in the original holes:

Like the clean and functional look og result, easy to clean!

 

[saw]

Detail:

In the rear left found this:

My girlfriends father lend me this:

And then I started to learn how to weld... No good pics of that as I got a bit carried away at that point, but more pics of body work comes later!

 

[saw]

Next on to do list was saving my fender flares which was in a very poor state:

Made templated of the inside curves:

Then cut out new plastic:

 

[saw]

Continues.

Added the new plastic inside to the flairs:

Ready for the next thirty years or so!

Then I made a new hitch mount. Got a friend to do the welding to be sure that it stics to the car:

 

[saw]

Then it was time for chasing down some oil leaks. Both front and rear axels got some TLC:

Some new bearings too:

Mounted at set of rails on the FRP top, not for heavy load but smaller stuff:

Changed the interior clips for the roofing (?) that broke down also:

 

[saw]

At that point I missed a small center console to put my phone etc.:

Finished product in its place: