What did you do on your 70 series today? (12 Viewers)

[Billyfj7312ht]

Found a few rust spots in the floor of my 70 series tub camper build a few months ago so thought I'd follow it back till I hit some good steel.

Just a little bit further......

Needed some steel which was quoted at over $200 so decided to buy a whole tub from a 2022 Hilux for $170. I've been picking pieces off it for the last few months and selling what I didn't need. I ended up $35 infront and kept the rear LED brake light for my car.

This week I welded some subfloor supports to the wheel arches and front section. The new flooring already had 4 subfloor beams. I used a large cargo ratchet to pull the floor back in about 15mm at bottom using my car as a template for sizing and keeping it square till I tacked everything in place. Still needs more welding and patches, but structurally it's solid.

I know what your thinking - "why didn't you just use the new tub" BUT the whole premise of this build is to end up with something that resembles a 70 series so I have a matching set up and the side profile is very important to me.

 

[Tigris]

@Billyfj7312ht

Nice work. IDK about your side of the world but a good source for quality cheap sheet metal is old (emphasis on the old) filing cabinets from thrift stores. I can't take credit for the idea as I read about it somewhere here on the forum. Sorry don't remember who's idea it was but damn. For smallish patch jobs you can't beat the heavy gauge, well primed siding of a Hon cabinet!


Cheers!

 

[woytovich]

Good thing I'm replacing these upper and lower knuckle bearings...
Those aren't grease marks they are divots that you can stick your fingernail into.

 

[AirheadNut]

Good thing I'm replacing these upper and lower knuckle bearings...
Those aren't grease marks they are divots that you can stick your fingernail into.

View attachment 3775620View attachment 3775621

Did the steering feel notchy or loose?

 

[woytovich]

Did the steering feel notchy or loose?

Not especially. But between the mud terrains and the diesel vibration and the overly stiff suspension I'm not surprised I didn't notice that. I'm sure it just added one more vibration to the whole system. I'm replacing everything with old man emu along with the knuckle and caliper rebuild with new rotors so I'm hoping for a noticeable improvement!

 

[woytovich]

And I think this spindle is going to need to be replaced as well.... arrrrggghhhh

 

[speycaster]

Mine is simple, I just put the battery tender on until the snow and salt leave in about the end of April 2025.

 

[Rigster]

Found a few rust spots in the floor of my 70 series tub camper build a few months ago so thought I'd follow it back till I hit some good steel.
View attachment 3775456

View attachment 3775457


Just a little bit further......





View attachment 3775458

Needed some steel which was quoted at over $200 so decided to buy a whole tub from a 2022 Hilux for $170. I've been picking pieces off it for the last few months and selling what I didn't need. I ended up $35 infront and kept the rear LED brake light for my car.
View attachment 3775459


This week I welded some subfloor supports to the wheel arches and front section. The new flooring already had 4 subfloor beams. I used a large cargo ratchet to pull the floor back in about 15mm at bottom using my car as a template for sizing and keeping it square till I tacked everything in place. Still needs more welding and patches, but structurally it's solid.
View attachment 3775460

I know what your thinking - "why didn't you just use the new tub" BUT the whole premise of this build is to end up with something that resembles a 70 series so I have a matching set up and the side profile is very important to me.

Really love this Billy... and you did not have to explain... I totally get it. It will look awesome going down the road all matching lines and wheels. I am always impressed with the folks that can create sheetmetal magic. I feel all thumbs when I try to do this kind of stuff.

Now the challenge tier - make the trailer wheels powered as well for a 6x6 when you head off the road.

 

[cruiserdan]

And I think this spindle is going to need to be replaced as well.... arrrrggghhhh
View attachment 3775845View attachment 3775846

Trail spare.

 

[grubscrew]

Trail spare.

The pitted spindle…..a chap with a lazer welder should be able to repair that, that’s if you can find the chap, but a lazer welder is really quite a bit of kit, and can build up shafts by fractions of mms.

 

[woytovich]

The pitted spindle…..a chap with a lazer welder should be able to repair that, that’s if you can find the chap, but a lazer welder is really quite a bit of kit, and can build up shafts by fractions of mms.

Would likely cost more than getting a new one!

 

[woytovich]

Trail spare.

This truck is not going to need a trail spare spindle... so: it'll be available if anyone wants it.

 

[bj70bc]

Test fit some flares from Australia today. Hopefully I can get them mounted up tomorrow and maybe paint match them next year sometime. View attachment 3772806

i put these on mine and would recommend a beef up of the fiberglass on the inside around the important rock areas, easy to do beforehand

 

[woytovich]

Next up is the "I'm very happy I am doing this project" wheel bearing race...

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Now the challenge tier - make the trailer wheels powered as well for a 6x6 when you head off the road.

. Thanks for the confidence. Trust me, I’m at the extreme's of my Sheetmetal knowledge and my welding is less than desirable visually but I’m great at grinding and the penetration is good. 6x6 would be great but didn’t put the diff and axles in because of weight.
Cheers

 

[Paddler Ed]

Justified my procrastination by buying some interior pieces for the dash:

• Demist vent duct for the windscreen (mine had a hole in it from where a radio had been shoved in)
• Steering wheel column shroud (standard broken one fitted to mine)
• Instrument cluster dash top
• Aircon and ventilation controller

Now to get round to putting the dashboard back together, after I sort out the heater core and get the aircon sorted out to go back in as well, ready for R134 instead of R12.

Mate has said he'll help with the engine bits once I get that stuff organised, and then we'll be cooking on gas.

 

[ae86andkp61]

Today's small task. I took care of the cheap-looking overspray on the pedals from when it was repainted, and installed new pedal rubbers. The old rubber covers weren't terrible, but were showing some wear, and replacements were cheap. Sometimes the small things make a big difference!

 

[jayp2]

Nothing like new glow plugs on the 24v 1HZ

 

[Gun Runner 5]

When you back over your cell phone with a 70 Series, signal strength is no longer an issue.

 

[Felde]

A bit of maintenance today: Valve clearance and cleaned the engine bay. Also did a grease job, checked the bolts on the suspension and inspected the entire undercarriage and cavities for rust. No severe issue found. Just a few stone chips in the wheel wells that need a touch up. Sprayed some exposed cavities with FluidFilm. Took off the skid plates, which up to now never received any love. The big one got a new coat. The small ones have some cracks and need welding, so I'll see a friend who has a welder soon. . No rush.
Nice weather 🌤, so I took the rig for an extended testdrive; Valve cover is not leaking and ticking is smooth .
Cheers Ralf