What did you do on your 70 series today? (22 Viewers)

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Long overdue exhaust. Front two pieces are stock, I found a place in Europe. The tailpipe was salvaged from a wreck and I installed a new SS AeroTurbo muffler. Much nicer and exits nicely out the back. Used the 2 1/2” band clamps for the muffler. I like them and no booger welds trying to attach the SS to cheap exhaust pipe.

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And since it’s officially summer off with the top! Usually I swap out the doors and remove the hoop but I’m experimenting with bikini tops right now.
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Time to get into the shop and fab up winch bracket for the 8274 that’s been sitting on the floor for too long
 
I’ve been driving the HDJ74 this week. It’s hotter than blazes here in Texas, and I really appreciate the air conditioning. I realize that when it had been converted from RHD to LHD, there was no drain for the under – evaporator drain… I am missing the hole, the hose, and the grommet, so after getting a wet floor for a week, I stuck a Gatorade bottle under there. I filled it 2/3 of the way up in one day… Time to find one of those curvy little hoses.

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Canadian Air Conditioning ^^^^^ See above! LOL! AC is only a dream!
 
I’ve been driving the HDJ74 this week. It’s hotter than blazes here in Texas, and I really appreciate the air conditioning. I realize that when it had been converted from RHD to LHD, there was no drain for the under – evaporator drain… I am missing the hole, the hose, and the grommet, so after getting a wet floor for a week, I stuck a Gatorade bottle under there. I filled it 2/3 of the way up in one day… Time to find one of those curvy little hoses.

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Stay hydrated, drink it and put it back. Crazy how hard that AC unit is working to dehumidify all of Texas.
 
I seriously thought about drinking it to see what it would taste like… But I saw a lot of weird bubbles in it, and decided not to.
 
Proverbial "Maiden Voyage" of the 77 today and I'm happy to post about it here instead of the Titanic thread.....

Buttoned up the exhaust and looked over brakes and everything else I had worked on (front/rear axle rebuild, valve adjustment, misc steering bits) replaced the steering stabilizer with the OME that came in

Brought her up to temp and looked for any leaks (exhaust or misc fluids) and out the driveway and UP the hill we go.......

You see, I live on a long steep winding/undulating hill that ends with a wicked left turn that if you bollux.....you end up diving off a 20' embankment into a river.....which is raging right now due to a month of monsoon......

Sooo.....since there are lots of penalty points for doing things wrong.....I tend to be ADD about vehicle work and triple checking stuff.

Turned around at the top and down the hill we go...compression braking in third was perfect....brakes? we dont need no stinking brakes!!!.....but they were perfect.

Out to the main road and took her up to the speed limit of 80kph (50mph) for a few miles and headed home.

No issues, rode great, came home and gave the 77 the first wash.

Thanks for the suggestion on the wheels/tire size Onur
 
Spent part of the day here with some fellow Cruiserheads. Several weeks ago we had “flash flood warnings” almost everyday. Fast forward to today and you had a hard time seeing the Cruiser in front of you due to dust. 😊
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Love this forum... had to replace a sand flea-sized light bulb behind the climate controls, and i found the perfect thread from 2004 ("'70 Dash Bulbs"). Shout out to Stone for the perfect instructions. If I'd gone by some manual I would've busted at least one, maybe two plastic doohickeys.

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After:

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Exemplary instructions (especially for a rookie wrencher like yours truly):

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With all of the “high end” 79 Series builds occurring over the last few years, many of which have been featured on
‘ MUD, it’s hard to believe this build (and the more recent total re-build) was started nearly 13 years ago.
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Today like everyday, have been building my 75/78. Frame off. Working on the hydronic diesel heater for instant hot water and cabin air.
It will have an aluminum cover with some vents.

Some assembly required…
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So simplemans bikini top for a BJ74. I had an old Bestop aluminum rail from my FJ40. Without drilling holes into the truck window frame I drilled into the rails using existing holes. Turns out the 40 series is essentially same width but it’s straight. My bikini top is sunbrella and custom to my 6 point roll cage. So the tucks are over a foot behind the 74 hoop. But it does fit. It would billow terribly while driving but usable. I can park at night now and keep the dew and rain off the seats and dash.

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So simplemans bikini top for a BJ74. I had an old Bestop aluminum rail from my FJ40. Without drilling holes into the truck window frame I drilled into the rails using existing holes. Turns out the 40 series is essentially same width but it’s straight. My bikini top is sunbrella and custom to my 6 point roll cage. So the tucks are over a foot behind the 74 hoop. But it does fit. It would billow terribly while driving but usable. I can park at night now and keep the dew and rain off the seats and dash.
I just ordered one for my BJ73 this week. Hoping to put it on tomorrow. @FJBen had a great post on the parts needed 70 series bikini tops - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/70-series-bikini-tops.477488/post-14189898 Sounds like an extended (now called "safari") top for a TJ goes back far enough to cover the factory roll cage as well.
 
I just ordered one for my BJ73 this week. Hoping to put it on tomorrow. @FJBen had a great post on the parts needed 70 series bikini tops - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/70-series-bikini-tops.477488/post-14189898 Sounds like an extended (now called "safari") top for a TJ goes back far enough to cover the factory roll cage as well.
I don't have a factory roll cage. I might create a single hoop on the side rails of the bed but to be honest I have no intention
of driving with this unless absolute downpour emergency. This is BC sun, not Texas sun so a hat suffices.
 
Mostly finished my lil' 24 to 12V trailer step down project and tugged the trailer on a test drive. Thanks to @lowenbrau for the wiring logic way back, @FJ73Texas for the Camry wiring harness tip and @Sundowner for motivating me with his clean install recently. I'll post some pictures on that in my 'build' thread. Also added a set of FRO generic drawers this weekend. Hadn't planned to do that for awhile but, they happen to be having a sale on the same night I happen to have 6 or 8 beers.
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Passed inspection today...was also first real drive out on highway to get to/from mechanic/inspection station.

Rode nice at 100kph with sunroof and windows open.....couldnt hear the km3's.

Hilarity ensued at the shop over where to put the inspection sticker.....supposed to be on drivers side.....

Then the tech that went to pull it out went to get in the left side....caught himself and looked around to find 4 witnesses lol.

Lots of laughter and entertainment.

Techs were shocked at great condition, lack of rust and stack of japanese maint records.
 

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