the no dosh LJ revamp

[Anton]

I have found no rot at all! Anywhere!

That's what you want really. I'd take a rotten but mechanically sound Zuki over a shiney with suspect mechanicals anyday, but if you can get one that's both...

[donkeychomp]

Nice Python pic...

Let's put it this way. This LJ has a years MOT with no advisories.

MOT man was Stevie Wonder or a mate of the previous owner. It'll pass an MOT now...but not when I bought it.

The engine is sound...gearbox might be on the way out but I have a replacement handy. Tbox is good. When we changed the oils both diffs were full of gunky stuff but the tbox was clean new oil. Still can't find the fill hole for the gearbox lol.

Bodywork is rough as hell, dents everywhere but NO rust as is the underside. Clean as a whistle. Props seem to be ok (ish) rear is spot on but the front and middle have a bit of play in them. A mate (Sam Hi Lux owner x2) is looking for some Toyota Landcruiser props, with the funky UJ meaning they can run at extreme angles. Failing that I'll source new props or get some fresh UJs.

Doors don't close properly, tried three different seals and none work. Arf.

Guess you can call this car a rolling restoration. Wankers at Adrian Flux are disputing it's value. I told them I can sell this when it's finished for £10K+ but they argue otherwise. Fuck it, it's still insured lol.

Seriously though I am not selling this. The blue one...yes. But so far that LJ has cost me £1250 in parts and labour (including my own) and it's beginning to sting a little. If I can't sell Piglet3 I might have to ebay Kawazonkey and I really want to keep that bike.

She runs now btw!

So soldier on, get the blue LJ MOT'd and sell it, if I can recoup my losses I'll be happy. Then I get to keep the ZXR and put some funds into another resto project that's coming next year. Yes it's a Suzuki!

[Anton]

Then I get to keep the ZXR and put some funds into another resto project that's coming next year. Yes it's a Suzuki!

Are you trying to compete with Scottie or something??? ANOTHER????

Still, if anyone's got the skills and the billies to do yet another Zuk rebuild (other than Scottie) it'd be you...

[Boyes]

Nice Python pic...

Let's put it this way. This LJ has a years MOT with no advisories.

MOT man was Stevie Wonder or a mate of the previous owner. It'll pass an MOT now...but not when I bought it.

The engine is sound...gearbox might be on the way out but I have a replacement handy. Tbox is good. When we changed the oils both diffs were full of gunky stuff but the tbox was clean new oil. Still can't find the fill hole for the gearbox lol.

Bodywork is rough as hell, dents everywhere but NO rust as is the underside. Clean as a whistle. Props seem to be ok (ish) rear is spot on but the front and middle have a bit of play in them. A mate (Sam Hi Lux owner x2) is looking for some Toyota Landcruiser props, with the funky UJ meaning they can run at extreme angles. Failing that I'll source new props or get some fresh UJs.

Doors don't close properly, tried three different seals and none work. Arf.

Guess you can call this car a rolling restoration. Wankers at Adrian Flux are disputing it's value. I told them I can sell this when it's finished for £10K+ but they argue otherwise. Fuck it, it's still insured lol.

Seriously though I am not selling this. The blue one...yes. But so far that LJ has cost me £1250 in parts and labour (including my own) and it's beginning to sting a little. If I can't sell Piglet3 I might have to ebay Kawazonkey and I really want to keep that bike.

She runs now btw!

So soldier on, get the blue LJ MOT'd and sell it, if I can recoup my losses I'll be happy. Then I get to keep the ZXR and put some funds into another resto project that's coming next year. Yes it's a Suzuki!

Just a quick thought have you adjusted the door latches, the "hoop" that bolts to the B pillar? My passenger door wouldn't shut, and I put it down to bucket seats that were too wide for 2 years, then the other day I was fiddling outside while bored and unbolted and moved the said item outward, and hey ho the door shut properly! I was chuffed and all that time my passenger door was only on half latch!

Top items on this picture!



It looks a good bit of kit, I think it will be worth it in the end something a bit different to the usual battered SJ's, and not overly modified subtle off roading mod's now you've invested all the time in her she's got to be a keeper! Until at least you get offered the right money for it to be worth letting her go.

[ScottieJ]

Bodywork is rough as hell, dents everywhere but NO rust as is the underside. Clean as a whistle. Props seem to be ok (ish) rear is spot on but the front and middle have a bit of play in them. A mate (Sam Hi Lux owner x2) is looking for some Toyota Landcruiser props, with the funky UJ meaning they can run at extreme angles. Failing that I'll source new props or get some fresh UJs.

Do you mean double cardon props? If so you are going to have to completely change the angle of your front and rear diffs as you need to point the flange straight at the tcase outputs for proper alignment. The front would require cutting and turning the steering knuckles and that's not an easy job, rear would mean cutting off and relocating the spring and link mounts.

Double cardon props actually bind during flex before a normal prop will, they have less movement in the UJs.

Best to stick with a normal prop, it will be less work. seeing the angles of your props I don't really think you have to worry that much.

[donkeychomp]

Cheers for both bits of info. I will certainly check the door catches and I guess I need a new front and middle prop!

Did some more bits today...bumper painted, door off and that's been sanded down, inside primered and it's all back on the car. Side light packed up again...I hate electrics, I really do. And then the fog light joined in the fun and games. Got a new one in the garage and will bung that on tomorrow.

Phone call informs me the blue LJ is hot to trot apart from the steering parts. Decided to try a 'cheat'. Found some universal ball joint covers...will clean and respray the bars and the damper, fit the covers and pack 'em in grease. Then we see if Mr Mot Man passes it.

Oh and Anton...pics of the rear axle for you!

[Anton]

Nice work! I really should make some door cards for my SJ, and make it all one colour. I was thinking I might buy some cheap rubber sheeting, 1mm thick, and make some thin mdf door cards, line them with the rubber, then perhaps line the floor of the SJ too.

As for the coil spring setup, I've been told by several people that doing a coil conversion requires an IVA, I've looked and looked and looked for solid information on the DVLA webbie, and there's nothing on there about swapping suspension that I can see. No guidelines. I guess as long as it's not falling off, they don't mind what you do - I can't see my SPOA conversion being any different (legally) to your coils.

I might join you (one dim, distant day) in the land of the coiled zuk. Once all the other work is done!

[donkeychomp]

I have a big roll of that rubber, came with P5, and I'll be making some rubber 'carpets' later on.

Did the radiator today amongst other little bits, good to know that a 413 rad can wriggle into an LJ with a few new holes drilled in it...

And put my SCUK sticker on!

[donkeychomp]

Every day a couple of jobs get done...I normally get maybe 20 minutes to pop to the garage and do something...maybe an entire hour if I'm lucky!

Cleaned out and painted the glovebox, then decided to make some trim for it from the remainder of the door card stuff I had left over. Automotive glue doesn't work with it so I'll use velcro.

Sun visors arrived from Steve Green, many thanks matey! Cream not a good colour, but I needed a set badly, they are now black!

A courier came and collected Ladaman's axles...and left me sod all, emailed Stoor about this lack of, well, anything even remotely professional. I wasn't very polite I must say but this service is shocking when I've just paid him £245.

Oh well.

[donkeychomp]

Been a busy bunny...cleaned up and repainted P5's steering, the new boots can go on packed with grease and with a bit of luck we'll have an MOT.

Since I out in the new radiator and thermostat P6 has been loosing coolant...both rear heater hoses were leaking, so new ones on...anyone got that engine blanking rubber? (see pic)

Fog light packed up, so a new one put on.

And today I made up the rubber 'carpets'. Pretty obvious how I did it if anyone else wants to make the template. And children, remember... sharp knives should be handled by an adult only...