the no dosh LJ revamp

[donkeychomp]

Right. I am having a serious headache with Piglet 6. The new starter motor worked fine for all of 2 weeks then packed up. As I had bought it years ago I couldn't send it back so this time I bought a recon one with a years warranty. Fitted and it works but it sounds all wrong. A very 'tinny' noise as it cranks over. Then more issues. Drove her home and about a mile to go it sounds like the exhaust has blown. Got home, looked everwhere, nothing amiss, then I noticed the power steering belt (newly fitted) was very loose. Could this be making all that racket? Next day armed with tools I went to adjust it and was slightly alarmed to see it was tight again! Noise is still there, gets louder as I drive it but not when parked up and revving it. If I throttle back (when driving) it all sounds normal. Bloody confused here.

[kiwizook]

any cracked mounts mounts or brackets? suppose they can move when heating up. also all bolts on starter motor and gearbox mounting tight? sounds really confusing though

[andyrew]

Yea motor mounts might be a good thing to check?
Is the exhaust close to anything that it could vibrate
Against?

Did the old starter have any odd wear on the teeth?
Maybe pop starter out and look for any movement or odd marks
On the flywheel?

[donkeychomp]

Sound advice lads.

Went over everything. No cracks anywhere, bolts all tight, zorst near nothing. Engine mounts all good. Next week I'll limp it over to a mate for him to fix it lol.

[Rabid Rhino]

I think I owned your LJ160 when it was stock from about 2002 to 2008 when I just kept it in storage before giving it to Leigh Jeremy Catherick who built it along with a bunch of other similar ones. Hence the "LJC"s welded all over the chassis. As for the paint, he does like brushing it on.

If you still having problems finding parts give Leigh a call 01227 720852

35" Tyres ?
My old LJ160 had MkII 410 axles with 413 half shafts and handled 33 MTRs with a rear LSD with no problems. My second LJ160 with 413 front axle and cut down Vit rear like yours is coming over to the US shortly and will be going on 35s as soon as I find a set of Parnelli Jones Dirt Gripz (discontinued years ago). 33s are pretty much the norm out here but lot of guys run 35s. You'll be fine.

Hope you take it to muddy good weekend.

Few upgrades I'd like to do.....
Move petrol tank up into space made by body lift
Make rear valence out of 3 or 4mm U channel as stock one is too weak & exposed as your one proved
Make sills out of box section with foot stop hole so no need for tree/rock sliders
Make narrower front bumper out of 3 or 4mm U channel as stock bumper is too weak

Soft top. I just got one from MasterCovers...... £750 !!!!!!!! I think they're the only ones who have the pattern. It was a special order in the "anus Rampage" style so the roof is 9" shorter at the top back to give a slanted rear. They may do stock for slightly less.

[ScottieJ]

Sound advice lads.

Went over everything. No cracks anywhere, bolts all tight, zorst near nothing. Engine mounts all good. Next week I'll limp it over to a mate for him to fix it lol.

Did you check what i mentioned on whatsapp?

[donkeychomp]

Yes I did Scottie and that's all fine. I'm still wondering how a loose power steering belt can tighten itself overnight. Suggests somethings collapsed like an engine mount but everything is all good!

Yes this was done by Leigh, crap spray job by me and she's already been to MGW!

[Anton]

crap spray job by me and she's already been to MGW!

And she looked good too!

[ScottieJ]

Alex have you pulled the engine mounts out to check them? Because of the semi captive design it's often hard to tell if they have actually failed without removing them,

[donkeychomp]

Now there's a thought! I'll do that cheers matey