LJ71 Ute Chop and Repower

[juz]

Thought Id throw some pics up under this Thread rather than start a new one.
Brought it Damaged and thought itd be more fun to Chop it into a Single cab and Put a Flatdeck on the back then Fix it.


Chomped.

Sorta Stitched back together..

Certed WooHoo! Pre strip back down and Paint pics..






Fast forward two years.... and ta daaaa!


















So I picked up a 2Lt powered Crusier Prado cheap,seemed a good deal. And yes I did already know there prone to cracking heads but bought it anyway.

The Problem- Blowing water out the radiator cap(pressurizing), 1st Thought was Cracked Head/Blown Head Gasket
Mechanic said to take waterpump belt off and take cap off radiator, if it blows bubbles Cracked Head/Headgasket. Did this and ...... Nothing no bubles.Yusss! Thermostat seems to be fairly new too. Any other Ideas?
Trucks got 210kms, radiator serviced not long ago (sticker says so), Last owner had it for 10years,well serviced and deffinatly not thrashed.Onroad use only, also has a Turbo timer.
Any help/thoughts would be great. Solved now thanks!.

[Taz]

First thing I'd do is replace the radiator cap.

[juz]

Forgot to post that, 1st thing I did was replace Cap. thanks Taz!

[rokhound]

Has the coolant system been bleed?

[juz]

No it hasnt, Cooling system hasnt been touched,flushed or anything since I got it. Just was driving it today when I noticed Hot smell, popped bonnet and noticed a bit of water spewing out from round radiator cap....

[rokhound]

Might be worth doing, but it does seem strange that this would be an issue if` it hasn't had the system drained

[juz]

mmmm my thorts also.....

[haynzy]

No it hasnt, Cooling system hasnt been touched,flushed or anything since I got it. Just was driving it today when I noticed Hot smell, popped bonnet and noticed a bit of water spewing out from round radiator cap....

mine did exactly the same about 6mths after replacing head at which time did everything possible to cooling system except..........
theromstat housing, check that as it may be corroded at the lip that seals the cap.

[juz]

Thanks Haynzy, will check that out today. Did that fix yours?
Justin

[haynzy]

yep all good now, was heatin upwith the boat on the back on hills but sweet as now

[juz]

Gave the top of thermostat housing a file up today and cleaned up the inside with a bit of Sandpaper,Ran it up to temp and seems to be sweet az!
Will give it a good run in next few days just to make sure, cheers Haynzy!

Also decided to Cut the truck in 1/2.......

[haynzy]

Gave the top of thermostat housing a file up today and cleaned up the inside with a bit of Sandpaper,Ran it up to temp and seems to be sweet az!
Will give it a good run in next few days just to make sure, cheers Haynzy!

Also decided to Cut the truck in 1/2.......

I would replace it just for peace of mind

[juz]

New Pics up for those wanted to see it..

[juz]

So got it all Painted in the weekend, then sprayed the deck on sunday,came up prity good I reckon. Was never sure were to put the spare. Drop the tank and put between tank and deck-lift tank and put under tank-even thought bout putting on the roof but came up with a little plan today. Mount it on the side with a bracket that can be removed or flipped around so full deck can be used.Bit odd looking but came up alright. New window in tomorrow,then do the deck wood on saturday and be all done.
No extreme offroader,more a handy capable ute.

[Mud Hog]

Very nice looks like a tidy job but would expect that from a panel beater. I think It looks cool. Will you be modding it further?

[DaveM]

Hadn't noticed this thread, only saw it when I was taken there instead of the one I clicked on.
Thats a great looking setup you have, really like the ute chop

[juz]

Thanks, Just got some 80series springs coming from Blair_ that Ill put in the front and see how it sits/handles but thats all at this stage. Had a few people ask if its forsale already so it might just get sold on if the $$ is right.

[vvilly]

bro your doing a mint job there well done

[kaney]

very tidy job!! very impressed

[79series]

Awsum set up and work mate, very cool

[juz]

cheers guys! enjoying driving it now,good to finally have it on the road. Quite a solid/bouncy ride compared to the SWB Safari though, the 2Lt is giving a few little problems,going to do some investigating tomorrow. Feel a 1uzfe conversion could be on the cards, trying to gather as much info as possible before I take the plunge.

[hippy_]

That is very cool.

I hope I get to see it next Sunday!!!

[juz]

Bit of an update, This is going in the hole...


And this is going to control the gear changes....

Its alot smaller than I thought and basic but guess thats what you get for $100. Should do the trick!

Its taking a while but is getting there.

[wjw]

Where did you get the trans controller from?

[Jerry]

looking nice

[juz]

Where did you get the trans controller from?

http://radesignsproducts.com/14Shiftcontrollers.aspx

at just over $100nz think its not too bad a deal, and fun smackin gears!

[smurf182]

Where did you get the trans controller from?

http://radesignsproducts.com/14Shiftcontrollers.aspx

at just over $100nz think its not too bad a deal, and fun smackin gears!

That's a sweet toy and it's cheaper and easier that what I could have sold an electronic solution for.

Just FYI though, as far as engine braking is concerned, in 'D' you get engine braking with third gear selected, with the shifter in '2' you get engine braking with 2nd gear selected etc. Basically I found with mine you could select 1st gear at 100kph and the engine would be at idle until you actually moved the original shifter into L. Also I found that trying to use overdrive in low range would give you what felt like 1st gear.

Hope that makes some sense. Basically just be careful until you know how all the cominations of the original shifter and your new controller perform.

[juz]

Update, 1uz In the hole, exhaust all done. Twin 2 1/4" into single 2 1/2" with one Muffler. Just the hoses etc then the wiring .....

Ahh well not too long now..
oh and would have taken more photos but got a bat fattery

[juz]

Front Sump 1uz, Pedro said itd be best option and he was right, only need to modify the Steel part of sump unlike others that have to modify the Alloy part too.



Toyota Crown Factory headers may not be pretty but they fit nicely, even with the huge flanges they fit inside the chassis rails spot on. (Have the cad file for the factory crown flange if anybody wants it.)

[juz]

After a looong time looking just picked these 16x8" Factory 80series rims up, stoked! bargain . Just gotta give them a new lick of paint then on the ute.