LJ80's

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:24 pm

A year or so ago, I bought an LJ80 off ebay for $700. Disappointingly, it had a fair bit of cancer, especially around both footwells/firewall area, requiring extensive rust replacement and panel fabrication. Additionally, the more I looked, the more I found, with large areas of the roof adjacent to the rain gutters also needing replacing of copious quantities of bog with steel.

This turned into a longer term project when I got a new job, that takes me away from home for a week or more at a time. In fact, it stalled, with the body off the chassis. The motor had been changed to an F10A, still with the F10A sump, which was pretty well bashed in by the diff housing. Through this forum, I learnt to use an F8A sump and pickup to fix this. Eventually, after much searching I found one of these to be fitted.

But the problem of the extensive rust still remained. The only real bonus in the purchase was a brand new set of 4 235/75R15 tyres were fitted, and came with the purchase.

Today, I drove to Bundaberg, and bought another LJ80, which I was told was pretty much rust free, with the hope of using this body instead. It turns out the body is pretty much rust free, but not the front clip. There is a bit of panel damage to the firewall, as well as the roofline above the windscreen. These are fixable, and dont really pose too much of a problem for me. Unfortunately, the front guards/radiator support panel and not too good, and I may be doing a cut and shut from the 2 sets to make up one good set. But the interesting bit is the motor fitted to this one, a Datsun 120Y motor and gearbox. The car has been Qld mod plated for this. I had never heard of this engine swap. Is it common? I am really thinking of running the F10A instead of the 120Y. Is this a good choice, or is the 120Y a better prospect?

And if anyone has a reasonable set of front guards/radiator support panel lying around, preferably in the CQ area, let me know.

Cheers
Bundy

Post by **flyinwall** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:46 pm

my understanding of the datsun 1200 is that they are a fairly torquey little motor for what they are i have hears that over head valve engines have more torque down low and overhead cam motors had higher rev limits

Post by **Eddy** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:57 pm

Both the datto 1200/120Y and the corolla 1300 swaps were common. both good conversions.
If the motor is in good nick, and theres no hassles with rego or whatever, keep it. If not you'll not be handicapped with the F10A.

Post by **3 cyl** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:32 am

I'd go the F10a, it's lighter and easier to use the LJ gearbox. If you want to drop off steep banks and gullies the a12 might be a little forward and nose heavy often they vibrate too if using the datto box due to the short shaft to the transfer. If it's driveable try it for yourself if you like it you could use 1 litre diffs to let it cruise on the highway.

Post by **troopy94** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:43 am

i recently picked up a lj80 for a restoation project and it too had a datto 120y motor bot it will be replaced by a f8 If there is any parts you are looking for let me know as i have quite a few spares and there seems to be alot of ljs hiding in sheds and paddocks around here

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:36 am

Troopy, its mainly the front sheet metal, guards and radiator support panel I am chasing. There was a set cheap on ebay a while ago, but it was pick up from Adelaide, which would have been a bit difficult for me.

I have been keeping an eye out around where I work out in the bush, hoping to see one on a farm or something, but no luck yet.

I am tending more towards the F10A, just to keep it all Suzuki, even though I know its not original.

Post by **troopy94** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:52 am

yeah im finding they are the first parts to rust away and the f10 sounds like a good swap but i already had a f8 in good condition

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:02 pm

So now, after doing a little work this morning, I am faced with a bit of a perplexing problem. I had intended to mix and match the best of the 2 sets of guards, radiator suport panels, grills, ect that I had to make up one good set, BUT

The 2 front ends are different. At first I put it down to an LJ50 front end having been grafted on to one of the vehicles, but now I dont think so.

For ease of reference in the pics, I will call one the blue one, and the other the white one.

Both ID plates identify them as LJ80V's. The white one also has "Stockman" embossed, so I know it was originally off a ute. Both have only 2 screws on the indicator/parking lights, whereas AFAIK, the LJ50's had 3 screws.

Note the differences- relocated headlights, different joins between guards and radiator panel- one is straight and one is curved to clear the moved headlight, different grills- the blue one looks more like an LJ50 which was where my first assumption came from, the missing 3 vertical radiator bars on the blue one (one has been cut out on the white one.) Also the blue guards have rubber grommets in the tops of the guards, where mirrors may have been mounted (another reason for thinking it was LJ50 sheetmetal transplanted) Also the more "finished" panelwork around the headlights/indicators/park lights of the white panels.

The ID plates appear to be correct, as the numbers on the riveted plates match up with the ones on the stick on plates, which I doubt could be removed without destroying.

So the question is, did the front ends change during the LJ80 model run. Is the blue sheet metal off a transition type vehicle, near the very end of the LJ50 series, before they used the updated white panels?

[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n93/ ... 008096.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n93/ ... 008097.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n93/ ... 008098.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n93/ ... 008100.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n93/ ... 008100.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n93/ ... 008101.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n93/ ... 008105.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n93/ ... 008106.jpg[/IMG]

Anyone have any ideas on this one?

Post by **flyinwall** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:35 pm

this might make it a little easier for people

Post by **St Jimmy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:48 pm

Top one is LJ50
Bottom one is LJ80
[ps] try suzuki for a new one you never know]
regards
james

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:32 pm

Thanks Fly, I couldnt get the Fing pics to come up.

Boner, ordinarily, I would agree with you that the blue one is LJ50, but the plates in pics 5 and 7 tell a different story. Sure, the riveted plate in pic 7 could have been relocated in the past, but its numbers match the stick on plate in pic 5, which in my mind, would be a lot more difficult to move without damaging.

Post by **flyinwall** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:28 pm

to get the pics to show up from photo bucket you use the IMG Code instead of Direct link

Post by **St Jimmy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:14 pm

BundyRumandCoke wrote:Thanks Fly, I couldnt get the Fing pics to come up.

Boner, ordinarily, I would agree with you that the blue one is LJ50, but the plates in pics 5 and 7 tell a different story. Sure, the riveted plate in pic 7 could have been relocated in the past, but its numbers match the stick on plate in pic 5, which in my mind, would be a lot more difficult to move without damaging.

I know i had a lj50, and fitted lj80 bonnet nose, guards, on it so. Someone might have changed them after a acco

we did a lot of that in the 70s/80s to fit bigger rubber under them

Post by **3 cyl** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:47 pm

The LJ50 guards are 2" narrower each side, the top one appears narrower but I think it's an illusion of the camera. They both have 2 screw lights and I reckon the top is LJ80 and the bottom is Stockman. Stockman have better brakes, bigger rear axles( same size as Sierra) and stronger driveshafts. Stockman have the headlights lower in the changed grille. The Stockman was the name for the later LJ80's as a model, not just the utes (they were LJ81) The inner guards were different on the LJ50's and as already mentioned they hae 3 screw lights.(also LJ50 didn't have the slots below the grille like the LJ80 one)

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:05 pm

It is an optical illusion that makes the top (blue) front look narrower than the white one in pics 1 and 2, because in pic 3 the white one is at the top, and looks narrower than the blue one. Both are actually the same width.

I have pretty much come to the decision to cut and shut the guards from both to get a good pair, and tomorrow I am going to visit a wrecker who has a soft top LJ80, which is pretty shagged, but the front may just have enough to get me by.

Post by **yano** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:14 am

3 cyl wrote:(also LJ50 didn't have the slots below the grille like the LJ80 one)

isn't it the opposite ?

Post by **3 cyl** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:24 pm

The LJ50 front (not pictured) looks like the LJ80 (the blue one) except the guards are 2" narrower each side and it doesn't have the slots below the grille (but the grilles are interchangeable). The Stockman front (white) is totally different.

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:55 pm

The wrecker has 2 LJ80/81s. Neither front end is of any use, both rusted and battered.

Post by **nicbeer** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:39 pm

LJ81 ute the same? stockman i think, it has the 800cc?

am in perth thou and grill is not 100% last time i saw it

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:55 pm

Nicbeer,

Is the front the same as the white one pictured? Not worried about the plastic grill, mine is OK. How bad is it. I can deal with a bit of rust, but basically after a straight panel.

Cheers
Bundy

Post by **nicbeer** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:29 pm

its been a bush hack but has had barwork there,

what bit u after there.

in the second pic (the white bit?) or grill and front panel.

i will try get some pics for ya and have a better look, i think grill is ok but yeh panel may be terminal...

thanks

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:19 pm

Nic, I need the white panel in the second pic. My plastic grill is OK.

I had forgotten that a staff member at a mine loadout where we load trains at has an LJ81, in pretty good nick. Its sometimes parked by the road at the loadout. It was there when I rode past today from shopping, so stopped and had a look. From what I could see, the front panel on it matches the white panel I have (holes, grill) ect.

And, as it happened, while we were loading today, an LJ80 went past on the back of a truck. It looked pretty sad from a distance, which proved correct when the truck happened to be parked in town when I got back to the station. Apparently this vehicle is possibly destined for a resto as well.

I have emailed some suzi wreckers in search of a panel as well, no luck so far.

Post by **nicbeer** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:58 pm

ok im at home now and went pic hunting.

found a pic of it and the bit u want it is he correct one (lj81 ute btw) same as the white one u got there for the headlight placement but rusty as fark.

not seen it recently as its on a farm but it'd be worse not better than the pic.

sorry dude

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:33 pm

Argh BUGGER, Looks pretty bad. Thanks for the search anyhow Nic. Whats the plastic grill like, looks not too bad. I have recieved a PM chasing an LJ81 grill. You might get one as well.

One thing I will tell you, the indicator and park lights are worth a bit, if they are in good nick. They l;ook reasonable.

Post by **nicbeer** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:04 pm

true

i know it sucks.

i am planning to grab the grill and lights anyhow.

Post by **yano** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:00 pm

nicbeer wrote:

that is crusty isn't it !?

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:03 pm

Actually, it looks reasonably straight, apart from the area around the passenger side indicator and park light. The rust could be repaired. The LJ80 I saw on the back of the truck yesterday was a lot worse overall, and it was heading for a restoration.

Post by **ofr57** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:18 pm

BundyRumandCoke wrote:Argh BUGGER, Looks pretty bad. Thanks for the search anyhow Nic. Whats the plastic grill like, looks not too bad. I have recieved a PM chasing an LJ81 grill. You might get one as well.

One thing I will tell you, the indicator and park lights are worth a bit, if they are in good nick. They l;ook reasonable.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Suzuki-LJ50-LJ80 ... 240%3A1318

seem ok priced to me

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:52 pm

Yep, a minimum of $22.70 is pretty good for that, seeing as how it includes the body of the indicator.

I might just email the seller, to see if they have the panel I want.

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