Eric's HJ45

[Eric Guldemond]

Drive train rebuild complete!
Next step is new suspension.... Leafs front and back +new shocks and shackles
So far I have seen ads from Ironman 4X4 and from N14X4 (dobinsons)
http://www.ironman4x4.co.za/html/toyota/72.html
http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/docs/catalogues/4x4/pdf/TOY-53.pdf

Are they any good? Any more suggestions? I want a softer ride, maybe also a little bit of a lift but nothing radical.

Some pics of the new drive train

[Rudi Hinze]

 Have not used Ironman but have Old Man Emu and Dobinsons on 45's. No real difference between the two in my view. The R2.5k per shock is rough though. You can get very good shocks for half that and even a good old set of Gabriel Safari for probably R500 per shock. They work just as well

[Eric Guldemond]

Hi Rudi

Thanks for the advice, still a lot of research needed.
I read that OME is maybe a bit over rated.
Maybe all the brands of new suspensions nowadays are good? Is that a safe statement?? :-)

[Jonathan Tee]

Most of the guys seem to be using Tough Dogs

[Eric Guldemond]

Thanks Jonathan, I have not known about them. Will definitely include it in my research 

[Adolf Hüster]

Pro Comp shocks also good and can be bought in the correct length for your suspension.

Can be bought from Creative Wheels in Boksburg, but I am sure they also have other dealers nationwide. They can be contacted at 011 823 5485. Speak to Leon!

[Eric Guldemond]

Thanks Adolf!
I am looking forward to starting this suspension project this year.
Thanks for the input, feedback and tips.

[Eric Guldemond]

I wanted to replace the glow-plug wiring and had to take the instrument cluster out - I then got a bit sidetracked and repainted the fascia, cleaned the glass and installed some LED back lighting - works great!

[Adolf Hüster]

Looking very cool!

[Pieter Uys]

Good job, let us know what suspension upgrade you are doing.
Also on my to do list.

[Eric Guldemond]

So to make a long story short... my CRUISER has since day one had cooling 'issues'. The temperature gauge was more like an inclinometer, the steeper the uphill the higher the temperature indicator :-) and vica verca. December heatwave conditions was the last straw - she overheated and water poured out somewhere from the radiator faster than what I can top her up...
It was clear - next project was to be a cooling system rebuilt.
So here goes.
Firstly I handed in the radiator to Silverton Radiators who struggled for more than a week to get it 'fixed' but no luck - apparently it was more than 80% blocked! They ended up rebuilding me a new one. I in the mean time got hold of a new water pump from N1 4X4.


Got rid of most of the cholesterol in the pump base, also replaced the studs and reassembled.


Got some 'packing seal' from Toyota, but no other parts were available anymore (except a new thermostat... 


Gaskets was also going to be a problem and I decided to draw my own and a colleague owning a laser cutter cut them for me from a sheet of gasket material.
Drawing:


Laser cut gaskets:


I opted for a thicker material for the thermostat gasket and he cut out one from 1.5mm material


Part numbers for the gaskets are:
16341-51011 (Thermostat gasket)
16129-47020 (Water pump cover gasket)
16271-47011 (Water pump gasket)
I will make the dxf files available here once I figured out how so if you don't feel like cutting your fingers of with a Stanley knife then you can print your own. Alternatively if anybody wants then we will gladly cut more. As time goes by I'm hoping to build up a database of gasket files.

All pipes needed replacement! Some were just kept together with tape and others were all brittle and rusted.

(Old Radiator outlet pipe)


Every screw, bolt, nut, washer and hose clamp used was replaced with A4 stainless steel (316) parts from The Screwman:
http://www.screwman.co.za/products/9/stainless-steel-products
http://www.screwman.co.za/products/12/hose-clamps

Pump, thermostat and oil cooler pipes replaced


Assembly progress:


Thermostat with new thicker gasket:


Assembly almost done:


But done for the day:


All that remained was replacing the bib and a thorough wash 
Ready to roll...


Couple of test drives and the temperature gauge remains dead still regardless of the incline of the road :-) Took her back to Silverton Radiators where they did a pressure test as well as testing for any leaking gaskets. Passed 100% 
Added two bottles anti freeze and I'm done! 

[Pierre Bester]

Nice work. 
Lost my Camry engine a couple of years ago due to blocked water passages and a stupid meccie. It is very important to use a rust inhibitor with the water.

[Adolf Hüster]

Good looking vehicle.