It's my long time journey; having this LJ80V just like leaping back time to my kiddy time.
I noticed this small all terain vehicle, and suddenly like it when I was in elementary school. It's so small, simple, ready to go everywhere. Got a first chance to ride it when my cousin visited me driving the LJ80. I was happy, except for the style of my cousin preference (it was city slicker, without the 4wd). Ever since, I have in mind to own one with my style.
Later on, my car were mostly small compact sedan and microbus (living in a city with so jammed packed traffic -- it's not realistic to own big car). Last year, (about november) the memory of having the need to own an LJ80V strike back -- after reading JIP Magazine with an article about "Jakarta - Sumbawa with an LJ80V". I directly made effort to search around the town , and get this my LJ80V 3 months later in other city (around 150kms from my city).
This LJ80V was a tired off-road king, before I found it. The seller managed to reconstruct/restore the body but leaving the engine and underbody untouched.
In order to get my LJ80V to my city, it has to enter the operation room to make sure it would reach my hometown without problems. It spent 2 full days and nights in the workshop, but still has to travel the distance (about 150km) in 11 hours ... ha ..ha...

First attemp to bring back to life the LJ80V was scheduled in a specialist. But, unlucky me -- my LJ not strong enough to reach the workshop; instead I must re-route the direction to the nearest workshop (which is I feel so sorry for the decision, later on) in Tanah Abang II. It spent 1 month in the workshop but not really satisfy my need.

Here are the processes :
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First step is ... un-install the engine ..check here & there .. replace parts. took 1 month to do such. totaling around half of the car price.

empty engine hood
problematic camshaft
problematic cylinder head
new cylinder head
problematic cylinder head
new cylinder head
new cylinder head
new cylinder head
re-installed engine
re-installed engine
re-installed engine
re-installed engine
re-installed engine
LJ80V ready to test drive after engine re-installed
LJ80V ready to test drive after engine re-installed
LJ80V ready to test drive after engine re-installed
LJ80V ready to test drive after engine re-installed

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After the test drive, I still felt some major dissapointment to the jobs done in the workshop. I've already told them what I feel, and hope they could address my comments.
So while they're working to improve my LJ, I did some shopping to get my LJ fills the basic necessisities for daily use (rear tire hanger + fan + new tires Xtra Grip 7.50-15 + radio cassette)
photo taken after I decided to take out my LJ from not so competent workshop
photo taken after I decided to take out my LJ from not so competent workshop
photo taken after I decided to take out my LJ from not so competent workshop

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While testing the car

3rd step for completion to the very basic for off-road use
(leaf spring correction kit for total of 5", new monroe gas shocks, new bump stops, custom shackels)

4th step ... off-road accessories #1 80A alternator, new front lamp, new rear lamp (photos will follow)

5th step ... (hopefully) completing off-road accessories #2 80A battery, front winch+bumper, rear winch+bumper, high lift jack, 3 more lamps for front, 1 more lamp for rear, roll cage -- (only if money permits .. ha ..ha..ha)

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by April 16th 2008, my LJ has to go back to workshop for a failure in fuel line mechanism (too much fuel makes my small engine runs so strange ...), plus I will increase the ground clearance by suspension lift to the max (before deciding to body lift).
I move to another workshop .. wish me luck !!!!
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on April 22th 2008, the LJ basically ready to run ... but I still want to change exhaust pipe and installing power steering. Adding more suspension lift (change shackle) and adding spacer to the end-axles to increase turning angle.

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more photos will (hopefully) follow