Comparison 40 series v. 73-74 series

peterb · 11-03-09, 01:35 PM

Is there anyone out there who has owned both or at least driven both that can provide insights as to whether the 40 is better or worse when compared to the 73-74 concerning ride and/or wheeling ability? For the sake of this thread, please assume both are in stockish condition.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Peter
p.s. If this is chat, please move the thread, thanks.

roscoFJ73 · 11-03-09, 02:52 PM

No contest.
I driven 40, 45 series when they were new and most of the 7* series variants when new. The 7* are just so much better in terms of comfort and are generally more powerful(although a FJ40 is faster then a BJ73).
The 4* was better than anything else in its day,but its dated now.

As for wheeling abilty ,the 40 might just be better as its lighter and shorter than any 70.
But the 7* series can be driven all day for very long distances.

Ive always thought of the 7* as a 4* series with the comfort of 60 series

Radd Cruisers · 11-03-09, 03:56 PM

I have driven both extensively...

They are mechanically very similar. The 70 series is generally far more comfortable and much more appropriate for longer drives etc...

If you really want to move up in the world, then an HZJ73 is the way to go.

~John

rick_d · 11-03-09, 04:32 PM

I've driven many 40's and owned a 1981 w/ 5 speed upgrade.

the 74 series is so much more of a truck I can't begin to fill in details.

Add the 1HD-T (instead of the hz) and you have the super vehicle.

I'll never consider a 40 again...

JuanJ · 11-03-09, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

No contest.

The 4* was better than anything else in its day,but its dated now.

[...]

Ive always thought of the 7* as a 4* series with the comfort of 60 series

Hello,

Rosco got it right. Very well said.

Just one thing: I miss the H41's granny-low first gear, nothing else.

Get a 70 Series and do not look back.

My two cents.

JuanJ

HelimanBD · 11-03-09, 09:00 PM

Yeah, X3 on Rosco's comments,
" .... The 4* was better than anything else in its day,but its dated now..."

I have own and driven BJ40 (2006-2009) and still driving LJ70 now....
Once you move on from leaf springs to coil springs, you will appreciate
the comfort. Will only return to BJ40 if required jungle bashing and pushing
small trees for 4x4 track offsets...

regards,
helimanBD.

BJ-44 · 11-03-09, 09:34 PM

The difference between a 70 and a 40 when it comes to wheeling is to expect a lot of body damage with the 70 in my experience. Going through tight spot my 44 might not even scrape but it usually caves in the door or beats up the rear panels on a 70.
Hands down the 70 is more comfortable but wheeling capability is the same unless your a purist and consider a stock 40 against a stock 70 with difflocks. I'll still take my BJ-44 over a 70 any day just because I like the style better.

Gib009 · 11-04-09, 01:15 AM

Most 70s have power steering, air conditioning, electric windows, electric mirrors, suspension seats where alot of 40s dont have any of these things. I have never driven a 40 but it was the newer, more powerful engines that did it for me to swing me to a 70series over a 40series. But in essence they are both short (or medium) wheel base trucks with leaf springs you are never going to get a great amount of comfort out of them anyway.

As for wheeling ability you cant really split them. I have been wheeling with one setup very similarly to mine (open diffs, suspension mods and 35s) and if anything the 70 made things look easier but i couldnt give you a reason for that. Like suggested before 70 is prone to more body damage

crushers · 11-04-09, 01:26 AM

i have owned, wheeled and DD both for decades.
both share the same drivetrains so no big difference there. you can get a turbo'd B in the 7* and now you can get the PZ or the HZ.
the wheel base is similar, both have leafs, both have the full size rear diff, both are 100 year old suspension designs.
seats and leg room front in the 7* series is better.
7* has more sound deadening due to carpet, and deadner on the firewall.
the rear seat configuration of the 7* sucks, i would rather sit facing each other than have my frigg'n knees against my chin like in the 7* (especially the JDM, NO room at all)

DD, then the 7* (especially a turbo'd HZ73 or better yet the turbo'd HZJ77 or PZJ77)
wheeler, the 40 or 7* are both capable but i like the 40 since the rake of the side windows allow for seeing the tire placement with the windows up, less hood coverage when cresting a hill and slightly better approach and departure angles.

don't expect miracles with the 7* but it is a step up over the 40 on road and a step down off road.

peterb · 11-04-09, 11:40 AM

Wow, thanks for the replies everyone. Since I don't have a practical way of test driving one, I thought I'd ask here. The responses make sense. There was a big difference between my 60 and 80 series. Similar between the 40 and 70 I guess.
Thanks again
Peter

Radd Cruisers · 11-04-09, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterb

Wow, thanks for the replies everyone. Since I don't have a practical way of test driving one, I thought I'd ask here. The responses make sense. There was a big difference between my 60 and 80 series. Similar between the 40 and 70 I guess.
Thanks again
Peter

The 60 and 80 are totally different animals... It's not the same as comparing the 40 and the 70 series.

I like the 60s and 70s, and the 80s not so much (too bulky for off-roading).

~John

crushers · 11-04-09, 01:02 PM

the big fad now is to get an 80 for wheeling...
me, i like the 70 ragtop ...

but for long distance wheeling trips it is hard to beat an 80 or a 77 for comfort and room.

in reality, a 55/60/80/78/77 are wagons. all really are too bulky for true tight off road trips but then who am i to talk since i am building one of these: http://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-te...ouble-cab.html this year.

BC40 · 11-04-09, 09:22 PM

A very late version BJ42 would be the best candidate to compare to a 70.

The 40 body is much taller so higher center of gravity with the hardtop. The straight up and down sides make it more likely to lean a hardtop into a tree on tight forest trails, 60/70/80 taper in toward the roof. With the top off a 40 that isn't a problem.

I drive a 40 but I have wheeled with many 7x series owners and it seems no clear advantage either way for the mildly built stockish trucks. Except of course when considering the double locked 74's.