2H lifespan?

[rstl99]

Hi folks,
Looking at a decent HJ60 with close to 350,000kms on the clock. It has the 2H diesel, and 5 speed. I know it all depends on past maintenance habits, but if this truck has been well and regularly serviced (which seems to be the case), how much life can I expect out of the engine and transmission (and diffs?) before mechanical rebuilds may be called for?

Also, any recommendations for quick tests to assess engine health (if compression and leakdown tests not readily available)? Same for the 5 speed?

THanks!

[crushers]

i have seen 2H that needed rebuilding at 200,000 and i have seen them running extremely strong at 550,000.
the H55F is a tough tranny but the 5th gear might be popping out when you take your foot off the throttle at highway speeds.
the diffs are very tough but at 350,000 there is a good chance they will need rebuilding.
where are you located? this might help in finding you someone to look at the truck with you...
cheers

[Tapage]

Ditto ..

In my case my 2H dead at 447,xxx km .. my H55F never touched and still working hard .. my tranny rebuild and my axles also ( more the front with wheel bearings and knuckle bearings )

[kadie]

Three quick tests to assess the motor health:

1. Open the oil cap on top of the engine and see how much the engine 'blows'. If it blows a lot of air including a reasonable amount of oil particles, forget it.
2. Disconnect the big air inlet hose on the air filter housing, and put your hand against the inlet opening. If the engine is able to really 'vacuum' your hand against the inlet opening, it's OK (the engine will stall eventually).
3. Run downhill, and let the vehicle slow down on the engine itself on idle speed (not doable with gas engines, only with diesels I thought). If the car can hold itself below say 5 km/h in 1st gear on a reasonable steep downheel, you are sure you have still decent compression in most of your cylinders.

Dieter
'86 HJ60

[rstl99]

Thanks guys.
If I could get another 100,000 kms I'd be happy. This wouldn't be my daily driver, hence it would take a few years for me to reach that mileage.

Thanks for the good tips to assess engine health Dieter! Good common sense and quick health test.

And I'll watch for the 5th gear popping out, as well as any extraneous noises coming from the drivetrain.

If I recall, the BJ60 I owned several years ago had the migrating tranny fluid syndrome (oil flows from tranny to transfer case, or vice versa, making the other one run dry); that would shorten the lifespan I would think... If I recall, I installed a pipe that ran between each fill plug, to allow the fluid to flow back.

Cheers!

[crushers]

Originally Posted by kadie

3. Run downhill, and let the vehicle slow down on the engine itself on idle speed (not doable with gas engines, only with diesels I thought). Dieter
'86 HJ60

a good gasser can do this as well. depends on the engine design...

[Duane]

Enjoyed all the comments.

Mileage is less of a factor if the oil is changed regularly and clean fuel and air is run through it. Lots of miles are not as bad as a lot of cold starts and short trips.

[rstl99]

Very good point Duane, thanks for reminding me of it. Indeed, a diesel vehicle that has been treated well with frequent oil and filter changes, good fuel and air filters, regular valve adjustments; and that has been used for long highway hauls as opposed to short distance stop and go traffic, where the engine (especially in the winter) doesn't have time to warm up completely; will probably greatly outlast a similar diesel vehicle that has not been maintained or used similarly.

It stands to reason doesn't it? A vehicle whose majority of hours of operation have been at an optimal RPM range, and in the highway gear of the transmission, will likely have much less wear and tear on all drivetrain components than one which has had a majority of its hours shifting up and down in the gears, at variable RPM ranges, with all the stresses created on all components.

I'll check with the owner to find out what kind of usage this vehicle has seen during its lifetime, as well as get a sense for the level and quality of service it has seen.
CHeers.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by rstl99

Hi folks,
Looking at a decent HJ60 with close to 350,000kms on the clock. It has the 2H diesel, and 5 speed. I know it all depends on past maintenance habits, but if this truck has been well and regularly serviced (which seems to be the case), how much life can I expect out of the engine and transmission (and diffs?) before mechanical rebuilds may be called for?

Also, any recommendations for quick tests to assess engine health (if compression and leakdown tests not readily available)? Same for the 5 speed?

THanks!

The cold start test is usually a good indicator,bad compression will make it run rough and blow smoke
Ive been to look at a few diesels and before I go I make it clear to the owner I want to see it start cold.
I get there a little early and have caught 2 giving it a quick warm up because they know what Im looking for
As soon as I get there I pop the hood and feel the exhaust manifolds.

There was a 2H in oz that had done 1.3 million klm as an escort vehicle for oversize loads

[Garry]

My 2H had to be recond at only 240000km showing on the clock. But I suspect it had been wound back 100000km or so before it left Japan in 1992

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by Garry

My 2H had to be recond at only 240000km showing on the clock. But I suspect it had been wound back 100000km or so before it left Japan in 1992

Or possibly spent its life in traffic jams choked up with filthy oil.
Some of them have been exported still with the factory oil in them at 100000klms

If it did have the speedo wound back,the mind boggles at how they could clock up high miles on tiny islands at 38 kph

Of course some components do fail early without much reason ,the HJ61 I had needed a new gearbox at 90000klm according to its records

[Garry]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Or possibly spent its life in traffic jams choked up with filthy oil.
Some of them have been exported still with the factory oil in them at 100000klms

If it did have the speedo wound back,the mind boggles at how they could clock up high miles on tiny islands at 38 kph

Of course some components do fail early without much reason ,the HJ61 I had needed a new gearbox at 90000klm according to its records

Good point, Rosco. Probably just poor maintainence (if any)

[rstl99]

I found some of the recent posts I read about odometer tampering and improper/unexistant maintenance on some Cruisers imported from Japan somewhat troubling. Sounds like an element of risk I'd rather avoid, if I can help it. I know it's an argument in favour of dealing with a reputable importer, but I'm wondering if these guys don't get fooled sometimes too (with the odometer tampering, or with a truck that has been very badly maintained by the original japanese owner). Food for thought, for would-be buyers of imported Cruisers...
I suppose it may be one of the reasons I'm looking for a decent N-A Cruiser instead (BJ or HJ60), one with a known maintenance and ownership record (that and the LHD). CHeers.

[crushers]

This is a serious issue when buying in Japan. Once you find an excellent contact over there that, after many purchases, you can trust then they become their weight in gold.
i was looking at a fine Pajero last week grade 4 with a "B" interior and very low km. at time of inspection my contact recommended i pass it up since the last 3 pages of inspection records were missing and the truck had minor hints of tampering.
yes, this is an argument in favor of using a reputable importer and before i found this contact i got burned a couple times. the last time i got burned was about 60 units ago, it is a learning curve and can be an expensive one as well.

<BTW, those units were turned into either wheeling test rigs or parts units>

this being said i have stripped a number of odometer tamped CDM cruisers over the years.

you are looking for a LHD with papers then you should be safe.
good luck in your search.
cheers