3b engine and effects of using 31" tires...

[peterdouglas]

Hello folks, just thought I'd check and see this forum. I'm a new member, new to Land Cruisers too. Got a 1984 BJ60 with I believe a 3b engine. Obviously, it's a diesel. I've been told it's a Hino engine and might be a 3.4 liter Whatever it is, it's the original engine that came with the truck when it was new (Canadian spec BJ60).

In another discussion in the 60 series forum, I was asking about switching to 31x10.5 tires instead of using LT 235/75R15. I have to get new tires and will be doing so around the first part of January.

But... I've found out that the bigger tires may slow down acceleration and hill climbing power, plus make the engine run a bit hotter. It's slow enough as it is, so I don't want it TOO much slower! (or cause any other problems).

Any thoughts or suggestions on this?

[brownbear]

ah good spot to come!

Like I said in the other post, My 32.7 inch tires did make it slower. Also I did notice it ran hotter on the highway. But just a little,

A naturally aspirated diesel gets hot. 1250 F on a pyro is about the max you want to go.

I put a pyro in and it really shows how hot they can get. A stock 3b could hit 1600 f when on a hard hill climb.

The 32.7's didn't hurt that much offroad. I use mostly 4low anyhow. As 4high runs out of power pretty quick.

[eleblanc]

I have a BJ42, with a 3B and run 33.5" inch tires still with the stock 4.11 Ring and pinion. If its flat no wind i'm fine, but other then that, if i have face wind or small uphill, i'm screwed and need to downshift to 4th. Note that i have a 5 speed tranny, with a 4 speed i'm sure things are a bit worse and i'm only pulling a 40 serie, not a 60.

I'd personnaly think 31 you'll be fine.

[dblugly]

Not the same motor, or Land Cruiser for that matter, But I run 33" tires on my BJ41. It does bog down on long hills, but it keeps me from being run over by semi trucks while on the flats. Like Brownbear, I too stick with low 4 when wheeling.

When these tires wear out, I plan on getting 32"

[peterdouglas]

I'd hate to make it any more gutless than it already is... especially just for the sake of appearance (although you guys are saying it helps the height clearance off road too). If I do increase the increase the tire size, I'd probably just go with 31" tires. Maybe I should put in a pyro too, if I get the 31" tires.

Is my '84 probably equipped with the 90 hp Hino diesel engine then? It was sold in Canada when new and it's a 4 cylinder diesel with a 5 speed manual tranny. That I know for sure. Not sure about the rest...

[crushers]

couple things you can do,
change the ring and pinions to factory 4.11 gears, it makes the truck run better both on and off the road, it drops the EGTs as well since the engine isn't workign as hard trying to puch that brick down the road.
31s on the stock 3.7 gears is fine, i have been doing this for years.
the engine is a Toyota motor build in some plants by Hino, 3.4.
this engine responds well to turboing and will make a HUGE difference in drivability.
a pyro is great but will probably scare the shit ourt of you the first coupel times you drive with it.
as Bruce Lowen said once, it has been drivin like this from new so don't fret the little things.
a good fuel conditioner is an idea.
purge the system with sea foam on your next filter change.
make sure it is running well
do a compression test

best of luck with your new rig
congrates and welcome...

[peterdouglas]

Thanks!

Still a 50/50 toss-up as to whether I'll go with 31x10.5" or 235/75R15. Both have advantages and disadvantages... but now is the time to decide since I need to buy tires regardless.

If I go for the 31's it sounds like it would be advisable to do a few mods like new springs, install a pyro and maybe upgrade the gears. Though none is crucial or immediately required, it would probably be best to go through with them sooner rather than later. So, in the long run, 31's could cost me more money.

Turbo would be nice... will put that on the wish list!

Thanks for clearing up those questions on the engine I've got. Looks like a good mill. I love the sound it makes... sounds like a tractor... very industrial!

[eleblanc]

Originally Posted by peterdouglas

Thanks!

Still a 50/50 toss-up as to whether I'll go with 31x10.5" or 235/75R15. Both have advantages and disadvantages... but now is the time to decide since I need to buy tires regardless.

If I go for the 31's it sounds like it would be advisable to do a few mods like new springs, install a pyro and maybe upgrade the gears. Though none is crucial or immediately required, it would probably be best to go through with them sooner rather than later. So, in the long run, 31's could cost me more money.

Turbo would be nice... will put that on the wish list!

Thanks for clearing up those questions on the engine I've got. Looks like a good mill. I love the sound it makes... sounds like a tractor... very industrial!

Since you have a 5 speed you won't have much problem, Has far has i can remember my cruiser always been running 31" tires, until i got 255/85 (33.5") on it this summer. Like Crushers mentionned, make sure your engine is running fine, clean up and all to get the most out of it.

[brownbear]

Peter, just get 31's.

they are not THAT much bigger.

Regardless of 235 or 31's a pyro is a good thing. But you can buy it later. Save up and then put it on.

They are about 200 bucks.

Your stock gears will be fine for now, same with the springs, the 31's will fit fine.


A good tire for your area in 31 is a BFG AT 31x 10.5 x 15. They will not however be like your haks.

But if you want an all season look at the nokian vitara I think. All nokian tires are good.

I have hak 2's studded on my car, my dad has them on his tundra and his Vw golf. They are the best winters ever.

Where I am I would not dream of not owning studded winter tires... So Hak 2 studded are awesome.

Bridgestone makes great tires too.

[cody c]

i have run original tires when i bought it, about 28" upgraded to 33"s , and then 35's. the 33's werent too hard on it and i dont think you'll have problems with 31's, the 3b's are fairly torquey for a little engine and i think youll enjoy it. there is other upgrades: gears or turbo that make the bj60's a little more highway friendly but you wont be thinking about this with 31's too much.

[David*BJ70]

Mmmm.

Peter... you must change your signature... since your truck is a diesel... you own a BJ60

[toynut]

peter like brownbear said get the 31x10.5's , i am running 33x9.5's and they are ok with stock gearing and no turbo , i will eventualy do a turbo and regear how ever as i want want to get back to my stock ratio's or lower .

tires why dont you look around for a decent used set of 31's i got a set of some one on the internet last year for $180 four tires with about 90% tread remaining , the 4x4 crowd is fickle and guys are allways changing and up grading . try them out and if you dont like them trade them on some 235/75r15's .

i just sold my pirreli scorpian at's for $60 they were 235/75x15's and had about 60% tread left on them .

there is absolutley no reason to get 31 or bigger tires if you never plan to go off road , you can go alot of places with stock tires all though you will drag your truck .

if i were you i would because you seam concerned find a set of used good tires and run them like that , untill you are more familar with your landcruiser and what you want it for , mine is a daily driver i live in the suburbs of vancouver , i pick my kids up from day care and i like to go fishing , hunting and exploring .

cheers !

[crushers]

find another cruiserhead that is running the 31 and offer to bolt them on and off your truck for a test drive...

[peterdouglas]

Originally Posted by crushers

find another cruiserhead that is running the 31 and offer to bolt them on and off your truck for a test drive...

Not a bad idea... a friend of mine has a 1991 with 31" tires, though they're worn out summer type tires that are ready for the scrap heap. Plus, tomorrow he's leaving for a couple of weeks...

Originally Posted by eleblanc

Since you have a 5 speed you won't have much problem, Has far has i can remember my cruiser always been running 31" tires, until i got 255/85 (33.5") on it this summer. Like Crushers mentionned, make sure your engine is running fine, clean up and all to get the most out of it.

That's reassuring to hear. And I will definitely make sure the engine is running fine. I've driven late model automatic Ford and GMC diesels at work, but this is a bit different.

Originally Posted by brownbear

Peter, just get 31's.

they are not THAT much bigger.

Regardless of 235 or 31's a pyro is a good thing. But you can buy it later. Save up and then put it on.

Your stock gears will be fine for now, same with the springs, the 31's will fit fine.


A good tire for your area in 31 is a BFG AT 31x 10.5 x 15. They will not however be like your haks.
But if you want an all season look at the nokian vitara I think. All nokian tires are good.
Where I am I would not dream of not owning studded winter tires... So Hak 2 studded are awesome.
Bridgestone makes great tires too.

A pyro sounds like a good idea, especially for unknown vehicle (since it's new to me). I could have had studded tires when I lived in Quebec, but didn't since I drove in Ontario sometimes, where studded tires are illegal. The Hakka's without studs were great, I can only imagine how good they would have been with studs.

Originally Posted by cody c

i have run original tires when i bought it, about 28" upgraded to 33"s , and then 35's. the 33's werent too hard on it and i dont think you'll have problems with 31's, the 3b's are fairly torquey for a little engine and i think youll enjoy it.

I think I found a good compromise... the place where my father just got his Kumho Road Venture KL78 told me they have 30x9.5x15" tires for 169$ which is about 100$ more than the 235's but significantly cheaper than most decent 31" tires.

AAAAHHHH!!! My head is spinning with so many choices! But, this may be the best compromise yet. Better looks and clearance, won't bog down my already gutless 4 cylinder diesel too much and for a somewhat reasonable price. Adding turbo would be nice, but my Cruiser is mostly original and unmodified, so it might be nice to keep it that way. Tires and springs can be easily changed, but suspension and turbo is a bit more involved.

Originally Posted by David*BJ70

Mmmm.

Peter... you must change your signature... since your truck is a diesel... you own a BJ60

Merci! Thanks for pointing that out, I knew I made a mistake somewhere the other day. Thought I typed in FJ instead of BJ in one of the replies, but it was in my signature! Don't know how I missed that.

Ma Landcruiser est de Québec... moi j'y habité aussi! Montréal me manque! En fait, la Landcruiser est présentment immatriculé au Québec, mais d'ici janvier, je dois passer an inspection en Ontario et l'immatriculé ici.

Originally Posted by toynut

tires why dont you look around for a decent used set of 31's i got a set of some one on the internet last year for $180 four tires with about 90% tread remaining.

there is absolutley no reason to get 31 or bigger tires if you never plan to go off road , you can go alot of places with stock tires all though you will drag your truck .
cheers !

I would get a decent set of used tires... done that many times but now that I live closer to my parents, they take more of an interest in me. At 33 years old, my father forbids me to get used tires and even offered to loan me some money if I need it to buy brand new tires. He doesn't even want me to use my old Nokian tires I bought new for my Niva five years ago. He said they're too old and the rubber is no good now. Tsk, whateva! It's only money...

But... those 30" Kumho tires might be the best compromise... only slightly more expensive, better looking, decent quality, a bit higher ride height and shouldn't bog down my diesel too much or make the fuel economy suffer much.

[David*BJ70]

Originally Posted by peterdouglas

Ma Landcruiser est de Québec... moi j'y habité aussi! Montréal me manque! En fait, la Landcruiser est présentment immatriculé au Québec, mais d'ici janvier, je dois passer an inspection en Ontario et l'immatriculé ici.

Ah... nice to read some french in that english word !!

Did you buy your truck from a Québécois in Ontario ?

[peterdouglas]

Originally Posted by David*BJ70

Ah... nice to read some french in that english word !!

Did you buy your truck from a Québécois in Ontario ?

Yes, I bought my Land Cruiser from a Québécois in Ontario (he recently moved to Barrie, Ontario with his family). The truck spent its entire life in and around Québec City, except for the last six months that its been in Ontario.

The first owner had it from 1984 to 2003!

[ivanhoe]

salut peter,
les 30 pouces sont vraiment un petit, petit plus grand que les 235-75-15(29.7 a peu près) . commande le 31 pouces et sa donnerai un totale de 1/2 pouce d'hauteure! ce n'est pas encore beaucoup de lift!!!! ah oui, welcome aboard the best cruiser site and the official salute ! use only sunoco gold diesel fuel, can be had in alliston as for barrie, not to sure where?

[peterdouglas]

Salut Ivan! J'ai trop de choix maintenant!

Merci pour l'explication. Le gars au garage m'a dit que les pneus de 30 pouces sont environ 2" plus haut. (que les 235/75R15).. mais peut-être pas... Ce n'est pas vaut le peine de dépenser plus d'argent juste pour .3" plus d'hauteur!

Voici les prix que j'ai reçu:

Kumho Road Venture KL78 31x10.5" 210$
Kumho Road Venture KL78 235/75R15 147$

Une différence de 63$ par pneu... ou 252$ pour 4 pneus (taxes en sus)

J'aime l'apparance des pneus 31" mais pas le prix ou le possiblité de perde de puissance et de consommer plus de diésel.

We've got a Sunoco selling diesel in Barrie on Dunlop Street at Ferndale, and maybe some of the other Sunocos too - haven't checked. So far I've only put in diesel from Esso into the Land Cruiser, so far (and when I drove company diesel trucks, it was either Esso or Petro Canada, plus I got the bonus points on my card)! Is the Sunoco Gold Diesel better?

[brownbear]

If you were closer I would offer to sell my very new used tires. I have a set of 30x9.5x15 geolanders. In like said almost new shape. Maybe have 6000 kms on them. Maybe.

On a set of 15 inch rims too. Think I want about 500 on the rims for four.

But I am in Northern BC= expensive shipping making it no deal.........

But look up Yokohama Geolander. It is a very nice all use type tire. Good in snow and ice, aslo works on mud too. But quite on the highway.

30 inch is a great size on a non lifted cruiser. On a lifted they are too small.

[brownbear]

Also 9.5 width is a good width. I don't like fat tires. My 235/85r16's are about 9.5 or more in width. Nice in snow.

[peterdouglas]

Brownbear, I had Yokohama Geolanders in the running for tires I was considering. In trying to narrow down my choices, I took them off the list, but they have a fairly decent rating from people who have had them, depending on which model of Geolander. That's a good deal for your tires. Too bad I'm not closer... plus my father has this thing again used or older tires. It doesn't bother me, I've bought used tires many times.

I guess my only concern now with moving up to bigger tires is the potential decrease in power from my 3b engine and possibly a decrease in fuel economy. Sounds like the trade-off is only minimal. I'll keep shopping around. I'm not looking for the cheapest tires, though I wouldn't pass up a good deal on decent tires.

A friend of mine said he might be able to help me add an extra leaf spring all around in the spring. Not sure how much lift that would give, but it can't hurt. I think the tires I'm considering are all OK even at with the suspension as-is and with a stock 3b engine.

[David*BJ70]

Originally Posted by peterdouglas

Yes, I bought my Land Cruiser from a Québécois in Ontario (he recently moved to Barrie, Ontario with his family). The truck spent its entire life in and around Québec City, except for the last six months that its been in Ontario.

The first owner had it from 1984 to 2003!

I bet is name is Éric ????

[peterdouglas]

Originally Posted by David*BJ70

I bet is name is Éric Plante ????

Yes! How did you know? Do you know him?

Le monde est petit!

[eleblanc]

31 inch are at least 1" bigger 235/75
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/specs...a-km/1152.html

Get the 31 or 30