[chet]

OK I'm losing my mind here. I am hopefully selling my little suzuki and need something bigger for towing our little 13' travel trailer which weighs loaded around 3000 lbs. I have 3 options to choose from. Several HJ-61's around for sale most with autos and cable lockers

Then there is a few hdj81's around as well. All with Autos. Nice to have 12v electrics for trailer plug and possibly electric brakes as well. Nicer interior but I still love to ruggedness of the 61's

Last is say screw it and get a newer f150 and be done with it and live with US quality issues but much lower kms for the same price. This option would mean me keeping my little samurai as an offroader while either cruiser would hopefully replace both daily driver and offroader duty(mild)

What say ye? I know what everyones opions will be on the Ford!

[kim]

Originally Posted by chet

OK I'm losing my mind here. I am hopefully selling my little suzuki and need something bigger for towing our little 13' travel trailer which weighs loaded around 3000 lbs. I have 3 options to choose from. Several HJ-61's around for sale most with autos and cable lockers

Then there is a few hdj81's around as well. All with Autos. Nice to have 12v electrics for trailer plug and possibly electric brakes as well. Nicer interior but I still love to ruggedness of the 61's

Last is say screw it and get a newer f150 and be done with it and live with US quality issues but much lower kms for the same price. This option would mean me keeping my little samurai as an offroader while either cruiser would hopefully replace both daily driver and offroader duty(mild)

What say ye? I know what everyones opions will be on the Ford!

Personally, I'd do the HJ61 with the 12HT. 3000 pounds isn't all that bad.

Besides, you aren't in a rush when towing a trailer are you?

[Stone]

For a family vehicle that will be able to wheel, tow, and haul people...it'll be difficult to beat an HDJ81. As much as I love the 12H-T, the 80 is a versatile platform and much more comfortable and easier to lift with the coil springs. Make sure it's had the BEB's done and it's good to go.

Of course you could always buy a cheap FJ80 and drop a 12H-T into it.

[bruff]

I think you should buy my HDJ81!

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by chet

OK I'm losing my mind here. I am hopefully selling my little suzuki and need something bigger for towing our little 13' travel trailer which weighs loaded around 3000 lbs. I have 3 options to choose from. Several HJ-61's around for sale most with autos and cable lockers

Then there is a few hdj81's around as well. All with Autos. Nice to have 12v electrics for trailer plug and possibly electric brakes as well. Nicer interior but I still love to ruggedness of the 61's

Last is say screw it and get a newer f150 and be done with it and live with US quality issues but much lower kms for the same price. This option would mean me keeping my little samurai as an offroader while either cruiser would hopefully replace both daily driver and offroader duty(mild)

What say ye? I know what everyones opions will be on the Ford!

In Australia it was confirmed the F150 had twice as many trips to the dealer for repairs under warranty than the Landcriuser of the same year.
The war started when Ford showed a TV advert with an F150 walking up a rock strewn hill with a 75 series strapped to its back

[kim]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

In Australia it was confirmed the F150 had twice as many trips to the dealer for repairs under warranty than the Landcriuser of the same year.
The war started when Ford showed a TV advert with an F150 walking up a rock strewn hill with a 75 series strapped to its back

I'm sure the driver of the Ford was just being proactive and had a planned exit from the bush.

[canucksafari]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

In Australia it was confirmed the F150 had twice as many trips to the dealer for repairs under warranty than the Landcriuser of the same year.
The war started when Ford showed a TV advert with an F150 walking up a rock strewn hill with a 75 series strapped to its back

The only time Ford got close to something decent is when the rebadged the Patrol as a Ford Maverick.

Not this one:




This one:

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by canucksafari

The only time Ford got close to something decent is when the rebadged the Patrol as a Ford Maverick.

They sold well too. All because ford in the US couldnt be bothered making RHD models for 2 years

[Gold Boy]

i'm sure the 81 will tow 3000#'s, but it will struggle on our BC hills and over heating could become an issue.

buy an older 350sbc chev PU for the towing and save the cruiser for tent camping and wheeling.


.0000002 cents

[Michael Hanson]

My fj-60 tows my 20 Glastron better than my friends Suburban.I think its all in the gearing and cooling. Mike

[blis]

Just get hj61 and tow all you want...

[neetu]

Hi all,
the 61 may do it, but it's not designed for it alllllll the time especialy the auto, i've experienced that already.......get an older SBC/4-bolt main or an F150

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by neetu

Hi all,
the 61 may do it, but it's not designed for it alllllll the time especialy the auto, i've experienced that already.......get an older SBC/4-bolt main or an F150

The auto will handle it if you can keep the fluid cool and take it easy on the hills

[blis]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

The auto will handle it if you can keep the fluid cool and take it easy on the hills

Seriously, who tows with auto? imo the h55f is the only right box for 61...

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by blis

Seriously, who tows with auto? imo the h55f is the only right box for 61...

Well considering 80% of the Japanese 61 series and sbout 25% of the oz models are auto,I would say more than a handfull.
The A440f auto has solid reputation,just keep the temps down with an aftermarket oil cooler.
The OP mentioned 3000lb,the 61 auto would eat that for breakfast

I dont have a preference for manual or auto,both have their dis/advantages when towing.

[chet]

Thanks for the input! I wouldn't mind a 5 spd but the autos seem to be more available. As far as buying an old chev truck to tow with.... NOT!

The only other thing that scares me is ICBC and what they are going to do to RHD vehicles in our province.

[canucksafari]

Originally Posted by chet

The only other thing that scares me is ICBC and what they are going to do to RHD vehicles in our province.

I hope you are scared enough to do something about it. That is the only way they will succeed. ICBC is just the tool. The people behind it are the automobile dealers. The trick is to put more pressure on the governement than they do. However, if everyone stays quiet and just posts about it in forums every once and a while, they win. If you want to get involved in the right to own and keep your RHD on the road then join IVOAC.ca Forums - Powered by vBulletin

[Tapage]

the 12H-T with a nice intercooler and boosting 14 PSI will do the job .. but it means spend some cash ( thinking a good overall engine ) in those things along with some gauges ..

Gauges that I will add anycase in the 81 as well .. as same as the intercooler and more boost.

None of the auto trannys are ready as factory to haull big loads .. ( more more if the road aren't flat ) ..

A tranny cooler will only do the job hauling a bug trailler only if iut have the way to cool down on the fly .. it meands a tranny cooler with a electric fan and thermo switch or a manual swith in which case you must need a tranny temp gauge.

[chet]

thanks. I'm thinking hj61 auto with a tranny cooler and an extreme valve body. Have heard these do wonders for tranny temp.

[Stone]

Chet...don't forget the lock up torque converter to go with the extreme valve body also. I'm thinking about doing the same thing for my 80 once I have a baseline with the stock configuration and a little more money to spend on the Cruiser.

[canucksafari]

Goldboy just finished doing that on his rig plus ARB lockers front and back. Guess he won the lottery.

[Greg_B]

Originally Posted by chet

thanks. I'm thinking hj61 auto with a tranny cooler and an extreme valve body. Have heard these do wonders for tranny temp.

The stock A440 TC is reported to be an inefficient design. Rodney does not even want them back, as the Extreme replacement uses a different body (unlike the A442 version). If you've got the jing, I would consider adding the Extreme TC as well.

[BC Boy]

I'm loving my HDJ81...but I'm not loving towing with it. It's...ok but A/T temps have been an issue for me here in BC. I have a tranny cooler too. Plus don't expect to go anywhere too fast... I certainly have no regrets...but towing is not its strong suit...for mine anyway.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by BC Boy

I'm loving my HDJ81...but I'm not loving towing with it. It's...ok but A/T temps have been an issue for me here in BC. I have a tranny cooler too. Plus don't expect to go anywhere too fast... I certainly have no regrets...but towing is not its strong suit...for mine anyway.

Is it the hills in your area or the load? Im sure there are those who would diasagree about towing not being its strong point.

[9180ltd]

I too would say that towing with my HDJ81 is a little un-pleasant. I put the biggest B&M super cooler they make in front of my rad and have not had temp issues but unless your ready to manually shift all the time while towing this tranny sux. I defiantly do not regret buying this legendary machine, as this is the only pit fall i have found with it. I do enjoy the 15MPG i get while towing a 21 foot North River Jet boat back and forth to Port Alberni that i know i would never come close to in a F-150.

[Stone]

Damn...North River jet...sweet! Used to be friends with a few local guides and it was nice to go fishing with them once in a while...damn, why did Rick have to move to QCI?

[Jammer]

i've got an automatic hj61 with 255 000 km. on it and i've tried towing my 18ft travel trailer with it. my trailer weighs fully loaded, 3500lbs. every time i try to pull with it, my truck overheats. and yes, it does have a tranny cooler on it. so, my advice would be, don't pull with the 12 ht. but hopefully mine is an isolated instance.

needless to say i am looking to buy a truck to pull with, but not a ford. and no, my cruiser isn't for sale.

[kim]

Originally Posted by Jammer

i've got an automatic hj61 with 255 000 km. on it and i've tried towing my 18ft travel trailer with it. my trailer weighs fully loaded, 3500lbs. every time i try to pull with it, my truck overheats. and yes, it does have a tranny cooler on it. so, my advice would be, don't pull with the 12 ht. but hopefully mine is an isolated instance.

needless to say i am looking to buy a truck to pull with, but not a ford. and no, my cruiser isn't for sale.

It think it is important to differentiate between the motor and the tranny. I'm sure it isn't the 12H-T that is the source of your issues.

I've towed upwards of 5000 lbs with a 2H and an H55 and my tranny never overheated. This includes mountain travel.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by kim

It think it is important to differentiate between the motor and the tranny. I'm sure it isn't the 12H-T that is the source of your issues.

I've towed upwards of 5000 lbs with a 2H and an H55 and my tranny never overheated. This includes mountain travel.

well then, what do you think is the problem with mine? i think i should be able to pull it.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by kim

It think it is important to differentiate between the motor and the tranny. I'm sure it isn't the 12H-T that is the source of your issues.

I've towed upwards of 5000 lbs with a 2H and an H55 and my tranny never overheated. This includes mountain travel.

You ve got a manual

Originally Posted by Jammer

well then, what do you think is the problem with mine? i think i should be able to pull it.

You ve got an auto

I see its got 260K+ on it.Transmission may be showing its age.

I had a manual HJ61 for a short while and it really had some power.
I sold it,then felt remorse,so I looked for another but only came across autos in my price range.
The difference between the manual and auto was noticeable. All units I drove had 250000-310000 klms.

Is it the tranny overheating or the engine?