1988 bj 74

[dabasscow]

Hi I am new to the forum, the information on here is great.

I have just purchased BJ74 13bt auto Japanese import 24 volt, electric mirrors & windows.

Basically all works fine and is fairly tidy, but I hope someone can answer some questions for me.

I have had some difficulties with the seats.
the front P/S seat back gets stuck in the forward position, I have had to take the plastic cover off the side to as a cable has come off and I can't see were it supposed to attach.
the rear seat, how do you operate the fold and tumble seat? and were best to put a child seat anchor point?

to operate the vacume operated 4x4 system I need to open the bonet and switch the vacume lines at the 2 solenoids, any advice if I just need to replace the solenoids?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Where are you located?

 

[crushers]

replace the selenoids (or swap in a manual switch in the dash)
rear tumble, pull strap and the back falls onto the bottom and then flip the whole thing up. sadly these get "stuck" but you can remove the rear small cover down near the bottom of the seat center and pull the cables manually. spray well with lubricant.
there is a cable that goes from the side of the PS and if it gets stuck then the seat will remain in the forward position. reach under the seat and pull the cable that goes from side to side track. this will allow the seat to slide back in a pinch ... and speaking of pinch, don't pinch your fingers or hand while doing this

you are going to love that truck

 

[dabasscow]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm in Australia

I all ready love this truck, only been driving it for a week.

I will try not to pinch my fingers

any recomendations on were to buy the solenoids?

 

[Hulsty]

Any decent 4x4 parts supplier or the solenoids are common to many toyotas, just get one from the wreckers. I think I got some from a corrola or camry

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Surely you own a camera phone ...... Post photos.

 

[dabasscow]

I will get some photos shortly, I've always had bones phones the phone I have now does take photos but terrible. The wife is a former photographer, has a few cameras I can use.

I will check the wreckers for the part thanks for the tip.

 

[John Galt]

Any decent 4x4 parts supplier or the solenoids are common to many toyotas, just get one from the wreckers. I think I got some from a corrola or camry

The BJ-74 uses 24v VSVs [vacuum solenoid valves]. The ones from 12v cars won't work.

 

[crushers]

John, you are right
but
you can use a cheap 24V-12V converter and run the 12V solenoid via seperate activator switch.

 

[dabasscow]

Thanks for the heads up on the solenoids

 

[dabasscow]

I went for a drive to the beach today about 30 minutes drive 35 km of 100km/hr and when I got to the beach the temp went up, I pulled over and the over flow bottle was full and over flowing and I had no water in the radiator or block sat there for a while let it cool down and filled it back up this cappened 3 time to get home. Any thoughts?

 

[crushers]

yep, you bought a lemon.
plugged rad
faulty thermostate
air bubble in the cooling system
faulty clutch fan

 

[cicak]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Just my thought

 

[dabasscow]

$*#!



It has a new radiator cap I was hoping it was just the wrong one as it wouldn't let the coolant back from the over flow bottle.

I seen a few threads mention the head gasket or head as well. Best to get a mechanic take a look I guess

It still drives fine just won't keep water in

 

[cicak]

If its that bad.

1. Toss it away
2. Buy a 13B-T rebuild it and the turbo and install
3. Harsh reality but its Dead engine now and the 13B-T is much superior.

 

[dabasscow]

Mechanic is confident it's the head gasket or cracked head after a bit of a look. It's going in next week. I am hoping for just a head gasket.

Cicak, it is a 13b-t, I think I will try to fix it before I toss it out.

 

[Hulsty]

Interesting to see what the problem is. Have not heard of many cracking heads or faulty gaskets. The head on mine was replaced with a 14BT head due to the previous owner feeding it petrol.

 

[crushers]

i have yet to see a 13BT with a cracked head or a dead head gasket ...

when was the last time the cooling system was properly flushed (and not just a hose shoved into the rad type cleaning)?

 

[dabasscow]

Aparently the cooling system was replaced 12 months ago

I removed the thermostat and it appeared faulty, filled the cooling system again and keeps loosing water through the over flow bottle, with the cap off constant bubbles when cold.

 

[dabasscow]

If there is something I am not doing please tell, I don't really want to pull the head off