24volt Questions BJ70

[basfire]

Hi Guys,
I have a lead on an '87 BJ70 and I'm a little gun shy of the 24v system.
Any input would be appreciated:
The radio is dead. Where do I get a current am/fm/cd/mps?
I'm in North Cal where would I get bulbs for head lites, tail lites, brake lites, etc.
What do I do if I want to install a winch?
How do I set up wiring to tow a trailer?
How about availability of alternators, starters, etc.
One last question? It's a non-turbo, what type of average mpg should I expect?

 

[1985bj70]

Hi Guys,
I have a lead on an '87 BJ70 and I'm a little gun shy of the 24v system.
Any input would be appreciated:
The radio is dead. Where do I get a current am/fm/cd/mps?
I'm in North Cal where would I get bulbs for head lites, tail lites, brake lites, etc.
What do I do if I want to install a winch?
How do I set up wiring to tow a trailer?
How about availability of alternators, starters, etc.
One last question? It's a non-turbo, what type of average mpg should I expect?

My truck is 12 volt, I cannot help you out with much, but I believe there are converters available to run 12 volt electronics off of your 24 volt system. One option for a stereo that will work off of 24 volts: Clarion Canada | RG9451

Good luck. This has the 3b diesel motor I take it? Best mileage I have seen out of mine was probably 500 kilometres using about 70 litres. Sorry I do not have that converted to MPG.

 

[Estancio]

My 87 BJ70 is also a 24volt one. I have faced all the concerns you mentioned, and have managed just fine over the past 25 years. Bulbs are no issue as they are available. 24v to 12v converter solves stereo issues. I bought a Samlex. More and more small electronics have 12-24volt cigarette plug-in charges that handle either current (such as Garmin gps). Never had to repair alternator or starter, but any experienced electrics shop should be able to repair 24volt units. Faced the towing issue last year and found a way to add multi-circuit trailer hitch converter for towing 12volt camper. Lots of 24v everything right across the border in Canada, a phone call away. Fuel economy for mine has averaged 22mpg over it's lifetime.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Hi Guys,
I have a lead on an '87 BJ70 and I'm a little gun shy of the 24v system.
Any input would be appreciated:
The radio is dead. Where do I get a current am/fm/cd/mps?
I'm in North Cal where would I get bulbs for head lites, tail lites, brake lites, etc.
What do I do if I want to install a winch?
How do I set up wiring to tow a trailer?
How about availability of alternators, starters, etc.
One last question? It's a non-turbo, what type of average mpg should I expect?

Lots of big trucks,agri tractors and earthmoving equipment use 24 v
I think 24 volt winches are still available.

 

[amaurer]

Expect 20mpg and you won't be disappointed.

In Pollock Pines you're in for an adventure with a non-turbo 3B - when I take my BJ73 (also 24V) up to Tahoe from the Bay Area anything but the lightest pedal pressure will lay down a shockingly large cloud of black smoke when over 5000'.

I won't say its undrivable... but its close if you are trying not to offend people. Rt 50 will be a 30mph trip for you, less at times. You are now officially "that guy"... welcome to the club.

I get my 24V bulbs from Amazon, just because I'm lazy and clicky clicky is easy easy.

I have a standard 12V radio with a Samlex 24-12V converter (about $100, I recall).

Starter/alternator are difficult to replace in the states, but not due to the voltage, the 12V versions are no better. The alternator on a 3B is a bastard in the states no matter what voltage it is because of the vacuum pump on it - there are no over the counter sources, 12V or 24V, period. When I blew up my 24V one I had it rewound here in the South Bay... was about $150, they didn't bat an eye. Starters may or may not be available from Toyota, but even if they're not you can buy an alternate starter and steal the motor from it to revive your current unit (details of that in the Diesel Tech forum). But generally speaking you're only going to blow up the contacts in the starter and those are easy to get for a couple bucks, even from US suppliers. Not a deal breaker by any means.

Jumpstarting can be a pain, I do carry one of those portable jumpstarter things (12V) so that I can jump one battery with it and the other battery with a helpful bystander's vehicle. Before I had the jump starter I did manage to successfully start it once by jumping only a single battery (I had a bad habit of leaving the lights on when it was new to me). Of course being a 3B its also easy to start just by rolling it down a hill, which you'll have plenty of in the Sierras

The trailer thing is a bitch. The simplest solution is to just replace all your trailer bulbs with 24V. BUT many cheap trailers (I'm talking about the Harbofreight crap I LOVE to buy) use the brake light bulb for a turn signal so you'd require a converter box... but the converter boxes easily available aren't 24V. I'm sure you could find one somewhere for some$$$, but this definitely takes a little extra fiddling, I just pull my trailers with my 12V cruiser. :-/

EDIT: Rereading my post its a bit of a downer. Bottom line is that I don't find the 24V to be a problem in the slightest. My 24V truck is my DD.

 

[singletrackjunkie]

I have a 24v canadian spec BJ42 and while it's not as easy to get parts as a trip to the local auto parts store, I've always been able to get what I need. I even broke down once on my way to the airport, got a ride and then uploaded photos and questions to 'mud, had my answer by the time I made my connection and a shop in Canada overnighted me the parts so they were waiting for me when I got back from my trip. I wouldn't let the 24V part keep me from getting it again. If you really don't like 24v you could convert it to a 12v but for me I like having the 24 for the cold starts in the michigan winters.

 

[basfire]

Thank you for all the replies. I've made the deal and am flying up to Calgary beginning of March to drive it home. The current owner is super. I'll send pics when I get it. Thanks again

 

[jonb96150]

I also have a 24v 1987 BJ70. Like Amaurer I use 24v bulbs on the trailer. I just installed a Samlex 24 to 12 converter for the add ons running it through a Blue Sea (I think) fuse buss.

The 24v is a pita, but not a deal breaker. I have not had to replace any of the factory 24v stuff in the 4 years I've had the truck.

Like others have said, there is very good support in Canada. You won't get the parts the next day but you will get them, but they won't be cheap.

If the windshield is bad get it replaced while you are in Canada. If the truck is newly painted be wary of rust issues.

I have a Warn M8000 24v which is still being made. Do not use a 12v winch on one battery. For that matter do not tap one battery for 12v stuff.

Driving it in the Sierras will be like driving an old VW bus. I had 2 non turboed 70's and found them "almost" undriveable. Even my turboed one holds up traffic on steep grades. Start saving for a turbo!

Come on up to South Shore with it and we can go over things.

 

[prado t]

I did a 12-24v conversion on a Warn 8274 , 24V Western Motor Service winch motor. I also have a 24V Warn M8000

Napa caries the bulbs you need (I cant remember the part #)

DO NOT TAP INTO ONE BATTERY FOR 12v

I use a 24V 5 wire to 4 wire adapter for my Willys MBT trailer. ( BJ 74 24v tail light bulbs plug right in the trailer light housings)

Both my cruisers are 24V

 

[Eric Winkworth]

I am re-posting this because it pertains to what is being asked....

"What are the benifits of 24V" I am sure some of you already know the below information, but for those that don't it's an interesting read! I found the information on a Humvee website!

"Humvees are 24 Volt systems, making them compatible with MOST of the military vehicles in service. The military is trying to standardize on equipment, for ease of fueling, and maintenance issues like jump starting, and battery charging. The Army has settled on 24 Volts, and JP-8 for fuel. JP-8 runs their helicopters, and will work just fine in diesel engines (a bit less power, but MUCH cleaner). Sure, they have some legacy systems left that use gasoline, and 12 Volt starter/electrical systems, but they are being retired.

To further confuse the civilian issue, diesels have historically used 24 Volt systems. This is because of the higher compression. While it is true that two batteries, whether parallel (12 Volts), or series (24 Volts) wired will produce the same power, it is MUCH easier to transfer power at higher voltages. The brushes and contractors suffer much less abuse if the CURRENT is lower. [This is one reason the power companies use high tension (high voltage) transmission lines.] The other reason 24 Volts is used is because the wires can be smaller. Smaller wires for battery cables are good, it makes motor design and construction much easier, like the starter motor.

However, especially in light trucks, 24 Volts was just too much trouble for the owners and users. Radios need special attention, through the use of a second alternator, or a special switching power supply to provide them with 12 Volts. Bulbs are special, somewhat hard to find, and more expensive. Further, bulbs are the ONE CASE where higher current is better. The filament has to be thicker to produce the same light, so they are physically stronger and will take more vibration before breaking. "

12-volt and 24-volt systems

Interesting, so from what I gather relays , alternators, starters essentially everything to go wrong with an automotive electrical system other then light bulbs, will last longer on a 24V vehicle! Hence why the military uses it. Also smaller conductors cut down slightly on building costs and perhaps vehicle weight...

I guess that explains why the alternator and starter on my truck lasted just over 20 years and 300 000km's!

Thanks 24V!

 

[diesel69er]

JUST HAPPENED UPON THIS THREAD AND WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY 2 CENTS. oops sorry, caps lock. anyway, personally i wouldn't buy a 24 v cruiser again. i have an 89 FJ62 and swapped in a 2H diesel and tranny from my rusted HJ60. Also swapped the entire 24v wiring harness. don't mind the radio, boosting and towing issues, my problem is with toyota!

The bastards have discontinued all 24v relays for this truck!! I am always just one relay away from a permanent brakedown. So far lost the lights relay(called dimmer relay), wiper relay, glow plug controller, shutdown relay,(no edic on automatic, not sure what it's called), I had to get creative with dual pole switches. love the 2H, hate the toyota dealership!

One more thing, you would think that toyota would give us a deal on parts for trucks 25yrs. old, we're driving free advertising for them when people see trucks this age still on the road. Oil pan for 2H, over $800 plus tax! I welded up my own. anyway, sorry for the rant, good luck wiwth your purchase.

 

[crushers]

24V can be fun.
in the glove box behind the plastic box and bolted to the top of the space is the factory 24-12 converter used to run usual deck heads.
lights, from a truck stop.
towing, i used to sell 24-12 trailer light converters (thanks Bruce) but they are discontinued so you can do the bulb swap easy enough.

i own 3 X 24V trucks and a few 12V vehicles. i do nto find it daunting owning a 24V unit although, if i had the choice, i would rather own a 12V unit ... it is that simple.

you have come to the right place for advice, there are a lot of knowledgeable persons here that are willing to share.

when you get your truck post up some pics.

 

[Malahki]

I own two 24V vehciles; a 1989 BJ74 and a 72 Pinzguaer 710m. Yes it can be a pain finding parts and adding accessories but its worth it to own quality vehicles. After all if our biggest concern was parts availability and aftermarket support we would all just buy Jeeps.

Here is a good source for some cool 24v products
24, 36 and 48 Volt DC Products

 

[diesel69er]

I own two 24V vehciles; a 1989 BJ74 and a 72 Pinzguaer 710m. Yes it can be a pain finding parts and adding accessories but its worth it to own quality vehicles. After all if our biggest concern was parts availability and aftermarket support we would all just buy Jeeps.

Here is a good source for some cool 24v products
24, 36 and 48 Volt DC Products

very true. the hj60's are sort of a special case however. 24v hj's are too rare. hard to find parts is one thing, but practically impossible is quite another. hey i got a water pump from australia, took a couple of weeks, no biggie. it's when you simply can't find parts anywhere anymore.
i see a couple of people selling their leather clad and diff locked 80 series for less than 3 grand up here, (probably fed up with gas prices), thinking of popping the 2H in one of those instead. run 24v starter with a relay and get a 12v alternator from australia for the rest the 62 body is getting rusty anyway...

 

[jonb96150]

I own two 24V vehciles; a 1989 BJ74 and a 72 Pinzguaer 710m. Yes it can be a pain finding parts and adding accessories but its worth it to own quality vehicles. After all if our biggest concern was parts availability and aftermarket support we would all just buy Jeeps.

Here is a good source for some cool 24v products
24, 36 and 48 Volt DC Products

Thanks for the link.
A 710K was my first 24v vehicle. Followed by a 710M. Pinzgauers are pretty impressive but they fall over too easy in the rocks. I flopped the K twice!

Bruce, the o.p. came by for a couple hours and checked out my 24v BJ70 yesterday. I forgot to give him the 24V initiation rite: battery leads to both sides of tongue to test voltage!

He is bringing me a new windshield (along with one for himself) if he can pack them in the rig. That is too cool! Thanks again Bruce.

 

[izula]

Any room for a 3rd windshield???

 

[basfire]

I'd love to bring back all kinds of parts but as you all know the space in the BJ70 is lacking. Besides my wife is joining me on the adventure so I need to leave a little space for her. Meeting a new Cruiser friend, Jon, was great and his nicely fixed up BJ70 is and will be a great resource for me. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will have some in here next week.

 

[izula]

It was worth a try... I've got a 70 and love it. Enjoy the adventure. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[basfire]

Leaving Thursday

Everything is a go. Flying to Calgary and picking up BJ70. Local Toyota dealership has done a bumper to bumper pre trip inspection, courtesy of previous owner. The weather looks like it is going to cooperate. I've already ordered Turbo Kit from Kieth in Redding CA.

 

[fossilcruiser]

I just purchased a 1985 BJ70 in Vancouver and brought it across the border to Seattle a couple of weeks ago. If you're passing through Seattle, let me know.