'77 FJ40 - Gear Reduction Starter & Dizzy Upgrade (1 Viewer)

[MoCoNative]

No problems at all, GR starter only needs the switched 12V input to engage solenoid and big cable from battery as you have it shown.

Yes, I got that coil, has been working fine, no resistor needed, just went to the + with the BY and the positive wire for dist. On the negative I hooked into the old starter jumper wire.

Mine is a 73, so no igniter and the only item I got rid of was the ballast resistor.

I will note, I replaced the starter because the prior conventional rebuilt starter had hung up one night and acted funny. I got a GR as a replacement, and proceeded to smoke it two days later. It hung up and would not stop turning, had to pull the battery cable, everything was melting down. My friendly NAPA store replaced it, but the real problem was poor grounds. So for anyone working on this or messing about with starters and battery cables, clean them up and run the battery and starter ground cables to one bolt below the battery. I had mine separated just like the factory installation, short ground strap from starter to frame and then battery ground to frame below headlight. Rusty bolts, or whatever prevented a good completion of the power hungry starter motor circuit, the increased resistance nearly fused the copper contacts of the solenoid and made the starter stick. Was probably my problem all along, not a bad starter as I initially thought.

 

[78fj40mg]

@78fj40mg

he's probably talking about the trollhole electronic dizzy... for those that want to be rid of points

Johnny, thanks for the reply to my original question posed to GA Architect, I was simply wondering what the hoopla was all about with Trollhole, I had a temporary lapse in recollection about the old dizzy's with points and dwell angles, etc.

 

[GA Architect]

Johnny, thanks for the reply to my original question posed to GA Architect, I was simply wondering what the hoopla was all about with Trollhole, I had a temporary lapse in recollection about the old dizzy's with points and dwell angles, etc.

Mike - The advantage of using Trollhole's electronic dizzy, no points to mess with & simple set up. I've been searching for how to wire a Gear Reduction Starter as well as the Trollhole Dizzy. I was just knocking out two birds with one diagram, but wanted confirmation my diagram was correct. This thread is all apart of a bigger plan. See, I have a '86 FJ60 2F coming to me that I'm going to rebuild. It also will come with all the accessories, including coil/igniter & electronic dizzy, as well as a Gear Reduction Starter. So I'm trying to wrap my head around all the set-ups for the rebuilt 2F with the parts that I have.

1. Use my '77 points dizzy (which is a good unit), coil & igniter...the same stock set-up I run now.
2. Or install my new trollhole electronic dizzy and new 12V coil Toyota OEM 90919-02015. (simplest of the bunch)
3. Or install my '86 FJ60 electronic dizzy, coil & igniter...more research will be needed.

I'm going to install the GR Starter as soon as I can cleaned it up and get it checked out.

 

[78fj40mg]

Mike - The advantage of using Trollhole's electronic dizzy, no points to mess with & simple set up. I've been searching for how to wire a Gear Reduction Starter as well as the Trollhole Dizzy. I was just knocking out two birds with one diagram, but wanted confirmation my diagram was correct. This thread is all apart of a bigger plan. See, I have a '86 FJ60 2F coming to me that I'm going to rebuild. It also will come with all the accessories, including coil/igniter & electronic dizzy, as well as a Gear Reduction Starter. So I'm trying to wrap my head around all the set-ups for the rebuilt 2F with the parts that I have.

1. Use my '77 points dizzy (which is a good unit), coil & igniter...the same stock set-up I run now.
2. Or install my new trollhole electronic dizzy and new 12V coil Toyota OEM 90919-02015. (simplest of the bunch)
3. Or install my '86 FJ60 electronic dizzy, coil & igniter...more research will be needed.

I'm going to install the GR Starter as soon as I can cleaned it up and get it checked out.

Thanks for the background info. I'd like to see some before and after pics of the GR starter as I may be doing the same upgrade since my existing starter is a bit sluggish although fairly new.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I really like my Trollhole distributor - nice , hot spark and pretty stable timing curve . Produces a lot better power band than the old worn-out oem unit with Pertronix installed . I only wish it had bearings instead of bushings , but otherwise a great bang for the buck , so to speak . I need to replace or upgrade my starter pretty badly , it's dragging something fierce in colder or hot weather but still kicking . With THC's carb and distributor the thing only makes 2nd revolution at -20*F and fires right off ....despite the very slow starter .
Sarge

 

[GA Architect]

I really like my Trollhole distributor - nice , hot spark and pretty stable timing curve . Produces a lot better power band than the old worn-out oem unit with Pertronix installed . I only wish it had bearings instead of bushings , but otherwise a great bang for the buck , so to speak . I need to replace or upgrade my starter pretty badly , it's dragging something fierce in colder or hot weather but still kicking . With THC's carb and distributor the thing only makes 2nd revolution at -20*F and fires right off ....despite the very slow starter .
Sarge

Sarge - Great to hear you like your TH dizzy. What type of coil are you running with it, the OEM coil/igniter or upgraded coil only? Got a photo showing the wiring of your TH dizzy & coil?

It is very apparent that there are many different ways to accomplish the same goal of installing/wiring an electronic dizzy in our 40's. I'm just trying to compile as many installations as I can find/source, and choose the one that best fits my needs.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Don't have any pics right now , the coil (If I remember right) is an aftermarket generic from the looks of it . A lot of the original wiring in the engine bay is a hacked mess , need to re-wire it all next spring correctly . Mine's all wired very basic right now - distributor to coil and the coil is spliced into the oem wiring , somehow . Need to dig into this mess and fix it correctly , dead/live wires all over the place .
Sarge

 

[MoCoNative]

GA, if you are swapping in a later 2F engine from a 60, I would use the ignition from it. Marshall will tell you the same. The later all electronic distributors from the 60 are bullet proof. They are sealed, provide good ventilation to themselves and ride on bearings instead of bushings. I have 240K plus miles on my 60, all original, the ignition on that truck has been completely worry free. It always starts, and runs well no matter what, it is very stable, and as others will say, very reliable. I replaced the cap and rotor and plugs a few years ago, they were not too bad, I don't know when they were done in the past, but I had many miles on them, still running the original spark plug wires.

 

[GA Architect]

GA, if you are swapping in a later 2F engine from a 60, I would use the ignition from it. Marshall will tell you the same. The later all electronic distributors from the 60 are bullet proof. They are sealed, provide good ventilation to themselves and ride on bearings instead of bushings. I have 240K plus miles on my 60, all original, the ignition on that truck has been completely worry free. It always starts, and runs well no matter what, it is very stable, and as others will say, very reliable. I replaced the cap and rotor and plugs a few years ago, they were not too bad, I don't know when they were done in the past, but I had many miles on them, still running the original spark plug wires.

Thanks!...I figured that was going to be the case. I just don't have the FJ60 coil/igniter wiring diagram. I think Coolerman has this documented though.

If the supplied FJ60 coil/igniter & dizzy checks out, more than likely I'll run it. However, I'll want to have the dizzy re-curved by Jim C. for my desmogged application. I know it doesn't have to be re-curved, but it is advised to have it done for maximum performance.

 

[fjgoober]

Ordered the GR starter yesterday from Oreilly Auto, $89+ $20 core, put it in today. Sounds just like my T100 starting!! I think I like it, but it is faster, should help with the cold early morning starts.....now I will have to get used to it and work on my timing of my right foot with the pumping action. I'll have to learn to pump it quicker.

But I gotta say, with a good battery, on some really cold mornings I've started the ole 40 when nothing else would.....just approximately 1/8 pump on the throttle at the proper time as she turns over maybe just maybe she turns over twice and always fires right up.

We had a winter here a few years back where for a couple of days the morning temp was -20 deg F????....maybe it was -12 deg F, I can't remember but it was negative degrees F and it was cold. (I know that's normal for you guys up North but that's cold for me!!) The only two things that I could get running that had been sitting outside was the 1978 fj40 and the 1965 M670 Minneapolis Moline tractor!!!!

Probably should have done this upgrade years ago.

 

[78fj40mg]

FJ60 GR NEW starter $95, I just bought this on Amazon no core fee and free shipping, I paid $82 shipped with some Amazon discounts. They have (8) eight in stock.
http://www.amazon.com/STARTER-MOTOR-TOYOTA-CRUISER-028000-8220/dp/B007CA8JWM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421452544&sr=8-1-fkmr0er&keywords=toyota+land+cruiser+FJ60+Bosch+Gear+Reduction+Starter

 

[GA Architect]

Ordered the GR starter yesterday from Oreilly Auto, $89+ $20 core, put it in today. Sounds just like my T100 starting!! I think I like it, but it is faster, should help with the cold early morning starts.....now I will have to get used to it and work on my timing of my right foot with the pumping action. I'll have to learn to pump it quicker.

But I gotta say, with a good battery, on some really cold mornings I've started the ole 40 when nothing else would.....just approximately 1/8 pump on the throttle at the proper time as she turns over maybe just maybe she turns over twice and always fires right up.

We had a winter here a few years back where for a couple of days the morning temp was -20 deg F????....maybe it was -12 deg F, I can't remember but it was negative degrees F and it was cold. (I know that's normal for you guys up North but that's cold for me!!) The only two things that I could get running that had been sitting outside was the 1978 fj40 and the 1965 M670 Minneapolis Moline tractor!!!!

Probably should have done this upgrade years ago.

FJ60 GR NEW starter $95, I just bought this on Amazon no core fee and free shipping, I paid $82 shipped with some Amazon discounts. They have (8) eight in stock.
http://www.amazon.com/STARTER-MOTOR-TOYOTA-CRUISER-028000-8220/dp/B007CA8JWM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421452544&sr=8-1-fkmr0er&keywords=toyota+land+cruiser+FJ60+Bosch+Gear+Reduction+Starter

NICE! I look forward to getting my, new to me, FJ60 GR Starter.

 

[Spike Strip]

I may be remembering wrong, but I think those NEW GR starters from Rareelectrical.com are Com-Chinese-made, if that makes a difference to you. Post up when you receive it where it's made, please.

 

[Trollhole]

I may be remembering wrong, but I think those NEW GR starters from Rareelectrical.com are Com-Chinese-made, if that makes a difference to you. Post up when you receive it where it's made, please.

Don't buy new oem (Denso)if you don't like China cause that is where they are made. Denso only remanufactures starters in Japan. Which is what I usually buy.

Bosch is a good unit. But I can bet you can figure out where they are made as well.

 

[coinoperated40]

Got the picture of the starter from my '82. Does it tell you anything?
Thanks for any info.
Shane

 

[GA Architect]

Here is simple diagram using a Toyota Coil #90919-02015.

 

[sggoat]

Don't buy new oem (Denso)if you don't like China cause that is where they are made. Denso only remanufactures starters in Japan. Which is what I usually buy.

Bosch is a good unit. But I can bet you can figure out where they are made as well.

i'm confused--do I buy denso or not? If I buy new-it's Chinese. If I buy reman-it's Chinese remanned in Japan-so the difference is???

 

[78fj40mg]

Got the picture of the starter from my '82. Does it tell you anything?
Thanks for any info.
ShaneView attachment 1018794

It does not appear to be a gear reduction starter.

 

[fjgoober]

X2. You have the old starter. Upgrade baby UPGRADE you'll never regret it. You will be amazed!

The more I think about it....the sound is not like the T 100 [close but just not the same] but sounds just like my diesel skid steer starter!

 

[coinoperated40]

Thanks for the information. The GR will be coming home on the next pull part day.
Shane