BJ73+1KZ+LJ70 diffs ?? steering shimmy?

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ceejay LC100

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Hi all,

I just bought a 1987 BJ73. It has been fitted with a 1KZ engine and auto trans also with front and rear diffs from an LJ70.

Are the ratios in the LJ70 Diffs the same as what would have come on a 1KZ equipped 70 series ?

The speedo seems to read ok. I will check it with a hand held GPS speedo.

However, the vehicle is fitted with Maxxis big horn 33X12.5R15 tyres.

I think I will get rid of them and fit All Terrain tyres. These are way too noisy on the road.

I just drove it at like 60 Kmph and suddenly the steering wheel started a violent shimmy left and right. is this a common issue ? what needs to be done to sort it out ?

The vehicle has a lift kit on it too. I want to lower it back to its stock height.
 
Ahhhh, the dreaded "death wobble".

Check all the obvious stuff, loose or worn tie rod and relay rod ends, check that the lug nuts are tight. Jack up then front end and see if you have any play in the knuckle bearings or if the wheel bearings are loose.

How long has it been since you did a knuckle rebuild or replaced the TREs?
 
Had the same issue on a LJ78 and changing the steering dampener corrected the problem.
Good luck.....
 
It should have a steering damper, changing/adding it may help, it may not. I ran my FJ40 with no damper and never had any wobble with fresh ends and bearings.

Usually the death wobble is worn trunion bearings or tie/relay rod s***.

My last bout with the wobble was a loose relay rod sub-end assembly, loose as hell, scary when it happens at speed:meh:
 
So your truck has had a LJ70 suspension conversion done? BJ73's are leaf sprung from the factory. Do you have pics?
 
ceejay LC100 said:
Hi all,

I just bought a 1987 BJ73. It has been fitted with a 1KZ engine and auto trans also with front and rear diffs from an LJ70.

Are the ratios in the LJ70 Diffs the same as what would have come on a 1KZ equipped 70 series ?
Click to expand...

Hi Ceejay

The LJ diffs will be lower geared than KZ which wont be a problem if you are just offroading but if you are using it on the road you wont get the full benefit from the new engine and gearbox.

If you can post a pic of your diffs as I dont think they are LJ diffs because they are a smaller diff than what would have come in the BJ73 as standard.
 
HI guys thanks for your input.
Took it apart today and found that the knuckle bearings are really bad and very very sloppy. Could this have caused the problem ? + the wheel alignment is way off. It is toe out insetad of toe in.

Every thing else is new. Tire rod ends, steering damper etc.

Attached are some photos of the diffs. They are LJ70 Diffs adapted to fit the leaf springs and to use the BJ knuckles or something.

Photo 2-6-14, 5 13 01 PM.webp


Photo 2-6-14, 5 13 06 PM.webp


Photo 2-6-14, 5 13 18 PM.webp


Photo 2-6-14, 5 14 19 PM.webp


Photo 2-6-14, 5 14 34 PM.webp
 
that sure looks like a low pinion front to me ...
i could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.
 
What does it go like with a 1KZ TE? I often wondered how this engine would go in some of the older short and mid wheel base 40 and 70 series.
 
Well that's certainly a 1kz!

Those axles don't look right for Alan, but I could be wrong.
 
LJ front axle is only high pinion, lets see a side pic of the pinion area
 
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