Buying a BJ74!!

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

I just sent @joekatana a message, but if that doesn't work out, who is this Akella you speak of??

Hopefully @elkaholic will chime in with some details on his converter. I need to figure out what all other accessories and items I want to run off one, so just need something quick and simple so I can have a stereo for the way home.

@wardharris - let me know if you want to grab a beer and kick some tires. There's a good chance I'll be sitting around your area for a day or two twiddling my thumbs while Torfab is doing some work to the truck.
 
Body looks nice.... though I would've wished to see the undercarriage before they painted it. I might be willing to trade you steering wheels.

For anybody else....the rear axle, is that a full floater or semi? Doesn't look like my full floater.
 
No inspection cover, it's a FF.
 
The undercarriage is apparently the OEM original JDM black paint. I was worried with the same, but the guy who I paid to do the PPI who has a Bj70 and has looked at a bunch of these told me the above.

The axle code is K085. http://www.cruiserfaq.com/09-01.php Limited slip, and according to Torfab, that means it's a full float. As my man said above, that's a bit above my technical savvy pay-grade so I'll let others comment. If anyone has a link to further reading on the axles it would be a good education for folks like me.
 
My converter is a hard mount (see post 62 in my thread here. 1986 BJ73 - Spanish Import to US - Under New Management )

I am guessing you could always use a cigar socket plug to power one up temporarily for the drive home by attaching a 2 or 3 gang cigar lighter socket block to the output side. You could then use it to power a gps, charge your iPhone and maybe power a jury rigged radio.
 
The others have covered majority of your queries, I can assist with the temp pod issue, I recently fitted one, and have recent memory to assist when your ready to attack, not as challenging as you may think,

FYI I had a 88 black silver beauty as DD, always regretted in selling, hence why I got back into the 74's a decade later,

image.webp
 
elkaholic said:
My converter is a hard mount (see post 62 in my thread here. 1986 BJ73 - Spanish Import to US - Under New Management )

I am guessing you could always use a cigar socket plug to power one up temporarily for the drive home by attaching a 2 or 3 gang cigar lighter socket block to the output side. You could then use it to power a gps, charge your iPhone and maybe power a jury rigged radio.
Click to expand...
Here is a thought, you can buy USB chargers from cig lighter, which usually 12-24 v compatible, buy some cheap small speakers that snap into iPhone headphone socket a USB /iPhone lead, and charge as you drive , happy days !!
 
cruiserdan said:
No inspection cover, it's a FF.
Click to expand...
Ah, didn't know they came like that.

fireball said:
The undercarriage is apparently the OEM original JDM black paint. I was worried with the same, but the guy who I paid to do the PPI who has a Bj70 and has looked at a bunch of these told me the above.
Click to expand...
Could very well be. But the radiator and airbox look very shiny to be 25 years old.... or even shinier than when new... which hints to me, somebody along the way is touching up parts.
 
fireball said:
I just sent @joekatana a message, but if that doesn't work out, who is this Akella you speak of??

Hopefully @elkaholic will chime in with some details on his converter. I need to figure out what all other accessories and items I want to run off one, so just need something quick and simple so I can have a stereo for the way home.

@wardharris - let me know if you want to grab a beer and kick some tires. There's a good chance I'll be sitting around your area for a day or two twiddling my thumbs while Torfab is doing some work to the truck.
Click to expand...

Akella - A mysterious but friendly fellow from Ontario who brings in new OEM parts not available in CDN/USA Toyota part system. Search for Akella on MUD or shoot him an email at info@cruiseraddiction.com

If the cig lighter solution doesn't work for you, Tor could slam one of these in for you

upload_2014-12-4_19-7-18.webp


I live nearby (relatively speaking - a short ferry ride away, see below) love to buy you a beverage, etc. When you going to be here?

upload_2014-12-4_19-10-24.webp
 
Last edited:
Hi Ward, thanks for the invite! I wasn't planning on bringing my swim trunks but looks like it would be a wet ride!

I'm planning to fly to VAN early to middle January.

I'm working with Jason @Cruisin' off road to make me some sliders and front bumper. Trying to figure out a front bumper design and whether or not to keep the PTO winch.

Any advice on whether or not to keep the PTO winch? I'll have about $200-300 to get it up to snuff. A decent ComeUp 24V is 700-800$. I'm not sure how much better the approach angle will be with an electric winch. Here is the bumper style I like, and will have Jason build me one just like this (Which accommodates PTO or electric) or one specific for electric which will tuck in a bit tighter.

IMG-20130731-01638.webp IMG-20130731-01640.webp
 
The PTO winch has a certain charm about it. I happen to think they are cool...YMMV.
 
The PTO setup has a certain allure to it, no doubt, and I really want to like it. It certainly has a cool factor to it, and if I wasn't so enamored with my lovely wife I have no doubt that the line "come check out my PTO winch" would be a wild hit with the ladies.

I imagine it will get used a fair bit, the truck doesn't have lockers and probably won't for awhile. That's a big expense I can do down the road. But the proposed route home goes through Moab, so with open rears right now I expect to be giving it a decent workout. If I do keep it, I'll do a small service to it and fit it with 80-100' of 3/8 synthetic rope.

I guess my real question is with a stock geared, stock t-cased, 5 spd truck on 33s can I effectively use the PTO to get myself unstuck in moderate wheeling situations. I've used a PTO winch the exact same number of times as I've driven a 70-series LC, zero (0), so am in new territory here.
 
fireball said:
I'm planning to fly to VAN early to middle January.

I'm working with Jason @Cruisin' off road to make me some sliders and front bumper. Trying to figure out a front bumper design and whether or not to keep the PTO winch.

Any advice on whether or not to keep the PTO winch?
Click to expand...

You bought your ticket yet? Seattle is usually a lot less and I can pick up/drop off at Jason's. I need to make the trip in any event.

PTO? I love old tech - keep it if you can get it working. Not sure how much you need more extreme approach angle or how much difference the PTO vs. 'lectric makes, but the 74 is a pretty neat package to begin with.

As for the bumper, do you have deer, elk, pedestrians in Central Pennsylvania? If so, you might want to consider adding protection a little higher up on the front clip. The classic ARB-style bull bars have saved a lot of guys, or so the anecdotes would suggest.

How are you going to import? I am no expert, but there are some suggestions I might offer.

I will send you a PM and can detail.

Cheers
 
Yup PTO's are super reliable and can run all day without worry and definitely have a cool factor...... until the motors not running and you need to winch the truck off of its side, out of a hole or onto a trailer, then they are useless. Oh and then when the shear pin lets go and your buried in mud and now tied to a tree. Also they are no good for winching and driving together as the speed of your wheels and the speed of your winch dont even come close to matching up. Not to mention they really kill the approach angle in factory form.

So it really depends how your going to use the truck?? Personally ditching the PTO was one of the first things I did but some people like them. With a little searching I am sure you can find countless threads debating the topic, rather then having your build thread turn into one
 
Malahki ...... "Yup PTO's are super reliable and can run all day without worry and definitely have a cool factor". ........

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I felt the same way about condoms when I was a teenager. :)
Much like the PTO winch, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks.
 
Quite the segway there..............:grinpimp:
 
We have both deer and elk in PA, and the pedestrians are typically quite well fed so I will consider an additional bar or two.

I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping the PTO winch. While it's a good idea to never say never, I can't imagine getting myself into a terrible situation when out solo that a PTO wouldn't work. I plan on getting an extra shear pin or two to carry as spares. And will make it a condition of my wheeling companions that they have nicely functioning winches :)

If some kind soul with a nearby 70-series could grab a few measurements for me I'd be supremely appreciative!

2014-12-05_18-01-02.webp
 
29.5 inches between the headlamps.

The grille mesh area is 24.5 inches wide and 7.375 inches high.
 
Here is my PTO winch in a custom stubby the previous owner designed and built.
IMGP2858[1].webp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom