Eeny, meeny, miny mo. 74 or 81?

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T

Technikev

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I am facing a bit of a dilemma. I am currently in a position to purchase my first cruiser. The horrible, horrible problem I face is which to purchase, a BJ74 or an HDJ81?

I believe I am an informed buyer and am familiar with both types, but I pose this question to the people here in hopes that someone may point out something that perhaps I have over looked.

A bit about me and my requiremets: I am not married and have no kids, so do not need a large vehicle. Actually a BJ70 would likely be large enough, although sometimes I bitch about the small size of my Cherokee. I don't do any hard core off roading - mostly back roads and mild trails. Minor pinstriping doesn't bother me and they will usually buff out fairly easily anyway. And like most of us, most of my driving is on pavement with duties of travel to work, the grocery store, and the other mundane tasks that a DD is used for.

I like the more refined nature of the 80s and have in the past considered buying a 4runner. On the other hand I really like the iconic look and simpler, no electronic fluff of the 70s.

What do I do? Please give me a sign O, Land Cruiser god...

-kevin
 
Buy an 81.
I struggled with exactly the same dilemma for the last 8 months. My decision was the 74 - but it boiled down to the fact that I'm a 70 series guy at heart. I wanted the shorter wheelbase (but longer than my 70), removeable hard top, and I wanted a motor with timing gears rather than a belt. I love my 70 and wanted the same thing...only better.
Eventually I'll have both, but until then I'm at peace with my decision. But in your case is sounds like maybe you like the 81 but like the IDEA of the 74. I think maybe you'd be happier with the plusher 81.

Of course I could be completely wrong...! Go drive them both. One will tell you to take it home.
 
I have had both.
I like both and its hard to pick.

The 74 is more utilitarian.
The 81 is more luxury.

Both are solid trucks.
The 81, will cost more to run though. More fuel, more oil, etc..... The 74's are cheaper to buy and run. The 81 is a luxury SUV all the way, and a offroad performer. The 74 is an offroad performer, but its no luxury vehicle (but still comfy). Its a truck and drives like a truck. I like that. I guess it depends what you would like. 81 costs more has more room and is luxury. The 74 is cheaper, no frills or gimicks, less stuff to break, and feels more like truck.

To be honest, I think I prefer driving my 74 over the 81.

Cheers,
N.
 
an 81 is harder on fuel?!?! man, are you out to lunch on that statement.

the 81 is just as good if not better than the 74.

i have owned a few of each and here is my observations:
the 74 has a sensitive throttle which makes it a PITA for off roading.
the 81 manual also has the same issue
the 74 is getting harder and harder to find parts for and will get even harder as time goes by
the 81 is easy to get parts for and will be for quite a while yet
the 74 rides like crap unless you lift it and tweak the suspension
the 81 rides NICE
the 74 is limited in room
the 81 is HUGE
the 74 does quite well off road in the right hands
the 81 is amazing off road
the 74 is cheaper and unless in great shape will loose resale value quickly
the 81 is expensive in great shape but the market if flooded with grade 3s so you can get pretty tricked out units for under $20,000.
the 74 will tow if you really need to but is a dog in comparrision to the 81 with a trailer behind.
the 81 has the option to tow 3500 lbs comfortably.
the 74 will rust quicker than the 81
teh 74 has manual hubs (Reliability)
the 81 is full time 4WD (front center section wears quickly and the axles seals do also)
the 74 is simple to work on
the 81 is a bit more complex but not the end of the world...

it comes down to your price range, use and desire. i am a 70 series guy but i am not blind to the benefits of the 81.

cheers
 
I have to agree with Wayne that powerplant and economy the 81's win.

The costs of clean 81 to me seem to be too high, and for that sole reason I would strongly consider converting a FZJ80 w/ a 1/2 cut etc. I also hate autos so a manual is the only option for myself.

70 series fitted with a 1HD-T like mine are the cat's meow and the only thing I may do in the future is add coils to the front ala 1998 and later models.

I would only start with a 74 with cable lockers as well, too much of a pain to add them.
 
Hey Wayne,

From what I have found in similar driving styles the 81 is harder on fuel.

If I remember correctly, the 81 used about 12-12.5L/100KM on the highway. I rememeber reading one of your posts as well saying the 81 test run you did was about the same. I also remember talking to Martin about his, and he reported his was higher and aroun 13-14.

My 74 uses about 10-10.5/100KM. Same as my BJ60, sames as cruiser_guy's BJ60, same as Gold Boys 74 (auto). My experience is that most B engines do about the same.

I could be out to lunch here. But this is what I have found.

Cheers,
N.
 
Last edited:
lshobie said:
If I were young and had no family i would get the bj74 - no brainer. an hdj81 is just not needed.
Click to expand...

have you ever wheeled an 80?? other than a non-removable (without the use of a plasma cutter) top they are every bit as good as a 7* series...

insert grin
 
crushers said:
have you ever wheeled an 80?? other than a non-removable (without the use of a plasma cutter) top they are every bit as good as a 7* series...

insert grin
Click to expand...

Yeah. after owning both I agree with you Wayne.
The 80's are awesome offroad. Smooth an comfy, and still a top performer.
No axle hop or wrap that I ever felt, or anything like that. Can climb themselves into a flip :). The flex like crazy, and have good wieght balance. Just an awesome truck. Smooth and fast on gravel and washboard. I do like having coil for the approachangles on this. No leaf to hit.

The 74 are no sloch either. But the 80's are beauty.
My 74 goes more places because of clearance, only because My 80 would drag. But with a lift the 80 would be just as good, and way more comfy. With the auto you can be so gentle in 4low. Which is better? Both trucks will go more places than I am willing to go with that kinda money tied up in them. And I am willing to use them (but try not to abuse).

Cheers.
 
One of the things that I am a bit concerned about is that I drive rather fast on the highway - usually from 120 to (usually) not more than 140. I am thinking that maybe a 70 with 33s might not like that too much and the 80 would handle it better.

On the other hand, when I drop into the Mud forum, the first place I usually go is the 70s section. Hmmm, what does that tell me...?

I'm so conflicted... ;-)

Wayne - Have you ever installed one of those part time 4by conversions on an 80? How much of a difference did it make in the driving feel?

-kevin
 
M John Galt said:
The 74 is a real truck, a classic Landcruiser...

The 81 is just another SUV clone.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I mean about the 70 series being iconic.

The 80 is rather generic looking although at the time they were built, it was still too early to be a clone. The SUV race was just kicking in... The 81 has a lot of merits, but I don't know if I can get over its soccer mom appearance. Will it outgrow this image with a lift and 33s or 35s or will it still be a grocery getter, just with bigger shoes? Am I going to be pissed off with a 74 two months down the road because its such a noisy tractor that can't get out of its own way on the Coq?

Lets be honest. This purchase will be like everyone else out there: all about emotion. I don't give a rat's ass about fuel mileage - a 74 and 81 are too close to matter and also too similar to my J@@p. Its about how you feel driving it every day. Does it rattle your fillings out? Do you look at it out the window and smile? Do you go out and drive nowhere, just for the hell of it? Do you sometimes wish you bought something else? I am looking for the intangibles, the stuff you can't put a number or measurement to. How does it make you FEEL?

Or should I just say screw it and forget about my indecision, keep my heep and go buy a Ducati?

-kevin
 
LOL

Absolutely! The only problem is that after I mod the Duc, I would have spent the same amount on a cruiser... I guess I should just become a gazillionaire, no?

-kevin
 
nickw said:
I enjoy driving both.
Which do I enjoy more?

Hard to say.
The 81 was quite power.
The 74 is lots of fun.
I might have to say the 74.
Click to expand...

I was reading somewhere here recently that you might be looking to move on from yours. Is this true?

Second, how do you deal with the left/clutch foot room, or lack of it, after driving your 81 with lots of foot space?

-kevin
 
Have you driven both yet Kevin? If you want I can take you for a spin in my 74, I work in Edomonton, let me know if your interested.
 
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