Eeny, meeny, miny mo. 74 or 81?

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

Technikev said:
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
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am looking at selling mine. Downsizing. Looking at a 70 truck. As for leg room. The 81 and 74 sit a bit differently.
The 74 is more like a chair, the 81 has your legs flatter.

I am only 5"11, but leg room is no problem.
GoldBoy is about 6"6. You should ask him. :)
There is tones of headroom though.

Maybe PM me your number and I can call you.
Also let me know what time is safe to call until.
I can always call tonight.

Cheers,
N.
 
I chose a 74 after test driving an 80 series. The 80 was just another boring SUV, the 74 has character in spades, and is a whole lot more fun to drive than any other truck I've used. My 74 isn't noisy at all, most folks are surprised it's a diesel, it's that quiet.
 
13BT is quiet, yah right...compared to a cummins maybe...

if you want a 70 then get a 70, if you want a 81 then get one...

me, i wheel a 70, daily drive a 78 and tow with a Ford... i do not own a 81..why?

cause i have replacement parts for the 70 sitting on the shelf, bought the 70 for parts and do not care a rats ass about it. i can beat it and not feel guilty, if i rub a tree...oh well. hydro lock the engine...crap but oh well.

if i had an 81 i would be worried about parts, hydrolock THAT engine and you are talking money...

and most of all...i LOVE the looks of a 70, 77, 75, 74...

so get off the pot and go buy what YOU WANT TO...

cheers
 
Well there goes your credibility: you drive a Ford... :-p

Well, anyway, I've talked to you a few times and dropped by at least once. You know your stuff (except maybe your prior misguided enthusiasm for the 2LT) and I value your opinion as I do all the names that I have come to be familiar to me.

Of course I'm going buy what i want. I'm just kinda indecisive - especially on important decisions such as this. Its nice to hear from others who may have slightly differing opinions and insight into my dilemma.

-kevin
 
Haggs said:
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.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer.

I have driven a 74 a while back. The engine noise wasn't too bad, but I like the sound of a diesel, so that might have something to do with it. And yes Wayne, I like the Cummins, too. Not huge power, but enough. One thing I did notice is that with 31 inch tires, it seemed a bit low geared for NA roads. I thought it revved a bit high at highway speeds (100-110 kmh). They all have 4:11s, right? A lift and some 33s would likely fix that up nicely.

We should hook up, anyway. I'll PM you.

-kevin
 
Technikev said:
Thanks for the offer.

I have driven a 74 a while back. The engine noise wasn't too bad, but I like the sound of a diesel, so that might have something to do with it. And yes Wayne, I like the Cummins, too. Not huge power, but enough. One thing I did notice is that with 31 inch tires, it seemed a bit low geared for NA roads. I thought it revved a bit high at highway speeds (100-110 kmh). They all have 4:11s, right? A lift and some 33s would likely fix that up nicely.

We should hook up, anyway. I'll PM you.

-kevin
Click to expand...

With my 5 speed and 33's its at 2200 for about 100-105kph.

Cheers,
N
 
I just have to weigh in on this. I think you should definitely drive them both. One may speak to you more than the other. I don't agree with John about the 81 being "just another SUV clone". I think the 81 is one of the best looking full size SUV's around, but that's just opinion, so no one is wrong. The only other thing that really jumped out at me is that at high speed the 81 will be MUCH quieter than the 74. But they are both great trucks, so you really can't go wrong. Perhaps whatever you find in better condition could make the choice?
 
Technikev said:
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?
Click to expand...

My 75 series trayback is smooth as a baby's bum on the road, even smoother again with a loaded trailer behind it. I challenge any 81 in terms of this but my suspension is more or less stock and has been in there a while so is well settled :)

My 73 series had 6 inches of lift and all sorts of extra s*** tacked on and frankly it rode like a bed full of marbles on a sea voyage. You used to get out after 45 minutes with back pain. ABSOLUTELY FREAKING AWESOME OFFROAD THOUGH.

I've never in my life thought of purchasing any other 4x4 seriously. after getting the 75 trayback, I want another 73/74 series MWB for wheeling and keeping the 75 tarmac bound for hauling my racecar and work stuff and so forth. 75 is also great for expedition/camping work due to long range fuel tanks and the tray being sleepable :D

I love to drive nowhere in particular but honestly don't have much time anymore. But it's a great thing to do and i'm fxxxing proud to be seen in my trayback, many many old men drool over it :)

And i'm 22.
 
Hey Entran,

Your a young guy like me. I'm only 24.

I can see your 75 series riding nicer than a 73/74 because of the longer wheelbase.
But my 74 series does not ride bad. I also can't see a leaf sprung 70 series riding like a 80 either. The 80's is about as good as it gets with a SFA for ride.

Cheers,
N.
 
nickw said:
Looking at a 70 truck. As for leg room. The 81 and 74 sit a bit differently.The 74 is more like a chair, the 81 has your legs flatter.

I am only 5"11, but leg room is no problem.
GoldBoy is about 6"6. You should ask him. :)
There is tones of headroom though.
Click to expand...

I prefer the sitting position of my 70 over that of my 62. Because the 62 seat is lower, it doesn't afford as much legroom. So, I modified it. In any case, I'm 6'5" and am quite comfortable in the 70.
 
Technikev said:
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
Click to expand...

Buy the 74,wheel it,love it and experience it. When your finished buy an 80 series and do it all over again.

Both vehicles were world leaders in their day and they set the benchmarks on ruggedness and reliabilty and comfort.

The 75 series wheel base is a great compromise for comfort and load carrying but after doing 1300klms in 12 1/2 hours yesterday,that cramped cab has me aching all over
 
Technikev said:
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 ***** 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
Click to expand...

I would go with the 70 as well, once driven you will know. Those 80s are a big truck, but I guess it similar to the Jeep thing.
The 70s just go.........and go and go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom