HZJ73 vs BJ74

[skinny]

Just curious what yours guys thoughst are between the 1990 HZJ73 and a 1988 BJ74??

I have a 1988 BJ-74 that has LSD but not diff lockers. For some reason I feel my truck is not complete, because it doesn't have locking diffs . I know this is really petty . I have looked into purchasing cable lockers however at $4000-$5000 it is a prety expensive upgrade. So I am thinking I might sell my truck and get one with locking diffs, as I feel the cost difference may work out to be close to the same with less labor. After doing a bit more research I am leaning towards a HZJ73 and adding a turbo to bring me to ~190 HP. I know I would be getting electric lockers instead of Cable however if maintained properly everything should be fine correct???

If anyone has any comments on the comparisons between the 2 and why one should be favoured over the other please let me know. This is a bit of a pipe dream right however so was pruchasing my BJ 74 and after 2 months I had it.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[denis]

Both are great trucks, but since you already have the 74 and if all you want is lockers, I'd say buy an ARB or two, build an onboard air setup and be done with it.
You'll save a good bit of money as well

 

[lshobie]

Lockers are great. I'd also love to hear what people are saying about the 73's.

Regards

 

[Greg_B]

Some differences I know about:

HZJ73:

-Has the minitruck and FZJ80 series front diff (8" high pinion reverse cut)
-Has the same rear diff as the BJ
-Has the knuckles that are in between the FZJ80 series and 1980's LC size. (you can get the felts/rings from Ens Industrial, so it is not a big deal) Everything else is the same.
- This means it has the mid-sized birfs as well (you can use the smaller 1980's birfs...but not the FZJ80 ones)
- Same electric locking mech as the 80 series afaik, cept 24V...
- I believe with the high pinion front, and an increased caster from the factory a SOA will be easier, as a cut and turn may well not be required...but others will have to confirm or deny.
- Current production engine

-Can someone confirm (rear seat shoulder belts?)

hth's

gb

 

[skinny]

Thanks Greg. Are the following comments negative about the HZJ73 or are they improvements?

"-Has the minitruck and FZJ80 series front diff (8" high pinion reverse cut)"
"-Has the knuckles that are in between the FZJ80 series and 1980's LC size. (you can get the felts/rings from Ens Industrial, so it is not a big deal) Everything else is the same"

Sounds like they are negative's about the 73 but I just want to make sure I am reading it correctly?

 

[aamiggia]

If I hadn't already bought a 74 I would go with the HZJ73 right from the start. Since you already have the truck I'd go with an ARB setup. I think they're like 750 US for each locker mechanism. Then you have to add install (unless doing it yourself), plumbing, and pump. Should budget $3000 CDN for parts if you DIY.

Cable lockers are great for simplicity, but since Toyota has bullet proof electical components, electric lockers kick serious as. Although at times they are finiky (sp?) to lock compared to air / cable.

I think the world production on the 13B-T engine stopped in 1990 so parts we eventually be harder to find. The 4.2 L engines are still being produced and sold in a few world markets. At least in South America, South Africa, and Oz.

Where is Dunrobin, ON? I'd like to meet up and check out your cool rig.

Alex

 

[Greg_B]

Thanks Greg. Are the following comments negative about the HZJ73 or are they improvements?

"-Has the minitruck and FZJ80 series front diff (8" high pinion reverse cut)"
"-Has the knuckles that are in between the FZJ80 series and 1980's LC size. (you can get the felts/rings from Ens Industrial, so it is not a big deal) Everything else is the same"

Sounds like they are negative's about the 73 but I just want to make sure I am reading it correctly?

They are intended neither as negative or positive...

hth's

gb

 

[skinny]

"Should budget $3000 CDN for parts if you DIY."

For some reason I don't have a good feeling about air locking my diffs. I have never used ARB lockers an di am sure they are great but I have concerns about how they would hold up in the winter? Also G&S had a set of axels with electric lockers for $3000 so I woudl proabbly go with that if I were to spend $3000.

"Where is Dunrobin, ON?"

Dunrobin is just outside of Ottawa (well I guess I am part of Ottawa since the amalgomation SP?), sort of north west about 30kms from downtown.

 

[skinny]

Hey Greg,

I guess negative may have been the wrong term. I was more thinking one better than the other? Just wondering if the front end on a 73 is as strong as the front end on a 74???

Thanks again for your comments,

Todd

 

[crushers]

If I hadn't already bought a 74 I would go with the HZJ73 right from the start. Since you already have the truck I'd go with an ARB setup. I think they're like 750 US for each locker mechanism. Then you have to add install (unless doing it yourself), plumbing, and pump. Should budget $3000 CDN for parts if you DIY.

Cable lockers are great for simplicity, but since Toyota has bullet proof electical components, electric lockers kick serious as. Although at times they are finiky (sp?) to lock compared to air / cable.

I think the world production on the 13B-T engine stopped in 1990 so parts we eventually be harder to find. The 4.2 L engines are still being produced and sold in a few world markets. At least in South America, South Africa, and Oz.

Where is Dunrobin, ON? I'd like to meet up and check out your cool rig.

Alex

one small correction, the elec locker is like most elec on the land cruiser prone to failing. the time set for the power is too long and the magnets are being pulled off the casing causing the elec locker to fail...

 

[Tapage]

I thought the best part of HZJ-73 are the engine .. 1HZ with an aftermaket turbo and intercooler is a awsome engine ..

Then, you have other great thinks a you can read above. Diff and in my opinion go with ARB or Detroit Lockers .. reliable and easy.

What do you plan to do with this TLC ... ?

 

[Satamax]

Hi everybody!

Greg, iirc the front end of early HZJ73 were 9.5 in diffs, only the coil sprung ones are 8 in ones no? Thought it might not be like the HZJ75, which were definatly leaf sprung and 9.5!

 

[Eric Winkworth]

you can buy a cable conversion for those electric lockers, does that make them as good as normal cable lockers?

 

[bcon]

Our 73 is a LC front and i replaced the third with an ARBd HJ60 diff I had. So I guess its a year thing if it has the 80 front. Good Luck.

 

[crushers]

my 97 HZJ75 and the 95 PZJ75 are the small center unit and they are both leaf sprung front and rear..

 

[crushers]

which is better?
the 1HZ is a bloody fantastic engine and when turbo'd it just rock's my world.
the 13BT is a good engine but it is dated and it iwll be harder to get parts for sooner than the 1HZ which is still in production today.
the basic body size is the same.

the HZJ73 will be more money and the Bj74 will depreciate much faster than the HZJ73.

if you can get a BJ74 cheap enough then go for it or if you already have one, keep it and stick a aussi locker in the rear and a limited slip in the front and you are good to go, cheaply...

cheers

 

[Greg_B]

Hi everybody! Greg, iirc the front end of early HZJ73 were 9.5 in diffs, only the coil sprung ones are 8 in ones no? Thought it might not be like the HZJ75, which were definatly leaf sprung and 9.5!

Hello!

Dunno. I've always understood the Japanese HZJ73 came with the reverse cut high pinion. At least I have seen this in a number of leaf sprung Denki 7* series axle sets we have seen through the shop, and assumed they were HJZ73's...

fwiw the Japanese EPC pictures shows the FJ/HJZ/PZJ as leaf sprung front and rear and the KJZ/LJ as coil sprung. The font diff housing pictures shown are high pinion, while all the rear ones look like regular 9.5's. This is from 90/01 up...

We'll know for sure when the 1st ones start getting here.

hth's

gb

 

[Greg_B]

the HZJ73 will be more money and the Bj74 will depreciate much faster than the HZJ73.cheers

I agree the HZJ will be more expensive, however I do not think the BJ74 will depreciate much if any, as the drivetrain will be in demand for years...imo

They are not going down at auction...if anything the opposite...as they are getting harder to find in reasonable shape, with all the options and H55F...like the HJ61.

gb

 

[Greg_B]

Also...

I would think the HZJ will be much smoother then the BJ. Those two extra cylinders seem to calm things down...

gb

 

[crushers]

i beleive it is the timing belt and the rotory pump that makes the difference.