HZJ77 JDM import and death wobble

[bshanna]

Hi All,

Boring back story: I have two SW20 MR2s i've owned for years and had recently been looking into an 80 LC. I didn't much like the way the V6 drove so i started looking into importing a turbo diesel and fell in love with the 70 Having spent... a ton on my MR2s getting them how i wanted, i decided that buying one that had been previously modified wouldn't be the worst thing. I imported this a little while ago:

91 ~200k miles, 4.2l turbo diesel, manual, factory F+R lockers in GREAT shape with a few mods done to it. The side exit exhaust is pretty sweet Still lots to learn, especially coming from the MR2 world but i'm looking forward to making this my daily. But on to the question at hand..

I'm experiencing some pretty serious death wobble (a term i didn't know existed until recently.. i can't think of a better name for it) at lowish speeds from 20-35mph. I haven't had a chance to really go through all the wear items, but i'm wondering if this is a common issue for these trucks?

Also, i've heard that gently swaying the wheel from side to side or speeding up usually helps but both of those seem.. illogical to me. Luckily, I've been in places where i can just pull over basically to a stop and it will go away. I might as well be driving my lowered MR2 though, avoiding bumps and pot holes like this.

And just for fun, one of the aforementioned MR2s

bret

 

[coldtaco]

Welcome. First, that is a HZJ-77, not a Prado. As to death wobble do a search on here, there are alot of things that can cause this.one thing I have found to reduce a shake that comes and goes at higher speeds is the spring U bolt nuts were not torqued to specs. I am sure others will chime in. Also post up in the 70 series North America thread.

 

[bshanna]

Thanks for the response. I always thought the Prado was a HZJ77(obviously..) shows just how much I have to learn.

I have searched a bit on the dearh wobble, currenrly not looking for answers about how to fix it mechanically, just if it's common in this series and if it's safe to try either of those methods until I can replace wear parts.

 

[ozcrusier]

Welcome aboard
Easy fix with a steering kit but it sounds like the tie rods are shot. There’s lots to do under them with shackle bushes shocks knuckle kits etc there easy to work on and everything you need to know is on this forum.
Nice truck enjoy

 

[Gun Runner 5]

U.S. 70's Registration.

 

[44Runner]

Is it really turboed? If so I would make sure it was done correctly as the are prone to cracking heads when turbos are added.

 

[Loober]

First thing to check is movement on the leaf springs, while standing with the engine turn the tires and have a buddy look to see if there is any movement in the springs. next is the caster, it appears to be lifted which will change caster, and often will require shims to correct. Then the steering linkages.

I went through all this with mine and greatly improved the drive-ability, but these will never ride like your 2016 rav4. The body roll can be fixed with sway bars but that will limit travel. Just depends on your comfort level, just need to be more alert when driving especially on twisty roads and higher speeds

 

[OGBeno]

Welcome. First, that is a HZJ-77, not a Prado. As to death wobble do a search on here, there are alot of things that can cause this.one thing I have found to reduce a shake that comes and goes at higher speeds is the spring U bolt nuts were not torqued to specs. I am sure others will chime in. Also post up in the 70 series North America thread.

HZJ77’s were called Prados as well in Japan.

 

[OGBeno]

Is it really turboed? If so I would make sure it was done correctly as the are prone to cracking heads when turbos are added.

Stop posting erroneous information.

4.2L engine is a 1HZ. 1HZ’s do not have head cracking problems.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Stop posting erroneous information.

4.2L engine is a 1HZ. 1HZ’s do not have head cracking problems.

They can when they're turboed. Many examples in Aus, especially the HZJ105 (when turboed). Hook up a heavy trailer on a hot day and hit a long hill. Doesn't end well.

 

[OGBeno]

They can when they're turboed. Many examples in Aus, especially the HZJ105.

Not in this shape and form. We are talking about 1HZ in a JDM HZJ77. If anything they have BEB issues as are well documented.

Not an Aussie 105 that gets beat to hell in 38C temps in the deserts. That’s another story.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Not in this shape and form. We are talking about 1HZ in a JDM HZJ77. If anything they have BEB issues as are well documented.

Not an Aussie 105 that gets beat to hell in 38C temps in the deserts. That’s another story.

I agree to disagree.

 

[peterb]

Do the easy thing first. Make sure the wheels are balanced.

 

[bshanna]

U.S. 70's Registration.

done lol

 

[bshanna]

Is it really turboed? If so I would make sure it was done correctly as the are prone to cracking heads when turbos are added.

It's definitely turbo'd.. funny thing is the stock turbo is very similar to the stock MR2 turbo (although i think this is the CT26 that is on the MKIII supra, the single entry, while the MR2 has the twin entry).

 

[bshanna]

First thing to check is movement on the leaf springs, while standing with the engine turn the tires and have a buddy look to see if there is any movement in the springs. next is the caster, it appears to be lifted which will change caster, and often will require shims to correct. Then the steering linkages.

I went through all this with mine and greatly improved the drive-ability, but these will never ride like your 2016 rav4. The body roll can be fixed with sway bars but that will limit travel. Just depends on your comfort level, just need to be more alert when driving especially on twisty roads and higher speeds

I will definitely check these out. So sounds like it can be a problem but only on worn suspension items (unlike what i'm reading in the Jeep world where it happens on new or old). I'd love to know if either method while it's driving actually make it better before i go swerving and accelerating as my front wheels wobble off lol.

twisty roads and higher speeds = MR2 for me

 

[bshanna]

Welcome aboard
Easy fix with a steering kit but it sounds like the tie rods are shot. There’s lots to do under them with shackle bushes shocks knuckle kits etc there easy to work on and everything you need to know is on this forum.
Nice truck enjoy

Appreciate it - will definitely be replacing wear items. I plan on enjoying it! There's a 40 and a 60 on my block and they are both insanely jealous

 

[bshanna]

Do the easy thing first. Make sure the wheels are balanced.

good point, i will definitely double check that. The only driving i've been doing so far is to get it registered but i at least have temp plates on it now so i feel a little more comfortable driving it without fear of getting pulled over.

 

[SNLC]

Post a pic of your front end. I have a suspicion it may have some typical JDM mods they do when lifting.

I would check the turbo asap. Bearing, shaft. What boost is it running? EGT gauge?

Cheers

 

[bshanna]

Post a pic of your front end. I have a suspicion it may have some typical JDM mods they do when lifting.

I would check the turbo asap. Bearing, shaft. What boost is it running? EGT gauge?

Cheers

These are what i took a while ago, i'm in fairplay and the truck is in denver right now.

one more not great shot when it was still in japan

Will check the turbo when i'm back though.. if there's one thing i'm used to at this point it's checking turbos :/ No EGT gauge, there's an aftermarket (nice one too - HKS) boost gauge though. Not running a bar here at elevation, not that i've even got on it yet.