LJ78 Questions - Winter's Ciming!

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Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Threads
2
Messages
8
Location
Alberta
Looks like I'm getting an LJ78. Some quetions!:
1. According to this forum, driving it sounds more and more like you are trying to baby a bad vehicle. One suggestion said that you shouldn't run it at highway speeds! I need this vehicle to be able to take a family and gear from here to BC and back at least once a year. Also to hit the highway every day for between 70 and 100k per day at 110 to 120kph. Should I forget this truck?

2. What winterizing have you guys done to your 78's? Supposed to be getting cold this week and I was wondering what should be done to a 78 with no garage storeage available. It is going to have to start (occasionally) in -40c.

3. Any other advice is appreciated.
 
BulletProof said:
Looks like I'm getting an LJ78. Some quetions!:
1. According to this forum, driving it sounds more and more like you are trying to baby a bad vehicle. One suggestion said that you shouldn't run it at highway speeds! I need this vehicle to be able to take a family and gear from here to BC and back at least once a year. Also to hit the highway every day for between 70 and 100k per day at 110 to 120kph. Should I forget this truck?

2. What winterizing have you guys done to your 78's? Supposed to be getting cold this week and I was wondering what should be done to a 78 with no garage storeage available. It is going to have to start (occasionally) in -40c.

3. Any other advice is appreciated.
Morning,
congrates on the purchase. i have been driving the old LJ78 for a few months now with trips to BC, Calgary to Edmonton sporoticly and lots of wheeling. i suspect it is time for a new head, i have been ABUSING this one as a test unit especially off road where i should have been in Low range but did the trails in High and over heating the old girl at times pretty bad.

you wanted suggestions so here goes.
very first thing, do a coolant pressure test on the engine when it is at operating temp. if there is a loss of pressure then start budgeting for a new head (of course unless there is coolant leaking elsewhere)

get the timing belt changed and at the same time do the water pump (cheap while the timing belt is being done), flush the system PROPERLY and replace the thermostate. install a lower rad hose heater and -40C coolant mix, preferably use the Toyota red but the green works fine as well. INSTALL A PYRO and follow it religiously. install the larger exhaust and free flowing muffler and make sure the guys at the shop know what they are doing.

next

i have drivin mine at 130-140 k/h back and forth to Edmonchuck numerous times and wind conditions really affect the pyro. as do long gentle hills, the steep ones don't seem to bother it as much. increase the boost to 12 lbs seems to help the temps as well. what you will notice the engien can keep the truck rolling fine but the GETTING UP TO SPEED is the problem.

these units are extremely comfortable and very capable off road as well, it is a real shame about the head problems. i am seriously thinking of automaticly replaceing the heads on the next ones i sell as part of the package. it will increase the price of the units a bit but a happy customer is what i want.

have you been following Light-duty's thread?

cheers and best of luck
 
Yes, I've looked the Light Duty threads. Particularly those related to the 2LT's. Is there a recommended mechanic in Calgary for the work you described? Of course, by the time you put that much coin into an LJ78, you could have bought an HDJ81 and blown off both the under-powered issues as well as the head/head gasket issues.
 
BulletProof said:
Is there a recommended mechanic in Calgary for the work you described?

Crushers is your man. He's brought in a bunch of LJ71s and 78s and probably knows them as well as anyone in North America. He helped me out with my truck and I'd recommend him in a heartbeat.

I'm currently replacing the head on my LJ. It's not such a terrible job. In fact, I just picked up the new head today from my local dealership - under $900, includes precups and valve guides.

I think, dollar for dollar, even with a head replacement and timing belt, if you compare an LJ78 with an HDJ81 of equal condition and mileage, the LJ will be a fair bit cheaper. Also better on fuel, though it may lack some of the 81's goodies like electric lockers. Despite the problems, I love my LJ. It's small but roomy, and just a cool looking vehicle.

Robin
 
I think for what you want to acheive, look at getting an HJ61(Auto) or an HDJ81. They are more money,but in the long run,you will not be disappointed. Pro-Active seems to have the know how on working on all types of these legendary landcruisers. Either way , you will be driving one of the coolest vechile on earth.Just my thoughts (2 cents) on the subject...........
 
Hello everyone, I just joined this site because every google search I do on info for my 90' lj78 im brought here and end up reading multiple posts that are very informative. So my big question is for you mechanically inclined ones. Im here reading about winterizing my prado because this morning I had a very hard time starting my LC (-20c), it will turn over okay for being cold but will continue to turn over for like 5 mins before 1 or 2 pistons are at least trying to get going, and then more cranking before it barely will stay started. This happens inconsistantly at varying cold weather temp. Even left it in a heated shop over night and still took abnormally long to start. Any ideas because im in the middle of a love hate relationship with our baby and I need it to work before I do something I regret.
 
you will learn to hate your baby, get used to it.

lower rad hose heater and manual glow is your answer.
 
" I am seriously thinking of automatically replacing the heads on the next ones I sell as part of the package."

OK now I am royally confused.....I was told that replacing the head on my LJ78 ( even with the 3L head ) was a tremendous waste of money.
I was also told that the original head was junk ( the phrase poorly designed was often used ) therefore the 2nd or 5th head would also be junk. Having said that, my LJ78 ( 3L head ) had no issues while I owned it. Has something changed that has made the head replacement a more "viable option"?
.......1978HJ45
 
yep, when i stuck that up back in 06, i was under the mistaken impression the 3L head would fix the problem ... since then reality has shown me the light.

there is nothing you can do to the 2LTE to cure the head cracking problem.
 
My bad.....I did not notice the date on your previous response. I guess much like the 2L-TE head, my reading glasses need replacing from time to time.
.....1978HJ45
 

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