Build Meet Foster -1988 BJ73
- Thread starter Hugh Heifer
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- #62
So the moment you have all been waiting for. Larry and I discovered that three bolts in a row at the top of the T case were a little loose. Then we discovered the paper gasket had migrated out from between the split halves and a steady stream of t case oil was squirting from the top and running down everything. There was so much oil on the right rear it looked like the wheel seal might be leaking. When we pulled the drum everything in there looked fine.
Sooo, I have a t case to rebuild due to a paper seal.
The othere thing was that the back door was rattling something awful and we discovered the rubber bumper was missing. Larry did some fine redneck engineering to solve that issue with a piece of old tire, a rubber glove and some electrical tape.
Sooo, I have a t case to rebuild due to a paper seal.
The othere thing was that the back door was rattling something awful and we discovered the rubber bumper was missing. Larry did some fine redneck engineering to solve that issue with a piece of old tire, a rubber glove and some electrical tape.
- Thread starter
- #63
Some pR0n...
- Thread starter
- #65
I forgot to mention, on the way through Alabama I had to slow just a bit for a Corvette to merge onto I20. Once in front of me he was going like a snail. MH yells, "WTF Corvette Boy?!" as I had to go around him.
This is not something that normally happens in this universe....a diesel Cruiser speeding around a Corvette on a highway.
We certainly encountered our share of s*** drivers over the last 1000 miles.
This is not something that normally happens in this universe....a diesel Cruiser speeding around a Corvette on a highway.
We certainly encountered our share of s*** drivers over the last 1000 miles.
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- #67
We made it.
13 total days, 1300 miles, one airplane flight, one t case output seal, one gallon 90w gear oil, one hide-a-key lost on the s*** highways in Shreveport, one signal bulb, 12 miles run on foot, two games of bowling, 50 +/-gallons of beer drank.
Thanks to everybody who gave us a hand, suggestions, tech info, encouragement, moral support and beer along the way!
EPIC ROAD TRIP.
See you in March for Roundup?
See you in March for Roundup?
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- #69
Not sure about Roundup but definitely will be at GSMTR if you come this way.
YouLostTheHideAKey!
Those roads must REALLY suck. You're lucky you made it out alive, ye wee jammy tart!
I've still got the 15" rims that came on that vehicle; however, I purchased those five 17" Tundra/Sequoia rims specifically for that BJ73. I think they look pretty good, but it it had been equipped with factory 16" steelies, I would have left well-enough alone.Nice cruiser! I do think it's time for some OEM 70 series/style rims.
I do in a way...
It's my wife's old '95 FZJ80. She no longer drives it on a regular basis [unless the weather is bad and she doesn't want to take her car out]. Once I get the 80 shoe'd with trail tires, my bride wants us to use it for more of our trips off pavement. Since the grandkids want to wheel with me / grandma wants maximum time with the grandkids / grandma wants AC with a smooth ride, the 80 is the preferred Cruiser to satisfy the requirements.
Apology for TMI
Makes sense. I lucked out as my 74 has oem 16” which I think are fairly rare. I will Probabaly keep them although there are some new rims that are looking pretty sweet...however the price on them is not.
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- #77
I was was going to do steelies but the truck needed tires for the drive. Since it needs a host of other stuff before wheels I opted to put tires on the 17 inch Sequoia rims. One can get steelies from Beno and they are on the list....after the t case rebuild, fixing the driver's door, fixing the rust on the quarters, the rust on the windshield frame, the deformed sliding window seals, making sliders and trying to find where the water us coming in above the gas pedal where it can run down onto my shoe while driving.
Oh man this is the perfect rig, Wheels, color, everything. Im still new to 70's, coming from old Land Rover and Gwagens. The 70 series seems more fitting for my purposes. Is the 5th gear an overdrive ratio on these? The old G's are 1:1 which sucks for the highway miles I have to drive to get to trails. Can you sit at 65 or 70mph or is that maxed out? I have to sit at about 62mph in the old Gwagen and thats maxed out but Ive had it to 70 but it sounds like its going to explode and there no power to keep it there. Im getting about 16mpg with the turbo diesel in it. The old Land Rover diesel I had, had an overdrive installed as an aftermarket item but it was still maxed out at 65ish, and got maybe 17mpg, with no power at all. A small hill had me shift down and I'd sit at 40mph. Both are so loud at 60mph you can barely talk to the person beside you, much less on a phone if needed. Just curious how these compare. I know it's not an 80 but trying to upgrade to the best of the utility 4x4's out there. Which motor is in this? Thanks
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The H55f (5 speed) is an OD tranny, and a "granny gear"
1st gear: 4.843:1
5th gear: 0.845:1
From all accounts, with around 32~33" tires, these are fairly happy at 65mph and fairly efficient. People seem to be claiming 18-20mpg. Once you get up to 70 plus, which they will do, you start losing mileage. It's a big heavy older 4x4, they weren't really designed for modern interstate speeds.
A BJ73, BJ74 and HZJ73 physically look the same and I believe almost all body/chasis parts are the same. I would get the newest HZJ73 you can afford/find, although I wouldn't rule out a really nice version of any of these. Like any cruiser, the better history/maintenace/shape of it you get, most likely the better cruiser you will have.
BJ73 - 3B engine, 4 cyl, 3.4L non-turbo model, 90HP, 5spd manual, or A440F automatic
BJ74 - 13BT 4 cyl, 3.4L turbo-diesel, 120HP, 5 speed, or A440F auto
HZJ73, 1HZ 6 cyl, 4.2L non-turbo diesel, 129HP, 5 speed or A440F auto
The HZJ73 uses the 1HZ engine, which is still in production so parts will have a much longer window of availability. You can turbo the 1HZ and have lots of power and a great engine. The 13BT, while a great motor, is getting old so parts are becoming harder to find, with some not available.
You can also find the HZJ73 in left hand drive from Europe markets if you look.
I prefer 5 speeds as they don't rob power like the automatics, but it seems there were more autos around. No factual data, just from what I see.
Factory lockers are available, but much harder to find.
Australia will be 12V, Japan and most other markets are 24V.
As in any cruiser, rust is prevalent in the 70 series. Fenders, rockers and on the 73/74's the windshield frames are notorious for a lot of rust. You can get replacement frames in OEM steel, or Fiberglass.
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