need advice switching to pertronix ignition...

[ianfotheringham]

i have a 1981 fj45 troopie - 2f...with points, and factory coil...

the current coil is out of spec - and im looking to improve running - so its time to make the switch.

most of the the 'landcruiser' pertronix electric ignition 'kits' are apparently only for 1970-74....but i figure they should work on mine - or perhaps there is a more suitable model....

so i am wondering if anyone has the same setup - and if you remember model numbers?....as well as the 'flame thrower' coil....

any advice would be much appreciated...

ian

 

[Pin_Head]

My advice is don't; it isn't going to make it run any better.

 

[MutleyFJ62]

Ian,

I just fitted a Pertronix to my 3F made a world of difference. Kit was Number 1662. Teamed this with an MSD Blaster 2 Coil. Heaps smoother down low, no need for choke when dead cold. Worth another 50 klms per tank of fuel. Wish I had done it sooner. Drop in kit, about 20 mins in total.

 

[ianfotheringham]

My advice is don't; it isn't going to make it run any better.

well, the other reason was, as i will be driving across africa and south america in a few months, i would like to do away with as many problems before hand; which includes having to change/adjust the points en route...

 

[Pin_Head]

well, the other reason was, as i will be driving across africa and south america in a few months, i would like to do away with as many problems before hand; which includes having to change/adjust the points en route...

That is an even better reason to keep the points. If your Pertronix takes a dump in Congo or the Amazon, you are really stuck.

Your engine will run much better if you tune it up, but installing a Pertronix will make no difference.

 

[MutleyFJ62]

Interesting thoughts you have there Pin_Head on electronic ignition. As a worst case scenario, if for some reason the system fails, its only 15 minutes to reverse it and install points again. Pull the trigger, fatter spark, better burn and more accurate spark timing makes this a worthwhile conversion.

 

[Pin_Head]

I don't have a problem with electronic ignitions. In fact I am a big fan of the Toyota electronic ignitions. Unlike the Pertronix, they don't have reliability issues. If I was out in the middle of nowhere, I would want a points type ignition because they can be fixed with low technology parts if they fail.

Bigger spark, fatter spark is meaningless in terms of performance of a F series engine. As long as it sparks you get the same amount of energy released. That is my experience from quantitative testing, not from feeling. YMMV

 

[Nomis]

i have a 1981 fj45 troopie - 2f...with points, and factory coil...

the current coil is out of spec - and im looking to improve running - so its time to make the switch.

most of the the 'landcruiser' pertronix electric ignition 'kits' are apparently only for 1970-74....but i figure they should work on mine - or perhaps there is a more suitable model....

If you're running the factory '81 distributor - I don't think you have points - you should already have an electronic ignition with an ignitor, etc. However, if you're running an earlier dizzy with points (58-74) - then the P/N 91665A Ignitor II should work fine. The coil is P/N 45011.

That said, as long as your or any ignition produces a spark on time, it is working correctly and no noticeable increase in "performance" will be gained by switching out to systems that produce a so called hotter spark. However, electronic ignition has a distinct advantage over points in the area of maintenance - electronic ignition systems have no maintenance requirements - no adjustments, etc. I went with the pertronix as it was simpler than purchasing a new Toyota electronic dizzy, ignitor and possibly a new dented side cover. Is it better than the OE electronic setup, probably not - but it made for an easy, clean install and afforded me the option to switch the points back in if needed at some point. As for reliability, I have had no problems - it fires right up and doesn't miss. I think some of the bad rap pertronix had, had to do with the pertronix I kits burning up if you left the key on with the engine off. This was resolved on the ignitor II kits which is what I'm running without any issues. Jacobs also makes an electronic ignition but I have had no experience with them although I do know they are not self contained like the pertronix kit.

I picked mine up from a mud vendor a while back and it's been running fine ever since. See link in sig for pics of the install. Oh and I kept the old points and resistor in a small ziploc bag as a backup when I'm out on safari. . .

 

[77cruiser77]

I went for the pertronics and love it. On hills I needed to go up in 3rd I can now do mostly in 4th. No cons for the set up I can think of. It really is only a 20 min job, tops. I left the wires for the points still in if I need to switch which is very easy. One thing to add is make sure you get the right kit. By 78 I think you should've had electronic ignition but who knows what you got from different locations or something else like a po swapping in an older engine. My rig is a 77 and the standard kit for up to a 74 does not work. if you want that kit ask me as I still have it. you want the kit for rigs 75+ with points still so I guess that'd be a 75-77. Also you must upgrade your ignitor as it wont have enough umph for the job. Sorry but I don't have any #'s as it was a while ago when I did mine, hope it helps.

 

[ianfotheringham]

well - in order to try and clear up some questions regarding part numbers etc...is anyone able to identify the year of my distributor? it is a different engine...and could be earlier than an 81, but i doubt it would be less than a 74..........hmmmm......

 

[Nomis]

That looks like an early small cap dizzy - there should be a silver/red badge on side with a part number on it - what is it?

 

[ianfotheringham]

That looks like an early small cap dizzy - there should be a silver/red badge on side with a part number on it - what is it?

so i checked for a number...and there is nothing on either the body of the dizy, or the cap........

you want some other pics of it? or the cap? let me know....

 

[Nomis]

The dizzy in your pic looks like an early small cap points style dizzy to me - hopefully Jim C. or someone more knowledgeable than I can tell you exactly what year it is based on the pic above?