PZJ 73 Lift and Tyres

[Cruisin Coastie]

Hi guys, I'm new here and you guys all seem to be pretty well informed when it comes to Land Cruisers of any shape and size. I've recently purchased myself a stock standard PZJ73 Cruiser and am keen to do some of the local tracks and maybe some more remote ones later on (bit of a gap year from University kind of thing.... maybe). Having only owned one 4WD (being a Subaru Brumby that I used mainly for a DD) I am obviously on the "noobish" side when it comes to mods and 4X4. None the less I'm still really keen to learn.

First things first, on the mods list before I get too happy trail blazing are a 2" lift and 33" tyres. My thoughts are that these seem to be the fundamental mods for most Forbies (well at least from my research online and in magazines) as well as helping to ease up the revs on the highway. It seems to get REALLY hungry at 110 km/h. I have a 2" Ironman suspension lift quoted and lined up and can quite easily source some 33" on new rims if needed from the local tyre shop, my main issue is that the info on the PZ series cruisers are limited cause of their "unique" nature (people kind of bawk at a 5cyl 3.5L Diesel).

I was wondering if any of you guys would have some info on what it may take to get this sort of thing underway and any major issues with doing these, i.e. if the tyres may rub and where?, what kind of offset I may need on the rims, if any? things to watch for when installing the kit, will I need new or flared guards? etc... I'm a little nervous (in case you cant tell lol) and just looking for as much info as I can digest before tackling this

Cheers Michael

P.s. Here (s)he is (this thing seems more like a bloke than my last car) looks pretty stock from what I can see but like I said I just bought it and am unsure what mods (if any) would be on, the guy I bought it off didn't seem too worried about what was under the bonnet beyond fixing it if it was causing issues

 

[BobBJ74]

I would use 16"X7" rim with a minus 25 or 30 off-set and BFG All Terrian 2's 265x75x16 there about 32" in height. The minus off-set rim will clear the track-rod ends and those tyres won't rub the frame. The 255x85x16 Muds are taller but are crap on wet twisty roads.
I think your truck has a dual-mass fly wheel, so I would'nt put too big a tyre and undue strees on the clutch and flywheel. Those 5 cly engines run smooth and are reliable.

I see you live down under, so no wet roads. Copper tyres seem to be popular in OZ.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Hi Michael , I presume you are in australia, add your location to your avatar. It helps when you are looking for advice on where to obtain bits and pieces.
In regards to your tyre choice, I would go for something around 32 inches tall. Judging by the pic I would say you have 31 inch tyrs on 15 inch rims?
These rims can take a 33 inch easily but I dont know how a stock 1PZ would handle the load. It is ok for it's bigger brother , the 1HZ.
The flares on the wheel arches would be fine with a 33/10.5/15 inch tyre IF you have a 2 inch lift. see my pic of my FJ73 with the same, it had no rub anywhere.
I wouldnt go any wider because they will rub and the wind resistance will also hurt performance.
The other probable downside is that the brakes lose some of their effectiveness with a 33 inch tyre, but its not too bad.
You'll still be able to go a lot of places with a mild lift and 32 inch tyres. I have that on my current troopy
Its not just about tyre size, flexible suspension is a equal part of the equation.
I have not had Ironman suspension ,but generally it does not have a reputation for flexibility (flexibilty= articulation)
I currently have OME which is very good and before ,I had Dobinsons which is also good.
Another point about the PZJ73, when looking parts that are not related to the engine/gearbox/diffs, dont mention PZJ. Just say its a 73/74 series
or say its the same as BJ73/74 or FJ73 etc. This helps the clowns in spare parts shops from having to think too hard.

What year is it and was it a grey import ,or sold new locally? I believe a few were sold new here in 1990.
Im guessing it was sold new here here judging by the 1980/90s style alloy bumper that were fitted by the dealers.

Watch that rust. Puts some anti rusting agent on it and clean out the mud that hides in the rear of the wheel arch.

 

[wsnownz]

Just letting you know, it's a pzj70. Not a 73.

 

[Cruisin Coastie]

Cheers that's a ton of good info and ill take it all on board thanks

Bob: Cheers, thanks for the info on the offset, that'll help me keep the local tyre shop honest and make sure they know what they're doing (not that I've had a problem with them yet). Yeah im down in OZ and although it would be easy to believe that its all dust and dirt down here the saying holds true "when it rains it pours" there have been a few times when people I know have been flooded in or out and we certainly get our fair share of mud.... just kinda all at once lol

Rosco: Spot on with that 31/10.5/15, they certainly are, definitely was not gonna go the 12.5 wide the extra rolling resistance would also cause an issue for efficiency on the black top I can imagine. Thanks heaps for the tip on the BJ73/4 i had some trouble finding snorkels however everyone had BJ stuff as for the import I'm not sure the bloke who owned it before me wasn't too aware of the cars history, I am under the impression that it was a Aus model however in installing some bits and pieces and cleaning it out I have found a couple of YEN floating around in the harder to get to areas so I'm unsure where it has been, especially with the Australian Electricity Commission fleet rejo number on the drivers door, either way its an interesting car yeah being within a 2 or 3 min drive from the beach I know what a killer rust can be especially for something as mechanically reliable as a Land Cruiser. I have a mate lined up who is willing to help me cut out the offending pieces and re weld some new bits in. either way I've always got my eye out for fresh rust spots

wsnownz: Cheers man I have been a tad confused cause (as rosco put it) "the clowns" at the parts stores have given me a dozen different numbers on the end. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Cruisin Coastie]

Oh and this might be a rather stupid one but I noticed an ironman sticker already on one of the springs. It doesnt look like it has a lift at all but the sticker is throwing me. I'd hate to buy almost $2000 worth of lift kit and realise that it didn't actually change a thing lol. Thanks again for all your help

 

[roscoFJ73]

Rosco: Spot on with that 31/10.5/15, they certainly are, definitely was not gonna go the 12.5 wide the extra rolling resistance would also cause an issue for efficiency on the black top I can imagine. Thanks heaps for the tip on the BJ73/4 i had some trouble finding snorkels however everyone had BJ stuff as for the import I'm not sure the bloke who owned it before me wasn't too aware of the cars history, I am under the impression that it was a Aus model however in installing some bits and pieces and cleaning it out I have found a couple of YEN floating around in the harder to get to areas so I'm unsure where it has been, especially with the Australian Electricity Commission fleet rejo number on the drivers door, either way its an interesting car yeah being within a 2 or 3 min drive from the beach I know what a killer rust can be especially for something as mechanically reliable as a Land Cruiser. I have a mate lined up who is willing to help me cut out the offending pieces and re weld some new bits in. either way I've always got my eye out for fresh rust spots

Usually the Japanese models are 24volt but Im not sure if the 1PZ ever came with 24volt systems. If it had AEC fleet rego number it would certainly be an Australian spec vehicle. I imagine they would have used it for inspecting power lines ,maybe in the Snowy Mountains where this would really shine. ( Ironic ,because it is where Australia's landcruiser history started in 1958)
There is an aluminium body tag on the firewall ,if you take a photo of that I can tell you in a flash. Australian models have letters like MNQ
Does it have grey or brown vinyl floors and greyish brown vinyl seats,the aussie models of the PZJ70 usually did. The earlier 70/73/74 series always had cloth seats and carpet.
Also ,the Japanese models often had a mirror on the front RH fender right up the front.
Do you have the head rests for the back seat? Its officially a safety device,but they often don't worry about it.

Sent you a PM check your inbox

 

[Cruisin Coastie]

Cheers Rosco, mine is definitely not a 24V system. Here is the aluminium plate, plus a QLD mod plate that I cant seem to make heads nor tails of.

All the vinyl is brown (seats and floor) as is the dash although the drivers seat has been professionally redone for the rejo prior to being purchased. No mirror and as for the back seat head rest I don't have them and I don't see a spot for them. I have seriously considered taking the back seats out and doing a false floor or maybe even drawers that's one for further down the track though

 

[roscoFJ73]

I see quite a few of those Queensland plates on mining landcruisers over here. I dont know what to make of it. looking for a plate that looks like this one. You can see the MZXQ. It means its an Australian turbo model, I forget the complete translation.