Upgrades for a daily driver 70

[40Flipper]

Thinking of making my 70 a daily driver. Seems to run well after some adjustments. I have a new diaphragm to install just so I won't have to worry or deal with it later.

I have a dual battery set up and the alternator gauge seems to be buried at the top. Is this normal with 2 batteries?? Should I get a new alternator soon?

Any upgrades to make it a better daily driver? I'm thinking a turbo set up will be the first on the list along with rust prevention/fixing measures.

 

[eleblanc]

I would start with a good suspension, if your commute has alot of highway then i would consider a turbo, but if you don't go much on the highway i probably wouldn't. Get yourself a good setup for BIO and you'll be done.

DavidBJ70 uses is Bj70 for a DD and he does ALOT of mileage for work.

 

[40Flipper]

It;s got OME suspension and it's really cushy. That's the main reason I want to switch!

I do quite a bit of highway driving

 

[Eric Winkworth]

I would buy a cheap commuter car...

these trucks wern't made to go 110km's, if nothin else go get an EGT before anything else! Then you'll know what i'm talking about.

cheers
Eric

 

[roscoFJ73]

Thinking of making my 70 a daily driver. Seems to run well after some adjustments. .

I thought it was the Seafoam that cured all.

 

[David*BJ70]

Salut John

From my memory, I do not think your BJ70 got a OME suspension. In the best case, you have the shocks (because there are yellow... (Monroe?)) but not the leaf spring (Again, I don't remember the typical teflon "washer" between the leaf). Luc from Luc Auto service told me he did not put a OME susp on when he own it. ... but maybe I'm completly wrong... and now you have the truck in front of you.

For the gauge, buy a aftermarket gauge and tap in somewhere in your fuses box. Then you will see if the alternator / regulator work great. If it's the regulator you can find a transpo regulator part # in the diesel part thread. Not to $.

Like Éric write, I make a lot of road trip for my job... and I found my BJ70 (w/3.70 and 32") very confortable. Make sure you have a good CD player w/ Ipod input and your done !

My set up gives me a good hightway consumption and the only drawback is the long hill on the highway. Of course, we should not be pressed because the cruise is more to 100km / h as above.

In any case... a turbo is a must !

If you only own 40 serie Cruiser, the 70 serie is much more confortable. Make few thousans miles with and see what can make you more happy.

 

[Tapage]

Good suspension, good seats .. I found 33" with 4.11 are the best combo but that's me .. a Turbo with do it way better and everything else it's your Cruiser love ..

 

[crushers]

buy a civic...

 

[Stone]

I would buy a cheap commuter car...

these trucks wern't made to go 110km's, if nothin else go get an EGT before anything else! Then you'll know what i'm talking about.

cheers
Eric

What's a typical EGT climb to in a 3B hard at work? I've never actually taken the time to look for readings in the non-turbo engines.

 

[amaurer]

What's a typical EGT climb to in a 3B hard at work? I've never actually taken the time to look for readings in the non-turbo engines.

It's easy to push past 1400 when accelerating in 4th gear. If you're not watching it, virtually any hill will put you into the 1300s if you're trying to hold it above 90km/h

 

[crushers]

turbo, skinny tires, suspension, seats, stereo, 3.7 gears

fuzzy dice off the mirror

 

[RufusTheDufus]

3.7 gears

I think he's got 3.73s at the moment with taller than stock tires. It's underpowered in high gear.

 

[crushers]

37 teeth on crown - 10 on the pinion...

 

[RufusTheDufus]

I don't know where I got 3.73. Flailing memory.

 

[crushers]

nah, not a biggie.
it is one of my pet peeves after having American metal telling me i had 3.73s the same as them. it is one of the small things that set us apart from them.

 

[LDowney]

From what you have posted, you have a very nice BJ70. I would recommend more than performance and driver comfort upgrades to improve it as a daily driver. I would add sliders, front and rear bumpers for a little more protection from the other drivers. Four years ago, a driver ran a red light and plowed into the driver's door when my oldest daughter was driving my '85 BJ70. Damage was limited to the door and the sill, but the insurance company freeked & totalled it because it was rare in the US. Consequently, my '87 BJ70 has custom built sliders and bumpers for trail & road. It does help. Last year, a lady was busy talking on the cell and driving by feel. The feel crumped her PT Cruiser in about 6 inches and left a scratch on my bumper.

Protect your Cruiser and your investment is my put. Here is a picture of how mine.

 

[Eric Winkworth]

In my opinion it's a great daily driver if you can get to work on 80kmph highways! that being said, I now own a 1991 corolla (girlfriends car) and my 1990 Acura and it's a night and day difference... Easier on me as a driver, easier on the wallet (the corolla was only 425 bucks, less engine noise then some new cars) easier to keep up with traffic and actually be able to pass... I did brakes all around on the corolla every part except from calipers all new, for under 200 bucks (of course that was on account at carquest)

the benifits never end, if your going off roading or crossing the sahara, the 70 series is your best mate, but if your stuck on the asphalt nightmare, a good commuter car usually isn't too hard to find, just buy an early 90's fuel injected japanese 5 speed with under 200000km's and as little rust as possible!

 

[crushers]

agree with this advice...

but i also know the lure of having a Cruiser as a DD.

 

[lynchmob]

In my opinion it's a great daily driver if you can get to work on 80kmph highways!

Thats 2 references to driving extremely slow. I have a BJ70 and I consistently drive it 120 with no turbo (not in the hills though). I also have a 3B with a 4 speed that I drive in the same speed range.

I have also daily driven both of these for 11 years.

Its not a 40.

 

[crushers]

and the difference between a 70 and a 40 is?