I'm looking at a couple of these...sounds capable but what's it like on the highway? Cruising speed, towing capacity and such? I'm grateful for any input.
who drives a LJ77? I have some questions... (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Dr No
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You know they are only a N/A 2.8 4cyl diesel? Cruising speed 60-65mph , they will go faster but they wont last. They can tow a fair bit but not at speed, think half a ton. No real problems with reliability.
You are better off with a HZJ77. Are you sure it is a LJ77 and not a LJ78?
You are better off with a HZJ77. Are you sure it is a LJ77 and not a LJ78?
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It has a 2LTE, which I understood was the turbo efi version.
You are going to hate it around NM at highway speeds. Especially in the summer. It will be fine around town in Santa Fe or in ABQ or Taos, but on I-25/I-40/550 it's going to be rough.
Good question as (best as I've found) the LJ 77 / 78 / 79 are differentiated by their motor. 77's got the 2L-T, the 78's the 2L-te, and the 79's the 3L. If it has a 2L-te and the plate on the firewall says LJ77 then I'm wacked, or it's been swapped in. There's plenty of good info on how to work on all of those motors here in the 70 section.
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Oops, there is no “E”.
Nevertheless, is there someone who has one that can say how it handles highway speeds? 95hp is adequate for a lot of things, my westfalia does almost well enough with 65.
Nevertheless, is there someone who has one that can say how it handles highway speeds? 95hp is adequate for a lot of things, my westfalia does almost well enough with 65.
GTSSportCoupe
2LTE abuser
Can you take them for a test drive? That's the easiest way to know.
Stock they are slow, no doubt about it. And you really have to be careful about EGT and coolant temperatures.
With an intercooler and some tuning, they can go great though. I've had mine up to 150km/h. 0-60mph is about 15 sec. 1/4 mile is about 21 sec at 110km/h. I can do an 8% grade at 110km/h.
Here is my biased opinion.
First, my only other diesel was a 86 HJ60. A school bus could beat it on accelleration.
I picked up my 91 LJ77 in St Louis and drove it back to CT. Not an issue driving on the interstate at 65 to 70 mph (110 to 120 kph).
However, it was a bit alarming running at 3000 rpm's when I'm use to 2000 at highway speeds.
Accelleration compared to my HJ60 is so much better. Yes, it will beat school buses.
I get 20+ miles per gallon around town and 26 on the highway.
Remember, I'm in CT not out west with mountains and altitude.
Hope this helps. I do like mine.
First, my only other diesel was a 86 HJ60. A school bus could beat it on accelleration.
I picked up my 91 LJ77 in St Louis and drove it back to CT. Not an issue driving on the interstate at 65 to 70 mph (110 to 120 kph).
However, it was a bit alarming running at 3000 rpm's when I'm use to 2000 at highway speeds.
Accelleration compared to my HJ60 is so much better. Yes, it will beat school buses.
I get 20+ miles per gallon around town and 26 on the highway.
Remember, I'm in CT not out west with mountains and altitude.
Hope this helps. I do like mine.
Let me add, I have the 5 speed. First gear is low and you will not be in it long before shifting to 2nd. After that, acceleration is respectable. No, will not win against a FJ Cruiser or some hopped up Honda but it does get out of it's own way.
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They are just fine on the highway, I would even go so far as to say that with a couple of engine improvements the LJ platform is the best for highway travel due to the coil suspension. Power-wise they leave something to be desired, but the 5-speed manual really takes advantage of what power there is. You should have no trouble cruising at 65-70 comfortably. Towing much of anything will require significant engine mods to prevent overheating and cracking the cylinder head. It has been said many times before, but any 70-series is a “relax and enjoy the drive” kind of vehicle.
