Why don't our LJs suffer the same head problems as the JDM models?

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mudandrock said:
Did it have an alluminum head in it?
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I can't remember what the original one was. (truck was destroyed in 2000) The PO did the motor swap to an older Canadian spec 2LT.
 
lowenbrau said:
I didn't know they came in different material either.

This does look like aluminum though...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/2lt-head-cracked-sleeved-can-this-work.761593/
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That one is cast iron for sure; they discuss it in the thread.

The head on mine is original and cast iron also.

I've seen many dozens of pictures and probably a dozen face to face 2LTE's, and they have all been cast iron heads.

Could be the alloy mix has improved over time (more nickel?); maybe that is what mudandrock means.
 
Iron head. Aluminum cover.

20150317_0858386897.webp


No expert here, but from what I've seen with Audi and Benz aluminum heads, they twist and distort as a congruous piece (warp), not crack or blow holes.
 
Chester said:
Iron head. Aluminum cover.
No expert here, but from what I've seen with Audi and Benz aluminum heads, they twist and distort as a congruous piece (warp), not crack or blow holes.
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Toyota 1KZ-T(E) aluminum heads crack:

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I think we did over a dozen 2ltes heads, no aluminum heads..

Nick has covered at some point just about anything to do with this engine..I have wheeled with Nick, he pulls a big camper fully loaded with kids and parents stuff. He has probably done more to keep this engine together than most..

I vote also as mentioned driving style and lack of communication from the engine EGTS...cause premature failure and possibly over looking cooling devices as rad,rad cap, thermostat..

There is a 3B, trans and transfercase for sale on the island...1500.00

I vote a sticky with all of Nicks accumulated information..I think a lot of the same questions he kindly answers each time has been asked a few times..

Rob:beer:
 
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Lots of interesting contributions, thanks for all comments.
does anyone have firsthand experience of a cracked head on a 2L-T on a 73 body shape that has no EGR, a steel head, no aircon and a manual gearbox?
 
I test drove this LHD 1988 FJ70 in the US. I was surprised how peppy it felt and loved the coil spring ride. This one I believe came from Italy. No idea the specs on the motor other than it is a 2LT. Sounds like people are going with a newer Toyota replacement head or a 3L head/kit from Australia. Would be nice to develop/investigate a response on this because I personally feel this is a GREAT little truck. Some people want the leaf springs and bigger axles from the FJs and BJs but I loved the coil spring ride.

IMG_7157.webp
 
Looking up parts prices, the pre 1990 and post 1990 2L-T seem to be very different eg different head assembly part numbers and prices, and different valve lifting methods. Might explain also why my engine bay looks different to the pre 1990 models in the pics others have posted in this thread.
 
Would a intercooler add-on improve the EGT's? I'm sure that can help lower the EGT's?
 
EDIT* - AN Intercooler
 
TheMU said:
I'm talking with Steve from Landcruisers Direct on getting this:
http://www.landcruisersdirect.com/cars/1989-toyota-land-cruiser-lj71-sx5/

But seeing this thread I'm not so sure now.
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I have owned about a dozen of them and wheeled them,used them for roadtrips all trough Europe and even pulled a carhauler with my 40 on it with them.Never had a headgasket or cracked head in all those years.I have heard from others having issues but I figure since it was a popular entry level Land Cruiser there are so many sold that a few need to have some issues.Mine where all Euro spec with manual pump,standard tranny and no a/c though.

Kinda like saying that you know of a few Ford Superduty having engine issues that they all have to be bad ?
 
I'm no expert by any means but....it's significant enough of a problem Joe that the Japanese avoid them like the plague. The 1KZT is still considered passable but even it is scrutinized especially the 1kzte but more so for other issues than the head. That said, I also had a 1kzte that was great and was going strong when I sold it at 220k kms. I commend Nick for all his hard work on the subject but I imagine he still has a good bit of butt pucker going up the Coquihalla on a hot summer day...:grinpimp:.
 
B Point said:
I'm no expert by any means but....it's significant enough of a problem Joe that the Japanese avoid them like the plague. The 1KZT is still considered passable but even it is scrutinized especially the 1kzte but more so for other issues than the head. That said, I also had a 1kzte that was great and was going strong when I sold it at 220k kms. I commend Nick for all his hard work on the subject but I imagine he still has a good bit of butt pucker going up the Coquihalla on a hot summer day...:grinpimp:.
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The 1KZ is another story for me,I have owned 3 of them and had to replace the head on 2 of them.There where 2 options for this back then
-either send the head off to a guy in Holland who would machine the heads and replace the valves and the valve seats
-replace it with a cheap aftermarket head

I still wish I would have kept the last KZJ73 that I had which was a vx with factory lockers .

So now that I live in the US and know that whenever I buy a Yota with a 1KZ there is a BIG possibility that the head has issues, would I buy another one......YES because you can solve the problem Toyota never did by replacing it with an aftermarket one.
 
Isn't that interesting...

Ya.. lately I came across a nicely built KZJ77 and the guy had replaced the head. But man..he was hammering on that truck in the rockpiles at our local pay-to-play park. I joked with him after about it. He said that was his 2nd head on the truck's 2nd motor. He blew the first one up. Interestingly he noted that other than that the truck has held together fine. Pretty good for a Prado albeit a VERY built one.

Again, driving style and terrain have something to do with it. These were JDM and while the country is all mountains....the roads are flat.
 
B Point said:
I commend Nick for all his hard work on the subject but I imagine he still has a good bit of butt pucker going up the Coquihalla on a hot summer day...:grinpimp:.
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Thanks B Point. :)

With current tune I can maintain 90-100km/h loaded with my family/gear (5600lb GVW) up 8% grades on a hot summer day. This with EGTs and coolant temps in check. Haven't done the Coquihalla, but I have done the Hwy 3 Hope to Grandforks in 30-35C weather. I was able to do at least the speed limit or exceed it on all sections. Truck probably makes 130-150hp. I know it's faster than a 1HZ. That said, I've spent a lot of time and money to get that power. Point is, it can be done though. :wrench:

Towing is another story though...with my 3200lb 16' travel trailer, I'm down to 60km/h on the 8% grades on a hot day. Still not bad for a 2.4 with a bad reputation though. :steer:
 
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