bj71 import, any good?

[83jack]

hey guys, im looking at getting a swb cruiser, an 87 bj71 import with the turbo diesel to be exact. im after any info you guys can give me in regards to any problems and any or all mods that are available? thanks guys

[gotoy]

Must be 13bt engine. Buy it. Very strong and robust engine.

[dogbreath_48]

^^Yep, what he said^^ Assuming it's factory turbo (being a BJ71 i think it must be.

I have heard of some import 70 series having serious rust in the chassis and sills. The typical rust spots in local 70's is lower windscreen frames, sills, bottoms of doors and lower rear quarter panels. Check the engine for excessive blow-by, and the gearbox for 4th/5th gear whine (if manual). The auto's are meant to be sturdy but i know nothing about them.

In my opinion the 70 is a bit too short for hardcore wheeling and tends to pitch back and forth a lot. Give it a good test drive to make sure it doesn't shit you too much!

As for mods - all accessories for 75 series cruisers will fit. I think being a BJ71 it runs HZJ75 style axles (bigger CV's, smaller front diff than H/FJ75 and 60). Barwork, springs, shackles, lockers etc are all readily available.

-Stu

[shorty_f0rty]

it'll probly be 24v being an import too but that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

if its a 3B + rotatary injection pump + aftermarket turbo it'd go like a cut snake (so i've been told).. 13bt is also good too..

[83jack]

thanks for the info guys, ill let you know if/when i get it.
do you hear of many rolling side ways as they seem to have a fairly small wheel track for the height? would wheels spacers over come this?

[hulsty]

In my opinion the 70 is a bit too short for hardcore wheeling and tends to pitch back and forth a lot. Give it a good test drive to make sure it doesn't shit you too much!

As for mods - all accessories for 75 series cruisers will fit. I think being a BJ71 it runs HZJ75 style axles (bigger CV's, smaller front diff than H/FJ75 and 60). Barwork, springs, shackles, lockers etc are all readily available.

-Stu

A BJ71 is short! my middy is about a foot longer and doesnt pitch back and forth to bad, is stable. Most accessories will fit, except side steps, but front and rear bars should be fine and other general stuff. Being a 87 model it will probably run the big cruiser diff upfront the same as the rear. That changed early 90's i think along with the utes and troopys here

[dogbreath_48]

Being a 87 model it will probably run the big cruiser diff upfront the same as the rear. That changed early 90's i think along with the utes and troopys here

You're right Hustly, i didn't read the '87 bit

thanks for the info guys, ill let you know if/when i get it.
do you hear of many rolling side ways as they seem to have a fairly small wheel track for the height? would wheels spacers over come this?

[drunken ramble] Best bet to widen them in my opinion (short of an 80 series axle swap) is to use IFS hilux front hubs with a marks adapters brake-disc spacer (~+50mm track), and a disk brake rear axle housing with 80 series hubs (also ~+50mm track, plus the benefit of disc braked rear - though maybe a little hairy in a shorty ). From my understanding the rear track will still be a little narrower than the front (as it is from stock).
I have an 87 troopy - i run 10" rims (+250mm wider track over std) and my plan is to run the disc brake rear + 80s hubs to get the rear to match the front - then i should be happy with width. They can be a little hairy to drive but you'd be surprised at the angles they can handle (really not that much weight up top) [/drunken ramble]

-Stu