79 ute advice

[Swag_Man]

Ok i have done some searching around and have come back with mixed answers so I just want to ask my questions and see where we go..... and can we keep feedback on topic...

I am planning on getting a 79 ute either the HZJ79R (ono turbo) or the HDJ79R (factory turbo)
1.- What are the inherited issues to look out for with these cars... expensive problems to be avoided?
The HDJ79R is not a fan of towing big loads I do not intend on doing this but is there any way of telling if damage has been done?

2. - If i get a HZJ79R what am i looking at to put a decent turbo and exhaust in it?... I have friends/family that have turbo-ed their 1hz Landcruiser's and most have the effect of a small hair drier so i am after something a little better... keep in mild i'll have to pay someone to do it so if there is anyone in Perth you can recommend it would be nice...

3. - Will i need to change gear ratio's to run 35s or are the standard ones up to the challenge?... both cruising at 100km and slow work in low 1-2 the standard box in them is low to start with but i am just interested.. anyone here run them and can let me know would be nice...

4. - Are the stock seats mounted on the runners or are they all in once piece... I have had trouble putting bucket seats on my current car because of this and as this will be one of the first mods i would like to know how hard it will be..

5.- Do both models come out with factory PTO port holes or not and where do i look to find it.. I have never used a PTO winch but would like to as i'm sick or electric ones..

Sorry for those of you who are sick of answering the same questions... I did search but obviously failed as I am still asking...

Cheers
Swag_Man

[80's_delirious]

If you are considering turboing a 1HZ down the track, you may as well save yourself a lot of hassle and do it right first time and get the factory turbo model. Turboing 1HZ is a big gamble, they are prone to head failure.

the factory turboed engine has different heads, is capable of a lot more power and better economy. It should have no problem towing a load all day, intercool it if you think it will be a problem.

[hulsty]

IMO I would go a factory turbo, better for reliable engine and it has a much stronger gearbox than the non turbo model.

[Pony]

Why to you say that the HDJ doesn't like towing heavy loads.
I have a HDJ79 and with mods have upped the power to factory HDJ100 levels and it tows more that it is legally rated to with no issues whatsoever.
This is on 33's, but I have been told that 35's knock things around a bit, but no first hand experience, 33's do me.
Yes, both HDJ & HZJ accept PTO's although they are different, 6 bolt holes for the HZJ and 10 bolt holes for the HDJ.
If you do come across a 10 hole PTO drive for the HDJ in your travels, let me know, I am chasing one.
Thanks
Pony

[ferrit]

we abused the living crap out of a fleet of those for a while at work, and the HZJ's just didnt hold up as well as the HDJ's.. we sent one back to fleet at 60K with a big end knock that was pretty shocking!

[thrashlux]

I dont get what you mean about the hdj not liking towing
it is made for it

the hzj has smaller r series box same as hilux
so if you get a hzj first the box will blow then the head will crack after u put a turbo on it

hdj has same H series box as 80 and 100 series td and petrol manuals much bigger stronger box


i think you must have your wires crossed or have been fed dud info

[Tojo]

get the factory turbo model (HDJ). If you get a HZJ (non turbo) you will break the gearbox. It is not a possibility, it is a certainty. If you are lucky it will break close to home. If you are unlucky it will break in the middle of no where. And then it will cost you a lot of money to get your car repaired and back home. Stick with the factory turbo model. Better engine, better gearbox and overall a better car.

[Swag_Man]

The plan is to get a HDJ (factory turbo) but they are as rar as a cherry in a night club so I like to keep my options open... I do not have allot of experience with either car, but from the searching I have done and talking to the mechanics at work I have just heard of a few cases of the HDJ's failing towing heavy loads ie. 5th wheeler, water pumps.... any way it doesn't matter to much as they biggest thing i will tow with be a race car or my folks camper so not really an issue... and I was well aware of the good hilux gear box in the HZJ....

Does anyone know anything about the 35s and the seats.... only because I already have both and it could be a deal changer... well not really.

cheers
Swag_Man

[tezza88]

i have a hzj79. i run 35 baja's as my every day cruisin tyres ( and this is my every day driver so it actualy clocks up k's... it doesnt sit in the shed for most of its life). im a tradie so it cops a fair bit and it does wot it was made to do, it works hard through the wk, and plays on the wk ends. it'l tow a escavator on a trailer just fine cruising down the high way and through town, and still crawls wen u need it off road. if u end up with 1 of these listen for noises and rattles in the gear box/ transfer area, the best thing u could do without transplanting running gear is to put the after market beefed up 1 pce transfer input shaft in it, the origial coupling sleeve's are shit. miine has had bucket seats from a subaru liberty put in it but that was done before i bought it.

[thrashlux]

The plan is to get a HDJ (factory turbo) but they are as rar as a cherry in a night club so I like to keep my options open... I do not have allot of experience with either car, but from the searching I have done and talking to the mechanics at work I have just heard of a few cases of the HDJ's failing towing heavy loads ie. 5th wheeler, water pumps.... any way it doesn't matter to much as they biggest thing i will tow with be a race car or my folks camper so not really an issue...

water pumps??? they are the same part number 1hdfte or 1hz

if you get a 1hz powered one put some extractors on and leave it alone and it will be fine
as soon as you turbo it its trouble for the gearbox and the cylinder head

[chunks]

I don't know why anyone would even consider the HZJ if they can afford a factory turbo? 1HD-FTE is 10x the engine a 1HZ is.

[tezza88]

I don't know why anyone would even consider the HZJ if they can afford a factory turbo? 1HD-FTE is 10x the engine a 1HZ is.

Availability, if buying 2nd hand.... and sum people just dont like turbo's. but yes they have better runnig gear

[Swag_Man]

I don't know why anyone would even consider the HZJ if they can afford a factory turbo? 1HD-FTE is 10x the engine a 1HZ is.

Availability, if buying 2nd hand.... and sum people just dont like turbo's. but yes they have better runnig gear

The average price i can see here is 10k difference between them... but yes availability of a good second hand HDJ is the problem i have looked at 2 this weekend one over rusted and the other dropped a gear in the test drive... so finding one is a little hard... but im in no rush...

cheers

[Tojo]

the factory turbo engine and stronger gearbox is easily worth the extra 10K. I wish i had spent an extra 10K and got one instead of a HZJ79.