I suspect the 2.4td air box is too small and is restricting it!
The KZJ70 airbox is huge in comparison and takes 80 series air filters. There must be a reason why Toyota felt the need to use an air filter usually used on their 4.2 litre straight 6!
Also your exhaust. How have you done that?
If it's your 2.4 one then that will also be restricting it, although I doubt as much as the airbox.
We'll I made a temp one out of the 4runner exhaust air box I'm running a k&n filter ATM as trying to get 4runner airbox I'm just worried about wiring maybe? Just seems asif it's holding back as it gets to 65 a little quicker than the 2.4 but wen foot flat to floor it seems to just hold back a bit? Did u connect any wires like the ones the go to the 2.4 injector leak off bar? Top and bottom? ?
My KZJ90 felt the same after a few mods that should have increased power , like it stopped accelerating far too soon , increasing airflow was the answer .
Everything I connected to my 1KZ-T already had the correct connectors on, I simply looked at my loom and plugged into the new engine whatever fitted.
The only things I couldn't connect we're my oil pressure gauge, oil pressure warning light, low oil warning light and turbo lights.
I sent you a PM regarding a few of these items at the weekend Craig.
Everything I connected to my 1KZ-T already had the correct connectors on, I simply looked at my loom and plugged into the new engine whatever fitted.
The only things I couldn't connect we're my oil pressure gauge, oil pressure warning light, low oil warning light and turbo lights.
I sent you a PM regarding a few of these items at the weekend Craig.
I'm currently using an FJ80 top rad hose for my bottom hose as thats what fitted best. I tried a genuine KZJ70 one but it just didnt line up properly.
Its important to make sure the hose you fit isnt kinked or pulling on the outlet on the rad. I actually caused the bottom outlet on my KZJ70 rad to start leaking by fitting a hose which wasnt quite the right shape and over time is cracked the solder around the outlet.
I started off using the 4-Runner airbox and air hose, then I managed to source a KZJ70 airbox with hose and have been using that ever since.
The KZJ70 airbox is very similar in shape to the 80 series one, as the KZJ70 one takes 80 series filters. So it would be possible to source an 80 series box and change the outlets.
We've just got back from an amazing High Country 4WD trip!
Fellow club member Brady (Strick on here), contacted me a few months ago to say he'd been reading my blog for a while and wondered if I fancied going on a 4wd trip some time, as he'd just moved down from Sydney and was keen to get out and see some of Victoria's stunning tracks.
A few messages back and forth and a plan was quickly formed to get away for the Easter long weekend.
Friday morning I met him at a BP petrol station just South of Melbourne.
We were soon on the road and we stopped to top up with diesel in the last big town we would pass through.
Brady's stunning 60 series.
And his gorgeous chocolate lab, Cobber.
I was pleased to see diesel has come down in price and is finally cheaper than petrol again!
Just a shame its 20 cents a litre more than it was in January.
We passed through our last bit of civilization, the town of Briagalong. Pronounced Bri-ag-along and began winding our way along forest tracks.
The road soon turned to dirt.
The local rangers were doing some bush fire prevention, back burning in the area now we our into the cooler months.
We passed their 70 series LandCruiser ute.
We soon reached the turn off for our first 4wd track, one which I had selected due to the huge number of river crossings along it.
We aired down the tyres, locked the hubs in and I removed my mud flaps.
Our first crossing.
We would be crossing the creek 45 times on this track!
Sadly many of them were bone dry.
But we want to return in Winter when they will all be flowing nicely!
We stopped for a spot of lunch at one of the crossings.
Which Cobber was most happy about!
We carried on with the track and the many crossings!
Soon we were climbing high out of the valley floor up into the mountains and then descending just as quickly.
Before dropping back down for a few more creek crossings.
Easter is the busiest time for 4wding in Australia! In the run up to Easter we work on more customers 4wd's and sell more 4wd products at work than any other time of the year.
I believe this is because we are approaching Winter and the cooler temperatures are perfect for camping and 4wding.
So perfect temperature, not too much rain if any, no bush fire risk and most people have 4 days off work!
This did however mean that the usually quite High Country was quite busy in places and we would pass many other 4wd's.
We always planned on visiting the little township of Dargo as I wanted to let Bec and Brady see it, but my original plan was to get there on 4wd tracks alone, but realising we needed some bread I changed the route slightly to mean we could get there before 5pm when I though the shop would close.
This meant a small amount of time on the bitumen.
Shopping done, we stopped at the iconic pub for a small cold one.
This pub has to be one of my favorite outback pubs and is easily on a par with Birdsville for character and charm!
We left the town (I'd call it more of a hamlet or a village myself as its tiny, but over here they call it a town) and headed off into the mountains to find a camp spot for the night.
We really struggled as every camp site we came to over the next hour or 2 was completely full, there were 4wd's every where!
But eventually we found a spot that would do, not an official camp site but it had enough space and flattish ground.
It had a stunning little waterfall at the end of a small gorge that one river had cut through the rock, before dropping down to converge with another small river.
It was called Harrisons Cut.
Tents were soon up and Brady did an excellent job collecting firewood and building the fire.
After a couple of cold ones it was time for dinner!
I cooked while Bec enjoyed her new chair, complete with foot rest!
Lamb shanks and veggies.
The evening was spent sat around a roaring fire enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the place.
Cobber made sure we all got to make a fuss of him!
It was a little bit cloudy so sadly we didn't get treated to the millions of stars that are normally visible in this area, but the full moon kept things pretty light.
The fire was soon going again the next morning.
It was soon breakfast time and Cobber was keen to get involved!
This is one of our most recent purchases, a stone ware pan! These things are awesome and make camping so much easier!!
As nothing sticks to them you dont need to carry and use cooking oil, the food tastes better and is healthier and at the end of it it doesn't need washing up like a traditional pan as nothing has stuck to it!
So a quick wipe out and its good to go away!
Sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches!
Cobber hoping for some.
We packed everything away and prepared to break camp.
A look at the map to work out where we were heading.
We were camped at Harrison Cut and we decided to head up Matherson Spur Track.
We were heading over to a fascinating area which in the 1800's was the location of a huge gold rush which drew thousands of new settlers who hoped to strike it lucky and make their fortune!
Not only did this area have a rich history, it also had a track which crosses the Crooked River 24 times!
We spent the next hour climbing from our river side camp, up the steep mountain sides in 1st and 2nd low range and we were continually surprised by the fact we just kept climbing, even when we thought the track couldn't possibly go any higher we would round a bend and be greeted with yet another steep rocky climb.
The views were spectacular in every direction even with the morning mist.
It hadn't rained for a while and the tracks were very dusty!
We drove for a couple of k's back on bitumen before arriving at the historic gold mining area.
A dusty drive into the town.
Amazingly and sadly, very little remains of the town today! So it was strange to think the peaceful area in the mountains was once a bustling gold town!
We parked the cars and walked down to have a look at a newly built hut.
Dramatic effect!
We hit the tracks again, heading to the Crooked River track with all of its river crossings.
We passed a picnic bench with an amazing view!
Back on the tracks and passing the occasional on coming vehicles meant windows up and vents closed to try and avoid the inevitable dust cloud!
We pulled off the track into a water run off area to allow a convoy coming up to pass us. Passing other vehicles on these steep mountain tracks can be treacherous, especially on tracks as steep as this with the many switchbacks and hairpin bends.
We were soon on our way down again, the hairpin bends giving me the opportunity for a shot back at Brady descending the steep mountain track.
We soon reached the bottom of Bulltown Spur Track and headed for Crooked River Track.
And were straight into the river crossings!
Some had steep rocky exits from the river below.
We stopped for a quick break.
So Cobber could have a drink and a paddle.
Before continuing on with the other crossings.
I'm not quite sure whats going on in this pic!
Its like Brady's 60 is reflecting off my camera lense onto my rear window.
We passed many 4wd's on this track and a good 95% of the people we passed were friendly and helpful. A quick chat with the driver of the lead vehicle to find out how many were in their convoy and to let them know there was just 2 of us ensured things ran nice and smoothly with pulling out of the way and giving way when necessary.
I couldn't resist getting a few pics at this crossing, the rock wall in the background was a particularly stunning back drop!
A super quick lunch stop.
And we were back on the tracks again.
There was evidence of mine shafts and earthworks every where on this track, some of the deeper shafts were fenced off for safety.
A particularly off camber climb out of one river crossing saw LJ on 3 wheels!
I engaged both diff locks and just kept driving!
The passenger wheel came another foot off the ground and then came back down with a thud and we were up and on our way!
This was a nice big crossing.
Brady kindly offered to get a video of me coming across, so I drove back across and turned around.
The next section of track was very tight as it wound its way along the mountain edge high above the river below.
Down below we could see people panning for gold.
More crossings.
We passed a lovely little house in the middle of no where on one of the few grassy plains between the high mountains.
It even had a rare 55 series LandCruiser parked outside.
We found spectacular scenery at every turn.
We soon reached a Kingwill bridge.
There was a few families camped next to the river and children playing in it.
Mountain moo's.
We passed a nice little rustic cottage.
We reached the start of one of the most famous tracks in the High Country, Billy Goat Bluff Track.
A steep rocky ridge line track with stunning views and some very challenging sections of track.
Passing another group on the steep climb with lots of hairpin bends proved challenging and a lot of care was needed.
We passed another convoy who warned of trouble ahead! They had made it to within a few hundred meters of the summit and had been forced to turn around as there was at least 20 vehicles waiting to go up, as a Mitsubishi Triton had blown its turbo on the hardest section of the climb.
We soon arrived at the section of track where all the cars were backed up.
We parked up and had a walk up to see what was happening.
The guys were all out of their trucks and said they had been waiting for over 2 hours!
A quick look at the map to show exactly where we were.
Things started moving and most of the vehicles slowly moved on, apart from the vehicle in front of us who waited for a while before turning around and letting us past.
Once past we carried on up the mountain and got to the really rough and steep section where the blown Triton was.
It was a very difficult section of track but with both diff locks engaged and plenty of right foot we got up without issue.
Sadly I was unable to get any pics though.
Brady was struggling to get up one particularly difficult section, so I parked LJ up and walked down to him.
As I walked down to him some trucks came roaring up in a cloud of dust.
2 of the Tritons mates had linked 2 of their 4wds together and were dragging the dead Triton up the mountain.
I reached Brady, who after dropping his tyre pressures had already driven the section he had struggled on. I jumped in and got a lift up with him and then we were on our way again.
There was still cars everywhere as other groups tried to get down the track as lots of people were trying to come up.
Really it was carnage and in total we waited over 2 hours to get up this track!
The views more than made up for it though!
It was then a short drive up to The Pinnacles.
When we arrived it was difficult to find a parking spot, with 4wd's parked everywhere!
Including a nice yellow 40 series.
We walked to the look out.
Sadly it wasn't a clearer day but the views were still fantastic!
It was a steep challenging walk to get to the tower.
The observation tower next to the trig point. In the summer someone mans the tower watching for bush fires. When a fire is spotted its radioed in to the fire brigade who start fighting it.
A quick selfie and then it was time to head back down.
The track we chose to come down the mountain was very overgrown and showed little sign of being used recently.
We followed a Patrol down who had actually taken a wrong turn.
The track soon became very challenging with some steep rock steps leading down.
We headed down to the valley below, keen to find a camp as it was now getting late.
We spotted my favorite bird in a tree above a creek crossing, the kookaburra.
The track wound its way through lush sub tropical rainforest with lots of little creek crossings.
Everything was going well and we were almost at our planned camp spot when disaster struck!
We clipped a branch on the ground at the edge of the track and with an almighty bang we instantly had a flat tyre.
With darkness now less than an hour away we swung into action to get the wheel changed.
We soon arrived at camp and once again Brady soon had a roaring fire going.
We got the tents up and cooked dinner.
And relaxed with a few cold ones.
Followed by Easter eggs!
We were supposed to be treated to a solar eclipse but it didn't really happen!
It was meant to go blood red but it stayed white.
After a great nights sleep it was time to get up.
Cobber was pleased to see us.
We made tea using the fire.
Cooked more sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches.
(The only way I could get Cobber to sit still long enough for a pic was by holding some food up)
A quick check of the map.
We were camped on a dead end track that almost went through to Dargo road.
Our plan was to head South up Black Range Track, before heading North West on Mcdonald Gap Track, then South down Kileens Climb.
Kileens Climb had a warning on the map for a steep section. I've learnt that when they warn you a track is steep it is Really Steep! As all the tracks are steep anyway in the High Country.
We left camp and were immediately climbing a very steep track. For the next 20 minutes we climbed in 1st low up the steep mountain track.
This sign made us laugh!
I'm not sure who would want to take their pet cat with them to the High Country!
We ensured Cobber remained in the vehicle while passing through that section of National Park though and didn't let him out until we got to the next section which was State Forest, where dogs are allowed.
We turned onto the Kileens Climb Track and immediately began a steep descent to the valley floor hundreds of meters below.
The track was very steep from the start requiring the brake to be dabbed almost constantly as the truck walked itself down the hill in low 1st.
Yet we were no where near the section with the warning yet!
Stunning views on an open ridge section that had been cleared of trees to provide a helipad.
We got to the steep section with the warning on the map and Wow was it steep!
A lower 1st gear in low range would have been very useful as it was so steep that even with the clutch out in 1st low, I had to have my foot on the brake almost constantly to try and keep the truck nice and slow on the steep mountain descent, with the tyres scrabbling for grip on the loose rock.
Eventually we were safely down in the valley at the base of the mountain and driving a track which followed the creek.
We would soon be climbing back into the mountains though as our next track was the Loyds Knob Link Track which boasted of being "A spectacular rugged ridgeline drive," on the map.
It didn't fail to deliver and we were treated to yet more amazing views!
We were soon crossing yet more dry creeks, many of which we crossed on day 1 as we were now heading back out on the same track we came in on.
It was an awesome track as it provided crossing after crossing. Definitely one to come back for in the winter when there would be some water in them all.
And finally we were back where we started.
We aired up the tyres, cleaned the windows, lights and number plates and I re-fitted my mud flaps.
Had a final pat of Cobber.
Shook hands with Brady and said our good byes.
And headed home.
Back on the bitumen rolling back through Briagalong.
And 2.5 hours later we were finally home safely in Melbourne!
Apart from the only damage, the 6" slash in one of my tyres.
Which I'm hoping I can send off to be professionally repaired using hot vulcanising. Certainly if I was still in the UK I would be getting it repaired for sure, like I did one of my previous 35's. But I will have to see if I can find some where over here.
*This should have been posted on the end of the trip report above, but I just went over the 100,000 character posting limit!
We had an absolute blast!
I'd estimate we drove over 80 creek and river crossings, drove up and down a ridiculous amount of steep rocky mountains, along spectacular ridge line tracks, explored the historic gold rush towns long since abandoned, camped next to delightful little mountain creeks and enjoyed the truly amazing Victorian High Country!
For me this is some of the best 4wding anywhere on earth!
I absolutely love it and cant wait to return in a few months time for another epic adventure!
Fantastic write up mate, really enjoyed this trip. Once again your photos turned out great. Can understand why it takes so long to get these photos done, lots of photos taken!
Was great pushing the 60 and seeing the difference that SWB and LWB can make in situations too.
As always a good write up... as some of the others would say not my cup of tea on the trails, mainly how busy they are, but at least they don't seem the normal Ben level of bonkers... that puncture reminds me I really ought to get another 15x8 rim and 31x10.5 tyre instead of the 16x6 and 205R16 I have as a spare at the moment, which means I can't run 4wd really...
I found it interesting the front end lifting; it really reminded me why, no matter how much I liked my FJ73, there are some things that the longer wheelbase in the 4Runner (and 60 series and 80 series) make easier...
That's before I give you the picture of the contents of a cats stomach... for those who have a strong stomach, or don't like cats, have a look here and here as to why they are kept out of national parks.
I might have to persuade Delz to let me take the stone pan, we got one for $10 and a $2 screw from the screw shop (it's a proper rated screw...) as it didn't have a screw for holding the handle on.
Stop whinging about fuel prices... I paid $1.44/litre (less 8c in dockets and staff discount) for 95 the other day up here in Armidale...
Fntastic write up Ben, as usual, I feel tired just reading it. Photos are spectacular mate, thanks for all the time spent posting them.
Of course, going back in the winter to get more water in the crossings will mean muddy tracks, will you get up some of them in the wet? They looked pretty rutted to me!
Yeah shame about the tyre Gary but these things happen. I will get another parallel import KM2 and pay cash to bring the price down even further and when I get chance look into getting the damaged one repaired.
Only a few days at work this week then I'm off to Tassie for a week on holiday!
Awesome report Ben thanks for taking the time to put it all together and post it up. Whilst you were wheeling around the High Country did you come across a Group called Drive4Life ? I know one off the blokes leading it and he works for ARB.He would have been driving Nissan Patrol Ute with Toy42r plates on it.
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