bj74 buying advice (1 Viewer)

[redsands]

im looking at buying a 1989 bj74. havent driven it yet, the batteries were dead when i went to see it. its got the 13-BT turbo diesel motor, seems loaded(ac, ps, pw, automatic), and it has the factory winch to boot! the overall condition seems fair to good. looks like a great project with huge potential...

is there any possible issues with these(other than the 24 volt) trucks that i should be aware of?

how do i know if it has locker(s)?
hows the mpg compared to gas?

this thing has been sitting on a lot here for 6 months, btw. here in saudi no one wants a diesel..gas is is way to cheap here.

anything to watch for when i do get a closer look and take it for a drive?

any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Droool, left hand drive to boooot.

Levers for the cables down by your left foot and lights on the dash indicating front and rear lockers.

Fuel economy varies, around 29MPH, I think.

What does something like that go for in your country??

Rob

im looking at buying a 1989 bj74. havent driven it yet, the batteries were dead when i went to see it. its got the 13-BT turbo diesel motor, seems loaded(ac, ps, pw, automatic), and it has the factory winch to boot! the overall condition seems fair to good. looks like a great project with huge potential...

is there any possible issues with these(other than the 24 volt) trucks that i should be aware of?

how do i know if it has locker(s)?
hows the mpg compared to gas?

this thing has been sitting on a lot here for 6 months, btw. here in saudi no one wants a diesel..gas is is way to cheap here.

anything to watch for when i do get a closer look and take it for a drive?

any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[Joe70]

If it has lockers there will be 2 levers down by the hood release. Hard to miss if you are looking for them.

Mpg's are better then gas.

 

[Flatfender]

Hi Redsands,

What you have there is a very capable 4x4…I have one exactly the same. I got it with 235,000 km on the odometer. The problems I encountered when I first got it was a blocked fuel filter that I have to replace while I was 100 km away from home on a Sunday where all auto supply shops are closed. So make sure you replace the fuel filters.

Check and observe the circulation of the cooling system including the radiators, hoses, coolant reservoir. I had a problem with my cooling system, which lead me to replacing the water pump that is really the main culprit. It runs well now.

You might also encounter that the engine wont stop sometimes even if you already turned off the key, make sure you know where the “VS valve” to temporarily cut off the vacuum air supply. I heard that this is a common thing with the 13BT and other 70 series.

Other items you might want to check:

• Run the winch just to make sure it works and still have the full assembly underneath.
• Use the 4x4 system, lock the manual locking hubs and run it on 4x4. Engage the front and rear cable lockers…go to unpaved road when doing this.
• Check/change your fluids.

Cable lockers at the lefthand side of the picture.

Here is her long lost sister.

Hope this helps.
Happy Wadi bashing!!!

 

[redsands]

thanks everyone for the input. havent been back to see it yet but another question: what about parts? ultimately whatever i do buy will come back to canada with me. i assume most should still be available from ens in s'toon, buy are they uber expensive?

 

[Whistler74]

Hi Redsands
I've not had a problem getting any parts needed, either form the dealer or from 4 Wheel Auto in Edmonton, or Lordco etc. Expensive? Well, it's a Toyota...
It looks to me as if that particular BJ74 started life as a Right Hand drive, as the wipers are reversed. You might want to look for signs of a conversion and problems that might bring.
Great vehicles: mine has been terrific, but that does not mean maintenance free. Look after it and it will treat you well.

 

[roscoFJ73]

.
It looks to me as if that particular BJ74 started life as a Right Hand drive, as the wipers are reversed. You might want to look for signs of a conversion and problems that might bring.
.

Well spotted,the old hands on this board should have seen that The conversion on these is not as simple as many think.
The point of assembly where left and right hand split is a long way back and the cruiser is built around the steering.

I know someone who converted 5 and he said the last one was hard as the 1st one

 

[redsands]

well spotted yes, thanks guys for pointing that out ! is there any way to tell from the data plate what it was originally? what else would i see if its been converted?

its really beyond me why anyone here would even do it..theres so many cruisers around..

 

[crushers]

brought in from Asia, common to convert to LHD in some of these countries...

 

[roscoFJ73]

well spotted yes, thanks guys for pointing that out ! is there any way to tell from the data plate what it was originally? what else would i see if its been converted?

its really beyond me why anyone here would even do it..theres so many cruisers around..

We did have someone on here tell us that many conversions were done in Pakistan on JDM vehicles and then were driven the back way through Afghanistan into other ME countries to be sold. Dont know the truth in it but it wouldnt surprise me.

The aluminium body plate gives the country of origin and the steering position when it was built.
You can decode it here

http://www.cruiserfaq.com/12-00.php

 

[redsands]

ok i got some of the data plate info over the phone as the vehicle is a bit far from me.. model: R-BJ74V-PNX

the V after BJ74, im not sure if that indicates hardtop as bodystyle or destination(V for middle east)

the options..

P-4spd. auto
N- LX/VX
X- turbocharged

i guess the R at the beginning means RHD?

im gittin cold feet!

 

[roscoFJ73]

I think maybe the seller got some of the digits around the wrong way . It should read BJ74RV-PNX.

But it does sound RHD

Here is how a RHD aussie spec 61 series plate looks,note is has an extra letter to signify high roof

 

[redsands]

thanks rosco, i called him back to double check and he did, and thats exactly how it reads according to him. but i think your right, probably is originally RHD. anyway itll be a couple days till i get back to see it again and ill get a pic of the data plate then.

 

[Xray]

thanks rosco, i called him back to double check and he did, and thats exactly how it reads according to him. but i think your right, probably is originally RHD. anyway itll be a couple days till i get back to see it again and ill get a pic of the data plate then.

send a message by SMS to 88905 adding a plate # and your ID also VIN then you'll get full history of the vehicle .
if the truck imported before year 1999 then it maybe converted to LHD because since 1999 they not allowed to import any converted or damaged vehicle .

 

[Khorrassany]

They do a lot of RHD to LHD conversions here in egypt. Actually theyre getting even specialised in it!! All they need is a LHD dashboard and steering box"the one down at the frame"

Cheers
Issa

 

[redsands]

ok, saw and drove it. drives quite nice. cruised at 120k without issue(took awhile to get there though). im now quite sure its a jdm conversion to LHD..all those 4x4 instructions in japanese on the glovebox that i missed first time round gave it away. and the seat recliners are on the inside of the seats. all in all i like it but- this is the first diesel anything ive driven..ever! (and first 24 volt) so i have a few more questions:

1. its pretty gutless. i was expecting a bit more pep. id say a gasser 40 with a 2f would win at the dragstrip;p. i hear people talking about feeling when the turbo kicks in..i couldnt tell at all when it did..if it did. is this normal?

2. in all 4x4s ive ever driven i can always tell when its engaged. with this i couldnt tell at all. it did rev higher in 4 low but i still couldnt feel it "biting" . shifting the transfer case felt normal with the usual clunk. it has a push button 4x4 engage on the dash as well as the floor shift. am i missing something?

3. i know all diesels smoke but this one seems to be more than i recall coming from diesels ive seen on the road. black exhaust smoke. seems to be alot. less after driving for a bit. is that to be expected?

4. the axle code is KO85..limited slip, right? does that mean lockers too? ...didnt see any levers however.

5. the automatic..nice to have in the city but are there any issues with these? strength, durability..

heres some pics. tia for any input.

 

[roscoFJ73]

1. its pretty gutless. i was expecting a bit more pep. id say a gasser 40 with a 2f would win at the dragstrip;p. i hear people talking about feeling when the turbo kicks in..i couldnt tell at all when it did..if it did. is this normal?

The 13 BT engine is not a neck snapper.It gives adequate power with good economy

2. in all 4x4s ive ever driven i can always tell when its engaged. with this i couldnt tell at all. it did rev higher in 4 low but i still couldnt feel it "biting" . shifting the transfer case felt normal with the usual clunk. it has a push button 4x4 engage on the dash as well as the floor shift. am i missing something?

Did you lock the hubs in or drive it offroad? Clunk? Depends how bad,there is always some slop but there can be too much indicating worn splines or other problems in the t/case.

3. i know all diesels smoke but this one seems to be more than i recall coming from diesels ive seen on the road. black exhaust smoke. seems to be alot. less after driving for a bit. is that to be expected?

This wont help with the power. Its most likely fuel not being atomized properly by the injectors

4. the axle code is KO85..limited slip, right? does that mean lockers too? ...didnt see any levers however.

LSD only and probably not working by now unless its had a rebuild.

5. the automatic..nice to have in the city but are there any issues with these? strength, durability..

Auto are ok. They used the tranny for years and no issues.Its as strong as the manual.

You didnt mention how many klms on it. It could be heaven or hell,its hard to say from the description.
Does it have any oil leaks from the output flanges or engine?
Have the uni joints been greased lately?
I would not want to pay too much for it without knowing a bit more about its history.

 

[redsands]

had it to a mechanic who gave it a thumbs down. the motor is really tired. t case needs rebuild, and some electrical issues, ac needs compressor etc etc. so ill probably pass this one up. it has 300k on it btw. coll and unique, but needs attention in every dept. thanks everyone for your input