Euro BJ40--What would you pay?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

G

GIinHessen

Joined
Jan 16, 2005
Threads
2
Messages
4
Location
Europe
Euro BJ40 '78--What would you pay?

Hello All, I'm a US military servicemember stationed in Europe and for the last couple of months I've been searching for a unique 4x4 to bring back to the states when I return in the next few months. I've done all my homework with Customs, DOT and NHSTA concerning the 25-year import exemption, so now I just have to find the right rig. I've been looking mostly at Mercedes GWagens (G230, 240GD-diesel, and the 300GD-diesel). Gotta love those factory lockers. Unfortunately, good 25-year-old examples are hard to come by (rust). Anyway, I came across this BJ40 during my search for a G. I've done some research on the vehicle, but found a stat in the specifications that absolutely shocks me...I've read in two seperate sources that the 0-60mph time for the BJ is 29.9 seconds. I can't believe that this truck would take around 3 times longer to reach highway speeds than most other vehicles on the road nowadays. Highway merging would be scary to say the least. Can anybody with a BJ40 confirm or deny this number? The diesel appeals to me both in the BJ and the GWagen. I plan to convert whatever I get to a dual tank diesel/WVO. What would you pay for this LC? Restored body in 1995, freshly rebuilt trans and transfer case, factory winch, 264,000 kms on the odo (original B, not the 3B engine). Thanks for your opinions and assistance. Shawn
BJ1.webp
BJ3.webp
BJ4.webp
 
Last edited:
Bj40

Shawn- You might want to ask the international folks.

But for me I think around 7-10k U.S. depending on how clean it is.
I know it is vague but I can't tell what year the truck is and the condition of frame and body without seeing it in person.

Aaron
 
0-60 in 30 sec? Nothing I own is that fast!

What do you mean "(original 3, not the 3B engine)" That thing will have the B engine unless its been swapped out. Its slightly inferior to the 3B but still very durable.

Price is impossible to set without seeing it in person. In Canada a nice looking BJ40 will fetch $6000-$12000 but there are lots for a fraction of that that don't look as nice.

264,000 km is low for these.
 
cool side shot with the blowing leaves...makes it look like 0-60 in 30 sec. :flipoff2:
 
Last edited:
One more pic

Seriously, Can the BJ40 survive life as a daily driver? Or will the lack of acceleration create a "mobile road hazard"?
BJ5.webp
 
it's built like a brick s***house, so if anything hits you, it's their loss.
 
sooo where are you getting PCS'ed to?? if you don't like it when you get here there would be more than a few folks willing to take it off your hands... any where near Omaha NE??

dan

it's all a manner of driving style... if you are used to driving like you stole it... you won't be happy... if you realize that it is a vehicle built for a purpose (go almost anywhere with or without a road) and drive it as such it can be a very rewarding DD just realize the fast lane will not be your usual location.

goood luck

dan
 
buying a BJ just to bring it back in the US is a waste of time and money IMO. The F and 2F engine are so muck more powerful and pleasent, with the cheap gas you have over there, parts availability, shipping, blah blah I'm really not sure it would be worth the effort, unless you scored a very good deal for a cheap clean strong rust free truck. If you really insist on buying one, be very careful of the body, the one you show on the pics doesn't look too bad, I really don't like the flares tho (rust traps). Thourously knock on the body to hear the sound and feel the tickness, check for bondo sound, a magnet helps too. be careful with the rocker panels, rear quarters, make sure the EDIC woked flawlessly, check for excessive smoke etc.

good luck :D
 
GIinHessen said:
Seriously, Can the BJ40 survive life as a daily driver? Or will the lack of acceleration create a "mobile road hazard"?
Click to expand...

ever drove an FJ40 ? according to what I read, it's really no powerhorse. Well I have a BJ40, when I took my friends FJ40 for a long ride, I couldn't believe my life, when you pressed the pedal, the damn beast would actually accelerate ! figure that out ! :D
 
He says he's military that means the US milltary will ship one vehicle for him and his family.... for free!!! one of the many side benifits of signing your life away to uncle sam for a few years!!

i know i've used it..

dan
 
I would pay $5,000-$7,000 dollars if it were in damn good shape, since that is what you were asking. But for me that is the only price I'd be likely to pay for any 40, if it's worth more than that I'll find another one to fix up. I just can't see paying like $10,000 to $15,000 like some folks can. Prolly depends on your mechanic abilities and shop availability also. For a person who doesn't have tools or ability it's prob better to pay for a nicer truck, but the buildup and fixing is all part of the fun of the Landcruiser community. It seems to me that even those high dollar cruisers you see still end up needing constant maintenance just as the others do.

Bottom line:

Don't pay too much because there are plenty available and you can surely expect to be constantly putting money/effort into it to keep it on the road. Good luck man. Oh and where are you PCS'ing to, Ft Hood perhaps??? I'm in 1ST CAV here so look me up if so.

my .02 :cheers:
 
Why would you be interested in accelleration in this country (remember there is nothing like the Autobahn we Germans know)? In my experience, your ability to get going on the highway ramp is controlled by the lame driver in front of you who doesn't understand the concept of accelleration anyway, speed on a city street is determined by the numerous minivans/SUVs turning into shopping centers, and otherwise, it is simply either too congested or speed restricted for much accelleration. My FJ40 went 65-70 for some 10 miles in a row on a continuous incline; some of Detoit's V8's of the same age can't even do that. You really wouldn't drive an FJ or BJ for oomph but for the experience.
 
Dan_J-spec_fj62 said:
He says he's military that means the US milltary will ship one vehicle for him and his family.... for free!!! one of the many side benifits of signing your life away to uncle sam for a few years!!

i know i've used it..

dan
Click to expand...

Hey Dan! See, I knew I wasn't talking sh*t when I read that before on importation with military or perminant visa holders (there's a thread here somewhere which I was argued against)

GIinHessen, don't dable over the 25 yr rule. Even though the Euro is over inflated compaired to the Yankee greenback, getting a post 80 40 series into the US isn't that hard. Your biggest problem will be getting somebody in here to point you in the right dirrection....big secret I guess.
 
folsom50 said:
GIinHessen, don't dable over the 25 yr rule. Even though the Euro is over inflated compaired to the Yankee greenback, getting a post 80 40 series into the US isn't that hard. Your biggest problem will be getting somebody in here to point you in the right dirrection....big secret I guess.
Click to expand...

folsom50, I wonder how you registered a post-1980 vehicle with an 11 digit VIN in the US? Did it give the clerk at DMV some seizures? I know it has been done, but what has been your experience?

Dave
 
Went for the Gwagen, BJ40 still for sale

I found a great 1980 MB GWagen, so I went that route. This BJ40 is still being advertised at 5200 Euros, or $6786. I shipped my Dodge Durango (wifes truck -- Army only pays for one vehicle) over here from Newark NJ to Bremerhaven. That cost me $1070 about two years ago. So, ultimately the truck would cost around $8000. Might be worth it for someone who has a hankering for a Diesel Landcruiser. BTW--I have no affiliation with the seller and don't even know if he speaks any English.

Linky:

http://www.mobile.de/SIDMYlq1yemeXz...da.pl?bereich=pkw&top=5&id=11111111152345856&

Seller:
Ralf Lange
D-51545 Waldbröl
1.Tel.: +49 - (0)2291 / 907765
2.Tel.: +49 - (0)171 / 8115977
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

4
How would you feel about this…
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
kenjera
kenjera
kiwipip
  • Question Question
What would you do? Paint the interior or leave it with natural patina ?
Replies
5
Views
703
msapers
msapers
Old Dude Walking
What would this be worth fj45
Replies
6
Views
1K
NOSAJ
NOSAJ
R
BJ40 Radio
Replies
9
Views
1K
RTH5555
R

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom