i just saw this in the local buy & sell. looks like it's in pretty good shape, it's the first time i've seen a lj with a removable hardtop, the thing that got me is it's LHD, could it have been converted when imported or where else could it have come from where it would be LHD? any of you guys in b.c. know the owner? personally i think the bumper is a little fugly. http://www.buysell.com/showad.asp?id=31703824
1989 lj73
- Thread starter Chef BoyarDEE
- Start date
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, but might be better with a coat of black paint? Otherwise chop it down to the two horzontals.
lowenbrau
SILVER Star
I had a German spec 91 LJ73 and it looked very similar. The 4runner style extended roll bar and narrow fenders are a givaway that its european. (Most European countries required more space between the headlights than the rest of the world.)
For that kind of money you could get Jap spec BJ74 though and have a way better rig.
I agree with the bumper comments
For that kind of money you could get Jap spec BJ74 though and have a way better rig.
I agree with the bumper comments
- Thread starter
- #4
it just doesn't look canadian is all. all of the non north america options like the altimeter and stuff like that i guess, plus i'm not positive but i don't think they ever brought any lj73s or anything like that over for sale in canada. i'm not really interested in it, it just looks like a neat rig that you don't see everyday in the paper.
You're right, there were never any LJs brought into Canada. Although the 2L was imported here through the mini-trucks, so I would imagine that there would be some local support just as there is for the 13BT because it shares a lot of components with the 3B.
I agree with going for a BJ74 for the same amount of money. Even though you will get a RHD instead of LHD, I would imagine that the 13BT alone would be motivation enough to move to the HD Cruisers. For that kind of money, you might even be able to get a 74 with lockers. I have heard that European imports have a lot of rust problems compared to the JDM...I saw a BJ71 from Holland that had major rust in the body and frame.
The bumper is easy enough to get rid of or change...but you're stuck with the 2LT in an LJ. Not only is it gutless, but I have read in a couple of forums that the turbo on the 2LT setup is not as reliable as on the 13BT. My 2 cents.
I agree with going for a BJ74 for the same amount of money. Even though you will get a RHD instead of LHD, I would imagine that the 13BT alone would be motivation enough to move to the HD Cruisers. For that kind of money, you might even be able to get a 74 with lockers. I have heard that European imports have a lot of rust problems compared to the JDM...I saw a BJ71 from Holland that had major rust in the body and frame.
The bumper is easy enough to get rid of or change...but you're stuck with the 2LT in an LJ. Not only is it gutless, but I have read in a couple of forums that the turbo on the 2LT setup is not as reliable as on the 13BT. My 2 cents.
This ones been for sle for maybe 12 months or more assuming its the same owner.
More info here
http://www.cruizers.com/cgi-bin/isc...userads&UserID=12472&Session=41c3dc4f2a625966
Take Stones advice and get the real thing. The Hilux of the same year is much better than one of these.
They sold them in Oz from 85-90 as a Bundeera although it was the 70 swb.
They sold a few in 85 -86 but after that sales slowed right down.
Mint examples go for about half what a mint BJ70 does in oz although their new prices in 85 were close which says a lot
Anecdotal evidence says they were'nt a really bad 4x4 but they didnt do anything particuarly well either.
My brother's work has a company owned RJ70 permanently attached to the company fishin dinghy and they are happy with it
More info here
http://www.cruizers.com/cgi-bin/isc...userads&UserID=12472&Session=41c3dc4f2a625966
Take Stones advice and get the real thing. The Hilux of the same year is much better than one of these.
They sold them in Oz from 85-90 as a Bundeera although it was the 70 swb.
They sold a few in 85 -86 but after that sales slowed right down.
Mint examples go for about half what a mint BJ70 does in oz although their new prices in 85 were close which says a lot
Anecdotal evidence says they were'nt a really bad 4x4 but they didnt do anything particuarly well either.
My brother's work has a company owned RJ70 permanently attached to the company fishin dinghy and they are happy with it
- Thread starter
- #8
when you get a closer pic you can see the cancer starting. i had no intention of inquiring about it, i was just posting it because it's not a cruiser you see everyday in the buy and sell. if i had a choice between it and a 74, i'd probably take the 74. i was simply posting to see if anyone knew if it was imported and converted to LHD, where it could have been imported from or what it's deal was.
crushers
post ho
roscoFJ73 said:This ones been for sle for maybe 12 months or more assuming its the same owner.
More info here
http://www.cruizers.com/cgi-bin/isc...userads&UserID=12472&Session=41c3dc4f2a625966
Take Stones advice and get the real thing. The Hilux of the same year is much better than one of these.
They sold them in Oz from 85-90 as a Bundeera although it was the 70 swb.
They sold a few in 85 -86 but after that sales slowed right down.
Mint examples go for about half what a mint BJ70 does in oz although their new prices in 85 were close which says a lot
Anecdotal evidence says they were'nt a really bad 4x4 but they didnt do anything particuarly well either.
My brother's work has a company owned RJ70 permanently attached to the company fishin dinghy and they are happy with it
curious, these run the same drivetrain but with a cruiser t./case and an offset rear diff and 4.7 gearing, why do you say the hilux is "better"?
in JDM the LJ71, LJ78 are very high sales, maybe they did not catch on in Aus but that doesn't mean they are not good units. people that buy the LJ71s off me have nothing but great things to say about them. they are about as speedy as a NA 3B but once you add Propane it becomes a different playing feild. the 2LT can have head problems exactly the same as most 3Bs i have torn apart.
they are coil suspension so they ride much better than a 74 or even a 61. they will out articulate a leaf spring setup and have the soid front axle that the hilux gave up in 89.
i am not saying they are without their shortcomings but they are far from crap.
as for the ad, he is offering a rare bird to say the least and if he can get the money then that is good for him, i know i wouldn't pay that much. you can get, as Stony said, a nice BJ74 for that price.
if you want the "one of a kind in NA" then this is the truck for you. the only one that i have seen is Bruce's ex LJ73 but it isn't with us any longer.
cheers
crushers said:
Wayne thanks for agreeing with me,they are not crap but not great either
Mechanically they are ok,but toyotas early experiment with coils didnt endear them to owners offroad or onroad.Aftermarket suspension upgrades can help.
I was under the impression the aussie units ran an identical drivetrain to the hilux,except for the front axle.
Hilux with their soa are far more competent offraod. They are usually 2 seater,but I dont think the L/D cruisers would go all that well with a full load of passengers either.
Admittedly this one is MWB so it is a little more practicle room wise.
Another way of looking at is that they were still better than their Japanese rivals of the day.
Wayne youre right,they do run the landcruiser t/case and the diesels have the "slightly stronger R151 prado gearbox" according to Aust 4x4 monthly buyers guide on 70s and bundera.
It also says we got the mwb,but they all seem to be steel roofed with a Surf type front.
It also says we got the mwb,but they all seem to be steel roofed with a Surf type front.
crushers
post ho
i guess it depends on what they are used for, i would not buy one for strickly off road. with a few mods i thing they would perform fine.
in the JDM they LJ did have the cruiser t/case and the off set rear axle, which in my books makes the off road ability up a notch since you are not digging a new trench with the rear diff when going through snow or mud or picking a trail over higher obstacles.
my customers buy them for the great fuel economy and the ease of manouverability in city traffic. they seem to love the ride and accept the power. on average they are getting 30-33 mpg which is great at the cost of fuel here.
on average the BJ74 is getting 25 mpg, still a respectable return but not close to the little LJ.
my wife will start to drive her's back and forth to work next week. at that time i can start a long term report.
cheers
in the JDM they LJ did have the cruiser t/case and the off set rear axle, which in my books makes the off road ability up a notch since you are not digging a new trench with the rear diff when going through snow or mud or picking a trail over higher obstacles.
my customers buy them for the great fuel economy and the ease of manouverability in city traffic. they seem to love the ride and accept the power. on average they are getting 30-33 mpg which is great at the cost of fuel here.
on average the BJ74 is getting 25 mpg, still a respectable return but not close to the little LJ.
my wife will start to drive her's back and forth to work next week. at that time i can start a long term report.
cheers
crushers
post ho
the mid wheel base you are talking about, is that the LJ78 or the LJ73 with a hard top?
