40 series diesel land cruiser

[Diesel_40]

I have a turbo-diesel sedan with 220 Ib/ft tq gets 45-50 mpg. I was at a restaurant the other day & parked outside was a 40 series land cruiser. I asked the owner how much room was under the hood. He popped the hood & I could see that it was quite spacious. I immediately was thinking about putting an aftermarket turbo-diesel engine into a 40 series land cruiser. Then I started to do a little reading on the Internet & found that Land Cruisers came with diesels. I am looking to pick up a used land cruiser with rough paint; surface scratches; minor dents & body damage; an old diesel engine. After some work I would like this land cruiser to replace my daily driver. Then I want to get to work & get it back to fair condition. I have a general idea on what I would like to do. I need this forums members expertise to help me hone in on my target. I got the wife's approval so far. I was also trying to zero in on which years are best or most preferred for my requirements.

I have some initial requirements, but these requirements can change:
Requirements: Power Steering; A/C (it's Texas); Only Surface Rust; Auto-Transmission (wife won't drive a standard); Diesel-Engine (stock with good balance of economy & power...Turbo preferred but not required); Minimal Body Damage; Bad-paint welcome; removeable hardtop; roll-bars-cage.

I would also like to know about some links/websites to help me search for my 40 series diesel land cruiser?

BELOW ARE THE MODELS I KNOW OF THUS FAR. I am just learning, so I am open to suggestions. If I am missing any models let me know?
BJ40 (Diesel)
BJ41 (diesel)
BJ42 (diesel)
BJ43 (diesel)
BJ44 (diesel)
BJ46 (diesel)
HJ45 Wagon (diesel)
HJ60 Wagon (Diesel)

The model was also available under the BJ40 / 41 / 42 / 43 (short wheelbase), 44 / 46 (middle wheelbase) or HJ45 / 47 (long wheelbase) designation where it had a Diesel engine.

1973 - HJ45 launched with the H , 3.6 litre in-line 6 cylinder Diesel engine.
1974 - BJ40 / 43 launched with the B, 3.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder diesel engine.
1976 - Disc brakes on the front axle
1979 - Power steering (only F models) & airconditioning added to options, gear ratios modified for highway
1980 - HJ47 launched with 4.0 ltr 6 cyl dieselengine. End of HJ45 production
- BJ42/46 and BJ45 launched with a 3.4 liter 4 cylinder diesel engine
1981 - Power steering added on the BJ models to the options
1984 - End of 40 series production (replaced by 70 series)

The B series motor a 4 cylinder diesel, & the H series a 6 cylinder diesel. The diesel engined trucks were never sold to the general public in the USA, though some found their way in as mine trucks.

Diesel Engine Capacity (l) Power (hp) Torque Used
B 3.0 85 141 lb·ft (191 N·m) 1974-1979
2B 3.2 93 159 lb·ft (216 N·m) 1979-1981
3B 3.4 98 167 lb·ft (226 N·m) 1979-1984
H 3.6 90 151 lb·ft (205 N·m) 1972-1980
2H 4.0 115 177 lb·ft (240 N·m) 1980-1984
OM314 3.8 85 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) (Bandeirante)
OM364 4.0 90 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) (Bandeirante)

 

[grease_guzzler]

You're best bet right now is a Canadian HJ60...some of them had an automatic transmission and you can add a tourbo, however it is the wagon style with no removable hard top. Aside from that you can wait a few years until the Japanese BJ74s are 25 years old and can be imported into the States, they have the 13BT turbo diesel in them with a removable hard top. Or you can look for a BJ40/42 and teach the missus how to drive a stick

 

[Diesel_40]

LOL on teaching the missus to drive a stick. I went & asked her she said no way. I don't know what she is afraid of. It is not that difficult. Looks like I have some persuading to do. I would go for the 60 series, but I think that the 40 series appears to be more robust/solid with less electronic parts. The 40 series is a tank. This is helpful it helps me narrow my search...hopefully not to slim...then slim to none...

 

[canucksafari]

The 60 is every bit as strong. Plus the longer wheel base will give you a nicer ride and be more stable on the trails. There were some diesel 70 series sold new in Canada. I have seen two of them around here. Not sure if they also came with autos. My recommendation would be to find a nice clean FJ 60 series in the US and do a diesel swap with the motor you want. You can either import and rebuild a Canadian B or H, import a JDM Toy diesel engine or swap in a diesel engine from another manufacturer. There are lots of "diesel swap" threads here. happy reading.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

Good News: 60's are just as simple as a 40. They are essentially the same electronics but with just a few differences (if you are looking at the higher years)

Bad News: The 62 came with the auto, is a gas motor, and has a ton more electronics to create gremlins.

Summary: Unless you find a good body and frame and drop in a toyota engine/tranny combo, you will not find a 40 series of any kind, 40-47, that has an auto transmission. Unless someone already did this swap.

You can tell her that most of the 40 series only had four gears and you barley need to use first.

 

[roscoFJ73]

After some work I would like this land cruiser to replace my daily driver.

Not really recommended as a DD. I would rather drive an old beater than a 40 . Its ok now and again but the ride and the steering and the brakes are not fantastic on the road. You can make some improvements but realistically that will take years of perfection and experience
Offroad it is king(well sort of, if you forget the 7* series)

 

[jmylie]

Welcome to mud.

There is lots of information, use the search feature.

If you plan on keeping your Land Cruiser all Toyota, you may have trouble with running an automatic. All the models you listed came with manual transmissions.

Are you comfortable with RHD or do you require LHD? (left or right hand drive)

RHD models are finding their way into the US in greater numbers and have less rust issues. Most RHD vehicles in the US are from Canada and rust "may" be an issue.

Neither the 3B or the 2H are noted for "power". But adding a turbo to either will help.

Best bet, find a good Southern truck of the model you want. Swap in a late model diesel with auto. All the good Toyota combo's are not sold in the US. I'm not sure of the regulations of importing engines / transmissions.

Of course, have lots of disposable income.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Hilux]

What TD sedan do you have that gets 45-50?......dying to know.


And possibly putting in your location, someone can help you out more cause they'er local.
It's been know to help out allot in the past....(someone knowing your location)

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

I have some initial requirements, but these requirements can change:
Requirements: Power Steering; A/C (it's Texas); Only Surface Rust; Auto-Transmission (wife won't drive a standard); Diesel-Engine (stock with good balance of economy & power...Turbo preferred but not required); Minimal Body Damage; Bad-paint welcome; removeable hardtop; roll-bars-cage.

These requirements limit you to VERY few options. the only truck that needs all your requirement is a BJ74. and that was never sold in north america. a few have made it into the US, but they are extremely hard to get.

The only ones easy to get are the ones that were sold in canada (no diesel LCs ever sold in the US): BJ40/42: 3B, no turbo, no AC, no automatic. turbo is easily added, ac and auto can be added for $$$$$$$$

BJ60 wagon: as above. not sure if any came with an auto, but I doubt it. some did come with AC though. no removable top.

HJ60 wagon: 2H diesel, no turbo. came with automatics in canada, should have AC. no removable tops. aftermarket turbo installed in a few hours.

lots of information here...
cheers,
j


edit: I see you got most answers already in the other identical thread.

 

[lowenbrau]

If you plan on keeping your Land Cruiser all Toyota, you may have trouble with running an automatic. All the models you listed came with manual transmissions.

True with the exception of the HJ60. About half of the Canadian spec ones have an auto.

Diesel_40 you should credit the original author when you cut and paste. Your post looks a lot like the TLC FAQ

You can add these to your model list.
BJ55
BJ56
BJ60
BJ61
HJ61
BJ70
LJ70
PZJ70
KZJ71
BJ71
BJ73
LJ73
HZJ73
BJ74
BJ75
PZJ75
HZJ75
HZJ76
VDJ76
PZJ77
HZJ77
LJ78
KZJ78
HZJ79
HDJ79
VDJ79
HZJ81
HDJ81
KZJ90
HZJ101
HDJ101
HZJ105
KZJ130
VDJ200

Probably many more that I missed.

Sadly, not one was imported by Toyota for road use in USA.

 

[Diesel_40]

"What TD sedan do you have that gets 45-50?......dying to know.


And possibly putting in your location, someone can help you out more cause they'er local.
It's been know to help out allot in the past....(someone knowing your location)"

I have a 2002 VW Jetta TDI Turbo-Direct-injection. It is not stock. I had a stage 2 program put on the ECU/ECM....man you can really bump up the performance on this diesel block. I went from 155 to 205 ft/ibs with just a remap of the ECU. Cost about 400 bucks. Not bad for 50 Ibs/tq. If you are curious about the 45 MPG sedan that drives like a sports sedan on the highway with some minor tuning then go to tdiclub.com

I live in the DFW area.

 

[Diesel_40]

"Are you comfortable with RHD or do you require LHD? (left or right hand drive)

RHD models are finding their way into the US in greater numbers and have less rust issues. Most RHD vehicles in the US are from Canada and rust "may" be an issue."

To answer the first question it would be preferred to have a US-like LHD vehicle, because my wife is going to drive it. As long as there are no issues importing then I don't mind a RHD...I still have to get the wife to learn to drive a standard anyways.

"Neither the 3B or the 2H are noted for "power". But adding a turbo to either will help." Can any turbo be welded to the exhaust pipe....does the turbo have to be attached to the exhaust-manifold?

"Best bet, find a good Southern truck of the model you want. Swap in a late model diesel with auto. All the good Toyota combo's are not sold in the US. I'm not sure of the regulations of importing engines / transmissions."

As far as a good southern truck...will it have a small-displacement turbo-diesel with excellent torque & fuel economy?

 

[Diesel_40]

"Diesel_40 you should credit the original author when you cut and paste. Your post looks a lot like the TLC FAQ"

I got most of my info of of wikipedia....who know where they got it from..?

 

[Diesel_40]

lowenbrau.... can any of the additional models you listed be imported to the US today? As long as I can import them now for a reasonable cost then I am fine with importing.

 

[Diesel_40]

"The 60 is every bit as strong. Plus the longer wheel base will give you a nicer ride and be more stable on the trails. My recommendation would be to find a nice clean FJ 60 series in the US and do a diesel swap with the motor you want. "

So sounds like the 60 series are made solid also. What about electronic components; collectibility; vehicle depreciation on the 60 series?

 

[Diesel_40]

"You can tell her that most of the 40 series only had four gears and you barley need to use first. "

LOL it is sounding like the auto tranny option is out. I am not going to jinx myself, but I think that the issues of my wife driving a standard is more of a mental block than anything. Now if we can get one LHD

 

[Dougal]

Just remember that a diesel 40 would get half the fuel economy of your jetta.
It's bigger, squarer, has bigger tyres and indirect injection.

They make much more sense as an occasional toy than a daily driver.

 

[cody c]

theres a posting at work for an 84 BJ60 (LHD), 3" lift 33's 5 speed 400,000kms not bad paint asking $8000 and lots of new parts on it. This should be able to be imported to the states soon, if you are interested let me know, otherwise maybe have a look through the classifieds section to see whats out there.

 

[Diesel_40]

"Just remember that a diesel 40 would get half the fuel economy of your jetta.
It's bigger, squarer, has bigger tyres and indirect injection."

"They make much more sense as an occasional toy than a daily driver."

I won't get rid of our Jetta...I love that car. I am trying to replace our SUV that averages 17 mpg....and depreciates 3000 dollars a year.

 

[lowenbrau]

I won't get rid of our Jetta...I love that car. I am trying to replace our SUV that averages 17 mpg....and depreciates 3000 dollars a year.

A BJ42 is only going to do 20% better than that but will hold its value better.