I have been looking for a vehicle that has some personality, is fun to drive, and can burn diesel. Unfortunately there are few domestic cars that fit that. Then I found the BJ40 - awesome! My primary concern is that I don't have time for a project car. I need a commuter vehicle with reasonable fuel efficiency that is reliable. Can any B series owners comment on the ease with which you have been able to find capable service for your Land Cruisers? One of the vehicles I have seen on the CCOT site has a blown head gasket. Everything else looks good. I thought it might be worth just having a full engine overhaul (new gaskets, rings, pistons, etc). If you have experience with this - I'd be interested to hear from you. Thanks to "crushers" for the info on coolant leaks and vacuum pumps.
Advice for prospective BJ40 owner (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter NorfolkBJ40
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I have a bj42 ,for the fun , would not necessarily recommend a BJ40 /3b vehicle for daily driiver.You will need A/C in Norfolk I believe?? If you are an accomplished mechanic then maybe ,if not get your credit rating and credit cards in order. Depending on the number of miles per day you might expect 26 mpg on a well maintained 3b IMOP. Some guys swear by the VW Jetta TDI's etc etc
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Im not a B owner but I have had a few diesels in my life including 3 diesel landcruisers.
The 40 series is not going to be a great commuter .
Add an old B engine and it gets worse.
Unless you live 5 mins from work ,I would recommend you have something that is ok in the extemes of cold and heat.
I drove a friends brand new BJ40 in the 70s ,and although it didnt have any squeaks or rattles I remember thinking then this will never replace the passenger car
They are reliable and economical though if you have one that has been maintained.
If you are going to look at one,get there and see a cold start. By that I mean one that hasnt been started for at least 24 hours.
If it makes lots of smoke and runs rough it may need a rebuild.
Owners know this ,so they will often try to run the engine for 2 mins before you get there so it starts clean and smooth
A compression test can also be very tellingbut its not always easy to get an owner to do one.
They usually cost $4-5K for a full rebuild and then you may need a pump rebuild and injectors rebuilt on top.
The one at CCOT may need new head and more once you get deeper.
Ok if you allow for it in the price .
The B engines are not fast(nor any older style 4cyl diesel) and when they are worn they struggle on hills
The maintenance side of things ,once it is set up right ,is amazingly easy.
Just change the oil and oil /fuel filters, and grease the joints and you are done.
Take it to an expert every 4-5 years for a pump and injector service
The 40 series is not going to be a great commuter .
Add an old B engine and it gets worse.
Unless you live 5 mins from work ,I would recommend you have something that is ok in the extemes of cold and heat.
I drove a friends brand new BJ40 in the 70s ,and although it didnt have any squeaks or rattles I remember thinking then this will never replace the passenger car
They are reliable and economical though if you have one that has been maintained.
If you are going to look at one,get there and see a cold start. By that I mean one that hasnt been started for at least 24 hours.
If it makes lots of smoke and runs rough it may need a rebuild.
Owners know this ,so they will often try to run the engine for 2 mins before you get there so it starts clean and smooth
A compression test can also be very tellingbut its not always easy to get an owner to do one.
They usually cost $4-5K for a full rebuild and then you may need a pump rebuild and injectors rebuilt on top.
The one at CCOT may need new head and more once you get deeper.
Ok if you allow for it in the price .
The B engines are not fast(nor any older style 4cyl diesel) and when they are worn they struggle on hills
The maintenance side of things ,once it is set up right ,is amazingly easy.
Just change the oil and oil /fuel filters, and grease the joints and you are done.
Take it to an expert every 4-5 years for a pump and injector service
even if they are brand new.
RufusTheDufus
SILVER Star
I'd guess the BJ40 you're looking at doesn't have power steering. Power steering is a nice creature comfort for a daily driver.
I've got an 82 BJ42 that I drive frequently. I put about 7 - 8 thousand miles on it in a summer. I work from home so most of my driving is doing errands and having fun. It's enjoyable most of the time since I don't have the top on it. I don't think I'd like to commute in it though. Even with the top on these things are noisy. Noisy enough that if you have a stereo you have to crank it up loud. I can't even hear my cellphone ring over the hum of the drivetrain most of the time.
The windshield wipers are small and are almost useless in heavy rain.
I've got an 82 BJ42 that I drive frequently. I put about 7 - 8 thousand miles on it in a summer. I work from home so most of my driving is doing errands and having fun. It's enjoyable most of the time since I don't have the top on it. I don't think I'd like to commute in it though. Even with the top on these things are noisy. Noisy enough that if you have a stereo you have to crank it up loud. I can't even hear my cellphone ring over the hum of the drivetrain most of the time.
The windshield wipers are small and are almost useless in heavy rain.
RufusTheDufus
SILVER Star
NorfolkBJ40 - I looked at the photo of the BJ40 in the other thread that you posted in. When I bought my BJ42 it had tires on it that were very similar to the ones in that photo. Wide tires are a pain with manual steering. I switched to 9.5" wide BFGs and it was a huge improvement in driveability.
Do you think its possible to build one up to be suitable as a DD?
With some good sound proofing,decent brakes,power steering and all the squeaks and rattles fixed,would you be in with a chance.
Obviously,getting some performance out of the engine is mandatory.
Basically you would be building it into a 7*series
Yeah, a coil spring conversion, a tdi swap, new seats. And still you will never loose the aerodynamics of a square box. They are awesome truck and i can understand why people would like to get one and drive it daily, the reality is you will be sorry after a few month that you have this truck has a DD. they are workhorse, not DD. I know some drive them has DD, but some people have different comfort requirement, do different distance each day, drive through different weather year long.
And the good thing about not being a great DD, is that we can use those truck alot less and still have a clean truck in 10-20 years.
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There is nothing cooler than a 25 year old cruiser. But then, I walk to work. if my 84' is not in the mood, we can talk later. If you need your car to work now, and your not into doing your own work, then get one of those newer jellybean shaped things. I would caution against the volksies. The engines are fab, but they are notorious for front end parts and wheel bearings.
I drive my BJ42 everywhere, everyday. Its my only car, and my commute is ~30 minutes.
It requires patience, a young body, and a loud stereo. Mine sounds like a box of silverware falling down the stairs. You'll probably never see better than 22 US mpg. 55mph is the max speed. Also plan to spend at least one weekend a month keeping it happy.
They're plenty reliable, but at this age a certain amount of attention is a requirement - any 40 is a project car nowadays.
It requires patience, a young body, and a loud stereo. Mine sounds like a box of silverware falling down the stairs. You'll probably never see better than 22 US mpg. 55mph is the max speed. Also plan to spend at least one weekend a month keeping it happy.
They're plenty reliable, but at this age a certain amount of attention is a requirement - any 40 is a project car nowadays.
- Thread starter
- #13
Thanks to all for your input. My DD requirements are pretty minimal. I only have a few miles (<10) to go each day. I have another family car for any longer, more involved trips. As one person stated, I am in it for the fun. I don't know what an overhaul/rebuild would do for the reliability of the engine.
AC and Power steering are concerns - AC more than the steering. Norfolk is HOT this time of year. Nothing like 55mph of hot air blowing on you.
I also wanted to burn biodiesel which these simpler diesels seem more capable of doing.
Any comment on the emmissions requirements for these. I need to check on Virginia's requirements - assuming the BJ could meet them.
AC and Power steering are concerns - AC more than the steering. Norfolk is HOT this time of year. Nothing like 55mph of hot air blowing on you.
I also wanted to burn biodiesel which these simpler diesels seem more capable of doing.
Any comment on the emmissions requirements for these. I need to check on Virginia's requirements - assuming the BJ could meet them.
RufusTheDufus
SILVER Star
It's going to take more than 10 miles for a B series diesel to get completely up to operating temp. If you're thinking about buying that 40 make sure you drive it on a few longer trips from time to time or you'll be wishing you did.
Is the one you're looking at LHD or RHD? I didn't pay attention. Installing power steering and AC will be easier for a LHD. RHD is harder to source parts for. You'll most likely have to bring parts in from Australia if you want factory power steering or AC. You might be able to find parts in Canada but they are harder and harder to find as the trucks from this era are rotting away.
Is the one you're looking at LHD or RHD? I didn't pay attention. Installing power steering and AC will be easier for a LHD. RHD is harder to source parts for. You'll most likely have to bring parts in from Australia if you want factory power steering or AC. You might be able to find parts in Canada but they are harder and harder to find as the trucks from this era are rotting away.
I have a BJ41 with a 2B motor. It is my daily driver, at least twice a week I drive it 100 miles round trip to work, once a month I make a 400 mile round trip. I run 33 tires, I cruise at 100km on flat ground, (Japanese Model don't know the exact MPH with the bigger tires) I have A/C but no power steering. It is not the best commuter but just get used to taking your time and being slowed down by even the smallest hill. I also have a TDI Jetta, nice commuter and awesome fuel mileage. I was running home brew BioDiesel in both. With all that said, I would go for the BJ. My .02.
RufusTheDufus
SILVER Star
Seems like TDI Jettas are a common theme. I have a 2005 Jetta TDI wagon. Great little car and compared to my 42 it's like driving a Ferrari.
BTW, a turbo for a B/3B is a wonderful addition. Especially for merging onto the highway or climbing the slightest grade.
BTW, a turbo for a B/3B is a wonderful addition. Especially for merging onto the highway or climbing the slightest grade.
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I beg to differ on the max speed. My max speed "that I have done" in my BJ42 is 100mph/160km/hr and it still had some left in it. I get around 14L/100km the way I drive it. That is with 4 speed/4.11's and 31's and revving it hard.
My truck will easily sit on 120km/hr all day, in fact it feels smoother at 120 than it does at 110.
However any car feels like a rolls royce after riding in a 40. Decent seats help as do greasable shackles/softer springs but its always going to be agricultural. For long distances ear plugs and a kidney belt
RufusTheDufus
SILVER Star
Do you have a 3B in your 40 that's done 100MPH?
Edited to add: you were over 4400 RPM on 31s with 4.11s at 100MPH. That doesn't sound realistic.
Edited to add: you were over 4400 RPM on 31s with 4.11s at 100MPH. That doesn't sound realistic.
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RufusTheDufus
SILVER Star
NorfolkBJ40 - I forgot to ask if the BJ40 you are looking at is right hand or left hand drive. It will be easier to add A/C and power steering to a LHD 40. A/C and power steering for a RHD 40 is rare (i.e. expensive) using factory parts. AFAIK there's no aftermarket A/C system for a RHD 40.
I beg to differ on the max speed. My max speed "that I have done" in my BJ42 is 100mph/160km/hr and it still had some left in it. I get around 14L/100km the way I drive it. That is with 4 speed/4.11's and 31's and revving it hard.
My truck will easily sit on 120km/hr all day, in fact it feels smoother at 120 than it does at 110.
However any car feels like a rolls royce after riding in a 40. Decent seats help as do greasable shackles/softer springs but its always going to be agricultural. For long distances ear plugs and a kidney belt
I suppose if the cliff was high enough you could reach this speed...
