BJ60 fixer-upper

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

crushers said:
there have been some coarse spline alternators modded to fit the later 5 spd 3B's. the coarse spline alternators do not have the expensive spline problems of the later fine splines...
cheers
Click to expand...

I am wondering if that is what happened and why Mac's alternator is the course spine type. I've only ever seen the fine spline on the 83's...

Our rebuilder has access to new shafts, so we take pooched splines as cores now.

gb
 
jearl said:
I called my friend and confirmed that it does have a 5 speed. He also said the vehicle was manufactured November 1983, so perhaps it's an 84? I pick it up today after work, so I should have some pictures soon. I guess the story with the engine is that it spun a bearing. Who knows, maybe the top end is still good.

Just to clarify, the truck wasn't owned by my friend. He just picked it up for me, and the reason we figure it spun a bearing was because the bearing cap was inside the truck, and the oil pan was just held on by a couple bolts!
Click to expand...

Back on topic...

For that price it's hard to pass up. Good for you...

Find a running 3B somwhere, put it in, and run it. Save the pooched one for some spare parts, or rebuild it at your leisure.

Or part it out:D

gb
 
jearl,

I'm in Lethbridge as well. Feel free to PM me if you want a hand with anything. I don't know jack about the 3B, but I've rebuilt the top end of my 2L-TE. Anyway, it would be fun to pull wrenches with a fellow cruiserhead for an afternoon.

Cheers and congrats on your purchase. Was the truck here in Lethbridge?

Robin
 
Thanks Robin. I've probably seen you driving around. My wife said she saw three RHD Toyota Landcruisers just today!

Here's a pic of the unit I picked up:

There's also a few more photos of it here...

199182156_3040f0cbe3.jpg
 
Last edited:
I've rebuilt a 3B before and I think you'd be better off by simply buying a 3B from an engine importer. I got one here in Guatemala for about $2000 USD with all the accessories (starter, altenator etc.). That was much less than the rebuild cost of the 3B and I had the shop reline and install the crank and cam only. I did the rest myself.
Obviously the engine costs will vary with your location.
 
Thanks for all the input. I started working towards pulling the engine out yesturday. I think the only thing left is to unbolt the bellhousing, and engine mounts. I love the lack of a huge wiring harness on the diesel engine.

I was kinda thinking it would be better to spend the extra money and have a completely rebuilt engine, vs. one that runs but may be in some unknown condition. I have absolutely no experience with diesel engines, so I'm not sure how off the mark this is or not?

I've also had some more time to do cleaning, and further inspection of the vehicle, and the body and frame are solid, except for the tailgate and back of the rear wheel wells. The rad support is straight despite the nice front end damage to the hood, grille, and lower body piece below the grille. The seat bottoms are kinda ratty/stained, as well as the carpet. The front seats aren't the suspension type. Also, no A/C.
 
A/C is VERY uncommon in the BJ60's that came to Canada. It was a dealer installed option. Suspension seats were NOT an option in Canada or the USA. Check the frame carefully around the rear shock crossmember in the INSIDE faces of the frame rails (you'll need to crawl right underneath to see it properly). That's the areas of the frame that goes first.
 
dont rebuild that cruiser unless you absolutley love it and have deep pockets and a solid marrige . from what ive seen of the rust in your other photo's you will forever be chasing the rust and what not you will never get your money back , you would be lucky to see half of the money you sink into it , unless your looking for a fun project to kill some weekends and get away from the old lady :D , i think you would be better off finding another running bj60 and swap out the parts to make one decent one then sell off the parts from the non runner , way ahead in the long run . a few years ago a beater running bj60 was worth more than $6000 , i have a reunning bj 60 that i have had up for sale now for a month , i cant give it away for $2000 , and im into it for way over $3000 .

just a little heads up if your thinking about possibly fixing it and selling it .

good luck kevin, still hunting for that elusive rust free bj60 ! :frown:
 
Thanks for the tip cruiser_guy, I was wondering where exactly to look on the frame for rust. I'll check that out.

toynut, appreciate the suggestions. Definitely something to think about before I start sinking money into the engine rebuild. I have a pretty nice rust free 4Runner I keep thinking... "maybe the 4Runner's fine for my needs", but then I go back to the LC thinking it's got more room, and it's easier to lift, and it'd be more comfortable for longer trips (the 4Runner's a little cramped width-wise). Anyway... I'd really like a Cruiser, but like you said I better love this one.

FWIW, I thought the body rust on this BJ60 wasn't too bad compared to some of the rust I've seen repaired on my Dad's Full-size Heeps (he loves the wide track Cherokee's). Guess I should pull off the interior panels and have a look to see if I'm overlooking anything.

On a side note... there's a BJ60 in the Calgary Trader with 168,000 km for $13,000! Not sure if it's rust free though (and dang, that's alot of money). http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=22252112&pgno=1&srt=1
 
Last edited:
well yes but its very low milage , still i wouldnt pay thirteen g's , down in vancouver right now i have seen at least 5 decent ones between 7500 and 11,000 $ a couple with a.c. and belton spring lifts . i am still not quite ready to buy one yet , but the more i look the less picky im getting .
 
actualy your frame looks pretty good , grab a hammer and bang the frame every foot or so , that will show you for sure . :D looks like a good candidate for a motor swap .
 
jearl said:
I went and took some more photos of the frame around the back of the vehicle, as well as some more of the wheel well, and engine. Looks like there might be something going on with the part of the frame at the back where it's not boxed?

Click here for the pictures...
Click to expand...


That non boxed in area has an inner channel, very common to puff all up with rust. My frame is solid everywhere except that spot. I am removing all the rivets and putting in a new channel. But painted on both sides of the metal prior.

Your frame didn't look too bad.
 
toynut said:
dont rebuild that cruiser unless you absolutley love it and have deep pockets and a solid marrige . from what ive seen of the rust in your other photo's you will forever be chasing the rust and what not you will never get your money back , you would be lucky to see half of the money you sink into it , ! :frown:
Click to expand...

I rebuilding my crusier with no intention of ever selling. Very seldom can you ever get money out of a vehicle.

For me, I am building a solid rig that I can drive for 20 yrs.

But if I was to do it all over, I would find a sweet clean FJ60 from southern states and slap in a diesel.

Solid marrige is very important to getting the darn thing done. My wife calls my cruiser my Japanese mistress.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom