BJ60/HJ60 - any nice ones left?

[rstl99]

Hi Folks,
I live in Ontario and am on the lookout for a good BJ60 or HJ60 for future trips up North and in remote places. Owned a BJ60 once and liked the ruggedness, simplicity, and reliability. Most of the specimens around here are badly rusted, and have high mileage. Are there still nice ones left out in BC? Would give me some hope of getting my hands on a good one some day.

(By the way, I'm not interested in the JDM RHD Cruisers, or else that could be a good solution for me).

Thanks!

 

[83bj60]

How about a converted FJ80, maybe Greg could give you a hint. Basically you take an american FJ80 from one of the southern states and install an 1HD-T or 1HZ in it...

... and for the next couple of years, just use 235/75/15 wheels on it and you won't get into trouble at work Ooops, forgot you stopped a while ago

Seriously, I'll keep looking around for you, but like I said before, I looked for years for myself and found nothing...

 

[bj70_guy]

Hen's teeth.
You might luck in to the odd exceptional rig, but for the most part they're going to be in the 300 - 400,000km range, getting or are totally rusty, and the frames need to be inspected closely. Once that rust starts it's really hard to keep in check, and even when the bodywork is done properly, it's just a matter of time till it comes back. And it breaks your heart - ask me how I know

 

[rstl99]

Hen's teeth.
You might luck in to the odd exceptional rig, but for the most part they're going to be in the 300 - 400,000km range, getting or are totally rusty, and the frames need to be inspected closely. Once that rust starts it's really hard to keep in check, and even when the bodywork is done properly, it's just a matter of time till it comes back. And it breaks your heart - ask me how I know

That's what I figured, but I thought I'd ask. If nice BJ/HJ60's can't easily be found in BC, the chances of getting a nice one are no doubt even less elsewhere in Canada! If I'm going to be going with a diesel Land Cruiser for my next vehicle, starts looking more and more as if it's going to have to be a JDM! (Unless I am fortunate to find a diesel-converted FJ60!).

Thanks folks, for the reality check. Cheers!!

 

[Scalp]

Some may not agree with me, but I think its better to buy an original factory diesel Cruiser than to try to put one in a gasser and fiddle forever with trying to make it run right. I had a pretty nice FJ40 that I really liked, but it burned too much gas, and I considered having someone install a diesel, or even try to do it myself. In the end, I realized that there would be no end of little problems with trying to get it complete and trouble free. I eventually bought a JDM BJ74, and although there are always rust issues and pulling out somebody else's lousy bodywork, I have no regrets. The right hand steering is really no big deal, once you get used to it like any other vehicle.

 

[toynut]

i found a decent bj 60 last year not rust free but ok, it was $ 3700 , it had 400K on it but the P.O. had just spent $$$ on it all of the brakes were done with new drums ect , new batterys , new alt , new starter , new exhaust , lots of other new stuff as well , i got out the plastic and have spent about 4500 getting it the way i want it , and i am only half way there .

during my search i did see several very nice rust free 60's but was not willing to part with over 10 K for a stocker .

 

[nickw]

I had gotten a nice BJ60 with very little rust (Oct of 2005).
390K and real clean. One owner for 16 years, and a Kelowna truck.
Paid $6400 I think, and was stolen 6 weeks later.

I searched high and low for months and months for it.
Every single board, paper, buy sell, classifieds, everything every day.
It would be very hard to find another.

I ended up JDM. Personally RHD its not a big deal.
Completely a non issue for me (and I went in skeptical)
I would go for one. You will not regret it.
With time you will grow to love your cruiser so much, the RHD doesn't even matter anymore.

Cheers,
N.

 

[83bj60]

I ended up JDM. You will not regret it.
N. With time you will grow to love your cruiser so much, the RHD doesn't even matter anymore.

So what about your signature?!!!

1988 BJ74 / Lots of goodies - For Sale
1990 HDJ81 / Fully outfitted loaded beautiful truck - Rolled
1985 BJ60 / Beautiful Stock truck - Stolen

 

[Fantom]

Some may not agree with me, but I think its better to buy an original factory diesel Cruiser than to try to put one in a gasser and fiddle forever with trying to make it run right. I had a pretty nice FJ40 that I really liked, but it burned too much gas, and I considered having someone install a diesel, or even try to do it myself. In the end, I realized that there would be no end of little problems with trying to get it complete and trouble free. I eventually bought a JDM BJ74, and although there are always rust issues and pulling out somebody else's lousy bodywork, I have no regrets. The right hand steering is really no big deal, once you get used to it like any other vehicle.

Bill, no disrespect, but if a conversion is planned, prepared and done properly then there are no issues. It is a time consuming job that requires a lot of little details.The problem with brining a JDM over or buying one here is that people think it will be either rust free or won't rust as quickly. Well I have a couple of friends with mint JDMs, 1 winter here and the frame is starting to get surface rust.

 

[nickw]

So what about your signature?!!!

Yeah. yeah I have had a few recently.
Here is a semi-quick explanation.

My first cruiser was a BJ60. But it was stolen 5weeks after I got it. I loved it and spent 4-5 months of searching every single day so quite some time. Had all my stuff in it, and I had to hitch-hike home from Vancouver. Nothing I could do about it. I think was into it for about $8000 or so.
After the 60 was stolen, it was declared a total loss after 3 weeks.

I decided it was way to much time and work to find another clean one.
I had been dreaming of 81's and had been talking to an importer.
I decided to buy a 81, plan was to keep it for the long haul. Also came pretty much as I wanted it. I added a few things and it was great. Problem was I am (and still am) carrying debt from a previous marriage and few poor life choices. Owning the expensive 81 in debt didn't sit well with me, as I was making its payment and other debt payments. When I rolled it (total accident, and I destroyed a cedar strip canoe in the process), I decided to downsize to the 74.

So I bought the 74 and have loved it. It many ways my favorite yet. But I still doesn't sit 100% right about the debt, since I am still have a few thousand left from before. Even though I make my payments just fine (many months I make double payments), I have decided to downsize. If no one buys it, oh well. If it sells, thats okay too.

Here is the plan: Buy something cheap (a suzuki). I can still have tones of fun and save money. Clear the debt, and buy a small condo or something (while I can afford). Get ahead long term. I am still going to get from point A-B and back (bush or road) and have tones of fun.

Thats the plan, I still love cruisers to death, And RHD doesn't bother me one bit.
I am trying to get it financial shape and be smart. Getting into shape takes effort and work, and I am willing to do so. When I can afford another cruiser in cash, I will be looking.

Hope that explains.
Cheers,
N.

 

[83bj60]

Man, you take it pretty well for the hardships you went through, you seem like a cat, always landing on its feet... I on the other hand agonized like Robert for at least 2 years before jumping in finally in april of last year (when I finally decided to get a JDM). The worst was, just before the truck arrived here, my buddy Pierre put his beautifully restored BJ60 for sale for a pittance and I am still upset not having the balls buying it off of him (too little money to play with), especially since it went for less than the price of the body job he did on it to a guy who uses it as a toy and could have easlily afforded to pay market value for it.

 

[Rufus 84_BJ42]

Have been mulling the same decision

Not wanting to hijack the thread or anything, but is it essentially impossible to find a 60 that won't have a frame / body rust issue (even if it looks clean)? I have been thinking about a BJ/HJ 60 for the new family wagon and have no problem having the engine rebuilt right away and putting a fair amount of $$$ into it to make it neat and tidy, but if I can't secure a decent body there's not much point...

The wife is not too keen on RHD, so I think JDM will be a hard sell.

I may be rephrasing the same question again, but what I'm getting at is if you're willing to do all the mechanicals, can a decent frame still be found?

Cheers, A

 

[83bj60]

Not wanting to hijack the thread or anything, but is it essentially impossible to find a 60 that won't have a frame / body rust issue

looking at your signature (Vancouver, where these vehicles are in the best shape) it's not very encouraging especialy for those of us who live in the saltbox!!

 

[brownbear]

Some of the southern Alberta rigs stood up quite well. Maybe better than Vancouver. Remember how dry Calgary is.

My BJ60 spent it's life in Calgary. It was not rust free but was in decent shape.

But as I said in the 60 forum where this was posted also, I would buy a rust free 60 from the US, deep south, dry state. And install a low KM 1HZ engine.

That's how I would get a new to me 60 diesel.

Think, 3-5k USD for a rust free truck.

7K for a engine/tranny combo.

3-4k for someone to do a professional install.

So 15-17K total and you have a really nice diesel cruiser.

 

[Rufus 84_BJ42]

Some of the southern Alberta rigs stood up quite well. Maybe better than Vancouver. Remember how dry Calgary is.

True that. I have seen some nice trcucks from that neck of the woods- I wa surprised considering how brutal the winters are.

I like Brownbear's buildup concept a lot. Not sure I can undertake it right now but it would produce a great vehicle...

 

[Rufus 84_BJ42]

looking at your signature (Vancouver, where these vehicles are in the best shape) it's not very encouraging especialy for those of us who live in the saltbox!!

Well, not that I don't think that there are any decent units around, but after my experience with my FJ40 and how fast it went to hell I'm a little paranoid...

A

 

[brownbear]

True that. I have seen some nice trcucks from that neck of the woods- I wa surprised considering how brutal the winters are.

I like Brownbear's buildup concept a lot. Not sure I can undertake it right now but it would produce a great vehicle...

My truck had undercoat sprayed on the frame many times, when I chipped it all off I had still factory black paint on it in many areas.

The only place my frame needs some attention is at the back in the channel area. I need to remove the channel and make a new one. But that channel is not easy to remove.

Yah the southern 60's that have not seen winter would be a good pick. Buy it and then transplant a BJ or HJ drivetrain. Or do like I want to and install a 1hz engine/h55 combo.

 

[Helomech]

The channel removal is probably the worst task I've done on my wagon. If I were to ever do it again, I'd want the body off the frame. After hammering out all the rivets, I drilled oversise and replaced with Grade 8 fasteners.

What was left of the old channel had spread the outer frame in height a bit. I'm thinking of using some 3\16" plate formed into a channel and then bolting the outer frame to that to correct it. That should help the sagging rear body mount as well.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Possible, but not easy! I dare say that my truck probably has the best frame currently residing under a Canadian market and registered BJ60! It was replaced in December 2005 with one found in Tegucigalpa, Honduras! So far the new frame has endured one winter in the Kootenays and is still in primo shape!!

 

[brownbear]

keep oiling it or it will be like the rest soon enough