BJ74229 Story

[Paul Walsh]

As discovered under a pine tree for 8 years.

• Paul Walsh
• Jun 18, 2016

Purchased of owner in 2014 in this state. Was a gift at the price.

Well where does one start but at the start. 2012 I was looking for a rental property and found this old Cruiser in their yard. on enquiry i was told it belonged to a friend of the property owner and was his weekend driver. 2 years later i heard that it was for sale from a friend that was offered the car but the $4500 price was to much for him to afford. I was onto it like butter on toast and after getting owners number i called him to find he was indeed happy to sell the BJ and the price of around half the original price was accepted. I was so excited finally i had a factory BJ74 Australian delivered MWB. Although it looked a little worse for wear in its current position i could see its potential and Value. i had to wait 4 weeks until he would be up my way to make pickup possible. The wait was agonising. finally i got the call from the owner he was coming. Yippie!!!!

 

[Paul Walsh]

The day arrived for pickup and so i met the gent at the propery and he wanted to drive it one last time before hand over. i was so worried he might have changed his mind abut the sale but after jump starting the old girl and just 2 cranks on the started away she went. Running rough blowing smoke but it was running.
Finally i got the old bus home and time to evaluate its restoration.
First things first a wash was required.. After 3 hrs and about 3 washes the end result was way better than expected.

a few hours after getting it home.

• Paul Walsh
• Jun 18, 2016
• 1

 

[hotgemini]

Following with interest!

 

[Paul Walsh]

The list was growing fast.
Major items needed
Turbo. Shaft was broken and turbo oil feed disconnected.
Front swivel hubs were screwed. Leaking
All the brakes. worn out and leaking.
Windscreen frame slight rusty. Windscreen needed for RWC
Tyres. all buggered
flares needed paint
set of cooling hoses
A/C rebuild
Exhaust Stuffed
Inside very dirty
Remove old window tint
And the list goes on.

Doing a hub rebuild

• Paul Walsh
• Jun 18, 2016

 

[ozcrusier]

Nice score mate she looks great after the bath.

 

[ALEXY]

how old is she? do you know the color code?
for turn lamps, if color /surface is faded/whitish, you can use a plastic polish kit (called quixx headlamp restauration kit-ebay)
kit has also sand paper included, but I just washed the lamps well, then rubbed in the polish and 4 months later they are still like new.

 

[Paul Walsh]

Thanks Alexy. i had some new old stock ones i fitted.
The vehicle is 1986. 220 on the chassis number.

 

[Paul Walsh]

Out the back of Jamesion for the weekend

• Paul Walsh
• Jun 19, 2016

After only a few weeks and some hard work the rego inspection was done and the rego paid for the old cruiser. first weekend away was with friends at the back of Jamison I still had 31" tyres on it and it was a great weekend but the front diff got a hiding from the lack of clearance. as you can see its very standard with the factory chrome bumper in the front.
I had fitted a turbo Cassette from scotts rods a manufacturer of condos for race engines. they also do turbo parts and rebuild kits. The turbo cassette was $300 and i was sceptical at the price but its been very reliable in the 18 months and 15000km since fitting it.
All new brakes and suspension bushes were fitted. I was going to install a suspension kit and did so later on as was working at an ARB store and got some great deals on parts from them.

 

[Paul Walsh]

I had ordered a new ARB bulbar and thought a commercial bar would be ok. it was on back order for 2 months until it finally arrived.

on the farm Casino NSW 2015 4 months

• Paul Walsh
• Jun 19, 2016

Its fitted with a roo systems 12000kg winch and a light bar i had won online. i was getting serious about heading on the road full time with my caravan so serious upgrades were required.