Buying a BJ73 HELP

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meranje

meranje

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Apr 24, 2026
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Cabin John
Exactly like the title. I’m looking to buy this 1989 BJ73 LC for. I need help on whether I would just be sinking money into a hole I can’t climb out of. I had a mechanic take a look and here’s what I remember he told me, few of bulbs are out, springs, shocks, struts, and wires in engine bay, are rusted and as old as the car. Frame is sold and only surface rust. His words “I don’t doubt that the engine and transmission can get you from A to B but I don’t know about the rest of the car”. This is the first LC I’ve looked at and don’t have a good perspective on how much work goes into an old car like this, so was hoping to get some help on how much, if you would, buy this for. Thanks!

Here are the pictures:

Land Cruiser Photos - Google Drive

drive.google.com drive.google.com


Here is the fb description:
1989 Land Cruiser is a rare BJ73 "medium wheelbase”. The truck was imported to the United States from the Canary Islands roughly 10 years ago and has been with one enthusiast (owned 2 other LCs) owner since. Several years into his ownership, the truck underwent a powertrain restoration that included swapping in a larger 3B 3.4L diesel 4cyl. Since undergoing this restoration, the truck has covered under 35k miles.

The truck also features the iconic FRP top along with a 2-speed transfer case, manually-locking Aisin front hubs, and has been fitted with a Rough Country 12,000lb winch. retains its original functioning dash-top inclinometer and altimeter, and an aftermarket Alpine head unit. A partial rewire was recently performed to improve usability, which included the installation of a battery disconnect switch. The exhaust was also very recently (within the past 1000mi) replaced to address a leak.

As is unfortunately often seen on many Land Cruisers of this vintage in the United States, the truck does display some portions of cosmetic rust in the bodywork.
 
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My standard advice: "Don't do this to yourself."

Like OGBeno said there is no reason to tie this millstone around your neck. If you can't afford a good Cruiser then you sure as hell can't afford a worn out one, because it's going to cost you a lot more. When I bought my forever truck I bit the bullet and paid the price and it's so dependable it's frankly boring, but that's the good kind of boring, not the bad kind of "excitement".
 
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meranje said:
All a little out of my price range. I couldn't go more
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You’ll have 2 opportunities to spend money on an older Land Cruiser. When you bite the bullet and buy the nicest one you can find OR when you end up correcting all of the issues associated with an older vehicle. There unfortunately isn’t an option where you don’t spend money.
** On a side note, I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say “it only has surface rust”. 😁
 
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Tennessee Jed said:
My standard advice: "Don't do this to yourself."

Like OGBeno said there is no reason to tie this millstone around your neck. If you can't afford a good Cruiser then you sure as hell can't afford a worn out one, because it's going to cost you a lot more. When I bought my forever truck I bit the bullet and paid the price and it's so dependable it's frankly boring, but that's the good kind of boring, not the bad kind of "excitement".
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Yeah that makes a lot of sense. I wanted something that was a little bit of a project but I think body restoration is a bigger challenge than “a little project”. The estimate for a full restoration from the mechanic was around 6k so definitely going to be poring some money into it. Thanks for your help!
 
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Look through the classifieds on here, and check out the various auction sites if you want import one.

But like @Tennessee Jed and @Gun Runner 5 said, you're going to pay one way or another, whether it's more upfront or in the long run with repairs. Save up more money if you're set on a Cruiser, and keep an eye on what's out there. Something will pop up eventually.
 
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every landcruiser is a pit you wont climb out of, this is a labour of love.... not common sense
 
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bj70bc said:
every landcruiser is a pit you wont climb out of, this is a labour of love.... not common sense
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That’s probably the best summation of Land Cruiser ownership I’ve ever seen posted on ‘MUD. 😁
 
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Just get your wallet ready!!!
 
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I'm all for s***boxes, but that one is priced high. Probably why its been up for sale for a year.

Thats a 5,000 dollar truck in my opinion based on the rust and engine (slow). Might be worth less but it is LHD (and 12v volt based on the winch?) which is desirable. If you're mechanically inclined then you can jump in and roll the dice. But if you plan on taking it to a shop to fix stuff as it breaks down, i would pass. The labor charges alone will get you up in the teens again real quick.
 
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