Considering the diesel life

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theluckettslad

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 8, 2010
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Location
Upperville, VA
diesel fans,

I've had a fj40 for 5 years and I'm considering switching to a bj74. Currently looking at the inventory at Landcruisersdirect. http://www.landcruisersdirect.com/#1989-6108 <---- this in particular. What are your thoughts on switching to diesel? Personally dealings with Steve at landcruisersdirect? Any surprises you've encountered with a 74? 1978HJ45--- that ute is drool worthy. Makes me want to sell my 40 and Tacoma and get a ute and 74.

Thanks in advance.
 
Makes me want to sell my 40 and Tacoma and get a ute and 74.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then that's what you should do ...... :)
Thanks for the compliment. You can't go wrong with a good BJ74. Be patient and buy the best one your budget allows.
 
I own BJ70 (Canadian spec) and don't ever envision driving anything else, ever. Period. They truly are apocalypse vehicles. Good luck if you decide to purchase.
 
BJ74s are good solid units, majority of parts are shared with other 60 and 70 series so are easy to get. Some 13BT specific parts are hard or cant get anymore, ie thermostat housings are hard to get.


Other than that I love mine, powerful, take to mods well and cheap
 
theluckettslad said:
diesel fans,

I've had a fj40 for 5 years and I'm considering switching to a bj74. Currently looking at the inventory at Landcruisersdirect. http://www.landcruisersdirect.com/#1989-6108 <---- this in particular. What are your thoughts on switching to diesel? Personally dealings with Steve at landcruisersdirect? Any surprises you've encountered with a 74? 1978HJ45--- that ute is drool worthy. Makes me want to sell my 40 and Tacoma and get a ute and 74.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I bought my BJ74 off of Steve at Landcruisers direct sight unseen a few months ago in March. He made a point of showing every single thing wrong with the truck via photos and email. I asked him if he thought the truck would have any problems making it from MO to SC, he said he'd jump in it and drive it as is to SC if it was him. When I arrived in MO, he had a land cruiser waiting at the airport in Springfield to pick me up. When I got to my truck at his shop, it was exactly what I was expecting. There were NO surprises. Not one. Truck performed perfectly all the way home, and since then I've done some challenging off road driving. Not one thing has broken or failed on my BJ74 so far. I think Steve is a straight up guy and bases his business on reputation and word of mouth. The transaction went perfectly, and he even had a paper tag on the truck and a valid matching MO registration made out in my name in the glove box. When I got home, I opened the package he gave me, and there was a DVD with all the vehicle's owners manuals and tech manuals in it. My particular experience was pretty much perfect...
Regarding the 13B-T, it's not powerful, but it is very "torquey". She goes up 35 degree grades at 1500 rpm in 4 LOW. She'll still do 70 MPH on the highway, but 65 is more comfortable, and that's with 32x11.5 15's on her. Great tough truck, great engine.

P.S. I'd be checking out some of his rigs with factory winches...

image.webp
 
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Go for it..... I have really enjoyed my BJ73 and look forward to may years of service.
 
Good solid rig, not a sports car, nor a highway saloon, a tractor machine that will give you reliability, character, fuel economy and hours of entertainment, each bj74 and their owners add their own flavour and maintain their rigs, as they are relatively easy to do so, as long as you can read and comprehend a service manual and willing to scare a knuckle here and there, Go for it
 
yeti in ga said:
Go for it..... I have really enjoyed my BJ73 and look forward to may years of service.
Click to expand...
I see you're in GA, have you used Urban Land Cruisers in Atlanta for any repair work?
 
I'll personally vouch for Steve & Land Cruisers Direct. I've known Steve for many years and can't accept blame for his Land Cruiser endeavors to the point we are partnering up to bring neat JDM rigs (ala LandCruisersDirect) and a growing selection of JDM parts (ala Cruiser Outfitters) to the public. I've personally handed over the keys to nearly a dozen JDM rigs via LCD in just the last few months, all smiles!
 
DO it and don't look back.

I have driven a ton of these rigs and love them all. If my 40 weren't so connected I would sell that to buy another one!

I bought an HJ61 from Steve at LCD and built it up. My wife wanted flooring so we sold it to buy my newest gem. Another RHD Diesel from Steve. This time a 1985 BJ70 that needs some love. I echo what everyone else has said. Steve is a super stand up guy! I will buy another one from him soon. He's been awesome to work with and fun to talk to.

Call him he's great!P1050875.webpBJ70.webp
 
That 61 was a bad-ass truck. I'm sorry to hear that you parted with it. On the other hand I understand your fondness for the 7x body.....:grinpimp:
 
Allen Stanion said:
I bought my BJ74 off of Steve at Landcruisers direct sight unseen a few months ago in March. He made a point of showing every single thing wrong with the truck via photos and email. I asked him if he thought the truck would have any problems making it from MO to SC, he said he'd jump in it and drive it as is to SC if it was him. When I arrived in MO, he had a land cruiser waiting at the airport in Springfield to pick me up. When I got to my truck at his shop, it was exactly what I was expecting. There were NO surprises. Not one. Truck performed perfectly all the way home, and since then I've done some challenging off road driving. Not one thing has broken or failed on my BJ74 so far. I think Steve is a straight up guy and bases his business on reputation and word of mouth. The transaction went perfectly, and he even had a paper tag on the truck and a valid matching MO registration made out in my name in the glove box. When I got home, I opened the package he gave me, and there was a DVD with all the vehicle's owners manuals and tech manuals in it. My particular experience was pretty much perfect...
Regarding the 13B-T, it's not powerful, but it is very "torquey". She goes up 35 degree grades at 1500 rpm in 4 LOW. She'll still do 70 MPH on the highway, but 65 is more comfortable, and that's with 32x11.5 15's on her. Great tough truck, great engine.

P.S. I'd be checking out some of his rigs with factory winches...
Click to expand...

Allen,
Congrats on the purchase. I see you are in Gville. I'm in Simpsonville and while not a 70 series owner. I hope to be. Timing is unforeseen as of yet because I will not sell my 80 or Tacoma and we will be moving overseas next year for a couple of years.
I got the itch at GSMTR after wheeling with a few BJ70s. Now I'm smitten.
Hope to see you around town.
Call ACC in Atlanta. Talk to Brian or Michael.
 
Allen Stanion said:
I see you're in GA, have you used Urban Land Cruisers in Atlanta for any repair work?
Click to expand...

Yes and NO , I use ACC and would say do a search on Urban Land Cruisers and you shall find many...
 
theluckettslad said:
Any surprises you've encountered with a 74?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

There is no surprises except they are more uniquely satisfying than you would imagine. To get the best out of them you need to choose the right size tyres. IMO ,32 inches on 16 inch rims are the best all rounders with a 2 inch lift
Getting the steering and brakes in perfect condition is mandatory ,otherwise the experience is not so good.
 
You're on the right track. I'd prefer a cleaner lower mile rig with less options such as winch and lockers (i'd keep the manual transmission) instead of a higher mile vehicle with all the bells and whistles.
 
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