Daily driver: BJ70 vs FJ60

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Gallo Pinto

Gallo Pinto

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jul 3, 2006
Threads
9
Messages
142
I am playing with the idea of importing a BJ70 (or BJ60 or HJ) to use as a daily driver/work truck. I know that the lack of speed is an issue for some of you but I can live with that, I drove a FJ60 as my work vehicle for about 3 years, 55 mph everywhere I went. One of my questions is: how loud are those things? My only experience with diesel trucks was driving a '76 Land Rover SIII growing up. How do the BJ70/60 compare to FJ60s comfort wise? I drive a lot for work, 55% highway 45% off road.
Thank you.
 
My BJ70 is my DD. I'm retired from my 35 year profession but am always on the go. However when I need to carry tools, loads, etc, I use my Dodge truck. I have my 3B turbo-ed plus a free flow muffler and It is reasonably quiet for an old school diesel. With the turbo, speed and hills are not an issue. I'm 6'2" and comfortably drove her home from Calgary. No AC so if it's too hot I'm back in the Dodge. In winter the short wheel base is a little more tricky in snow and ice than a longer wheel base. I average 23-25 mpg's.
 
The 6* and 7* series are very similar in construction and share many parts including the seats(not interchangeable because of the mountings),so the main difference is the length which affects the ride ,handling and off road ability.
Quality is identical. Noise levels would probably not be discernible or not a deciding factor to me.
Get a medium wheel base 73/74 series and have some of the best features of a 70 and 60 series in one vehicle.

The series 3 landrover compared to a Landcruiser 7* series is like Stephenson's Rocket vs the Bullet Train.
 
My BJ74 is nowhere near as loud as my 1st Gen Dodge Cummins. It is not anywhere near as comfortable as my FZJ80 but it is quite survivable and it burns about 1/2 as much fuel as the 80 does. Mine gets ~24 USMPG at ~65 mph. This with 33 inch tires, 5 speed and stock 4.11 gears.

Another vote for the longer wheel base.
 
Thank you for all this information, guys, it is very helpful. Room will not be that much of an issue, right now I have a Suzuki Sidekick as work vehicle/DD that fits just fine, however, a little extra room would be welcome. Basfire, 23-25 mpg sounds good to me, fuel economy combined with 4x4 capabilities is one of the reasons for trying to get one of these vehicles. Right now we have my wife's FJ80, my FJ60 and the Sidekick so my wife would like us to get down to only two vehicles and free up some space in our driveway. For what I have read turbo would be a nice feature to have but I'll take whatever I can get. Rosco, I had to google "Stephenson's Rocket" : ), them Land Rovers are like tractors. The vehicle will be purchased in Costa Rica and I have not seen any 73/74s for sale there. I really like my FJ60 and would get a long wheel base if possible, kind of nice to able to stick my 9'1" surfboard inside of it and not have to mess with the roof racks but in the end I will take whatever I can get and afford. I have found a company that would deliver the truck to so. California for about $3500 and they would take care of all the R.I. paperwork. CruiserDan, where did you get your 74?
Thanks again, guys, you have been very helpful.
 
I bought mine locally actually. It was already here so I did not suffer any importing brain damage.
 
cruiserdan said:
I bought mine locally actually. It was already here so I did not suffer any importing brain damage.
Click to expand...
Lucky! For what I have seen I can't even get close to affording a decent one already imported into the US so I have to go the other route. So far (in theory) seems that it could go well, the local DMV says that these models can be registered in California, the shipping company says that they have experience importing older vehicles into the United States and a I have seen quite a few BJ70s and a couple of HJs in Costa Rica that are around my price range. Now I have to sell my FJ60 to get the ball rolling. I will be going down there in a few weeks, perhaps I'll get to test drive one of these trucks to see how I like them.
 
It needs to be at least 25-years-old (actual date of manufacture, not year model) then it is a lot easier.

There is a fellow in Utah that has some available right now. Cruiser Outfitters and put you in touch.
 
3B is a relatively quiet diesel. Probably no louder (maybe less?) than a FJ60 on the road. The BJ70 has suspension seat bases that are more comfy than 60 series bases. My impression was that the seats themselves were also different (and better), more like 4runner seats, but not sure. I averaged 19MPG around town with mine. Not great, but a big improvement over 60 series. They're slow, of course, with 3.7 gearing that is not ideal for running larger tires if you're so inclined.
 
It will be kept as stock as possible, some of the ones I have seen for sale in CR might have wider tires but that's about it. Not too worried about speed as I was about comfort but it seems that it'd be fine. I just found a company that has some BJ trucks here in the states, Cross Country Cruisers. I am going to do some research in this forum to see what the members think about them.
 
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