Found this beauty in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) - should I buy ?

[Thor Svendsen]

Hi all

Moved to Yangon in Myanmar last year and a few days ago I spotted a cool looking old Landcruiser. Dont know much about these cars except for that they look fantastic and I have wanted one for years. I hink it is a 1981 Model BJ44, but cannot find any identification whatsoever in the car. Np tag plate in he engine room. Found a date on the seatbelt which was 1981. Not sure about what engine it has 2B or later ?

Owner has offered it me for 10.000 USD. Have driven it for 2-3 days now and it runs smooth and everything works. A little bit rust, but quite superficial. No idea about what that would be a good price, but I am to negotiate down to 8K.

Driving a 07 Lincoln Navigator here, but this car is much more fun. Roads are insanely bad in Myanmar and travelling in the province sometimes leaves you on driving on "cattle tracks" for hours on end.
Driving 10 miles could take a couple of hours.

If I buy, I would like to change out all suspension parts etc., so I get as smooth ride as possible.
Any suggestions for what I can do here as a quick upgrade ?

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi all,

That truck looks to be in O.K. shape, and much loved by the current owner.

Whether it is worth US $10K or $8K, depends upon the market you are in.

How many Land Cruisers do you see in Myanmar? Which models?

Regards,

Alan

 

[fhawk5]

I agree, the love of care is well shown... Not a flip.... Perhaps the next owner will purchase because of "love" instead of flip...

 

[Bear]

The Brits were once big time in Burma--so probably more Land Rovers there than Toyotas.
Spend some time researching Land Cruisers for sale in-country to determine what they go for locally.
Yours looks to be a direct Japanese import (upholstery and other clues), and may be something special in those parts.

The OldManEmu suspensions from ARB are a good choice--the Dakar leaf spring components are made in Malaysia or Indonesia.

Look for a serial number stamped into the frame, front, right side, outside--should start like: BJ44-000XXX. This can be translated into discovering the year of manufacture.

 

[winnie]

nice looking truck ... I have an OME 2.5" lift on my truck ... very happy with it ... value is somewhat relative i.e. what kind of mileage, how well maintained, how good is the body/frame, documented vehicle history etc, etc ... if you like it, and its in decent shape, buy it ...

 

[peteinjp]

A little bit rust, but quite superficial

I'd be prepared to find out otherwise. The truck has been painted and there is no telling what is under there. I'm not sure of the local prices but here in Japan a seller would have a hard time getting more than $3000 for that truck. I recommend looking at a couple of others first and sifting thru the threads here on Mud as to where to look for rust issues etc unless your fine with loosing money on it.


There are some makers for springs for the 44 and 46 models here in Japan. I have no idea if they are any good and I have yet to find anyone that is using them. There in Myanmar you'd probably just find a maker and have a set of custom springs made. The fronts are easy as they are the same as any other bj but the rears are as long as the pickup (j45 etc) but for a much smaller load capacity. You could get some springs for a pickup and remove some leaves and this might be good enough. If you find someone making springs for this truck please post up about it.

It looks to be a 2b which would make it a bj44- at least here in japan.

Parts are getting harder to come by. For example the parking brake cable, wiper motor, heater motor, injection pump controller (EDIC) etc in 24v form are all NLA.

It looks like a bit of a mashup of a truck. I hope the work that has been done is of decent quality- but its hard to know....

I can say this- if you are not mechanically inclined I'd find a good mechanic to have a look at it and to retain for future repairs.

If you do not need a back seat a short wheel base model might be easier to find in good condition.

Pete

 

[Racer65]

It just feels like 10 grand is a lot of money in Myanmar. Not sure how many people would be lining up for that truck over there.

 

[Bear]

I understand that the car market in Burma is among the highest in the world, with the military government restricting imports by quota.
$10,000 for a used car THERE is probably not a bad price--at least in Rangoon.
However, with a large number of illegally imported cars, please be very cautious about the legal title if you buy it.
Are there any restrictions on importing parts for a Toyota?

BTW, you must be a very important person, to have a 2007 Lincoln Navigator at your disposal--good for you.

 

[Thor Svendsen]

Hi all,

That truck looks to be in O.K. shape, and much loved by the current owner.

Whether it is worth US $10K or $8K, depends upon the market you are in.

How many Land Cruisers do you see in Myanmar? Which models?

Regards,

Alan

Hi all,

That truck looks to be in O.K. shape, and much loved by the current owner.

Whether it is worth US $10K or $8K, depends upon the market you are in.

How many Land Cruisers do you see in Myanmar? Which models?

Regards,

Alan

Hi Alan

Landcruiser are the preferred car over here and high priced. A 2007 Landcruiser cost about 55k USD more than a same year Lincoln Navigator like the one I normally use here. The older ones don't have many buyers since the consumer group is growing and are looking for newer models.

I see quite a few of the shorter wheelbase one, as well as the truck type, most running on propane.
Also a lot of the one notch newer 50 series models, the SUV type. I guess all are imported from Japan and most are diesel....

 

[Thor Svendsen]

Landcruiser are the preferred car over here and high priced. A 07 Landcruiser cost about 55k USD more than a same year Lincoln Navigator like the one I have. The older ones don't have many buyers since the consumer group is growing and are looking for newer models.

I see quite a few of the shorter wheelbase one, as well as the truck type. Also a lot of the one notch newer 50 series models.
I guess all are imported from Japan and most are diesel....

 

[Thor Svendsen]

T

The Brits were once big time in Burma--so probably more Land Rovers there than Toyotas.
Spend some time researching Land Cruisers for sale in-country to determine what they go for locally.
Yours looks to be a direct Japanese import (upholstery and other clues), and may be something special in those parts.

The OldManEmu suspensions from ARB are a good choice--the Dakar leaf spring components are made in Malaysia or Indonesia.

Look for a serial number stamped into the frame, front, right side, outside--should start like: BJ44-000XXX. This can be translated into discovering the year of manufacture.

Thanks for the advice on the serial number clue.
After driving the car for a few days, I get a lot of thumbs up even from the locals. Might be because I am a foreigner and not driving a new fancy car or the fact that they like this model. I was approached by a guy when I was parking the car downtown and he said he had several of this kind for sale and invited me to come and have a look. Will check it out and post pictures.....

 

[aljollano]

First mode that you can do is to remove that "land rover" sticker in the back window....

 

[Thor Svendsen]

I understand that the car market in Burma is among the highest in the world, with the military government restricting imports by quota.
$10,000 for a used car THERE is probably not a bad price--at least in Rangoon.
However, with a large number of illegally imported cars, please be very cautious about the legal title if you buy it.
Are there any restrictions on importing parts for a Toyota?

BTW, you must be a very important person, to have a 2007 Lincoln Navigator at your disposal--good for you.

Hehe.... I bought the Lincoln Navigator since it was a good buy. A comfortable drive and at 34.000 USD instead of 85.000 USD for a same year Landcruiser Prado. Calculating the extra fuel costs compared to getting a high priced diesel, really justifies this purchase.
And the second hand value of the cars here are insane. A new Hyundai pick up truck goes for 14500 USD and same model 8-10 years older for only 2-3000 USD less !!

I am the CEO and main shareholder of Nordic Technology Group Myanmar. We are in the Oil & Gas, Telecom and Transport sector and expanding nice and quietly. So much needed here and should be supplied in a corporate decent manner. The country has sufered a lot, but things are now definitely on the right track.

And now its is getting harder to get a registration permit. One need to have a defined parking space approved by the quarter police.
Many are therefore registering their cars in Mandalay and other areas. This Landcruiser have Mandalay plates and if I want it to have Yangon plates, I need to pay an extra 5000 USD.

Importing parts are not a problem, but for anything above 500USD value an approval from the ministry have to be obtained and applied for before the parts arrive. Then one have to fight the parts through the customs department with many surprises along the way.

The car has a legal title - already checked, but thanks for the advice.

I guess paying a bit more than I should, is still ok, since I love to drive it and feel happy behind the wheels (see attached picture).
Will use it for travel in the regions where the roads require a vehicle of this type or maybe join the local Off-road Club.

 

[Bear]

Thanks for the info, Thor.

No matter where you go, there always are plenty of government restrictions.

Wow, $5,000 license plates--that has to be a first.

And do the people there really earn that much money that they can afford new Land Cruisers?

 

[Thor Svendsen]

I'd be prepared to find out otherwise. The truck has been painted and there is no telling what is under there. I'm not sure of the local prices but here in Japan a seller would have a hard time getting more than $3000 for that truck. I recommend looking at a couple of others first and sifting thru the threads here on Mud as to where to look for rust issues etc unless your fine with loosing money on it.


There are some makers for springs for the 44 and 46 models here in Japan. I have no idea if they are any good and I have yet to find anyone that is using them. There in Myanmar you'd probably just find a maker and have a set of custom springs made. The fronts are easy as they are the same as any other bj but the rears are as long as the pickup (j45 etc) but for a much smaller load capacity. You could get some springs for a pickup and remove some leaves and this might be good enough. If you find someone making springs for this truck please post up about it.

It looks to be a 2b which would make it a bj44- at least here in japan.

Parts are getting harder to come by. For example the parking brake cable, wiper motor, heater motor, injection pump controller (EDIC) etc in 24v form are all NLA.

It looks like a bit of a mashup of a truck. I hope the work that has been done is of decent quality- but its hard to know....

I can say this- if you are not mechanically inclined I'd find a good mechanic to have a look at it and to retain for future repairs.

If you do not need a back seat a short wheel base model might be easier to find in good condition.

Pete

Hi Pete

Thanks for the good advice. I have noted that the prices are low in Japan. Unfortunately the import tax for old cars are very high.
I have a 2007 Chrysler 300c in Singapore that has to be "scrapped" in 2 years (Singapore rules). This car, even with only 45.000 Miles to it and a value in Singapore of 1000 USD, will have more than 40.000 in import duties to it.
So, bringing a cheap car in here, comes at a fairly high price.

I see that there is a lot to do with this BJ44. I am not very good at the mechanical part, but have refurbished a couple of cars in my younger years. Now 57 and too busy to spend too much time in the garage.
Crawled under the car and see that I need new tie rods, arm rods, idler arms, steering cross ball, coupling bushes, joint crossball, brake pads, drive shaft bearing and the dynamo doesn't work either.
Tires are old and hard and every rubber gasket around windows, doors etc need replacing.
This just in order to get up to a minimum running condition, before refurbishment project starts.

I agree that I should bring it up to a fully working status, so that I can use it without worries and get frustrated.

 

[Thor Svendsen]

Thanks for the info, Thor.

No matter where you go, there always are plenty of government restrictions.

Wow, $5,000 license plates--that has to be a first.

And do the people there really earn that much money that they can afford new Land Cruisers?

People do not earn a lot here. The common worker make about 150 USD a month. A sales person in a shop less than 100.
Only 4 years of average schooling. Most of the infrastrcuture is missing and only 30% of the population have access to electricty.
The garages in the neighbourhood here are full of Bentleys, RR, Ferrari's and what not, so there are money around.
Yangon is very expensive on the high end side. Rental of a normal 4 bedroom villa can easily be arounf 10-15000 USD per month.
Eating locally can be as low as 2 USD for a full meal.
A car showroom just down the road, that just opened up have about 200 Landcruisers in stock and selling like hot pancakes.
The sad thing is that due to import from Japan, 98% of the cars in the country are right hand driven which is quite dangerous on right had drive roads.

 

[Thor Svendsen]

Thanks for the info, Thor.

No matter where you go, there always are plenty of government restrictions.

Wow, $5,000 license plates--that has to be a first.

And do the people there really earn that much money that they can afford new Land Cruisers?

People do not earn a lot here. The common worker make about 150 USD a month. A sales person in a shop less than 100.
Only 4 years of average schooling. Most of the infrastrcuture is missing and only 30% of the population have access to electricty.
The garages in the neighbourhood here are full of Bentleys, RR, Ferrari's and what not, so there are money around.
Yangon is very expensive on the high end side. Rental of a normal 4 bedroom villa can easily be arounf 10-15000 USD per month.
Eating locally can be as low as 2 USD for a full meal.
A car showroom just down the road, that just opened up have about 200 Landcruisers in stock and selling like hot pancakes.
The sad thing is that due to import from Japan, 98% of the cars in the country are right hand driven which is quite dangerous on right had drive roads.

 

[MAKTLCFJ40]

I can't find any engine specs and what kind of upgrade you are looking for?

It will be an OK buy in USD$8K

Inquire from local mechanics if any new parts like suspension or engine (if it has any original engine) are available.

Thailand is next to Burma and if it is permissible ,I'd take it to Thailand and have the Thai made Toyota Hilux (Vigo) suspension,tubes/diffs,gear and 1KD-FTV installed in it ,though the coil spring conversion will be bit tricky,one has to buy a used chassis and cut and weld for suspension mounts or you can find 1992-1996 Toyota Prado suspension as well and do the same.
The ride will be comfy and 1KD-FTV engine is very well suited for that environment (170HP with good low end torque) however if you wish to install an older or less complicated engine then the good old 3B diesel is much better as any mechanic in that area might be able to fix it.
For more torque in low 4x4 14B or 14B-T is great and 13B-T or 13B (same as 3B but newer) or 1KZ-T more HP but lesser torque.
5-LE is also a good option.

Also inquire from customs what is the duty on auto parts incase you want to import from USA or Aus.

"The sad thing is that due to import from Japan, 98% of the cars in the country are right hand driven which is quite dangerous on right had drive roads."
I think RHD vehicles and LHD roads you mean? like in UK? but if that's the case I don't know when they changed it.

Good luck!
cheers!
MAK

 

[Thor Svendsen]

First mode that you can do is to remove that "land rover" sticker in the back window....[/QUOT

I can't find any engine specs and what kind of upgrade you are looking for?

It will be an OK buy in USD$8K

Inquire from local mechanics if any new parts like suspension or engine (if it has any original engine) are available.

Thailand is next to Burma and if it is permissible ,I'd take it to Thailand and have the Thai made Toyota Hilux (Vigo) suspension,tubes/diffs,gear and 1KD-FTV installed in it ,though the coil spring conversion will be bit tricky,one has to buy a used chassis and cut and weld for suspension mounts or you can find 1992-1996 Toyota Prado suspension as well and do the same.
The ride will be comfy and 1KD-FTV engine is very well suited for that environment (170HP with good low end torque) however if you wish to install an older or less complicated engine then the good old 3B diesel is much better as any mechanic in that area might be able to fix it.
For more torque in low 4x4 14B or 14B-T is great and 13B-T or 13B (same as 3B but newer) or 1KZ-T more HP but lesser torque.
5-LE is also a good option.

Also inquire from customs what is the duty on auto parts incase you want to import from USA or Aus.

"The sad thing is that due to import from Japan, 98% of the cars in the country are right hand driven which is quite dangerous on right had drive roads."
I think RHD vehicles and LHD roads you mean? like in UK? but if that's the case I don't know when they changed it.

Good luck!
cheers!
MAK

Hi Mak
Yes, I was thinking this price would be acceptable. It has the original engine and it runs very well. Starts immediately, but of course, 90HP does not give the best acceleration. Checked with Toyota and no parts available. There was no car show rooms or distributors in the country until recently, so the spare parts in stock are not much.

I guess there are two kinds of restoration. Making it 100% original or go for a fully working sturdy workhorse with the right looks and abilities, which for me will be travelling in the provincce and being able to go on any road. This kind of modification will of course give the car a lesser value, but that is ok. Want it to be as soft a ride as possible and able to keep good speed on bad roads.

I am willing to spend a bit and have planned to do a two step thing. First get it into fully working order and get good suspension.
Then when I have time, to strip it down and do all rust and repaint, as well as getting new interior and possibly change the engine.
The 3B sounds like a good option (can install turbo ?) as well as the 1KD-FTV engine.

I will be staying in the country for a long period due to this being the last undeveloped frontier in Asia and business cases are endless.
So, investing a bit in this one should be fine.

They are not driving like UK here, but on the right hand side like in Europe/US etc. Many accidents when drivers try to pass lorries and have to bring half the car over in the other lane and others doing the same coming in the other direction.

With regards to customs duty, this is marginal. Still think using suppliers near the Thai border is a good option.
Bringing the car out of the country should be possible. Guess Myanmar citizens can go on a car holiday as well.
But, I better check it with the Ministry. Would not like to be stranded on the border coming back.

Thanks for good advice

 

[Landpimp]

look at it again, I thought the same, but its says Land Mover....which is kinda funny

the doors look like they said Camel Trophy

First mode that you can do is to remove that "land rover" sticker in the back window....