Is this 1977 BJ40 worth restoring? (1 Viewer)

[Positivity]

Hey all, first post. Been following this forum for a few months. Recently had an opportunity to pick up this BJ40 for $4k which is very reasonable considering where I live all vehicles are import taxed about 50%. However, as you will see in the pictures it undoubtedly needs some work. I've been looking for a project vehicle to learn to be a mechanic while repairing. Before I pull the trigger I want to find out if the frame, body, and engine are worth the price tag and if this has the "bones" to be worth putting time and money into. I have been told it had a used Toyota Prado turbo diesel motor swapped into it 5 ish years ago.

If anyone has any thoughts or input please do share!

EDIT:
I believe at some point it had a Toyota 14B or 14B-T put in as a replacement engine.

 

[Positivity]

some more pics

 

[Positivity]

and some more... please let me know if there's a better way to upload many pics!

 

[Positivity]

engine (mostly driver side)

 

[Positivity]

underneath

 

[Positivity]

more of under / body

 

[Positivity]

Also if anyone has any ideas exactly what motor this is please share

 

[3_puppies]

is there an air cleaner on the outside of the fender?
scary homemade modification to the front rear spring hangers

 

[jim land]

Not worth, the driveshaft is out of phase

 

[Positivity]

is there an air cleaner on the outside of the fender?
scary homemade modification to the front rear spring hangers

I'm not sure - which picture are you referencing?

 

[Positivity]

Not worth, the driveshaft is out of phase

Are you able to determine this by looking at one of the pictures? If so, which one?

 

[jim land]

Are you able to determine this by looking at one of the pictures? If so, which one?

 

[Positivity]

View attachment 3512142

Thank you!

 

[jim land]

This kind of mods are bad and probably not the only one

 

[Positivity]

This kind of mods are bad and probably not the only one

View attachment 3512143

I appreciate it. So basically keep an eye out for anywhere the frame had other stuff welded onto it?

 

[franklin40]

yep. if you can weld and the price is right then there looks to be promise there but it’s going to take A LOT of time and work fixing it to first make it safe and drivable. the body isn’t awesome but at least there’s more body than rust.

i wouldn’t consider that one necessarily for a true restoration. that’ll take a lot of work and likely more money than it’s worth. making it a fun driver that isn’t all original and oem could be done.

looks like it’s been driven hard!

 

[charliemeyer007]

I like the concept of buying something to work on if you have all the other bases in life covered.
The world economy is going to change soon IMHO, $4000 would buy a fair amount of Beans; Bullets; Band-aids; which would be far more useful than a questionable old 4x4 that needs a lot of work, again IMHO.

 

[45Dougal]

Cool project, but sure you have a few jobs to do.
Since you seem to actually care about fixing it up rather than hacking it to work, the first thing is cleaning it up and unpicking the bad choices from POs.

Do you have a vacuum pump on the back of your alternator? Otherwise, what is the black hose from the servo connected to?

Looks like your vacuum actuator on the injection pump is also not connected, so worth a look there too.

Id get it jet washed and then start making a list and prioritising jobs. People here will be happy to find some faults for you to repair

As for whether it's worth it, that depends on how much effort you're willing to put in, since labour is the main cost here.

Personally I think it's a great project to learn on, and by the time you're driving it you'll be a 40 series expert.

 

[Positivity]

I like the concept of buying something to work on if you have all the other bases in life covered.
The world economy is going to change soon IMHO, $4000 would buy a fair amount of Beans; Bullets; Band-aids; which would be far more useful than a questionable old 4x4 that needs a lot of work, again IMHO.

I agree and appreciate your feedback!

 

[Positivity]

Cool project, but sure you have a few jobs to do.
Since you seem to actually care about fixing it up rather than hacking it to work, the first thing is cleaning it up and unpicking the bad choices from POs.

Do you have a vacuum pump on the back of your alternator? Otherwise, what is the black hose from the servo connected to?

Looks like your vacuum actuator on the injection pump is also not connected, so worth a look there too.

Id get it jet washed and then start making a list and prioritising jobs. People here will be happy to find some faults for you to repair

As for whether it's worth it, that depends on how much effort you're willing to put in, since labour is the main cost here.

Personally I think it's a great project to learn on, and by the time you're driving it you'll be a 40 series expert.

Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful response.