looking for a BJ...diesel that is

[brewingdrew]

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm looking for a BJ cruiser. Preferably a BJ42. Here's a couple of details about me and my situation.

* I've never owned a cruiser, but I've loved them for a decade now
* I'm a brewer (aka, I don't make much money, it's all for the love of the beer)
* I'm looking for a diesel to convert to run on WVO (better for the environment and my checking account)

I've looked around on the internet for cruisers and everything I've found is either out of my price range (my price range is roughly $2000-4000) or a rust-bucket. Since this is my first cruiser (and it certainly won't be my last), it doesn't need to be a beauty, it just needs to run. Is there hope for me? Any fingers pointing in the right direction would be wonderful.

thanks
drew

 

[89s rule]

Welcome to Mud and The Upstate Cruisers' forum!!

Where are you from?

I don't see you getting a diesel 40 in resonable condition for that amount of money. Especially not in SC. Might be able to find something in Canada or some of the northern states. But you hardly see diesel cruisers except for gehn's.

From what I have looked at the WVO isnt exactly a cheap set-up $ wise. (When you are setting it up.)

Will this be your daily driver?
What other mechanical abilities do you have? (Have you worked on cars b/f? Diesels?)

Give us more details about what this will be uised for and maybe we can help. Just want to get you informed.

 

[brewingdrew]

Thanks for the quick response.
I'm in Asheville, NC. But willing to take a "vacation" to Canada or North to get a cruiser. This will be a daily driver, with my Jeep as a back-up when the cruiser needs work.

As far as the WVO conversion goes I have a source for a quality affordable conversion. I work at French Broad Brewing Company in Asheville and we recently converted our boiler over from natural gas to WVO. The company that did the conversion offered all FBBC employees a great deal on the conversion and has been very helpful with working out the kinks at the brewery and the military blazer another employee already had converted.

As far as my skills go I'm fairly mechanically inclined. But whatever skills I may lack I have a wonderful team at and around FBBC to help me.

So, does it sound like I'm just going to have to save up money and wait another 10 years to get my dream truck?

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Drew as matt stated, with the price range you have it will be hard to find a decent BJ42 at that price. I am not saying it is impossible, just not likely. Canda would be your best source for one, but the problem there is the canadian cruisers tend to be a little rusty............

post up in the For Sale/Wanted section and see if anyone has what you are looking for....

also what beers do you guys brew at FBC?

good luck
JP

 

[clemson55]

Agreed the chances of finding one in that range that isnt either inop or rusted out is probably pretty slim. But keep looking and you may come across a find.

More info on the beer, JP and I spend a lot of our non cruiser money on beer so we need to know more.

 

[Turkeypen]

Brewingdrew,

Welcome from an Asheville member of the club. You've come to the right place, these guys know what they are doing!! Also, thanks for the brew, one of my favorite labels.

As far as a BJ42, they may be hard to find and costly. Have you considered a 60 series TLC diesel? They may also be hard to find, but I don't imagine the price would be as high. Those are tough trucks and can haul lots of beer.

 

[VTCruiser]

Consider finding a cheap local FJ40 and then buying a used 3B diesel and doing a motor swap. This would be a very straight forward swap, but even this way expect to pay around $4000 (?) for a solid running FJ40 and maybe another $3000 for a 3B H55F drivetrain. You can sell off the old F or 2f drivetrain to recoup some of the costs too, but $4000 would be a very tight budget.

WVO kits are easily found for $400-$600, at least they were a few years ago.

DIESEL'S RULE i love mine

 

[brewingdrew]

Thanks all.
Maybe I just need to save up for awhile and then seriously start looking for the cruiser I want. But I will keep my eyes peeled. And a 60 series is what made me fall in love with crusiers in the first place. So, maybe I should start there.

As far as the beer goes. French Broad has four year-round brews; Goldenrod Pilsner, Marzen, 13 Rebels ESB, and Wee-Heavy. We also produce several seasonals; Flanders Abbey style ale, Laurel Country White (Belgain Style Wheat beer), and Oktoberfest. We also have a Lambic, but it is only available in our tasting room at the brewery.
My favorite is the heavy.

I don't think we have very many taps in SC at the moment. I know we have a few at Barley's in Greenville and that may be it right now. But we are increasing our production by more than 40% this year (over last year.) And we are looking for more taps in SC, TN, GA, and beyond.

Thanks again and maybe I'll luck out and find a diamond in the rough.

 

[clemson55]

Sounds like some good brews we need to try youll have to bring some down for the Annual meet or something. If you want to try and get some taps get in contact with Keith Street Bar and Restaurant in Clemson all they have is microbrews 120+ they have a beer list that JP and I are working on. Might be an opportunity for you. Keep looking for a cruiser it will come might just be a while.