My new BJ of unknown origin...

[coleman2347]

A few months ago I found a BJ40 and purchased it. These are some of the before pictures. The restoration is started and I will post more as I get time. This is the third time I've tried to get the pictures posted so after resizing them I hope you can see them this time. If this doesn't go try Facebook where I will try to post them under my BJ 40. This was basically a barn find that I got for cheap. The date of manufacture can not be determined, have asked every source I could think of but because we think it was for the Japanese market and converted here, nobody knows...The LTO papers from the Philippines say only that it was imported in 1997. I guess it doesn't make much difference, it's a good truck.

 

[coleman2347]

More on my BJ40

Just some pictures showing the rebuild, we have the top loose which we are going to take off and started treating rust. The transmission is pulled to convert from vacuum to manual, the block on the shifter plate is removed to allow me to be able to get a 2wd low, the springs have been sent off to get re arched, poly bushings have been ordered. As you can tell there is still a bunch to do...still have to fab doors and tailgate as I'm going to remove stock doors and top and go with a cloth top and don't want to cut on the stock doors and hardtop...looking for a pto winch and some other stuff.

 

[Roboosfj40s]

Welcome to the Insanity Coleman. Nice rig to begin with. I have a 74 Fj40 here in the Pinas and there are several members from Manila, Bulacan, etc. I live in Pasig. Your truck has no data plate on the passenger side firewall where the heater motor would go? Mine is a Japan import but still has the data plate.
BTW my asawa was born in Biliran Prov. hee hee!
Ingat Jan!

Rob

 

[Roboosfj40s]

Also you can check by your frame number. I'll be happy to help if you like. Not saying I can find the exact origin but I will do what I can.

 

[Eshu Elegua]

strange that have a square bezel but the fuel tank still inside the tub,not below floor like the correct models ..if that means something

 

[medicdave]

Good luck bud, I'm up in Olongapo. I'll be picking up a MWB unknown bj when I get back. To bad we're so far apart.

 

[lostmarbles]

strange that have a square bezel but the fuel tank still inside the tub,not below floor like the correct models ..if that means something

Yeah.

Looks like almost everything is late-model except for the tub and fuel tank ... which are early-model.

Welcome to MUD Coleman.

 

[coleman2347]

More pic's and thoughts

Went out for a beer with Michael, my partner in crime and the one who's shop I'm using for the rebuild, I think we decided to replace the engine with a stronger one, probably Isuzu turbo as I like them for reliability (a thousand jeepneys can't be wrong) we will preserve the "B" for posterity in keeping with saving the old parts. We still can't find a PTO winch so may put a Warn in. In the pictures the black spots are an Epoxy that we are using for the patch's that we are welding in after cutting out the rust. I find it works better in the long run to prevent the rust from coming back. Just some thoughts from where this thing came from, notice that the snorkel was on the left side, the wrong side for a diesel, could have been put there for looks? Suspension has small bushings instead of the large one of a later BJ, B engine is early, PWR and A/C is late. 24volt system? No wing windows in door I think that is later. Actually, in the end it doesn't matter. Oh, I almost forgot, the Eng. number is 0171654 and the Frame number is BJ40014114....more shall be reviled in time.... Lee

 

[coleman2347]

The dash we are going to copy

found this on the web (or maybe here) we are going to copy this for the dash by making a new panel (saving the old gauge's) Going to pull body this afternoon and start on frame..Semper Fi

 

[alberta mac]

Looks like a diesel transplant, if you have power steering it's 1983 if none the rad is an 83, body looks like a gaser. The motor will have markings of B or 3B.
Cheers

 

[lostmarbles]

... The date of manufacture can not be determined, have asked every source I could think of but because we think it was for the Japanese market and converted here, nobody knows...The LTO papers from the Philippines say only that it was imported in 1997. I guess it doesn't make much difference, it's a good truck.

It can't be manufactured for the Japanese market because it is left-hand drive and they drive from the correct seat. (The right-hand one.)

Looks like a diesel transplant, if you have power steering it's 1983 if none the rad is an 83, body looks like a gaser. The motor will have markings of B or 3B.
Cheers

I believe the VIN/Frame-number must be the deciding factor.

And based on this thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tec...r-engine-serial-number-vin-number-thread.html
.... I'd say it's a late 1977 model that's had its bib, bezel, doors, power-steering etc ... transplanted into it from more-recent models.

 

[coleman2347]

You guys are probally correct

I've been going at this with the idea that it was one year truck, but what you guys are saying made me look at it from a different perspective, it very well could be parts from several different models...many projects that ended up with me. As I have never met the previous owner (friend of mine acted as middle man as I don't speak wraywray) I can't say what he did. I'm just going to make it like I want it and work with what I have...actually it's in pretty good shape from some of the trucks I have seen other guys start with. So onward we go..I'll post more pic's as soon as I can..Thanks Lee

 

[lostmarbles]

I've been going at this with the idea that it was one year truck, but what you guys are saying made me look at it from a different perspective, it very well could be parts from several different models...many projects that ended up with me. As I have never met the previous owner (friend of mine acted as middle man as I don't speak wraywray) I can't say what he did. I'm just going to make it like I want it and work with what I have...actually it's in pretty good shape from some of the trucks I have seen other guys start with. So onward we go..I'll post more pic's as soon as I can..Thanks Lee

I owe you an apology Coleman.

My deepening senility meant I misread your "1997 import date" as being 1977 and that is the only reason I went for "late 1977" as your build date instead of "early 1978".

I now believe your BJ40 to be very close to Rudi/BJ40green's in that VIN thread. In other words, I now think your production date is either February or March 1978.

But stuff still has to have been transplanted into your BJ40 because AFAIK, in 1978 Toyota hadn't yet fitted
rectangular bezels (which arrived Jan 1979).

Checking the EPC shows the underfloor fuel tank (that I have)didn't arrive till January 1979 (if I'm reading it correctly) so it looks like your fuel tank fits a 1978 and so your BJ40 isn't really much of a "Frankenstein" at all.

And from what I see under the bonnet, it looks to have been well taken care of (in comparison to 40-series cruisers of its age found ANYWHERE in the world).

So it's certainly a good find!!!!

 

[Living in the Past]

I have never seen a BJ that had a three speed. Thought those were all four or five speeds The data plate on the pocket door shows a four speed but transmission next to the vehicle looks like a three speed to me. I also thought the input shaft on the transmissions mated to the B engines was longer besides just havin a different spline count. Either way it looks like a pretty clean cruiser your starting with.

 

[Roboosfj40s]

Yep as I told MEDICDAVE another pale face here in the pinas. I have never seen an original FJ or BJ here. There very well may be some where but I have never seen one. One thing they love here is 70 series signal lights. fortunately mine does have the oem 74's. As stated my Philippine rig is a 74 tub on a june 78 frame with a 79 2F and a 3 speed. Which in researching I found that a lot of Non USA trucks still maintained the rear swing gates, 4 wheel drum brakes and oem 3 speed up until late 70's. Just build it like you want it Coleman at least you will be satisfied. These trucks run from 100,000 Php up to 900,000 Php. Worth that much? In our world I don't think so but here they are rare and parts are costly if you find them. The best place for OEM and Aftermarket parts is on Banawe St. In Quezon City, Metro Manila. I have a complete list of the shops and numbers if interested Coleman.

 

[Living in the Past]

I know about the three speeds being used for many years later then the US in some markets. It's just that the B engine needed a different import shaft on the transmission. Just never the diesels with a three speed. Plus the shift pattern on this one shows a four speed.

 

[pbgbottle]

my canadian april 1978
vin is BJ40021464

so like lostmarbles said early 1978

the EPC also shows that the B engine in japan market was also used as early as in 1974



not sure if that is accurate.



...

 

[Roboosfj40s]

I know about the three speeds being used for many years later then the US in some markets. It's just that the B engine needed a different import shaft on the transmission. Just never the diesels with a three speed. Plus the shift pattern on this one shows a four speed.

Agreed, I never knew a diesel to have 3 speed and I believe you are correct the input shaft is different.

 

[coleman2347]

4 speed

It's a 4 speed, stock, will get more pictures today, the pwr. steering is definitely a add on as is the AC, we were discussing it last night and one of the reasons the turning radius is so large is it needs a longer Pittman arm. We feel sure we can scroung one of those. The body comes off the frame today, the poly bushings are here but we are not going to install them until after paint. The springs are arched and give me about 3" more clearance. We were going to put 35's on but may go with 33's in order for the overall final ratio to stay lower. If I stay with the "B" engine it will matter, if I go with the Isuzu it won"t. I really appreciate you guys chiming in, you have helped with the identification tremendously. Stuff I have little knowledge on. Got to go the frame is waiting, will try to upload the pictures tonight or tomorrow, I have to re-size all of them, I'm using a Cannon 60D for the shots...Thanks Lee..PS Rob I'll pm u on the shops in Manila

 

[coleman2347]

More Pic's

Just got back from working on the BJ, got body jacked up off the frame and started wire brushing the frame. Took some pictures of the pwr. steering, the direct shift linkage that we swapped without the blocking plate. Notice the red panel up on the cowl, thats the original color, when I found that it cemented the decision for the color. I found a pic on the internet of what the front of the truck will be similar to when we get finished. I like the round turn signals and the round grill (bezel?) I think it ties the front together. (been watching too much Chip Foose). Also give me your opinion on putting a 2H 6cyl. in it. I found a really good deal on one complete with transfer case and 5speed trans. out of a 60 series I think. If I'm not wrong I will have to shorten the drive shaft to accomplish this but thats not too much trouble in the scope of things.