New Owner 1983 BJ42 -- OMG and Thanks to Everybody

[Diescipel]

Well folks I just got back from 2 days worth of driving from Vancouver B.C. to Eureka, Cali in my new to me 1983 BJ42. What can I say.... a little buyer's remorse when I drove it and found the tranny to not be as smooth as advertized (feels like 1st and 2nd syncros are really worn , hard to get in each gear, but maybe a clutch adjustment problem?--yeah right, wishful thinking). As some of you remember, I have been posting about the 3B SWB diesels. I know everybody recommended the BJ70 for a DD, but I just couldn't resist a BJ42 with the 5 spd. and power steering.... and already with an Alu tub and fenders (yeah, I know, detracts from the collector's value, but this one already has over 400k kms on the clock, so forget the collector value...).

Positives: It was actually confortable, though everybody's comments on my earlier post held true (stiff ride, loud, etc.). I did 11 hours straight today, Seattle to Eureka. By my preliminary calculations I got 28 mpg on the 700+ mile trip. It cruises at 70 all day long no problem. Way more spritely and nimble handling on road than my FJ60, but it is just begging to get off the pavement. The compound low first and 4.11 diffs scream technical hill climbing. Massively powerful braking, dead on front end, great low-end torque on the engine. I haven't owned a diesel vehicle in a while and I forgot how much speed control one has with the throttle because of the high compression engine. All in all, a really good example I'd say.

The Cons: Even though I was comfortable, it was a stiff ride, and I confess I wore earplugs for the last 6 hours or so. Needs shocks--very bouncy. A dog on the hills. 5th is not a hill gear, but 4th and lower pull great.

Here are my plans/concerns in more or less the order of attack (please feel free to give me beaucoup feedback on all this):

Register it in Cali!

Transmission--bad syncros or clutch adjustment (receipt for new clutch in March '04)

Straighten steering wheel (idler arm went the day before I picked it up--seller graciously had is mechanic madly replace it--they didn't have time to straighten the steering wheel apparently--I offered and did pay for half of the repair--alignment is perfect).

New tires and Paint Wheels (wheels are color matched to the Beige body--need to be white, or chrome???. Tires are 30x9.5 BFG Mud Terrains--really noisy on road, too small)

New rear springs (saggy in the butt and leaning to port), new shackles (recommendations?), new bushings, new shocks all around. Want to keep stock height springs, slightly extended shackles (like CoolCruisers' HFS 1.5" dumbell shackles).

This summer: Rust Patrol. Bottoms of doors, hardtop, cowl. It already has an Alu tub and fenders--I may go with an Alu cowl depending on the quote on the cowl.

Sound proofing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beyond that, it's in awesome shape. Incredible driver for 700+ miles.

Lastly, a big THANKS to everybody who has offered advice and support here. I literally couldn't have done it without you...

Special thanks to Brian/Dogstar for the RI contact.

Cheers ,
BRB

PS Anybody wanna buy a strong running, leaky, excellent frame, good body FJ60 for $2kUSD???


PPS Can't upload any pics... Don't have time to fiddle. I'll post 'em later.

 

[PVVH]

Hey Congrats! What a cool truck..5spd, pwr steering and all. My brother has had about 6 of these BJ42's, never an 83 though.
The wheels should definitely be white to match the top of the hard top if you want that classic look.
As for noise while driving, I understand what you mean. I'm impressed with your long haul drive. Let us know how the sound proofing goes..I'm sure there are other 40 series drivers who would be interested.
Have to say though that I'm a little sad to see another BJ go South! Oh well, a least we can import Japanese Spec trucks

 

[crushers]

first on the agenda is a turbo, it will give you smoother power and will quiet the engine down a bit.
suspension, go with terrain taimer out of edmonton. beautiful kit and has everything you need.
sound deadener, use the foil wrap for hot water tanks, doesn't sweat, tear or rot. makes a huge difference in the heat transfer and REALLY quiets the noise down. 1" foam with a rubber back for the roof and hard top sides and the truck will take on a whole new enjoyment.
of course once you turbo you will want to PI it for a cleaner burning engine and it will give you some more power for the hills AND the trubo and PI will give a use for 5th gear .
just some suggestions from 23 years of diesel 40 series ownership.
cheers and congrates
Wayne

 

[mikeyT]

Congrats, Brendan. Show us a pic of that truck in the sun! (10" of snow here this week)

 

[Stone]

Congratulations! Sounds like a great BJ42! Can't wait to see the pics.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Coool, yet another 42 in the Cali.

Rob

 

[paulj]

Congrats, Brendan!
Now can you tell the rest of us how to bring a less than 25 year old diesel Cruiser into the U.S.? I may have missed an earlier post. If so, can you direct me to it? If you don't want to give away any secrets, I can understand that. But if you ever go into the import business I want to put in an order for an HZJ 77V.
By the way, what color is your 60?

 

[Diescipel]

Congrats, Brendan!
Now can you tell the rest of us how to bring a less than 25 year old diesel Cruiser into the U.S.? I may have missed an earlier post. If so, can you direct me to it? If you don't want to give away any secrets, I can understand that. But if you ever go into the import business I want to put in an order for an HZJ 77V.
By the way, what color is your 60?

The 60 is the light silver cover. My fav. The BJ42 is beige unfortunately. If I ever do a frame off, I'm going with Freeborn Red.

Getting the cruiser in was a breeze except I went into the wrong area at the border and ran around the port like a chicken with my... Just go through a Registered Importer--yea they charge a fee (mine was $450 CAN), but it is totally worth it. Also, see the "Everything I Ever Learned About Importing" Post. I'm am 100% into spreading this knowledge around.

My DMV office was closed today so I couldn't register it, and now won't be able to until Thursday when my temp. B.C. operating permit will be REALLY expired. I really want to get it registered and go for some backcountry snowboarding this weekend.

"Fixed" the tranny problem--I forgot the seller said you have to really push the shifter to the left, then it goes in gear easily--is this normal for an H55F? However, the linkage seems a little loose too, like when it's in 3rd, so I wonder if that's an issue. But is there any linkage? I'll check the FACTORY MANUALS that came with the truck!!! Muh haha. In any case, driving it today to DMV and back made me remember why I went for one. It's really smooth I have to say. Glad the tranny was not an issue so I can put my money into the body this summer. All the mechanical stuff seems perfect (which is why I got it--had records up the wazzu showing so many new parts). Lots of rust issues though. Not horrible, but lots.

OK I'll try to resize some pics so they'll post.

B

 

[dogstarmessenger]

Hey congrats Brendan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I see the RI worked out --------nice rig , we will have to get together next time I head north
best of luck

 

[Diescipel]

Hey congrats Brendan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I see the RI worked out --------nice rig , we will have to get together next time I head north
best of luck

Or when I head South.

Turns out Trevor left PNTRI in the middle of the transaction, but he still made good and everything at his end was perfect.

B

 

[bj42turbo]

Congrats on the new purchase, got to love the BJ42's

Cheers Dazz

 

[lowenbrau]

Don't sweat the color. Its one of my favorites.

As far as the shifting goes, make sure to swap out the little teflon cup on the bottom of the shifter. Its a couple of bux from the dealer and really affects shifting. I'll bet the h42s in Fj60s had the cup after '83 but I'm not sure. Check with your local dealer or get a Canuck to mail you one.

Cheers.
Bruce

 

[gifu]

tranny problem

the h55f has a nylon nipple at the very tip of the stick. With age, this nylon nipple thing gets squished/worn. This can cause hard shifting, pop out of gear, etc.

I think it costs like $5. take your tranny boot off, push and twist the collar holding the stick down, and pull it out. replace nipple. reinstall. go snowboarding. easy.

while you are out it...the 4 speed in your 60 has a nylon shifter bushing it rides on. replacing it will make that tranny shift nicer also.

btw, nice 42. Glad to have another stinky cruiser in California.

 

[mikeyT]

Nice truck. Congrats. That beige is my favourite '40 colour. You can tell that's a Canadian Cruiser; if you look closely, you can just see the duct tape repair on the doors. Typical. Enjoy.

 

[Diescipel]

Nice truck. Congrats. That beige is my favourite '40 colour. You can tell that's a Canadian Cruiser; if you look closely, you can just see the duct tape repair on the doors. Typical. Enjoy.

Yeah, I like how the PO did such a neat job of aligning the duct tape so it almost looks stock .

Thanks for the tips on the tranny.

B