Not a newbie, but a FJ owner with a BJ/HJ question... (1 Viewer)

[MrMoMo]

Ok.. been here about a year. Originally intended to purchase a BJ40 but got sick of looking and bought an FJ40. I figured I would more enjoy an FJ40 in good shape than a BJ40 in rough shape.

How times change. I really regret not going diesel, and have come up with a plan to get me there. This spring I hope to tear into my FJ40 and do a quick rebuild (it is in pretty good shape). Once rebuilt I will sell it and find myself a nice diesel, however I think I will go with a 60 not a 40.

My question here is the differences between the BJ60, the HJ60 and the HJ61. (don't want a 62 - no offence but I really like the round headlights)

I am in Ontario, but plan on flying out to BC to pick up a nice clean 60. I am assuming that the HJ is more preferable than the BJ?

So... what is the difference - which is more reliable, easier to work on, etc etc.

to myself for being a newbie in this section

(can I do that?)

Thanks!

 

[brownbear]

HJ61 is a JDM import. It will have square headlights. But thats not a big deal, you can buy a BJ or HJ or FJ early rad support and convert back to round eyes. I would not let that stop me.

Bj are good engines but pretty slow. Although wouldn't be too bad in a 40.

If your 40 is that clean, consider doing an engine swap on it. Get a cool JDM engine like a 13b-t. Or 1HZ.

A canadian market cruiser is hard to find with low rust and low KMs. Easiest choice for aq clean cruiser are a USA market one from down south, and then convert to diesel.

Or buy a RHD jdm import.

 

[roscoFJ73]

My question here is the differences between the BJ60, the HJ60 and the HJ61.

to myself for being a newbie in this section

(can I do that?)

Thanks!

BJ60= Reliable 4 cyl plodder able to be turboed and probably the cheapest.
HJ60=Reliable 6 cyl plodder, more power than the B motor,not designed for turbo but doable.
HJ61-Factory turbo version of the HJ60 and the ultimate in the 1984 -1990 years.Highly reliable,good power and speed and ususlly highly optioned and sourced from Japan.
Unfortantely most are twin headlight because its the diesel equivalent of a FJ62.

All are easy to work on,about the same as your FJ40 although the 61 has its turbo and other options in the way sometimes.

Get the Japanese import if possible or start with the best body you can find and do a swap.

 

[MrMoMo]

More looking for a 60 for internal space, wheelbase comfort and ability to tow with less wag-the-dog risk. I would think a 60 provides a smother ride than a 40?

Diesel 60's don't seem that hard to find if you ask me...

http://vancouver.craigslist.org/car/230952387.html

http://vancouver.craigslist.org/car/227214269.html

 

[roscoFJ73]

I would think a 60 provides a smother ride than a 40?

Diesel 60's don't seem that hard to find if you ask me...

]

The 60 is a quantum leap in comfort and driveablity over a 40 series.
You can sit in a 60 and drive all day.

They probably are easy to find but the Japanese imports will have only about 150000klm and be almost guaranteed rust free.
The turbo HJ61 will tow horse floats with ease

 

[cruiser_guy]

I don't know how heavy you want to tow but the '60's were not meant to tow the giant trailers like people tow with their diesel pickups.

 

[brownbear]

More looking for a 60 for internal space, wheelbase comfort and ability to tow with less wag-the-dog risk. I would think a 60 provides a smother ride than a 40?

Diesel 60's don't seem that hard to find if you ask me...

http://vancouver.craigslist.org/car/230952387.html

http://vancouver.craigslist.org/car/227214269.html

I looked at those pics. The first one the HJ looks ok, but has rust in the arches, garranteed from the inside out.
No frame shots either.

The BJ has 418k on it. Thats not fresh.

I personally look at the 3B's max KMs as 500k. Just as base point. Sure many cave in before then. But some go above with good maintenance. So at 418 your pretty close to a rebuild. Factor that into what your prepared to spend.

Anything advertised is going to look better than in person.

For me after owning a BJ, my next cruiser purchase is going to be either a JDM spec, or a USA cruiser from down south.

My wife is stubborn about the rhd. So I may have to find a late 90's cruiser and wait to convert to diesel. Save up for a half cut.

 

[MrMoMo]

Thanks for the replies.

Not looking to tow HUGE trailers, I have a 16' flatbed that I would haul a car on every once in a while - not long distance. Also have a pop up camper - not a huge one either. Would tow some wood a few times in the fall - nothing HUGE though.

(so I guess I won't be towing anything HUGE )

There was a SWEET HJ60 listed on autotrader or craigslist last week, looked absolutely mint inside and out, asking price was $16K.

What is fair market value for an average HJ60 vs BJ60, and how much more would a 61 be worth? (I assume there are no LHD 61's?)

 

[brownbear]

A guy that got banned on here had a LHD 60/61 from Japan. He had it converted in Vancouver by a guy.

If you want to contact him his family member who is on here on occasion is named champjack.

Basically you could buy a junk 60, and have a firewall swap. Steve on here has a 60 for sale that is a rolling chassis, it would make a great firewall swap candidate. It is in Vancouver, then you buy a hj61 import and have the two cruiser come together in Vancouver, after its done fly out and drive it home.

Steve is from Extreme bends cruiser parts, he is a vendor on here. Mud_Guppie is the user name.

Then you get a cheap body to hack. It has no engine. Also you could probably get the rad support to make it a round eye if you desired.

So look for Hj61's in van too then. Then you get rust free, mostly anyhow. And usually direct injected turbo. A semi modern diesel.

I like Canadian spec cruisers, don't get me wrong. But there faults are numerous having spent soo much time in our rust belt.

To me, I don't care about the testimonials by RHD owners, But I cannot get my wife to consider it. Maybe if it was a 40 for myself to use. And my 60 would go to her. That maybe an option. Cause I loved the 40 series units Wayne(crushers) has sold in the past. I really really wanted the mustard 40 that Honk bought.

 

[MrMoMo]

Wow. That would take a lot to get it to fly. I currently have a garage full of projects that I had before my 40 came along!! (still trying after 4 years to finish my Porsche 924 3 into 1 vehicle manufacture job) I am looking to get into a 60 with minimal amount of work! (find it, buy it, drive it!)

There are always options, but they always involve money!!

 

[hobiesbestfriend]

When were you thinking of doing all this? Where in Ontario are you? I have an 86 HJ60 , that I'm picking up from Ontario in January to drive back across Canada to Victoria. It's at a friend of the families holding it for me right now, and as I understand it, it needs a water sedimenter and has a bit of an electrical gremlin. Aside from that I have only seen a few pics of the outside and it has the usual LC Surface rust. I am sure there is both Body and Frame Rot throughout, but as I am being told, it's not drastic by any means. Especially for Ontario. Again, this is all second hand info as I have never seen the vehicle in person. Either way, was gonna drive it back and fix it up and then sell it. Maybe we could work something out and save a bunch of driving?

 

[MrMoMo]

Wouldn't be untill probably mid/late summer '07, and that is only if I get my ass in gear!! I need to tear down my 40 a bit to do a mild frame off (would like to paint the frame) then sell the 40, then find a 60!

I'd be surprised if you wanted to wait that long!! (otherwise that would be sweet!!)

 

[hobiesbestfriend]

Summer 07 might be perfect

Well, we were looking forward to driving a new to us vehicle back across Canada in the Winter anyway, so not in any rush. I am assuming work will have to be done on it, so once I get it back here and have a look at it etc.. I'll take some pics and let you know what condition it's in and so on. I do know it had recently passed Ontarios version of AirCare or whatever, and that it wouldn't need to do it again because it was now over 20 yr old vehicle or some such thing. I can't remember how it works over there. Either way, might be the perfect rig. I'll keep you posted.