Opinions Wanted: '85 BJ73 FS

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wilburluvsyotas

wilburluvsyotas

10 Year 15 Year
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Jul 28, 2009
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Location
Portland, OR
Been out of the loop for awhile - missing AZ - hope everyone's well. After regretfully selling my 80 few years back I'm looking for something unique to pass the time until we can move back out West. Stumbled across this JDM '85 BJ73 at a classic car dealer here in St. Louis I never knew existed; they have a few BJ40's as well. Realize they're considered a "light duty" LC but I've always liked these and you certainly don't see them around much. Condition is top drawer for year, I'd say 8.5/10, 91k, seats/carpet flawless, top never off, zero corrosion, factory original with power, A/C, PS, PTO winch, new OME Nitro Sports/Dakar leafs - even has OEM toll meter. 2.4L diesel non-turbo. They're asking $35k but don't think they'll get many bites here in Midwest. Is this worth considering for right price? Value? It's also listed on eBay.

http://www.motoexotica.com/inventory/listing/1985-toyota-land-cruiser/
 
Wow, very clean rig! If they come down where you can resell for what you have into it then Id say go for it.
 
I don't think any of the early 70 series were considered light duty. This is the first year of the 70 series and was the replacement for the 40 series. Only option I see it missing is the cable lockers. You didn't the five speed which this has. I'm overloaded with cruisers otherwise would like something like this. I also happy to drive in the slow lane which even with the five speed is going have a hard time keeping up with traffic on the highway.
 
I have always had a soft spot for these after driving them overseas. I think price is high obviously. sounds nitpicky, but you would think for that kind of $ as an asking price, they would have a matching spare tire on it. When it gets to your comfort zone $ wise then you have a unique vehicle that only you can determine value wise. I think its super cool!
 
Have you driven one? Id see if they will let you take it out for an hour drive and see if it is everything you think it is (ride, keep up on the freeway, acceleration, etc) for daily driving.

Not that youll be daily driving it but for anything over 25K, I would think it shouldn't be anything less than that. Ive never driven one so I have no idea...
 
appreciate the feedback; wouldn't expect anything but an honest, no BS assessment from this group. Didn't get a chance to drive it but plan on it this week esp. to assess highway speeds and performance in sub-freezing temps we're having. Had same comment on non-matching spare but would likely dump the MTs anyway and go back to 31s - just bit too large IMHO. Where would locker control be located, beneath dash?
 
The cable lockers control would be on the floor in the area of the hand brake control. As a I remember it's two levers that operate 180 degrees from each other. Only going from pictures as I've never seen them in person.
 
I drove one of these in the mid 90s in Panama. It was fine until you needed to go fast or pass someone. Wasn't bad in the North Africa where it was flat and open. Think 3FEish. I bet HP/LB ratio is similar to early 80 series.
 
First let me say that is a very clean, super nice looking rig. Probably one of the best examples I've seen and I was looking pretty intently into the BJ73/74's over the last 2 years. If it was the 13B-T engine then I think you'd be much happy at the $30-$35K price point. Plus it would be more capable of towing a trailer. With the 3B motor, I don't know that it's worth the price (more in the $25-$30K on the high end). If it's going to see any elevation you'll want to turbo it and add a pyrometer if not already equipped. The 3B's work well with an after markdet turbo but you need to figure in a couple grand for a kit.

Also keep in mind that as more and more companies pop up and start importing these Cruisers, it's going to drive the price down and future value down. What is rare or fairly rare today will become less so as more people acquire them.
Land Cruisers Direct - Home
Met these guys at Cruise Moab '14 and they had about 6 trucks there on display. Seemed like they had their act together and have been moving some significant inventory. Might be worth checking out their website to gauge the value.
 
Great info - thanks! I'm familiar with LC Direct and based the value off their listings. Thinking better to have them find me specific truck especially if volume picks up. "Unique" only carries so much value.
 
You don't want a 3B. Slower the the second coming of Christ. The 13BT (BJ74) with the boost cranked up can barely keep to traffic and is slow off the line and on long uphill grades. These are very tough trucks and although painful to get to the trail head they are a pleasure to drive on the trail, with lots of low end torque. They are called 'middies' in Australia with a 104" wheelbase makes them very nimble on the trail. These trucks are built for 3rd world countries, with primitive roads and cruising speeds of 50 to 60 mph and were never designed for Interstate.
You are paying a big premium to buy them in the US, you should import directly from Japan as I did with my 1995 HDJ81 with 70,000 miles on the clock. I can recommended the importer I used, based in Nagoya.

Stay away from the Prado's -very prone to overheating in North America leading to the head cracking - even the retrofitted heads crack.
 
I'll offer my opinion if interested. I sold this truck last year to a customer who did the work on it and I believe it is now on consignment with Motoexotica. I have known Scott and Motoexotica for years, he's a great guy with a great business. I sold the truck for $15,000, it had some rust in the rockers which they've repaired. They've also added an OME kit and new tires. I don't believe that equates to $20,000 in added value, but I don't fault anyone for pricing their stuff the way they want to. Mechanically it's a great truck, but does have the 3B as others have commented is a little underpowered. For $35,000 you could have any truck at my shop, fully repainted cosmetic restoration and have some money left over for accessories. If you're close enough, stop by sometime and take a look.

BJ74 with cable lockers:
Land Cruisers Direct - 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ74 LX #6113

HZJ73 with e-lockers lockers:
Land Cruisers Direct - 1990 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ73 ZX #1981
 
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Wow, don't get much better than original source and figured good chance it came from your shop. Yeah, new OME kit, 4 MTs and de-rusted. Nice guys for sure but certainly don't pretend to be LC experts. Definitely interested in seeing what you can source. My brother Tim will be down your way next few weeks and will definitely stop by. Thanks again!
 
yeah, agreed on right combination and certainly looks to be in good condition but the '85 is just set up so nice. Get it at right price, add turbo kit, done. I'd say $20k tops.

the HDJ is certainly set up well but condition looks bit rough. Appreciate the heads-up though.
 
wilburluvsyotas said:
the HDJ is certainly set up well but condition looks bit rough. Appreciate the heads-up though.
Click to expand...

Yes I'd agree. And he painted the truck a different color, but didn't paint the door jambs??
 
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