Pre-purchase Questions

[jtgray10]

New to the board, but not to Yotas.

If this post is in the wrong spot, please move it.

Lots of good info here.

I've been looking for a truck for some time now and found this one on Ebay. eBay Motors: Toyota : Land Cruiser (item 170193333635 end time Feb-21-08 16:37:30 PST) It has everything I've been looking for, looks to be in decent shape and is relatively close in distance. If anyone could shed some light on any issues that might not be obvious to a FJ/HJ 45 newbie that would be awesome. I'm looking for a truck that is fairly solid from a mechanical standpoint, but doesn't have to be a cherry nor can I afford one. It will be a daily driver in SW Michigan so rust cancer is a major concern. Many of my trips will be fairly short (1 mile), if anyone can comment on the diesel's potential dislike for short trips, this concern has crossed my mind. I'm good with tools and not afraid to work on anything. Any and all comments are encouraged and appreciated.

Cheers,

John

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Offhand it looks great. The video on YouTube looks like it runs pretty well.

I'm not positive, but it almost seems like it might be a converted HJ. The diesel emblem on the grill is in the wrong place, and the Youtube video says it has the original 2H engine. The problem is, an HJ-45 would have an H engine, whereas an HJ-47 would have the 2H.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was originally an FJ-45, and converted to a diesel. From what I see there, I wouldn't kick it out of the garage!

The places I'd check on the frame are just above the rear axle (for cracks and scab plates), and towards the front, just behind the spring shackle mount. Those are the places my HJ-45 have had reinforcement welded on, and I gather they are typical failure points. If you want to see what it originally was, look on the frame rail for the serial number (just between the front bib and the bumper, on my LHD it's on the right side).

Can you drive there and check it out in person before you bid?

Dan

 

[jtgray10]

Thanks for the reply Dan, that is exactly the kind of stuff I need to know. I was trying to figure out what it was supposed to have, vs. what is really has in it. From what I've read, the 2H is a better engine, but it makes me wonder what the history of the truck is. Can you tell from the pictures what engine it is? I will ask the seller and see what he says. The truck is too far away for me to look at before I bid.

Is there any other question I should ask before I get in over my head?

John

 

[Bear]

John,

Because you asked for input: How do YOU feel about right-hand drive driving?

Is it important to you that things like the roof are fiberglass, and not original steel?

You are aware that the Toyota factory beds, tailgates and related hardware, and headache racks are hard to find in decent condition, and then pricey? Traybacks were popular options in Australia and New Zealand.

Is authenticity important to you? If so, a clear photo of the right-front frame rail showing clearly the VIN would be indicated.

And I personally would want to check a photo that the 1979 gas tank was under the body, not under the seat.

Also I noticed that there is a dark area near the clutch master that a clearer photo might help.


Lastly, how bad would you feel if you paid the asking price, and found out some expensive lesson when the truck arrived? In such a case, would it have been better to take a day or two off, drive or fly there, and only to have lost the cost of a plane ticket or gas money instead?

Just some stuff to think about.

My two cents.
Good luck!

 

[jtgray10]

Thanks Bear, all very good points, some of which I have thought about.

RHD isn't a big deal to me, I can only think of a few things that would be an irritant (banks).

Authenticity isn't too important, as long as the personality and functionality of the truck hasn't been lost, that being said, I don't want to pay for an original truck if it isn't.

Your last comment is the big one and one of the main issues I am finding. There aren't many trucks in MI so any that are in decent shape have potential for significant travel.

John

 

[DanS HJ-45]

It sure looks awful close to the H engine in mine, but I really don't have any great expertise as to the differences between the H and 2H (other than that I'd like to find a 2H). I *think* that the 2H has a two or three piece exhaust manifold, while the H has a single piece manifold--that one is a one piece.

Your question about short trips is a good one. My experience is that the diesels take a long time to warm up (at 10 degrees I can idle my 2LT-E for nearly 30 minutes before it gets up to temperature), but that once they are up to temperature, they don't mind short trips and city driving at all. Your mileage may vary.

Dan

 

[Henry James the 47th]

I *think* that the 2H has a two or three piece exhaust manifold, while the H has a single piece manifold--that one is a one piece.

Dan

The early 2H engines, up to 1985, had a one-piece ex. manifold, while the later type of 2H with parent-bore block has a two piece manifold.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

The early 2H engines, up to 1985, had a one-piece ex. manifold, while the later type of 2H with parent-bore block has a two piece manifold.

And it's the later model that accepts the factory PS pump, yes?

As in, you put the later model in yours to fit power steering, correct?

Dan

 

[orangefj45]

did you buy it?


i have a 1984 hj47 and love driving it, RHD and all.