Question about 40 Series Hunt

[John in Utah]

Another update from the BaT seller. I copied and pasted below:

Hi friends – I took the BJ42 to Peter Merriam today with Merriam Automotive in Duluth, GA for a very quick inspection of the items mentioned. Peter has been working on Land Cruisers since 1975, and you’ll see his name pop up at ih8mud.com from time to time.

Although he didn’t have availability for a full inspection, he did comment on the following items that you all asked about:

1. Fluid on oil pan – small leak from oil pan gasket, and oil is being blown around the oil pan and front driveshaft from air out of the blowby tube. He said the rear main seal looks fine.
2. Transfer case – yes, seals are leaking, but far from uncommon and certainly repairable.
3. Long cold start – the batteries are from 2011 and are due for a replacement. New batteries will likely correct the cold start issue.
4. General rust – the most significant rust is in the driver’s footwell, and rust in other areas is generally minor. (additional pictures of requested areas are being uploaded).

Other general comments – don’t forget that all J40 trucks are at least 35 years old! With that in perspective, this truck is in good condition. The vast majority of the truck has been spared from major rust, the 3B engine is still running like its normal bulletproof self, and the 5 speed transmission still feels great and shifts smoothly. This is an original BJ42 (rather than a converted FJ), and it will really be worth something to a true Cruiser-enthusiast who can appreciate how rare and unique it is to have a true BJ around here!

@handcar yes, the rear seats do have the support bars (shown in new picture being uploaded).

Seller mentions "air" coming out the blowby tube. Couldn't that be an indication of compression getting past the rings and pushing oil out the blowby tube?

Some blow by is normal on an old IDI motor.

I believe him about the batteries and the cold start. If it had a compression issue I would expect it to miss or idle rough for a few seconds (like mine does )

 

[FJBen]

Another update from the BaT seller. I copied and pasted below:

Hi friends – I took the BJ42 to Peter Merriam today with Merriam Automotive in Duluth, GA for a very quick inspection of the items mentioned. Peter has been working on Land Cruisers since 1975, and you’ll see his name pop up at ih8mud.com from time to time.

Although he didn’t have availability for a full inspection, he did comment on the following items that you all asked about:

1. Fluid on oil pan – small leak from oil pan gasket, and oil is being blown around the oil pan and front driveshaft from air out of the blowby tube. He said the rear main seal looks fine.
2. Transfer case – yes, seals are leaking, but far from uncommon and certainly repairable.
3. Long cold start – the batteries are from 2011 and are due for a replacement. New batteries will likely correct the cold start issue.
4. General rust – the most significant rust is in the driver’s footwell, and rust in other areas is generally minor. (additional pictures of requested areas are being uploaded).

Other general comments – don’t forget that all J40 trucks are at least 35 years old! With that in perspective, this truck is in good condition. The vast majority of the truck has been spared from major rust, the 3B engine is still running like its normal bulletproof self, and the 5 speed transmission still feels great and shifts smoothly. This is an original BJ42 (rather than a converted FJ), and it will really be worth something to a true Cruiser-enthusiast who can appreciate how rare and unique it is to have a true BJ around here!

@handcar yes, the rear seats do have the support bars (shown in new picture being uploaded).

Seller mentions "air" coming out the blowby tube. Couldn't that be an indication of compression getting past the rings and pushing oil out the blowby tube?

Depends on how much blowby. It will have some but excessive indicates problems. Again a compression test would tell the whole story.

I had an old Isuzu pup diesel with a blow by tube vented to atmosphere and right under it was oily. It shouldn’t be really really oil and everywhere though. A catch can can solve that.

Did he happen to know anything about the repaint?

 

[White Stripe]

No way I would get a 83 unless the body was pristine. The metal on 79 to 83 models is most prone to rust. Looking at those pics I see a fair amount of rust peeking out of the seems. In a few more years it will start popping through the outer panels everywhere. However if you get it for 15k or less it might be worth it. You can always replace the tub with a aqualu if the rust gets bad. The older a 40, the thicker the steel and less likely to rust. If you just look for a decent Freeborn red and not be picky about the motor, you'll find a 40 much faster. And if a perfect diesel Freeborn pops up, buy t and sell the gasser. Or slowly save up to drop in a diesel. My 2 cents. Here's a nice red one it looks like...

1976 Red FJ40 | Land Cruiser Nation

1976 FJ40 For Sale

www.lcnation.com

 

[FJBen]

Can’t go wrong with @overton and lcnation. Great looking trucks.

 

[Will Van]

No way I would get a 83 unless the body was pristine. The metal on 79 to 83 models is most prone to rust. Looking at those pics I see a fair amount of rust peeking out of the seems. In a few more years it will start popping through the outer panels everywhere. However if you get it for 15k or less it might be worth it. You can always replace the tub with a aqualu if the rust gets bad. The older a 40, the thicker the steel and less likely to rust. If you just look for a decent Freeborn red and not be picky about the motor, you'll find a 40 much faster. And if a perfect diesel Freeborn pops up, buy t and sell the gasser. Or slowly save up to drop in a diesel. My 2 cents. Here's a nice red one it looks like...

1976 Red FJ40 | Land Cruiser Nation

1976 FJ40 For Sale

www.lcnation.com

Can’t go wrong with @overton and lcnation. Great looking trucks.

Great advice, thank you guys!

 

[-MaTTi-]

Some blow by is normal on an old IDI motor.

I believe him about the batteries and the cold start. If it had a compression issue I would expect it to miss or idle rough for a few seconds (like mine does )

I agree. Sounds just normal starting when batteries are at low voltage. Runs fine right after, so no problems with compressions.

And it’s not so simple to test compression in diesel, you should remove the injector pipes, injectors, change the new seals, re-tighten them to right moment.

This looks and sounds very good, could be easily worth $20k there.

 

[Will Van]

I agree. Sounds just normal starting when batteries are at low voltage. Runs fine right after, so no problems with compressions.

And it’s not so simple to test compression in diesel, you should remove the injector pipes, injectors, change the new seals, re-tighten them to right moment.

This looks and sounds very good, could be easily worth $20k there.

Good point. I’m just not sure if I should bid on it without seeing it in person.

 

[FJBen]

Good point. I’m just not sure if I should bid on it without seeing it in person.

On a 3b it’s really easy to check compression. Just use the glow plug hole.

This is lazylfarm btw, I got my old username back.

 

[Will Van]

On a 3b it’s really easy to check compression. Just use the glow plug hole.

This is lazylfarm btw, I got my old username back.

I guess I’m debating whether it’s easier to buy the BaT truck and convert it to 12-volt? Or buy an FJ and do a 3b/5-speed swap?

Probably the BaT auction is going to go out of my price range anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

 

[FJBen]

I guess I’m debating whether it’s easier to buy the BaT truck and convert it to 12-volt? Or buy an FJ and do a 3b/5-speed swap?

Probably the BaT auction is going to go out of my price range anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

Easier: convert to 12v. It’s not that big of a deal to be 24v either. They make converters or even install a 3rd battery to run all 12v accessories. Lots of info on that in the 70 series section.

I think you are right, this one is going high I believe.
I doubt you will get a compression test on this either with the time left. Decisions!

 

[Will Van]

Easier: convert to 12v. It’s not that big of a deal to be 24v either. They make converters or even install a 3rd battery to run all 12v accessories. Lots of info on that in the 70 series section.

I think you are right, this one is going high I believe.
I doubt you will get a compression test on this either with the time left. Decisions!

Yeah, probably not going to get a compression test.

I suspect it will auction in the high 20s or low 30s.

 

[FJBen]

Staying lower than I thought. I think the oil/repaint is scaring some people away.

That said, it's still a LHD, BJ42 that's pretty solid and already in the US. This might get bought for under $20k.

 

[Will Van]

Staying lower than I thought. I think the oil/repaint is scaring some people away.

That said, it's still a LHD, BJ42 that's pretty solid and already in the US. This might get bought for under $20k.

I thought it was creeping steadily north. I would suspect the most amount of movement would occur toward the end of the bidding, but I don't have much experience with this stuff.

 

[Will Van]

The auction ended for the BaT Cruiser. I didn't even place a bid. It auctioned for $23k. Too much for a Cruiser I haven't even seen in person. Without a compression test.

Oh well, keep looking. There are always more Cruisers.

1983 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ42

 

[Will Van]

Does anyone know anything about these guys?

Vintage Cruisers

 

[cruiserkreutz]

Does anyone know anything about these guys?

Vintage Cruisers

I have no personal experience with them, but a quick search pulled this up:

Vintage Cruisers-beware

forum.ih8mud.com

The Vintage Cruiser website mentions the name Greg many times (owner ?). Anyone know if this is the dreaded Vintage Off Road Greg Mushro dude going by a different company name?

 

[cruiserkreutz]

Looks like they are the same company, stay away.

 

[JohnnyC]

That is the same guy

Look up Mushro or VOR on mud... it’s ... sad ... interesting and depressing all wrapped into a gift box of deception

 

[Will Van]

I have no personal experience with them, but a quick search pulled this up:

Vintage Cruisers-beware

forum.ih8mud.com

The Vintage Cruiser website mentions the name Greg many times (owner ?). Anyone know if this is the dreaded Vintage Off Road Greg Mushro dude going by a different company name?

Looks like they are the same company, stay away.

That is the same guy

Look up Mushro or VOR on mud... it’s ... sad ... interesting and depressing all wrapped into a gift box of deception

Roger that. Thanks guys. It looked too good to be true. I hate scam artists. It seems like there is at least one scumbag in every enthusiasts community.

 

[Living in the Past]

Does anyone know anything about these guys?

Vintage Cruisers

I really don't know anything.about him but do know member from AZ bought a 40 series troopy from him years ago and was happy with his purchase. I personally haven't rule him out for non US model import but that is only because he is close enough to me to do a personal inspection. Vulture Mines is another story. Vintage is mainly a used car flipper. Vulture Mine is a restored. Easier to sneak mechanical issues past me than rust and shoddy repairs. Find you have a bad mechanical part link a engine once you rebuild it or replace it problem solved. Rust is like cancer and never know where it will pop up next. The price on the 83 BJ42 on BaT did surprise me going for only $23K. Is the market going soft or economy down?