Rust consult - Is this BJ42 too far gone?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

FJMayB said:
Can anyone add input here? According to the seller, it has had no body work done.
Click to expand...
Your seller lies. The right floor is welded. The roof seam is in bad condition and painted over.
4CB23EE3-A03F-4C6F-93A8-02BB45402883.webp

I think you should forget this anyway. I think the whole thing is painted over, the paint flakes and bubbling is not how the original paint acting. What is behind? more rust? bondo?
 
Last edited:
@FJMayB - As you state that you want “a daily driver that isn't a ticking time bomb (and looks DECENT)... like to have this thing in decent shape in the next couple of months, with most of the major metal work done by then. “near future” budget would be like $12k all in”, then you should really listen to the folks on this forum, some of whom have gone down a similar rabbit hole. That much rust means there is a lot more that you don’t see. Is the frame toast; has it been repaired? Bring a screwdriver and start poking the frame. Bring a magnet to check the tub. Even if you get it for $6k, I think you’ll spend a lot more than $12k-$15k all in.
 
I plan on taking the advice of everyone here and passing on this particular BJ42. However, the realization that a 3B engine makes daily driving a possibility will keep my hopes of owning a 40 in the near future alive. Considering the relative rarity of these trucks in the US (especially in budget), would I be saving any money by purchasing an FJ40 and doing a 3B swap, or do you think it will be possible to find a decent late-model bj42 within my price range (15-20k)?
 
Well a "semi-solid" FJ40 is still old and usually will need maintenance. You are looking at $7-$10k for a running driving FJ40 that will probably have less rust that, but maybe not. If you are at all thinking engine swap, get the best bodied/framed setup you can get. Thats kind of what I tell everyone, find the best body.

Not sure what your expectations are out of a 3B and the words daily driver 🤣 but they are pretty slooooow without aftermarket turbo. You can make a 2F run really nice for much cheaper than swapping a 3B in.

If it were me and I was wanting to eventually swap a diesel in (because I love diesel) I would just get the nicest FJ40 I could. BJ40's are much much harder to find in great shape.

$15-20K can get you a nice FJ40 FROM THE RIGHT SELLER! I would get in touch with @overton for some nice FJ40's that are around that range. Watch out for other sellers and feel free to get opinions on here. There is a TON of knowledge from people that have been down this route many times.
www.lcnation.com
 
forum.ih8mud.com

For Sale - Kamloops B.C. 1981 BJ42 2nd. owner, 265,000 original KM's

I have owned this cruiser for almost 30 years, Bought it from a friend who was the original owner. Did a frame off about 12 years ago, sandblasted frame, painted with industrial epoxy, old man emu rear springs, aqualu tub, fenders, grill, tailgate and hatch, new brakes and brake lines, wiring...
forum.ih8mud.com forum.ih8mud.com

Here yah go its like 10k US abd is a pretty decent truck to start with. Will never rust again in the body but will need a bit of work to make it great.

I bought mine from out on the coast also for a bit cheaper but mine doesnt have the aluminum tub. Thats a 4k touch right there. If i hadnt found mine 2 years ago id be jumping hard on this.
 
lazylfarm said:
Well a "semi-solid" FJ40 is still old and usually will need maintenance. You are looking at $7-$10k for a running driving FJ40 that will probably have less rust that, but maybe not. If you are at all thinking engine swap, get the best bodied/framed setup you can get. Thats kind of what I tell everyone, find the best body.

Not sure what your expectations are out of a 3B and the words daily driver 🤣 but they are pretty slooooow without aftermarket turbo. You can make a 2F run really nice for much cheaper than swapping a 3B in.

If it were me and I was wanting to eventually swap a diesel in (because I love diesel) I would just get the nicest FJ40 I could. BJ40's are much much harder to find in great shape.

$15-20K can get you a nice FJ40 FROM THE RIGHT SELLER! I would get in touch with @overton for some nice FJ40's that are around that range. Watch out for other sellers and feel free to get opinions on here. There is a TON of knowledge from people that have been down this route many times.
www.lcnation.com
Click to expand...
The primary draw of a 3B is the 25-35 mpg range and the ability to turbo them to get them up to speed. A 1F or 2F mpg just plain stinks and I couldn’t justify spending 20 grand on an fj40 and not being able to drive it cause it would cost me 75/wk for gas
 
FJMayB said:
I plan on taking the advice of everyone here and passing on this particular BJ42. However, the realization that a 3B engine makes daily driving a possibility will keep my hopes of owning a 40 in the near future alive. Considering the relative rarity of these trucks in the US (especially in budget), would I be saving any money by purchasing an FJ40 and doing a 3B swap, or do you think it will be possible to find a decent late-model bj42 within my price range (15-20k)?
Click to expand...
FJMayB said:
The primary draw of a 3B is the 25-35 mpg range and the ability to turbo them to get them up to speed. A 1F or 2F mpg just plain stinks and I couldn’t justify spending 20 grand on an fj40 and not being able to drive it cause it would cost me 75/wk for gas
Click to expand...

Stop trying to rationalize it and just admit you want a 3B cuz they’re cool. It’s ok, we will understand :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Living in the Past said:
I would keep it RHD. Power steering would not work. A/C would be a challenge. I'm getting a RHD control box, evaporator and heater duct going to try and reverse engineer to LHD. Have a HVAC background so not going to have to pay someone else to figure it all out. Could get costly paying someone doing one off custom work.
Click to expand...

I have all these parts in the LHD configuration, if you need any dimensions or photos let me know and I’d be happy to help. I’m also trying to get my AC going so I have all the parts out and accessible.
 
FJMayB said:
The primary draw of a 3B is the 25-35 mpg range and the ability to turbo them to get them up to speed. A 1F or 2F mpg just plain stinks and I couldn’t justify spending 20 grand on an fj40 and not being able to drive it cause it would cost me 75/wk for gas
Click to expand...

zero chance of 35mpg. You are realistically looking at 21-24mpg with a 3B. That pretty much the standard that everyone gets over many many years of owning 3B's. If you are looking at a diesel swap mainly for MPG gains over a 2F or V8 swap, you will never make up your money. If you happen to find a Bj40 thats decent, then yes you will get better mileage. The best fuel injected 2F's I've heard get around 15-16. If you are doing the swap purely for mpg difference, it's a bad idea. If you are doing it because you NEED that range and fuel source in remote places, it's a good idea. If you need it because you just want a diesel, it's a good idea.

The upkeep costs on a diesel are going to be higher so thats something to look at. An injection pump rebuild will cost you $1,400+, and injectors from $150~$500 depending if you need nozzles or not.
Diesel fuel cost more, at least has for the past how many years. It's currently .20-.30 cents more a gallon here.

I have a 13BT (factory turbo 3B more or less) I just rebuilt completely, new injectors, Injection pump etc and I'm averaging 20-21 (will go up once broke in)

I'm not discouraging you from a diesel as I own several, just want to make sure you know that 35mpg is NOT going to happen.
 
Last edited:
John in Utah said:
I have all these parts in the LHD configuration, if you need any dimensions or photos let me know and I’d be happy to help. I’m also trying to get my AC going so I have all the parts out and accessible.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer I will keep that in mind. At the final stages of getting parts gathered in Australia. The A/C parts are still there. Other than the evaporator and control box going have to wing it for the rest. A/C models were different enough that would require locating too many to do it 100% original. Maybe I'll get lucky and someone concerned about mileage will being pulling one out. Guess I am lucky I never felt the need to have a diesel cruiser. Two things that don't go together in the same conversation is good fuel economy and Land Cruiser. If I ever did it would be a six cylinder diesel in my FJ45.
 
@FJMayB
I’d heed the sage advice of these experts. Don’t get too caught up with what it could be vs. what it is.

If and only off you could get that for a fraction of the sellers asking price would it be by anywhere near worthwhile.

Look at my thread as a case in point, these things take a lot of time and knowledge to fix correctly.

I’ve had it for two years and just now got all of the exhaust leaks fixed and the power steering fixed.

My advice would be to get an FJ40 that is a little more “turn key” and enjoy small wrenching projects but more importantly enjoy youth while you have it, in your your operable FJ40.
 
I'll add some more .02

If you are looking for a daily driver that isn't a time bomb and looks decent, you've got your work cut out for you.

Many others have suggested and I will to, to get a cheap commuter car. I have a 2000 TDI jetta 5 spd that gets great mileage 40+, A/C, heat you name it thats dirt cheap to daily drive. Those can be found for $2-$3K all day long. Cheap Honda civics are the same thing.
Now for the last month I've been daily driving my BJ74 because I need to put miles on the engine and well I just love driving it, and I have 10 mile commute.

Parts for a non-USA diesel cruiser are more difficult to find, with some being no longer available. There are good resources and vendors on mud, but on a saturday when you need that part, you are usually out of luck.

There are a few Fj40's out there in your price range.
There are less that actually worth the price and don't need work.
There are even FAR LESS diesel in that price range, if any
And of those BJ40's in that range, well you originally posted up about what you were dealing with.

Good luck, you will find a good one if you keep looking.
 
I will add this....if you are at all concerned with how much it costs to daily drive an FJ40 don’t buy one. They are expensive to own much less drive every day!
 
John in Utah said:
No way, buy this and drive it out!
Click to expand...

NOW you are talking! Epic trip!

Shipping will probably run you $1,600~$1,800 minimum is my guess, probably closer to $2K plus.

Find some cheap 1 way tickets $150~$250
Fuel on way back: @20mpg, $500ish to Jacksonville or VA (btw Moab is on the way)
Food: Beef jerky, ramen, caffeine source for a week
Sleeping: tent/cruiser...Walmart $30
Support: 24 hour online support ih8mud, not to mention ih8mud members all across US for support.
EPIC trip = your lifetime of stories and happiness


@FJMayB I would get on this really quick, chat with the guy. A phone call and intentions/deposit can sway people over a flipper calling up with cash.

Not to be too stalkerish, but here is a build thread on it: New Drivetrain into '78 BJ40
 
lazylfarm said:
Agreed!

Thats about as good as you are going to get. Mud Member, 3B 5 Spd, minimal rust and that price obo? This will disappear quick. Buy this and get it shipped out.
Click to expand...


If your from AZ that is not minimal rust. Canada was not kind to the 40 series LC. The link to more photos shows diamond plate floors and spots on the body more than surface rust. Just the fact the H55F has a 60 series top cover would bother me.

Just my .02
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

kzj70
New to me BJ42
Replies
13
Views
1K
kzj70
kzj70
R
BJ42 body cad drawings
Replies
5
Views
1K
J40Fan
J40Fan
Rochfort
interior rust blast
Replies
5
Views
1K
Jdc1
Jdc1
R
Fj40 body on Bj42 chassis
Replies
6
Views
1K
SteveH
SteveH

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom