SWB Landcruiser buying advice and info required..

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Arjun75

Arjun75

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Nov 18, 2007
Threads
11
Messages
71
Location
Coimbatore,INDIA
Hi all...its been a few weeks since i have registered on the forum and i have to say its been great.

I need some advice on buying a used SWB landcruiser like a 71,73,74 series.I know there are a few available in India but i dont know how to tell the difference so.....

my question..wht would be the difference between an LJ and a BJ and what engine should i preferably look for.

How much different are the SWB and the MWB and which would be a better ownership option.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

:cheers:
 
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The 1st letter hints at the engine ,B for 3B 4 cyl diesel, which was the last in that bore and stroke. It continues on as a larger 15B in buses and trucks.
Generally but not always ,the bigger the number,the longer the landcruiser.

A 71 is a turbo version of a 70 meaning it has the 13BT instead of the 3B.

My advice would be to aim for a BJ74(turbo version of a 73and a MWB) . Its about 10 inches longer than a SWB 70,between the door and the rear wheel arch;)

Another great thing about the MWB is they have a fibreglass roof which is both cool and rust resistant. Unfortunately many steel roof cruisers rust out around the gutters.
 
roscoFJ73 said:
The 1st letter hints at the engine ,B for 3B 4 cyl diesel, which was the last in that bore and stroke. It continues on as a larger 15B in buses and trucks.
Generally but not always ,the bigger the number,the longer the landcruiser.

A 71 is a turbo version of a 70 meaning it has the 13BT instead of the 3B.

My advice would be to aim for a BJ74(turbo version of a 73and a MWB) . Its about 10 inches longer than a SWB 70,between the door and the rear wheel arch;)

Another great thing about the MWB is they have a fibreglass roof which is both cool and rust resistant. Unfortunately many steel roof cruisers rust out around the gutters.
Click to expand...

thanks for that info rosco.Can you please tell me the difference between an LJ and a BJ and how i identify these.And...are all of these cruisers leaf sprung all round?? thanks
 
Arjun75 said:
thanks for that info rosco.Can you please tell me the difference between an LJ and a BJ and how i identify these.And...are all of these cruisers leaf sprung all round?? thanks
Click to expand...


The LJ has an L motor ,it is an all welded coil sprung body and was Toyotas 1st foray into coil springs.
It is a light duty landcruiser although it is really a Prado and was called that in Japan from 84 on.
The LD have a shorter front by 100mm and it slopes down at a steeper angle. The front indicators are built into the fenders.
It uses hilux 8 inch diffs and gearbox.

The heavy duty models are mainly bolt together jobs until 98 when they too became fully welded .
Pre 98 they are all leaf sprung have large 9.25 in diffs and big gearboxes
They are still in production in 76 ,78 and 79 series(not to be confused with your 79 series)

The info is all on the aluminium plate on the firewall and then you go to here to decode it in chapter 14.
http://www.cruiserfaq.com/00-01.php

This site has the most info and history on 7# series models http://www.brian894x4.com/FOREIGNTOYOTAMAINPAGE.html
 
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Canuck said:
Except passengers in the rear of a 74 better have short legs or be kids. ;) Not much leg room back there.
Click to expand...

Something I only found out recently is that the aussie spec 73,73 have the rear seat further back than the JDM
Ive had half a teen basketball team in mine and they think its ok:D

Maybe all the models with rollcage are like this?
 
roscoFJ73 said:
The LJ has an L motor ,it is an all welded coil sprung body and was Toyotas 1st foray into coil springs.
It is a light duty landcruiser although it is really a Prado and was called that in Japan from 84 on.
The LD have a shorter front by 100mm and it slopes down at a steeper angle. The front indicators are built into the fenders.
It uses hilux 8 inch diffs and gearbox.

The heavy duty models are mainly bolt together jobs until 98 when they too became fully welded .
Pre 98 they are all leaf sprung have large 9.25 in diffs and big gearboxes
They are still in production in 76 ,78 and 79 series(not to be confused with your 79 series)

The info is all on the aluminium plate on the firewall and then you go to here to decode it in chapter 14.
http://www.cruiserfaq.com/00-01.php

This site has the most info and history on 7# series models http://www.brian894x4.com/FOREIGNTOYOTAMAINPAGE.html
Click to expand...

thanks again rosco for all that info.i understand landcruiser moels a bit better now:)

And thanks everyone for your inputs.Appreciate it.:cheers:
 
denis said:
The ones I took apart, and the later KZJs I had the chance to study had a multi-piece bolt-on front :confused:
Click to expand...

Do you mean the fenders? I was under the impression they were built more like a hilux
 
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