thoughts or opinons on this BJ74...

[killyridols]

tried this in the classified, and was suggested I try it here...

ive seen this rig up for sale for a while now, from what i can tell and what i can read, it looks pretty mint...albeit pricey? unfortunately its located at least 20 hours away from me so going to see it myself would be tough. Ive got an 88' FJ62 and a 94' HDJ81...looking to sell one of them and get something smaller/more rugged for wheeling and general fun. This rig caught my eye, and sounds like its got all that im looking for (turbo diesel, locked, suspension done, winch, in great shape) as im not looking for something i need to spend a ton of money and time on (done that with the other two) modifying.

anyways not overly familiar with the BJ74 so general thoughts and opinions on them is quite welcome, but specifically geared to this rig (is it terribly over-priced being the main thing?)...specially if someone in BC is at all familiar with this particular truck.

new to posting here, but ive been a long time lurker. thought it was about time i get active. thanks for any help!

 

[killyridols]

aaaaaand of course ive neglected to even post the rig in question

this would be it
TOYOTA LANDCRUISER BJ74 1987 Turbo-DIESEL Automatic - British Columbia Cars For Sale - Kijiji British Columbia Canada.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I dont think its a mint vehicle. The hood insulation needs replacing and the rubber curtains that stop road water from entering the engine bay ,are missing.
Some parts like the inside the wheel arches have been sprayed black,other parts like the diff and suspension are covered in dirt.
Some of the statements are misleading,that bar across the roof is NOT a rollbar.
The "4 inch lift kit" looks about the same as my 2 inch lift kit.

Overall its not too bad,I just get the feeling the seller is trying to make out it is much better than it really is.
Just my thoughts.
He is open to offers.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

It does however have an above average gun rack which should add to the value.

 

[Malahki]

I think its a great price!! In fact I just printed the ad and saved it. These are just the kind of inflated prices that I will be showing my insurance company if anything ever happens to my truck, lol

 

[cult45]

Terrible car the BJ74.

 

[killyridols]

i suppose general consensus, and i agree, is that its over priced. i guess ultimately what im looking for here is an idea of what a well taken care of, very low KM unit such as this SHOULD go for...

im naive to the market and looking for some more educated opinions

 

[xkennx]

Its amazing how much they can still ask for TLC-70 series in the western hemisphere. You can buy a brand new what they call the TLC72 here - SWB with softtop and 2 door with a 4.0 petrol for $25,000.

My idea when ever I do move back to the US (florida) find a old tlc there in a junk yard but with valid vin and update it part by part - aka swap the vin plate

 

[maat]

FKN how much? Hahahahahaahhaahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[cult45]

Ok, I'll actually add some input that may help this time. I think it's overpriced but if it ticks all your boxes, make him an offer. I would test drive one with an auto first though, I'm not a fan.

Alternatively you could find a JDM car importer and ask them to source a BJ74 direct from Japanese auctions for you. That's what I did. I said under 100 000km, grey interior, LX, manual, $13k. They found one at auction about two days later and despite bumping me up to $14k I took it. Landed 6 weeks later and I picked it up last week. 97 000km, black/grey, LX, manual. Springs/shocks are fxxxed and needs some brakes and the FRP sprayed but they're minor issues and I still think I'm ahead. It's a great truck.

My 2c.

 

[xkennx]

yeah not to add salt to a open cut - but if your willing to spend that much mony on an old TLC. Might consider jumping on a plan for a visit

This was at the last richie borthers auction here in the UAE

2010 TLC78 - $24000
https://www.rbauction.com/2010-toyota-land-cruiser-4x4?invId=7388204&id=ar

2005 TLC78 - $13500
https://www.rbauction.com/2005-toyota-land-cruiser-4x4?invId=7387488&id=ar

1995 TLC80 series - $5500
https://www.rbauction.com/1995-toyota-land-cruiser-4x4?invId=7388197&id=ar


I'm personally going to the next auction (if im in the country) to try and get this 2004 tlc 78
https://www.rbauction.com/2004-toyota-land-cruiser-4x4?invId=3421702&id=ci

 

[killyridols]

ive never paid "list price" for a vehicle, new or used, in my life. not about to start now. obviously im not going to give the guy 20 grand for the thing, rather trying to get a better understanding of the market and what something like that should realistically cost. its the closest example to "what im looking for" as ive seen yet, after all.

as for the folks from over seas....clearly these are going to cost more for us, than for you...you can still buy them brand new. the market here - much more limited. im aware you can buy a new cruiser for 25 grand. i can not.

 

[cult45]

im aware you can buy a new cruiser for 25 grand.

Not in Australia, not even close. I couldn't nail a down a price at this hour but they're in the range of $70k for a base model trayback.

 

[Phil in BC]

There is a similar one for sale in Kamloops, but still need suspension replaced, and the guy's asking 10 grand.. You could pay someone to do the mods you want, and still be less expensive than that one, or do them yourself for even less. There are other options out there, you just have to look around a bit.

 

[lumpy70]

This is what I'd expect to pay for a really good BJ74 (or HZJ)
1986 Toyota Land Cruiser Convertible - British Columbia Cars For Sale - Kijiji British Columbia Canada.

Toyota Landcruiser 1992 RHD HJZ 73 ZX - British Columbia Cars For Sale - Kijiji British Columbia Canada.

I bought mine for $8k, and I know of at least 2-3 others which went for <$10k.

I converted mine to a LHD and sold it for $12k, and for upwards of that I would expect breasts against the windshield when I looked out of it. I see there is one or two in Alberta for ~$15k which are good but still overpriced I think:

1989 Toyota Land Cruiser - British Columbia Cars For Sale - Kijiji British Columbia Canada.

1991 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ 73 Wagon - Alberta Cars For Sale - Kijiji Alberta Canada.

There was one on here that was $27k last week, and if some oil tycoon bought it for that price, more power to the seller.

I LOVE the BJ74 and the 13B-T, and if I was to buy one again I would not pay more than $10k.

Craig.

 

[lumpy70]

Oh yes, and that "rollbar" is made of sheet metal for the seatbelts and dome light to attach to, and the BJ74 (to my knowledge) didn't ever have suspension seats.

Craig.

 

[77cruiser77]

Price aside my two observations that have not really been mentioned yet:

Low miles. That is big for me seeing how I find by 200,000 a whole bunch of work is often due (water pump, hoses, alternator is sometimes not as good as it should be if original, and all sorts of electrical gizmos start going to like windows don't work as well, sun roof etc.)

The other one is it is an automatic. I didn't think the autos were that great in the 74 am I wrong? That's a lot tougher to change than adding lockers. If you like auto all the power to ya but it's not for me.

I must ask now, what are you using this for? Wheeler, summertime rig, DD, weekend warrior? Keep in mind if you get a rust free land cruiser it won't stay that way long if you drive in the winter, after all this is a toyota. That's what I found out myself when I got my 77 with no rust. Drove for one winter season and now all the rock chips are beginning to show signs of rust which breaks my heart so now I'm looking for a winter beater. If you want an all year round cruiser get one thats less than perfect and save big time!

It is not common to find a BJ74 like this I will say but the price, whether too much or not, reflects its rust, low miles, and options so whether you need those options or not you're paying for them in this rig. If you don't need them I say take a pass.

 

[77cruiser77]

that HZJ73 looks real nice. I remember thinking of getting this for my wife to drive but she likes manual transmission. 155km is not bad at all and I think you may like what the engine has to offer more so over the 13BT. Even if it did not have any lockers or other goodies your savings would allow you to do them with cash left over.

 

[lumpy70]

My LHD conversion BJ74 was an automatic, and it sucked. It was a PITA to change but well worth it. I needed a pile of donor parts from my old BJ70 though, I wouldn't even attempt it without a donor vehicle.

Behemoth60 on this forum drive an automatic HZJ74 and he said it was horrifying for it's lack of power and pickup.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Its amazing how much they can still ask for TLC-70 series in the western hemisphere. You can buy a brand new what they call the TLC72 here - SWB with softtop and 2 door with a 4.0 petrol for $25,000.

My idea when ever I do move back to the US (florida) find a old tlc there in a junk yard but with valid vin and update it part by part - aka swap the vin plate

You can also probably purchase gasoline there for a fraction of what it cost here in "North America" so your comparison is perhaps not valid.