What's it worth?

[pathfinder_88]

Hey guys,

I wasn't really hunting for a 70 but I do have a soft spot for them and came across one for sale:

'86 Canadian truck, 190km's, single family owned, minimal if any significant rust, stock everything down to the tape deck, new clutch and head gasket. I believe everything is original, ie paint. I haven't been able to see it but it is reported to not need anything significant mechanically. The interior is in nice shape.

I'll try and grab a pic later.

What's it worth? If I buy it, I'd like to do an OME lift, bumpers, winch, gears/air lockers, and turbo. With those upgrades what would it be worth?? I ask because I never keep anything forever and enjoy not losing my shirt when I sell! ...unless I just happen to love it too much to sell!

 

[pathfinder_88]

And the real question is, if I don't mind driving on the right side, is there any real reason to do all the work to CDM 70 (turbo, etc) when JDM 7's are quite cheap and have oh so many more goodies?!

 

[bj70_guy]

I don't want to speculate on value - too hard to determine. An unmolested, low km cdn spec BJ70 with little to no rust is a rare thing these days. So rare it'd kind of be a shame to build it up and wheel it (I would though )

If you don't mind driving on the right (I don't), ya, you can do a lot better - factory turbo, A/C, full float rear end, cable lockers, 4.11 gears... even paying more up front for a BJ74, those things offer a HUGE cash savings over a BJ70.

Assuming you go BJ74 over a BJ71, the extra 10" of length is really nice, and the option of removing the hardtop is cool. I'll probably never do it, but it's nice to have the option.
With 33s and no turbo my 70 needed 4.56 gears. With 33s and 4.11s, the BJ74 was just about right.

What do you lose? A bit of leg room. The left hand side is wider than the right hand side, so the 74 feels a bit more cramped. The seat doesn't go quite as far back either.
And if the government ever gets heavy with RHDs you wouldn't have to worry.

I sure don't regret going from a cdn BJ70 to my 74. I loved my 70... but I love my 74 more.

 

[aamiggia]

BJ70's are probably the best looking LC that has ever been sold, but there are draw backs to them in stock form.

Since you're looking at 70 series in general you can get over the leaf springs (OME helps a lot). the 3B is severly underpowered on the highway. There is no AC or power anything.

The only real benifit over a JDM model is the whole RHD thing. It's a pain in the ass. You can get over it and many will not agree with me, but it sucks. If this is an occasional driver then it probably doesn;t matter.

You're lucky that you have socialist insurance in BC, in Ontario Quebec and maybe AB the insurance thing can be a pain in the ass as well on RHD.

In Ontario you can expect to pay $5000 - 6000 for the truck. In BC you'll have to add "sunshine" tax to it. I'm thinking 7 - 9 k$.

Alex

 

[Eric Winkworth]

If I were to do it over again and buy another truck, keep in mind I bought my CDM spec at a time that LHD 70 series were priced like gold. 5 or 6 year ago. I would without a doubt buy a JDM RHD... I could have spent the same money and had a much nicer truck...

However if the government/insurance companies ever does decided to outright ban RHD, there will be a lot of parts trucks around for me to pick at... I know, I know RHD owners that's a mean thought! but heck you guys are the ones with rust free trucks that spend more time on the road then in the garage!

cheers

forget finding a rust free low km CDM spec for anything close to $10000... If they come up the prices are typically ridiculous!!!