Expert advice sought on 1983 Cruiser (Brisbane)

[stardotstar]

G'Day, first post here guys!

All, can anyone point me to a local guru who might be able to steer me right on the purchase of a 1983 BJ42 LX five seater shortie cruiser. I have some good confidence so far in this vehicle based on what I know and need an expert opinion of things like what to look for, longevity of the 3B 4Cyl Diesel (260,000) features and bug bears etc...

If the motor could do up to 600k what would I do with the motor/vehicle then. Its almost completely original at the moment.

Parts availability for basic servicing (everything from wiper motors to brakes, lights, leads, plugs, drive bits, belts etc etc etc), issues with road worthiness, problems with the breed...

I have experience with the Jeep TJ only and never owned a Toyota vehicle.

Cheers,

Will

Edited February 4, 2007 by stardotstar

[stardotstar]

G'Day, first post here guys!

All, can anyone point me to a local guru who might be able to steer me right on the purchase of a 1983 BJ42 LX five seater shortie cruiser. I have some good confidence so far in this vehicle based on what I know and need an expert opinion of things like what to look for, longevity of the 3B 4Cyl Diesel (260,000) features and bug bears etc...

If the motor could do up to 600k what would I do with the motor/vehicle then. Its almost completely original at the moment.

Parts availability for basic servicing (everything from wiper motors to brakes, lights, leads, plugs, drive bits, belts etc etc etc), issues with road worthiness, problems with the breed...

I have experience with the Jeep TJ only and never owned a Toyota vehicle.

Cheers,

Will

So if anyone is able to help me please check out the more detailed post I have running at the US IH8MUD:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=133800

I would really appreciate an aussie perspective on this guys -= it looks good but you can never be too careful.

Will

[sandgroper]

G'Day, first post here guys!

All, can anyone point me to a local guru who might be able to steer me right on the purchase of a 1983 BJ42 LX five seater shortie cruiser. I have some good confidence so far in this vehicle based on what I know and need an expert opinion of things like what to look for, longevity of the 3B 4Cyl Diesel (260,000) features and bug bears etc...

If the motor could do up to 600k what would I do with the motor/vehicle then. Its almost completely original at the moment.

Parts availability for basic servicing (everything from wiper motors to brakes, lights, leads, plugs, drive bits, belts etc etc etc), issues with road worthiness, problems with the breed...

I have experience with the Jeep TJ only and never owned a Toyota vehicle.

Cheers,

Will

So if anyone is able to help me please check out the more detailed post I have running at the US IH8MUD:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=133800

I would really appreciate an aussie perspective on this guys -= it looks good but you can never be too careful.

Will

Information such as where you are tends to attract more answers for such things as parts and knowhow availabilty as it varies from country to country.

The vehicle you are looking at is rarish. They didnt make many and not many countries got them and many examples have long since been chopped up or rusted away.

If its a complete immaculate rust free body then it would be wise to keep it that way.

I think there are 2 other owners of these on MUD

It should have a 5sp and a forward facing rear seat and 3 windscreen wipers which are unique to this model.

As for parts,most body parts are interchangeable with petrol models. The engine is in wide use all over the world and is there are heavier duty versions still in production for trucks and buses in 3rd world countries.

It wont be hard to keep it running if you take the time to study up.

You have a long way to go before you reach 600000 klm but I doubt if the engine will go much past 400000klms.

When the engine goes south ,rebuild it. A full rebuild kit starts at something like $550 in Australia

If you want something to chop up and do a V8 conversion then leave the 42 to someone who appreciates it.

[stardotstar]

G'Day, first post here guys!

All, can anyone point me to a local guru who might be able to steer me right on the purchase of a 1983 BJ42 LX five seater shortie cruiser. I have some good confidence so far in this vehicle based on what I know and need an expert opinion of things like what to look for, longevity of the 3B 4Cyl Diesel (260,000) features and bug bears etc...

If the motor could do up to 600k what would I do with the motor/vehicle then. Its almost completely original at the moment.

Parts availability for basic servicing (everything from wiper motors to brakes, lights, leads, plugs, drive bits, belts etc etc etc), issues with road worthiness, problems with the breed...

I have experience with the Jeep TJ only and never owned a Toyota vehicle.

Cheers,

Will

So if anyone is able to help me please check out the more detailed post I have running at the US IH8MUD:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=133800

I would really appreciate an aussie perspective on this guys -= it looks good but you can never be too careful.

Will

Information such as where you are tends to attract more answers for such things as parts and knowhow availabilty as it varies from country to country.

The vehicle you are looking at is rarish. They didnt make many and not many countries got them and many examples have long since been chopped up or rusted away.

If its a complete immaculate rust free body then it would be wise to keep it that way.

I think there are 2 other owners of these on MUD

It should have a 5sp and a forward facing rear seat and 3 windscreen wipers which are unique to this model.

As for parts,most body parts are interchangeable with petrol models. The engine is in wide use all over the world and is there are heavier duty versions still in production for trucks and buses in 3rd world countries.

It wont be hard to keep it running if you take the time to study up.

You have a long way to go before you reach 600000 klm but I doubt if the engine will go much past 400000klms.

When the engine goes south ,rebuild it. A full rebuild kit starts at something like $550 in Australia

If you want something to chop up and do a V8 conversion then leave the 42 to someone who appreciates it.

Ahhh, thanks - very useful. Well I am in Brisbane and that is why I am asking for details from aussies! - My experience with the Jeep has proved that parts available in Melb are what I call readily available - parts "from the third world" maybe not so much :P

But this is very encouraging.

Let me say this with absolute certainty - I am that potential 42 owner who wants to appreciate its 4cly diesel motor.

The thought of chopping up a rare model cruiser for a v8 conversion in this fuel climate and my circumstances is tantamount to suicide

Anyway I really appreciate your feedback. I am glad to hear that parts will be available more or less and that many are interchangable. I intend to "study up" and do much work myself so I am pleased to hear that it wont be hard to keep running.

This rig does have the forward facing rear seat (but missing the side facing rear one - removed long ago I am told - and lost) and the three wipers.

Any other thoughts?

What about the $$s - it is selling for $9999 and someone on MUD thinks this is expensive but that if the quality is good it would be hard to find another anyway which mitigates the premium...

Regards,

Will

[sandgroper]

I wouldnt get too hung up on the rarity bit. Its only special to a cruiser head,anyone else wont give a rats ***** as reflected in the red book price.

A fair price is hard to determine,there is not many 40 series of any type with a good body and interior these days.

There was an LX on ebay in tassie a few months back that went for $1800 but it was rusted badly

All engine and mechanical parts are easily available but dont expect much from Toyota as they have just about ceased dealing with vehicles this old.

I think your mechanic overstated the extent of the cost of taking it to a diesel mechanic.

Most of the maintenance is filters and a grease. Once every 4 years take the injectors out and have them rebuilt for $220.

Another thing to consider is that these are not suitable as a daily driver. You would be better off having a small cheap car as your main transport and putting the 42 away for the weekends.

The 40 series is slow,rough and handlles terrible on road. Brakes are agricultral and the cabin noise is not pleasant.

If you try and drive it everywhere you will lose interest pretty quick. This point needs serious thought.

I drive a FJ73 with a 1HZ diesel fitted and a HZJ75 and driving them all the time is a chore but they are streets ahead on comfort.

For $10k you could get a very nice 73/74 series.(73 have a 3F or 3B and the 74 has a turbo version of a 3B)

[stardotstar]

You are talking a lot of sense sandgroper and thanks for taking the time to make such a well informed reply.

I guess it checks all the boxes for me except it is too expensive for me at the moment and sounds like it will be too harsh as an EDD. Another cheap car alongside is not going to be an option,

If I buy it now I will still have my company magna wagon but when I move out on my own or on from my current job it will become my edd...

What I love about it is the tidiness of the whole package. It has everything I want in a rig to follow up on my Jeep TJ from a few years ago which was too thirsty, too modded, too expensive to service, still under warranty, impractical for soooo many reasons. The appeal of this rig to me is hard to put into simple terms. I would have to put up with some of the inconveniences in order to have something that will do me long term service. I know the TJ was 5 star luxury compared but the austerity has a certain apeal to me - I was thinking of going a Willy's - now that would be tough love

I want something to maintain, to keep in good condition but which is also more than just a showpiece or garage "rarity" - and I do take your point about the rarity of the model.

I guess I will have to drive it on a good long run and also sus out some more what I feel about the price.

Maybe waiting to see if the price drops would be a good idea but I am very afraid it will get snapped up by "the right person".

Cheers,

Will

I wouldnt get too hung up on the rarity bit. Its only special to a cruiser head,anyone else wont give a rats ***** as reflected in the red book price.

A fair price is hard to determine,there is not many 40 series of any type with a good body and interior these days.

There was an LX on ebay in tassie a few months back that went for $1800 but it was rusted badly

All engine and mechanical parts are easily available but dont expect much from Toyota as they have just about ceased dealing with vehicles this old.

I think your mechanic overstated the extent of the cost of taking it to a diesel mechanic.

Most of the maintenance is filters and a grease. Once every 4 years take the injectors out and have them rebuilt for $220.

Another thing to consider is that these are not suitable as a daily driver. You would be better off having a small cheap car as your main transport and putting the 42 away for the weekends.

The 40 series is slow,rough and handlles terrible on road. Brakes are agricultral and the cabin noise is not pleasant.

If you try and drive it everywhere you will lose interest pretty quick. This point needs serious thought.

I drive a FJ73 with a 1HZ diesel fitted and a HZJ75 and driving them all the time is a chore but they are streets ahead on comfort.

For $10k you could get a very nice 73/74 series.(73 have a 3F or 3B and the 74 has a turbo version of a 3B)