Toyota bj74 13bt rebuild vs buy new 4wd
I have a Toyota Landcruiser BJ74 Import with a 13BT turbo Diesel which is making me make some tough choices. On the way back from a trip to Tasmania in July, She started overheating around Southern Cross after a tiny leak opened up in a turbo water hose. We attempted to keep refilling it with water and tryed to limp home. The temperature seemed to stabilise and I thought we might just be able to get into Perth, but it was not to be. In Bodallin 8640kms through a 9000km return trip just as the speed dropped to 90 kmh the engine stalled and I had to Roll it into a park bay that was fortunately where we ended up. I got out and popped the hood to discover that a gasket has let go and shot hot oil all over the exhaust manifold, leading to a small fire which I put out post haste.
We ended out getting towed to the Merredin Caravan park and my Dad and Brother came out with a car trailer the next day to come get us. Since then my poor little car has been parked in the driveway.
Since then, we have been able to get her to start but it was loud and rattleing so we shut it off. Basically I think I am up for an engine rebuild at the very least. I have been quoted about $4700 for a rebuild, *if* there are no problems with: the block, the head or the turbo. The landcruiser also needs to have some rust sorted out and a full respray as when I was overseas for a few months a couple of years ago some native trees dripped sap all over it and when we cleaned it off, it took the paint off:/ I estimate maybe $5000 required. I would also have the back doors modified more like a forerunner or surf setup so I could actually take the fibreglass top off without the rear doors sticking out like dogs balls.
About the only other thing that _needs_ to be done would be suspension for about $1000-2000 tops. We can do our own labour on this one.
Wishlist after that would be (in no particular order): Bullbar, Spotties, UHF Radio, Snorkel, Roof Racks, Engel fridge, Inverter and possibly an aluminium checker plate interior.
So for $12000 I can get the beast back on the road, and then work on the rest over time..
Or do I sell up and buy something hopefully better. The downside to this is that:
1. I love this car
2. Its a beast offroad/towing. Light weight, mid wheel base, 3.4 lt turbo diesel means plenty of power and low approach/departure angles.
3. When I bought it in 2002 it had 113000km on the clock and its only on 173000 now, so with a rebuild it should last forever.
4. Would I get anything comparable for the same dollars?/Will it seize/catch on fire/????? and will I just be in this position in another few years.
nackers
Posts: 341
Date Joined: 23/10/09
mate
imo buy another car i hate pourin money into something then something else turns shite but if u love it do it i know of a good 60 series cruiser diesel for sale $5200 only had two owners old bloke i no has had it for bout 12 years looked after it REELY well near full rego good tread on tyres few extras bloody good buy
cudbfishn
Posts: 1311
Date Joined: 06/04/09
On the other hand you could
On the other hand you could end up buying a lemon and needing to spend more cash. At least you know u got a good reliable vehicle.
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
replacement
I hear where you coming from , the other option is some extra dollars and look at a reasonable 80 or 100 series $ 14 to 18 k or look around for a good exchange motor which leaves you withsome risk of the other problems occuring, start tossing the coin
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
u say 12000 now then wen u
u say 12000 now then wen u start doing it ends up costing more and more i would go out a by a 80 or 100 series for that sum of money
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sarcasm0
Posts: 1396
Date Joined: 25/06/09
Also, can anyone recommend a panelbeater/spraypainter
To perform the respray/rust work/customise the back doors, Who does good work?
wide open
Posts: 444
Date Joined: 24/12/09
since
if it was overheated you could have warperd head coausing gasket to go, expensive, i think just do a engine swap or spend the money on a new hilux or 100 series, good luck
roddo
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 16/10/09
i was placed in the same
i was placed in the same situaion 12 months ago with my 89 patrol i cooked the motor its a diesel 4.2lt we did the rebuild ourselvs were not mechanics but fairls handy with that sort of thing as we have pulled a few engines to bits in our time anyway after $6000.00 remembering we did all the work except the machining i still have problems with it burning oil and now i think the head has cracked as its loosing water so i know its a hard decision but see if you can get a crate engine or sell the car and get another one i know you have the chance of buying a lemon but if you get the cooling system checked when you get it your normally ok. i wouldnt do a rebuild again if i had my time over it was a lot of work time and money.
there are alot of hidden costs when rebuilding like needing new injectors fuel pumps cooling system replaced or checked and cleaned plus take into consideration what else will you need to spend on the car in the near future like tyres getting rust cut out etc.
my problem also now is that the max i can insure my patrol for is $12000.00 and that doesnt cover it anywhere near enough as it has almost 6k in acc.
hope all this helps
cheers
Roddo
HuggyB
Posts: 2515
Date Joined: 03/08/08
Once you fix something
on older cars, then invariably something else will need replacing (new motor will find a weakness in the gearbox, drivetrain, diffs etc etc).
If you are in a position to buy a NEW NEW 4WD, go for it, but if you are going to buy into another 2nd hand NEW 4WD, then it may be better to stick with the devil you know and fix up what you have. But I'd just revise your budget by doubling it.
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