Where are all the MWB Landcruisers?

Post by **Richard James** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 7:08 pm

I have eventually found a BJ74 1988 Turbo Diesel in I hope good condition (I will soon know) but why are there none for sale other than in NSW (Sydney) and QLD (Gold Coast). I hunted high and low and not one in Melbourne where I live but half a dozen in those fore - mentioned places. Is it the weather? I had to accept an automatic but when the gearbox fails as I know it will (with my history) than I will have it converted to manual. I am looking forward however to at least a few years of off road work before then.
If any one can answer my question....in fun,or in all seriousness then please do so. Meanwhile I will try to sell my trusty Series 3 (see for sale).

Post by **V8 Middy** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:43 pm

There aren't many of us!!! I was travelling on and off for a couple of years so I was able to test quite a few Middys and bought the one close-ish to home that took my fancy (Had to get it from Ballarat)

I guess either be patient as there are still quite a few clean ones around or go interstate.

Pics when u get it!!!!

Post by **Richard James** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 6:22 pm

Thanks for your reply - I have found a MWB in what is promoted to be immaculate condition - in Sydney - hence my question about none in Melbourne or nearby - Ballarat would have been OK - anyway if the one in Sydney passes scrutiny that will be one (more) in Melbourne. The V8 must have been a modification - my proposed vehicle is a 3.4 Turbo Charged diesel so I think it will go OK (compared to a 2.25 Diesel Landrover)

Post by **Mick_n_Sal** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 7:07 am

They seemed to have migrated north over the years!! Here in Cairns - population about 100k - I'll see half a dozen on any given day ( not counting mine )

Mick_n_Sal

Post by **Richard James** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 7:20 am

You are correct - they seem to be all north. The one I located in Sydney has never been registered in Australia - that is,it is an import - 'gray?'
I have told the 'owner' that I will only stay interested if he registers it. There were two others in Sydney,both with similar low KM and in immaculate condition and identical in every facet other than colour and price. I don't believe in coincidences so I think there must have been a few imported for selling on to QLD etc. (Where they all seem to be).
If any one knows more about this stuff than the little I know please contribute.
Thanks

Post by **dumbdunce** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 8:19 am

Richard James wrote:I have eventually found a BJ74 1988 Turbo Diesel...

if it is 1988 than it is more than likely BJ73, BJ74 starts around 1990. The difference is mostly in the front axle, the 74 has a 8" high pinion front diff, 73 have 9.5" low pinion front diff.

if the seller insists it is a 1988 BJ74 I would suspect he is telling porkies. Get him to send a photo of the build plate and chassis VIN (on the frame in the drivers side wheel well).

Middys have never been that popular, the FRP roof put a lot of people off I think.

cheers

Brian

Post by **Bluey** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 8:52 pm

got mine interstae, heildeberg vic

have seen about half a dozen or so around hobart recently, not to bad for a rare ish 4wd in tassie

good luck on the purchase, great fun vehicle.

Post by **Meldge** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 11:12 pm

As mentioned before - bought mine smashed for 3500 only cost another 1000 to get it back to normal...

Then the fun began...

The FRP TOP makes it easier for a soft top conversion you know.

I did see a lot in Cairns when I was there...
(still have a roof for sale too, just bumped it back to the top again, buy it as a spare or something - really good condition).

I am now stuck on what Engine I want to put in it - Currently a 3F, but want an eight, or a good six...

Post by **V8 Middy** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 11:17 pm

I highly reccommend an injected V8. The 308 is not bad but if you find one with a 355 stroker kit... 800 to 900 Nm of torque at the rear wheels should get you through!!!!

Whatever you do, it'll cost approx $5000 plus the engine. Maybe a little more for EFI and more again for gas

Post by **Meldge** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 11:29 pm

There really are too many options with engines.

EFI 304 - Heavier Engine, adaptors for manual or auto... Wreckers wanted $4000, for all gear including fuel pump.
350 Chev - enough power to go t400 auto, but would like manual. adaptors available, but don't want gas. Heay again.
Gen III - Light all Alloy, EFI, early engines had Oil probs... Cost in the first place.
1UZ - Light all Alloy, EFI, 4 Litre (consumption) only $1200 for engine Auto Soarer Box and Wiring Loom. Want a manual on an 8 this small, no adaptor available yet. To go auto, need either parts, or full Surf \ Prado auto box. If it breaks 4 Cams, and 32 Valves to work with. Although good performance gains from port and polishing of the heads.

What to do, What to do???

Post by **V8 Middy** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 11:40 pm

My understanding is that the GM 308 had a better torque curve for off road than the gen III.

My completely stock VN V8 is up at 345 Nm at 2000rpm, peaks at 370 Nm at 2800 then slowly drops to 320 Nm by 4000. Thats all at the wheels.

350 chev: all I can say is ask around for L/100km!!! A lot of that comes down to how you drive it but when the power's all there, its hard to resist

I think it was in one of your threads before, someone said, "Go with what has been done before" these conversions are never as straight forward as they sound and even though I picked mine up in may, I'm still finding teething problems now.

If you try to get too creative, it'll only bite you in the bum (or the wallet in your back pocket)

Post by **My Lil Lux** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 3:04 am

My mates got one in Wollongong, has cut the back off and closed the cab so is a mid wheel based trayback, is red and looks sweet has a chev V8 diesel, which has a lot of problems cracking engine mounts almost every time it gets any decent flex happening, he's changed mounts again and again, gonna throw a 308i in it soon.

Post by **Meldge** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 3:45 pm

I like that there aren't too many of us around, that means there is less chance of people customizing theirs like i do mine...

Gotta be silly to do that anyways I think...

Post by **Richard James** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:49 am

The MWB in Sydney was a 'bomb' I can not recommend State Roads who did the inspection too highly. It was an import,had never been registered in Australia and had not been looked after,although it had low KM. It is funny but all the ones I found were in NSW and had low KM - I think somebody must have imported a heap of them and are now trying to make a killing - be careful! I was lucky I had it checked over.
Any way I have found a 1985 SWB (Non Bundera) Landcruiser in Hamilton in apparent good condition and certainly looked after so I am waiting for the result of the mechanical and body check I have arranged before I make a final decision.

Post by **dumbdunce** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:59 am

Richard James wrote:...I have found a 1985 SWB (Non Bundera) Landcruiser in Hamilton in apparent good condition...

the only engine choice in those is the 3B 3.4 litre non-turbo diesel or the 3F petrol 4.0 - both are dogs but the 3B takes to aftermarket turbocharging pretty well. Avoid the petol ones, they have shocking fuel consumption and don't make much power for a 4 litre, and they are difficult to power up - they are internally fairly weak.

cheers

Brian

Post by **MADSHORT** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:55 pm

The 70s and 74s also came with a 3.5 ltr 5cyl diesel

Gordon

Post by **MADSHORT** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:58 pm

74 series started in 1988 the 3b has built in vacum pump and has tappet cover like a 1hz motor

Gordon

Post by **plowy** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:45 pm

have heard that the commy 8ts have overheating issues but the 6es are a good conversion plus injection versus carby wins on steep hill climbs n ruff terain unless the carby is on gas but diesel 3b s are a dog but u dont have any wet dizzy probs in the wet conditions or go the 14bt its a import with a huge factory turbo a 3.7 ltr i think at about $ 5000 / 6500 but goes great

Post by **V8 Middy** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:53 pm

Tidy42 wrote:have heard that the commy 8ts have overheating issues

Sorry to hijack your thread, Tidy42 what's the deal here? Mine runs fine usually but if I fire up the aircon (so its a hot day, plus the heat from the aircon) the temp goes right up. Is there a standard reason for them to heat up? (Water flow, needs bigger radiator etc?) Just looking for a starting point for if mine becomes a problem.

Thanks

Post by **plowy** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:24 pm

when was the last coolant flush n change ? how long since the thermostate was changed ? is the radiator core clean n clear ? altho have noticed that i can idle around all day 4b n and not run hot but running it hard on freeway n up hills the temp will get fairly hot n cool off when gettin back to normal cruising

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