Photos: Glen McNamara
Originally published in Volume 001
For many New Zealanders, memories of clunky farm trucks and weekend trips to the local market are tied to the iconic BJ42 Land Cruiser. But for James Rule, a 34-year-old diesel mechanic and welder, this classic truck has been more than just a nostalgic fixture. It's been his lifelong project, adventure companion, and crash course in 4WD mechanics and restoration.
James’s love affair with his BJ42 began at just 10 years old, when he and his dad purchased the vehicle, kicking off a passion for off-roading that would shape his life. Over the last 24 years, James has not only rebuilt the truck — often from scratch — but also transformed it into a formidable machine capable of taking on New Zealand’s roughest terrain. Through countless road trips, nights spent wrenching in the garage, and a few too many rollovers, this BJ42 has become an embodiment of both his skill and persistent need to get it back on all four wheels.
Twenty-four years later, James still owns the BJ42, though, as he says, “Not one bit of the truck has stayed original; everything has been chopped and changed.” He’s learned to drive in it, travelled the country in it, and even rolled it ‘a number of times down a hill’ during a night 4WD trip, which left the roof crushed to the floor on the driver's side.
What started as a major repair job after the rollover, James explains, turned into building the dream that had been in his head for 15 years. The goal was to build a highly capable, reliable ‘coast truck’ that could take on New Zealand’s toughest tracks. James recalls struggling to source parts for the body, making that the hardest part of the build. He ended up fabricating most of the components himself.
The BJ42 is powered by a stock block and head 1KZ engine with 200hp and a “shit ton” of torque, boosted by a Holset HX27 producing 25 psi of boost. It features a water-to-air intercooler with a custom intake plenum and a custom top-mount manifold paired with a three-inch exhaust. A TiAL 38mm wastegate exits through the bonnet for maximum noise and looks. When under maximum attack, the 1KZ is cooled by a rear-mounted alloy radiator with two 16-inch fans. James notes that if he could do it again, he’d make a few changes. "I would have chopped the cab behind the seats and installed an FJ45 rear wall to make the radiator setup easier and allow for more 'dirty' storage in the cab."
The word ‘custom’ is frequently used when talking about this truck. As a diesel mechanic and welder, James spent time at the Vinny Fab workshop, using their hoist and other equipment when he didn’t have the tools himself. The massive amount of custom panel work includes an Isuzu Bighorn bonnet scoop with vents on the chopped bonnet. The rear guards were modified to fit the 38.5-inch Maxxis Mud Treps, mounted on 16x10-inch rims with homemade beadlocks. The exterior is protected by a custom exo-cage, which has saved the truck on multiple occasions. James admits he’s “put the truck on its side a couple of times over the years”.
The suspension is also far from stock. The BJ42 now features 12-inch STR coilovers with three-inch hydro bump stops. A Patrol radius long-arm kit with a custom triangulated four-link rear has been stretched 300mm at the rear and 100mm at the front, reinforced with chromoly arms and a gusseted chassis. A GU Patrol steering box handles the steering, while stock Patrol brakes are up front and stock 80 Series big brakes, booster, and master cylinder handle the rear.
Built with tough West Coast four-wheel driving in mind, James says the BJ42 has been pretty reliable, especially with its chromoly axle and upgraded rear hubs. An air-locked GQ Patrol 4.9 ratio front diff helps put power down evenly when the going gets tough. James has wheeled the BJ42 as hard as its built for, with each component break bringing a new chance to strengthen the vehicle and add to its reliability. One of his biggest learning curves was how weak the stock axle shafts are and that buying cheap parts means they are cheap for a reason — this is why the BJ42 now runs chromoly axles.
After nearly two and a half decades, James reflects on his journey with the BJ42 and what the truck means to him. “It’s been more than just a vehicle; it’s been a part of my life. I’ve learned so much from building and driving it. From those early days learning to drive, to now pushing it through some of New Zealand’s hardest tracks, this truck has seen me grow. If I could go back and do things differently, I’d change a few details — but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.”
As he looks forward, James has no plans of letting go of his trusty BJ42. While the truck may never be finished, that’s part of the appeal. It’s a never-ending project — a testament to his craft, his passion, and his journey through the rugged terrain of both New Zealand and classic Land Cruiser ownership.
Vehicle Details:
Make: Toyota
Model: BJ42
Year: 1982
Engine:
Model: 1KZ-TE, 3000cc four-cylinder
Block Internal Spec: Factory
Cylinder Head Spec: Factory
Intake system: Water-to-air intercooler, custom intake plenum
Exhaust System: Custom top-mount manifold, three-inch exhaust system, wastegate pipe out the bonnet
Turbo/Supercharger System: Holset HX27, 38mm TiAL wastegate
Fuel System: 12mm boost compensated manual pump
Cooling: Rear-mount alloy radiator with twin 16-inch fans
Electrical: 200 amp 12v alternator
Engine Bay: Twin 1200cca batteries in 24v just for the winch, water-to-air cooler and tank
Other: Four-inch stainless snorkel to air box, four-inch intake pipe to turbo
Driveline:
Gearbox: KZJ78
Clutch: 1KD 5-puk
Flywheel: Factory 1KD
Differentials: (F) 4.9:1 GQ patrol diff and axles, air locker 4.9:1 ratio, chromoly axles and drive flanges trussed and gusseted, all chromoly steering arms (R) 4.9:1 ratio rear diff 80 series Land Cruiser, spool centre upgraded studs and dowels in the hubs with upgraded axles, trussed and strengthened housing
Suspension:
Shocks: STR 12-inch coilovers, three-inch hydro bump stops
Arms/Knuckles: Patrol long-arm radius kit in the front, custom triangulated four-link rear
Chassis Mods: Chassis gusseted with triangulated four-link rear with chromoly arms, stretched 300mm in the rear and 100mm in the front, coilover hoops and 200mm chopped off the front of the chassis, GU Patrol steering box
Brakes:
Front: Factory Patrol calipers
Rear: Factory facelift 80 Series
Other: Factory 80 series booster and master
Wheels and Tyres:
Wheels: 16x10-inch (- 44 offset) custom beadlock steelies
Tyres: 38.5x12.50-16LT Maxxis Mud Trepador
Exterior:
Panel & Paint: Rear guards have been chopped off with a new lip welded into place and closest to stock paint I could buy,bonnet has been chopped with two bonnet vents, Bighorn bonnet scoop, ground anchor, ropes and chainsaw mounted on the swing arm, rear-mount radiator in the back left-hand corner
Bullbars: Exo roll cage
Lighting: 42-inch light bar, twin four-inch lights on the bonnet, twin seven-inch spotlights on the front, one four-inch reverse light, RGB rock lights underneath
Other: Gigglepin GP100 winch
Interior:
Seats: Bride replica reclinable seats
Steering Wheel: Autotecnica
Gauges/Meters: Twin volt gauges (one for the alternator and one for the winch), JRP all-in-one gauge
Electronic Devices/Controllers: Switch panel between the two seats, which runs most of the truck, and an Enerdrive 12v to 24v charger to charge the twin winch batteries, GME radio and JVC stereo system, 12-inch sub behind the passenger's seat, dash-mounted iPad
Other: Vinyl-wrapped roof console and door cards, marine carpet on the floor and the roof, part and tool storage in the rear, compressor mounted behind the seats, air tanks and 25-litre water tank and pump for the window washers
Performance:
Power: Around 200hp
Torque: A shit ton!
Boost: 25psi
Tuner: Jimmy's Backyard Cowboy tune
Personal Information:
Name: James Rule
Age: 34
Location: Christchurch
Occupation: Diesel mechanic/ welder
Build Time: Do they ever really finish??? But three years
Length of Ownership: 24 years
People to Thank: Lars at Vinny Fab for letting me use his workshop hoist and all the other bits and bobs I didn't have access to at home
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