Hey LC community!
I suppose this will be the start of quite the journey and process with this retired ex-japanese HZJ79. It has finally arrived after winning the auction bid back in August. Since then I had time to get priority parts ordered for when it landed.
I picked it out up in Aldergrove, where Ben at Fraser Valley Imports had it waiting and drove it straight to Steve at EBI cruisers in Coquitlam. I cannot say enough good about Steve and the shop that he runs. His shop was full to the rafters of every series of Land Cruiser you could think of. Did a quick oil change and fuel filter change as well as a quick inspection and hit the road for the 5hr drive home over a few mountain passes without a hiccup.
A bit about the truck. Currently sitting at 13,342kms. Ex-Japanese fire marshal truck with pump body mounted to the rear. In addition it has a safari top to account for the odd layout for the rear passenger seat. Due to the pump being operated by a PTO there is a larger pump under the rear seat. In order to fit it they had to raise the seat height in turn raising the roof height.
This is the HZJ79. There are several HZJ75 ex fire service trucks kicking about but few 79's. The 79 includes factory power steering, coil spring (instead of leaf spring) live front axle; longer rear leaf springs; 5-bolt wheels instead of 6-bolt wheels; redesigned steering wheel; redesigned front indicators; and, in the cab-chassis, a longer wheelbase, which increased the rear storage capacity.
My current ideas for the truck will be to remove the pump station, cut roof to factory height, remove the rear floor box in the rear passenger section and install factory flooring. Once the pump is off I have a 2" OME lift kit to be installed to help out the ride quality. There is currently 11 leafs in the rear springs which will make for an unpleasant ride when the pump is removed. Jaos Tribe wheels with new boots come spring. Sound deadening will be added though it is remarkably quiet as is.
As of this last month I will be a brand ambassador for Summit Expedition trucks (SET) in Alberta and will be installing a UTE style tray for the rear as well as a canopy in future. They are a fantastic company offering high quality aluminum decking to suit overland needs.
As you'll see by the pictures I have a bit of a project ahead of me but stoked to be a Land Cruiser owner. Thanks to all you folk for the countless hours I have spent pouring over posts and threads related to the 70 series.
Let the journey begin!
I suppose this will be the start of quite the journey and process with this retired ex-japanese HZJ79. It has finally arrived after winning the auction bid back in August. Since then I had time to get priority parts ordered for when it landed.
I picked it out up in Aldergrove, where Ben at Fraser Valley Imports had it waiting and drove it straight to Steve at EBI cruisers in Coquitlam. I cannot say enough good about Steve and the shop that he runs. His shop was full to the rafters of every series of Land Cruiser you could think of. Did a quick oil change and fuel filter change as well as a quick inspection and hit the road for the 5hr drive home over a few mountain passes without a hiccup.
A bit about the truck. Currently sitting at 13,342kms. Ex-Japanese fire marshal truck with pump body mounted to the rear. In addition it has a safari top to account for the odd layout for the rear passenger seat. Due to the pump being operated by a PTO there is a larger pump under the rear seat. In order to fit it they had to raise the seat height in turn raising the roof height.
This is the HZJ79. There are several HZJ75 ex fire service trucks kicking about but few 79's. The 79 includes factory power steering, coil spring (instead of leaf spring) live front axle; longer rear leaf springs; 5-bolt wheels instead of 6-bolt wheels; redesigned steering wheel; redesigned front indicators; and, in the cab-chassis, a longer wheelbase, which increased the rear storage capacity.
My current ideas for the truck will be to remove the pump station, cut roof to factory height, remove the rear floor box in the rear passenger section and install factory flooring. Once the pump is off I have a 2" OME lift kit to be installed to help out the ride quality. There is currently 11 leafs in the rear springs which will make for an unpleasant ride when the pump is removed. Jaos Tribe wheels with new boots come spring. Sound deadening will be added though it is remarkably quiet as is.
As of this last month I will be a brand ambassador for Summit Expedition trucks (SET) in Alberta and will be installing a UTE style tray for the rear as well as a canopy in future. They are a fantastic company offering high quality aluminum decking to suit overland needs.
As you'll see by the pictures I have a bit of a project ahead of me but stoked to be a Land Cruiser owner. Thanks to all you folk for the countless hours I have spent pouring over posts and threads related to the 70 series.
Let the journey begin!