70 Series Front Clip Update/ Conversion.

[Lo2aY]

This is an interesting idea that i've had in my mind for a few years.

What if we swipe the wide nose to a narrow nose. I like the old style pointy front end a lot more than the 2007+ type.

If the front clip can be retrofitted, I think the only thing would be to swap the axle to a 1999 to 06 type.

Of course, things like bumpers and skid plates would need to be modified to fit but I think it's doable.

Who wants to make their cruiser look older? lol anyone?

 

[Rigster]

Hey everyone,

So lets paint this picture for ya...
I'm toying with the idea of acquiring a real nice JDM HZJ77. (Pictured)

View attachment 1998714

Now being from Canada, I've been teased with the Unicorn that is the new body style 70 Series Cruisers that are available in Australia/ Emirates etc...
View attachment 1998716
I do have access to body parts from these new style cruisers and I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light as to whether I can install the new style fenders/ hood/ grille and lights onto the 77.

Couple questions I can't seem to find the answer to;

1. Do the Post 2007 Fenders line up to the pre 2006 Cab?
2. Can I install a Post 2007 Rad support for the fenders on the 77 frame, or do I need to modify the existing Rad Support?
3. Does the Post 2007 Hood line up with the existing brackets and cab?

If anyone has done this conversion or knows anything about it, I'd love to get some info! Thanks for looking and stay tuned for updates!

You can actually get the new body style in Canada if you want to import one. We can get up to 2009 model year, and these started in 2007. I am not sure what costs you are looking at for the 77, and then all the parts to convert, but perhaps for not much more you can get a newer HZJ76? Just a thought.

 

[calen]

Lost me at “facts are facts”.



Cheers

pretty sure you were lost before that lol

 

[calen]

This is an interesting idea that i've had in my mind for a few years.

What if we swipe the wide nose to a narrow nose. I like the old style pointy front end a lot more than the 2007+ type.

If the front clip can be retrofitted, I think the only thing would be to swap the axle to a 1999 to 06 type.

Of course, things like bumpers and skid plates would need to be modified to fit but I think it's doable.

Who wants to make their cruiser look older? lol anyone?

na, not older. better. lol

 

[calen]

you guys are priceless.
im done here enjoy your weird mash up cars. just cause the car company does it at the factory doesn't mean its a good choice lol. ford wouldn't even do this.

 

[janyyc]

Who is this @calen and can we banish him back to whatever forum he came from please?

 

[calen]

Who is this @calen and can we banish him back to whatever forum he came from please?

hahahaha, im gone. I know, people hate hearing the voice in the back of their head confirmed. clearly not amongst like minded people

Peace

 

[OGBeno]

Who is this @calen and can we banish him back to whatever forum he came from please?

If this was the case, 90% of the people in the 70 section would be banished.

Luckily, opinions are still allowed here.

 

[sark]

Dick-swinging aside, what exactly are we talking about in reference to the "front clip"? Is that an encompassing term for the whole front end body? Narrow nose vs wide?

 

[janyyc]

Dick-swinging aside, what exactly are we talking about in reference to the "front clip"? Is that an encompassing term for the whole front end body? Narrow nose vs wide?

Yes.

In all seriousness @calen, moving past the fact you’re acting like a troll, the only reason to switch between new and old is for aesthetics. Those are highly subjective. Some would even question anybody calling our milk truck Troopy’s stylish in the first place. But we know better (or do we?).

 

[SNLC]

Yes.

In all seriousness @calen, moving past the fact you’re acting like a troll, the only reason to switch between new and old is for aesthetics. Those are highly subjective. Some would even question anybody calling our milk truck Troopy’s stylish in the first place. But we know better (or do we?).

The wide nose has a bigger engine bay too.

Cheers

 

[calen]

Yes.

In all seriousness @calen, moving past the fact you’re acting like a troll, the only reason to switch between new and old is for aesthetics. Those are highly subjective. Some would even question anybody calling our milk truck Troopy’s stylish in the first place. But we know better (or do we?).

aesthetic preference is derived from utility. that would be why people think these trucks look cool in the first place. so yeah, if you got a troopy, and its unmolested, then yes, its probably stylish as hell.

 

[Lo2aY]

The wide nose has a bigger engine bay too.

Cheers

True. But you also need to widen the rear axle to track correctly on the 07+

To me the appeal in the old design, is in axle width, styling, and glass headlights. The vehicle is overall narrower compared to the 2007+ design.

 

[joekatana]

True. But you also need to widen the rear axle to track correctly on the 07+

To me the appeal in the old design, is in axle width, styling, and glass headlights. The vehicle is overall narrower compared to the 2007+ design.

Toyota never widened the rear axle on the 07 and newer plus the widest part on these are the mirrors and those stayed exactly the same . The new front clip exists because they needed a wider engine bay for the V8 and is somewhat of a afterthaught rather then a new design from scratch . Same goes for the crew cab pu's and there ugly rear doors where they transform in to the bed , if this was treated as a complete new build it would have looked completely different then now when they just wanted another option using as many existing parts as possible .

 

[Lo2aY]

Toyota never widened the rear axle on the 07 and newer plus the widest part on these are the mirrors and those stayed exactly the same . The new front clip exists because they needed a wider engine bay for the V8 and is somewhat of a afterthaught rather then a new design from scratch . Same goes for the crew cab pu's and there ugly rear doors where they transform in to the bed , if this was treated as a complete new build it would have looked completely different then now when they just wanted another option using as many existing parts as possible .

Toyota widened the front axle post 2007 with the wide front-body (to accept the V8). So in effect, you have a wide front axle and a narrow rear axle. on pre 2007 70s the front and rear were almost the same width allowing the vehicle to be more predictable on the road and track straight when driving in Snow, sand or mud.

The latest redesign in 2024 is also wide front (again for the on going V8) but no real change for the rest of the vehicle in terms of dimensions and axle width.

Ford and GM did this in the 80s/90s in their trucks but they have moved away from this design for apparent reasons.

Tooling for the 70 should have been paid 50x over, if not more, so it's not a financial decision. There must be another reason Toyota will not do a complete refresh to the platform.

I've always assumed they wanted the platform to remain as-is for ROW markets to appeal to NGOs and developing countries. Keep the design simple and consistent is a good formula to keep the customers happy.

But they are introducing complex systems in different markets. Forward collision warning comes to mind for AUS market.

Also, why did they redesign the front end? This car is a pure tool. If you have to redesign it, it means it was necessary. So what was the purpose of redesigning the front alone and leaving 75% of the vehicle old. There was no new technology that was introduced that would have required a redesign. Everything on the 07+ body would have accepted the new features.

 

[OGBeno]

Tooling for the 70 should have been paid 50x over, if not more, so it's not a financial decision. There must be another reason Toyota will not do a complete refresh to the platform.

It's **always** for financial reasons with Toyota. Always.

 

[calen]

Toyota widened the front axle post 2007 with the wide front-body (to accept the V8). So in effect, you have a wide front axle and a narrow rear axle. on pre 2007 70s the front and rear were almost the same width allowing the vehicle to be more predictable on the road and track straight when driving in Snow, sand or mud.

The latest redesign in 2024 is also wide front (again for the on going V8) but no real change for the rest of the vehicle in terms of dimensions and axle width.

Ford and GM did this in the 80s/90s in their trucks but they have moved away from this design for apparent reasons.

Tooling for the 70 should have been paid 50x over, if not more, so it's not a financial decision. There must be another reason Toyota will not do a complete refresh to the platform.

I've always assumed they wanted the platform to remain as-is for ROW markets to appeal to NGOs and developing countries. Keep the design simple and consistent is a good formula to keep the customers happy.

But they are introducing complex systems in different markets. Forward collision warning comes to mind for AUS market.

Also, why did they redesign the front end? This car is a pure tool. If you have to redesign it, it means it was necessary. So what was the purpose of redesigning the front alone and leaving 75% of the vehicle old. There was no new technology that was introduced that would have required a redesign. Everything on the 07+ body would have accepted the new features.

ahhhh thank you finally someone who understands! they needed the bigger engine bay for the V8 to apeal to American markets and everyone else that gets jazzed when their pistons are in a V, and think there super reliable remote access safari truck should also be a race car. And if your trying to apeal to hulk hogan, then your gonna need a Michael Bay transformers looking grill right? but if your really using it as a tool, you want the simple ass and proven reliability of the 1hz, which fits very comfortably in the original front end. which they still put in all the fleet versions of 70's still today.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

ahhhh thank you finally someone who understands! they needed the bigger engine bay for the V8 to apeal to American markets and everyone else that gets jazzed when their pistons are in a V, and think there super reliable remote access safari truck should also be a race car. And if your trying to apeal to hulk hogan, then your gonna need a Michael Bay transformers looking grill right? but if your really using it as a tool, you want the simple ass and proven reliability of the 1hz, which fits very comfortably in the original front end. which they still put in all the fleet versions of 70's still today.

You do realize that the Toyota V8 was never available in the U.S. market therefore "appealing to the American" market isn't a thing?

 

[calen]

You do realize that the Toyota V8 was never available in the U.S. market therefore "appealing to the American" market isn't a thing?

neither was the whole car lol. sorry, when i said American market i was referring to it in spirit. Unfortunately American preference has drivin the majority of car design internationally. by American I meant people that want to drive a transformer looking war machine from the hypothetical future while going to work and back.

 

[OGBeno]

You do realize that the Toyota V8 was never available in the U.S. market therefore "appealing to the American" market isn't a thing?

Unless, of course, one brings them in illegally. That's never been done before.