70 series options in North America.

[etpy]

Lots of lurking but first post on here. I know this topic is all over the place on here but I had some specific things I had questions about and wasn’t really sure where to start.

So I’m in the market for a 70 series. Not looking to buy right this second but I am searching.

I currently drive an Lx570 with the 5.7 and love it but I drive a lot and have a few complaints about it. Terrible gas mileage is one of those along with not great range. I don’t like how much tech and how complicated it is, and honestly lack of storage is annoying. It’s not a small vehicle but there still doesn’t feel like a ton of storage.

From my searching the troopy body style seems like the best fit for my uses. It’s a truck without the open bed. I like everything about the HZJ78 and it seems to be perfect for everything I want to use it for. I’m in the US military and while technically we have all these military vehicles it’s much easier to use your personal vehicle for a lot of the stuff and the HZJ78 can do everything work related and everything I want not work related too. I know other vehicles that are much more common and cheaper here would probably work fine but I also would like to just own a 70 series like everyone else.

My only issue is towing. I do have a camper and it’s around 3500lbs empty. Full it wouldn’t be to much more but I know the 1HZ has its problems with towing up hills and such with temps. I don’t need tons of power but I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it to get a 1HZ and turbo and it modify the engine to pull that camper or to maybe engine swap it. Obviously the 1HZ-FTE would be cool but not really possible. I was looking at the 1HZ-T but don’t really know much about it.

I am also pretty good with a wrench so not very worried about maintenance and repairs other than parts availability.

If anyone has any recommendations or thoughts I would love to hear it or if anything I said sounded incorrect or is hard to understand let me know, grammar is not my strongest suit.

Thank you guys.

 

[LDRF]

Welcome to lurking on the 70 forum!

There are a few towing related threads both in this forum and the 24v diesel forum.

People have been towing with normally aspirated 1HZ 70’s since 1990, all over the world and in all types of settings. My understanding, as I have no towing experience with my HZJ73, is the consensus is that it will do it, but it will be “slow snd steady”.

It’s not a big V8 nor a powerful turbo, just a 130hp normally aspirated diesel with 210 ft-lbs of torque. You will just have to live with what it is. Modifications, like turbos are not magic panaceas and come with their own problems … there are many turbo threads to read to understand that.

Enjoy the search! If you buy something, we want to see the pics!!!!

 

[etpy]

I think I’m just used to the 5.7 in my Lexus and it just has so much power to tow and I live in/near the mountains so I worry about how the 1HZ would do in that. I’m fine going slow I just don’t want to have to worry about not being able to do a trip because of towing in the mountains.

And if I do get something pics will be coming!

 

[Gun Runner 5]

As long as you mind being Kermit.

 

[prwillard2]

If you get a troopy, you don't need a camper. Just a buildout in the back and chop that roof off baby!

 

[etpy]

If you get a troopy, you don't need a camper. Just a buildout in the back and chop that roof off baby!

I agree with that. But my only issues are I want to keep the back stock with the seats or mostly empty. That would be the most useful for me day to day. I defiantly want to do a pop top lol.

My fiancé also would be very upset if I couldn’t bring her an actual bathroom while camping so gotta please her. It the main reason I want camper and keep the seats is because we take friends and family on trips with us and it’s nice to be able to keep everyone is one vehicle and have a quick way to sleep. Being able to pop the top and have people sleep in the camper would be the ideal situation.

 

[FJBen]

Yeah 1HZ troopys are slow…towing in the mountains with a 1HZ troopy

It’s 100% nothing like the power of the 5.7…at all.


That said there isn’t anything like a 70 series or troopy specifically. Yes you can tow. It will be slow, miserable, slow, loud, wagon trail , slow, Middle East magic school bus , cool as hell…did I mention slow?

Turboing a 1HZ can help, but that has to be done properly and starting with a 1hdt swap or something might be better overall.

I’m also going to say, I think troopy mileage in general is around 16-19 from what I’ve read normally…towing drop that more.

I think if you want a troopy Becuase it’s cool and can deal with life in the lane slower than semis climbing mountain passes, then go for it…otherwise…

 

[prwillard2]

I agree with that. But my only issues are I want to keep the back stock with the seats or mostly empty. That would be the most useful for me day to day. I defiantly want to do a pop top lol.

My fiancé also would be very upset if I couldn’t bring her an actual bathroom while camping so gotta please her. It the main reason I want camper and keep the seats is because we take friends and family on trips with us and it’s nice to be able to keep everyone is one vehicle and have a quick way to sleep. Being able to pop the top and have people sleep in the camper would be the ideal situation.

Your wants, desire, and needs are in conflict and you're not going to find a singular vehicle panacea. Recommend you get the troopy and cut the roof off with a fitout for you, but keep the LX and the trailer for the lady.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Make sure the model year complies with the 25-year rule. HZJ78s started in 1999 and are just becoming importable.

As mentioned above, an HZJ78 can tow a caper but it will be slow, especially at high altitude.

You may want to look for an HDJ78. These are rare but I guess you can get one if you look closely.





Juan

 

[etpy]

Hello,

Make sure the model year complies with the 25-year rule. HZJ78s started in 1999 and are just becoming importable.

As mentioned above, an HZJ78 can tow a caper but it will be slow, especially at high altitude.

You may want to look for an HDJ78. These are rare but I guess you can get one if you look closely.





Juan

Yeah I think that would be ideal. I just almost figure that getting a HZJ78 and swapping a 1HDT in it would be easier than finding a HDJ78.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

If you swap a 1HD engine in, get an H15x transmission.






Juan

 

[RHINO]

its a Troopy,,, you dont get one cause its more comfy, more powerfull, pulls heavier loads or gets better MPG, you get one cause you want one and learn to live with its quirks, and then later realize an american truck with a small shell or van would be better suited, so you buy one of those and still keep the Troopy to drive for fun rather than purpose.

 

[svsisu]

Where in the SE are you located? I bounce around between eastern NC, western NC and VA. I would be happy to meet up if you are near those areas and want to check out a troopy with a turbo 1HZ and pop top, no build out. I agree with all that was said above, and I can't imagine towing a 3500lb trailer with a troopy load of people. That's going to be sloooow, and require lots of gauge watching. If you want to do what you mentioned I would get a troopy and swap in a HDFT, even then you will be asking a lot from it.

Shoot me a pm if you are anywhere near those areas. I'm currently just outside DC and will be here for a minute.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

No need to get a Troopy if you want to pull a camper. And you’ll be maddeningly slow. If you don’t mind living life in 2nd gear it’s your call. I have a NA 1HZ Troopy and I adore it but I don’t hide its “faults”, which aren’t faults at all really. It’s a vehicle designed to be a solution to many problems, NONE of which America has: No or very few mechanics, poor quality fuel, severe lack of parts sources, lack of gas stations, thousands of miles of terrible roads, etc etc. I’ll never sell mine while I can feed myself but you may want to spend some time riding in someone’s truck before you commit. I live near Chattanooga and would be glad to get together.

 

[andeww]

its a Troopy,,, you dont get one cause its more comfy, more powerfull, pulls heavier loads or gets better MPG, you get one cause you want one and learn to live with its quirks, and then later realize an american truck with a small shell or van would be better suited, so you buy one of those and still keep the Troopy to drive for fun rather than purpose.

damn. This comment hits home