70 series research - the Short version and top removal (4 Viewers)

[uzj100]

I really want a 70 series in short wheelbase to go along with my 100 series. All the ones I see are short wagons. Has anyone cut the roof off behind the front two seats and added a custom soft top? This truck will be used to run around a coastal town.

The 73s are so expensive.

If yes, any insights and pictures?

 

[Irish11]

There are removable top SWB 70's, the BJ70 is an option (but rare, like this one Land Cruiser Heritage Museum - 1986 BJ70 - https://landcruiserhm.com/museum-collection/vehicle-collection/164-1986-bj70). I suppose you could get a fixed top, chop and weld the body for stability and make it a soft top. Seems like a decent amount of fabrication. For the same concept you could try and import one, or a blizzard.

BJ70

Blizzard:

Another option if you are looking for soft top/top off cruising would be a 1st gen 4runner. I know, not as cool as a Land Cruiser, but FAR easier to find.

 

[OGBeno]

The true inheritor to the 40…

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

It is possible to cut a hard top truck but it may not be practical. A little too much fabrication.

You can look for a factory soft top BJ70/PZJ70/HZJ70. No fabrication involved.

Many factory soft top BJ70/PZJ70/HZJ70 trucks have built-in lockers, front and rear.





Juan

 

[hoser]

This truck will be used to run around a coastal town. The 73s are so expensive.

For a lower price point, I would consider the MWB L/RJ73's. Anyway, you are just running around the coastal town.... coil spring ride too.

 

[FJBen]

HZJ73 prices are really high. Seems like you can find bj73s quite a bit cheaper. Finding a factory soft top 73 is quite a bit harder.

Many have stated the 73/74 is an excellent size and all arounder. Not to mention being hard/soft top already.

What’s your budget?

 

[joekatana]

73/74's are just so much more user friendly and a better ride then the short 70/71 . You get what you pay for in the end but after driving 70 series since 1992 you won't see me in a swb unless it would be a KZJ70 soft top

 

[bottombracket]

I converted my HDJ74 from FRP hard top to factory soft top.

 

[uzj100]

Thank you for all the insights. That makes sense on the mid wheelbase.

Putting the sawzall away. ;<)

My budget will be 15 to 20. Just not ready quite yet.

The LJ73 looks like a great option. Why are they less expensive?

Are there any best sites for vehicles that are survivors and not so expensive? Or which countries to visit to find a LHD and have it shipped to the USA? 25 year makes for lots of great options.

Car Cave in Aiken, SC has a bunch.

 

[TonyP]

The LJ73 looks like a great option. Why are they less expensive?

They have the least desirable engine.

 

[uzj100]

I appreciate everyones insights. I see KZJ listed on car cave and do not see KZJ in any of the comments.

Lottery game.

You win the lottery and you can buy any of the 73/74 MWB trucks in LHD. What would be the top 10? My most liked features - LHD, removable top, diesel or turbo diesel, manual, AC, and factory lockers.

 

[FJBen]

I appreciate everyones insights. I see KZJ listed on car cave and do not see KZJ in any of the comments.

Lottery game.

You win the lottery and you can buy any of the 73/74 MWB trucks in LHD. What would be the top 10? My most liked features - LHD, removable top, diesel or turbo diesel, manual, AC, and factory lockers.

KZJ73 would be my #1 on the LJ or light duty Land Cruiser list. It’s the best of the least desirable engines and seems to have a better record than the 2LTE more commonly seen.
As @OGBeno would say with any LJ/KZJ “get a spare head”

Stay away from any BJ73 from Spain/Canary Islands with the 2.5 VM turbo diesel. It’s an Italian POS diesel that will fail. Only get if you are willing to swap. The good part is that’s where you can find a LHD clean soft top ready cruiser. The bad part is, that engine.


If money were no issue? I’d wait a year and get an FZJ-74 coil spring front, 1FZ, manual fully locked 12v. Basically what @Lo2aY has. It’s the most updated mid wheel base you can get in LHD. $$$$

The MWB stayed pretty much the same aside from 99+ getting coils/high pinion front end. You can get manual/auto, lockers, diesel, gas.


If you are just wanting a beach cruiser basically, RHD is going to be cheaper, and KZJ73 cheaper than HZJ73.
With a 15k to 20k budget you will be in the BJ73 to KZJ73 range. Might be able to find a BJ74 in there as well.


Here’s my BJ74 with an aftermarket factory style soft top.

 

[uzj100]

KZJ73 would be my #1 on the LJ or light duty Land Cruiser list. It’s the best of the least desirable engines and seems to have a better record than the 2LTE more commonly seen.
As @OGBeno would say with any LJ/KZJ “get a spare head”

Stay away from any BJ73 from Spain/Canary Islands with the 2.5 VM turbo diesel. It’s an Italian POS diesel that will fail. Only get if you are willing to swap. The good part is that’s where you can find a LHD clean soft top ready cruiser. The bad part is, that engine.


If money were no issue? I’d wait a year and get an FZJ-74 coil spring front, 1FZ, manual fully locked 12v. Basically what @Lo2aY has. It’s the most updated mid wheel base you can get in LHD. $$$$

The MWB stayed pretty much the same aside from 99+ getting coils/high pinion front end. You can get manual/auto, lockers, diesel, gas.


If you are just wanting a beach cruiser basically, RHD is going to be cheaper, and KZJ73 cheaper than HZJ73.
With a 15k to 20k budget you will be in the BJ73 to KZJ73 range. Might be able to find a BJ74 in there as well.


Here’s my BJ74 with an aftermarket factory style soft top.

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Thank you. You all are a wealth of knowledge. RHD and petrol is ok too. I will start keeping my eyes open. I am excited to get a 70 series convertible platform to go along with my 100 series.

TTACH=full]3256084[/ATTACH]

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Thank you. You all are a wealth of knowledge. RHD and petrol is ok too. I will start keeping my eyes open. I am excited to get a 70 series convertible platform to go along with my 100 series.

Good luck with your search and if successful plan to join us at this years 70 Series Meet & Greet in late September.

 

[uzj100]

Good luck with your search and if successful plan to join us at this years 70 Series Meet & Greet in late September.

Thank you and I have book marked your site!

 

[flx]

My most liked features - LHD, removable top, diesel or turbo diesel, manual, AC, and factory lockers.

With the exception of factory lockers, all your other requirements are readily available in Europe in quantity.
LJ73, BJ73, KZJ73 (ordered in price) are quite common and it's not that rare to see some pristine ones for sale. A pristine KZJ73 can be very expensive but I already saw some pristine LJ73/BJ73 on the 10k range (before shipping and import obviously).

HZJ73 are also available but, as already mentioned, rarer and more expensive (and hard to find a perfect one).

 

[uzj100]

With the exception of factory lockers, all your other requirements are readily available in Europe in quantity.
LJ73, BJ73, KZJ73 (ordered in price) are quite common and it's not that rare to see some pristine ones for sale. A pristine KZJ73 can be very expensive but I already saw some pristine LJ73/BJ73 on the 10k range (before shipping and import obviously).

HZJ73 are also available but, as already mentioned, rarer and more expensive (and hard to find a perfect one).

Very cool. Do you have a recommended car for sale site? Also, which countries are most likely LHD? Thank you.

 

[FJBen]

Very cool. Do you have a recommended car for sale site? Also, which countries are most likely LHD? Thank you.

LHD markets:

Europe
Spain
Middle East
South America


If you have to import, I’d budget a minimum of $5k to get it here.


Europe - LHD, almost all diesel, more rust possibilities, but some nice models there.

Middle East - almost all petrol, MWB seem to be pretty rare from there. Vehicles tend to be not rusty, but well used and learn the term “fesh fesh” (spoiler fine sand everywhere) @Honger and others have brought cruisers back from there

Spain/Canary islands - good clean MWB, LHD. If you can find one with a 3B, you will be OK, the VM motorri turbo diesel seems to be the most common Model, but it will fail and you will be swapping. Plus sides they usually have all the soft top 1/2 doors that no one else has.

South American - LHD, lots of short and mid wheel base, almost all petrol. Seems to have the most factory soft tops.
These trucks are beaten and used like no other. Lipstick on a pig, bargain bin bondo queens, even the ones that “appear to look nice” are usually nightmares. They have been abused. Very few seem to have come from here with satisfied buyers. Serious due diligence here.



You will Probabaly get more bang for your buck importing…but you run a higher risk issues or missed expectations.

 

[flx]

Very cool. Do you have a recommended car for sale site? Also, which countries are most likely LHD? Thank you.

Every single country in Europe has his own Craigslist equivalent so if you are searching continent wide it's a bit of a pain.
To do that I use this aggregator that allows to search on all car sale websites (if you click on a vehicle you will be redirected on the local website): Le Parking - Recherche de voitures d'occasion partout en Europe - https://www.leparking.fr/#!/voiture-occasion/toyota-land-cruiser.html%3Fid_energie%3D1%26id_pays%3D1%7C6%7C12%7C14%7C17%7C18%7C24%7C31%7C33%7C40%7C41%26id_boite%3D0%7C2%26id_nb_portes%3D0%7C2%26slider_millesime%3D1985%7C1995

 

[Lo2aY]

If mine wasn't so rare in it's condition, i'd probably 1HD-FT swap it. Might deflare like Ben's beautiful 73

I'm collecting O.E softop parts for mine. waaaaay too many parts for something that's just a softop on a 70 series. Crazy what they have done to differentiate both models.