Aftermarket for HZJ78

[ccasteel]

A friend of mine has purchased a new HZJ78 Troopie for a mission organization in Zambia. I am more familiar with the FJ40 series. She has some questions and I want to steer her in the right direction. I copied the pertinent portion of her email below.


As of right now the spare tire is on the back door. However we have heard that over time the back door isn't strong enough to hold the tire and the hinges bend. We were thinking of putting the spare tire on the roof with the roof rack that is being installed. We also like this idea because when we drive in compounds/slums kids like to run alongside the car and they get way too close to the wheels and like to jump on the spare tire on the back door which is really nerve racking when you are driving. Any thoughts on that and do you think this is an ok idea to put it on the roof rack?

Is there any place that I can purchase better accessories for the car? I am specifically looking for:
1) seat covers for the front cab,
2) better floor mats
3) a box to store necessary things in the car like tow straps and other items.

Is there any place online I could look? And do you have any suggestions of exactly what we should purchase? We for sure need a tow strap and tie downs. I want this car to last as long as possible and we want to take care of it.

 

[ccasteel]

70 series aftermarket vendors

I'm a little surprised there are no responses to this. Is it because this is such simple question that no one feels compelled to point me one direction or another. Or is it that there really are no aftermarket vendors supplying the 70 series?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Sorry, can't help you with the aftermarket issue however I would love to see some exterior photos of your Cruiser.
Thanks....

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

This is primarily a US site, so you will see very little 70 series stuff. Hit up the Australian forums, they will have vendors that support the 75/78 series cruisers.

IIRC, there is a S. Africa club forum in the clubhouse section.

 

[BobBJ74]

There is plenty of 4x4 outfitters based in S.A. they would supply you with a roof rack. Is there room behind the passenger front seat to fit spare wheel upright on a custom made bracket bolted to floor. Is there room under the rear bench seats for long slim boxes to hold tow ropes, tie straps and a hi-jack. Goggle 4x4 roof racks, check out their web site, get some ideas and get one made locally!!

 

[xkennx]

I'm a little surprised there are no responses to this. Is it because this is such simple question that no one feels compelled to point me one direction or another. Or is it that there really are no aftermarket vendors supplying the 70 series?

Does your friend ever travel through the UAE? If so I can put him into contact with the shops here that do the mods on the LC7x for africa (UN/UNICEF). None of which have a "web store".

But truth when dealing with africa and asia - you can have the seat covers made intown same goes for the floor mat. For tow strap in the security industry we normally tie them under the bumper with 550 cord so they are easy access.

 

[fossilcruiser]

Always nice to hear from someone with ties to Zambia on the forum. I have 2 Nissan Patrols in Lusaka, but maybe we could exchange info on mechanics, etc.
I'll send you a PM.

 

[fossilcruiser]

ccasteel - I cleaned out my inbox. You can resend your PM.