BJ70 to BJ75 Ute conversion

[goodtwin]

So, crazy idea: what do you guys think of chopping a 1985 BJ70 down and converting it into a BJ75? Is that perverse? Heh.
I currently own a 1985 BJ70 and a 1986 HJ60 and even though they are great, if I had my choice, I’d gladly give them both up for a 70 series Ute. I thought I could finally be content with my HJ60, but in my mind I keep going to what I really want (and need) and that is a truck. FYI, I am a welder by trade. That’s what I do for a living here in Seattle and I find time and time again, that I need my own truck instead of the company vehicle. That being said, the metal aspect of this job doesn’t frighten me in the least. Heh.
I’ve been going through past threads on the possibilities and I’m currently sitting beside my Cruiser looking at where I would cut.
I believe that I would need to extend both the frame and the rear driveshaft, as well as the fuel lines from the fuel tank. That all is in addition to cutting, rewelding the body and a repaint. And I would more than likely install a Ute bed/tray.
Anyways, talk me out of it or talk me into it. What do y’all think?

 

[Nas90tdi]

Go for it. You has some rust on the 70 already, that gives you a chance to cut it out and repair it. It doesn't seem to be moving fast here or on Craigslist.
I kept thinking i would stop by and look at it one day, but kept talking myself down. I already have plenty of trucks. I just thought yours was a pretty good deal.
You have the skill that most lack to do that type of thing. I am a half ass welder, but always wish I was better.

Where do you work in Seattle?

 

[goodtwin]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Good points as well. I work at Argent Fabrication in Ballard. I’m an architectural metal worker and most of the time I TIG weld, but I’m also a certified structural welder as well. This would be a good summer time project.

 

[goodtwin]

Also, added bonus: there is a Ute bed distributer here in Seattle...tempting...

 

[coldtaco]

If you look around you can find a "new" 79 cab in good shape. There is a tray dealer/distributor I believe in the Seattle area that imports trays from Australia for resale in the US. You could build your own tray too, by the sound of it. Then you can use the front clip to mount to the 79 cab. A popular way to do all this is to use a 80 series frame, which will need to get stretched. If you do a search on here you can find these builds. When I cut up my Canadian BJ70 I found out that a couple of the body mounts where rotten, so there is that too with your 70. One nice option with using the 70 cab is that you can build a extended cab to the size you wanted, and seems like most of the rust on the 70 is B pillar back. I would not recommend using the 70 frame since it will probably be more rusty than what would be worth trying to use/fix, thats why the recommendation of using a 80 series frame, and you can use the 80 suspension and axles, and if you look around you can find these axles with the factory lockers, but these will probably fetch a pretty price.

 

[goodtwin]

Thanks for the input, coldtaco. I think I’m gonna stick with my BJ70 cab and frame if I do this though. I don’t wanna really start from scratch.
The rust isn’t super bad on this 70 and the frame appears to be solid as a rock, as does the underside of the body. I’ve spent a lot of time laying under there, inspecting it all and checking it out. I think I’ll have good parts to start with.

 

[SNLC]

A guy in BC, Canada posted pics of the same thing he did recently on facebook but he went all out and linked the suspension and a bunch of other stuff.

Great way to re-purpose a rusty old Cruiser.

Cheers

 

[JMasi]

Go for it!

This will give you some ideas. proyect fzj70 to fzj75 xcab full coilovers

It’s probably a little more extreme of what you are thinking but it might give you some inspiration.

Currently the project is more advanced than what was published. Maybe @pocholin can update the thread with new images and videos.

 

[goodtwin]

A guy in BC, Canada posted pics of the same thing he did recently on facebook but he went all out and linked the suspension and a bunch of other stuff.

Great way to re-purpose a rusty old Cruiser.

Cheers

@RMP&O I wish I could check out that fella's build, but I don't have the FB. I am beginning to think that this is a great way to still hold onto this cruiser and use it for what I need as well...

Go for it!

This will give you some ideas. proyect fzj70 to fzj75 xcab full coilovers

It’s probably a little more extreme of what you are thinking but it might give you some inspiration.

Currently the project is more advanced than what was published. Maybe @pocholin can update the thread with new images and videos.

@JMasi His build is intense! Inspirational. I don't think I'll even do anything with the suspension (except for maybe some longer leaf packs in the rear for a better ride), but if he did all that, what I want to do seems simple! Famous last words of course!

 

[Mookies]

My vote....

I would hate to see that shorty chopped but I do get the appeal!

 

[Mr Cimarron]

What is the name of the Seattle company that sells the 79 series trays? I found Ute LTD, is that the one? I have a beat up 75 cab coming and plan to put it on 80 series frame.

 

[goodtwin]

My vote....

I would hate to see that shorty chopped but I do get the appeal!

I know. I'm kinda thinking that I shouldn't do it now. It IS a pretty nice BJ70 BTW. A little rust, but really pretty nice. My FJ60 back in the day had 10 times the rust this one does.
Also, that chopped 60 series is rad too. Although my HJ60 is even nicer than my BJ70. I don't think I could bring myself to chop that. It's all original and I don't wanna screw it up.

 

[goodtwin]

@Mr Cimarron, the website for the Seattle Ute Bed dealer is: Welcome to Ute Ltd - Manufacturers of Tough Aluminum Pick-up Truck Beds
How soon are you going to be doing your conversion?

 

[Mr Cimarron]

@Mr Cimarron, the website for the Seattle Ute Bed dealer is: Welcome to Ute Ltd - Manufacturers of Tough Aluminum Pick-up Truck Beds
How soon are you going to be doing your conversion?

I have the frame and 75 is waiting to be moved my way. I’m giving myself a year to finish.

 

[SNLC]

Honestly, the rust isn't that bad but it is rooted in some hard to fix areas.

Would you keep it or sell it after you built it into a pickup?


Cheers

 

[goodtwin]

Honestly, the rust isn't that bad but it is rooted in some hard to fix areas.

Would you keep it or sell it after you built it into a pickup?


Cheers

Yeah, agreed. Umm, I dunno. I think I could do a good job, but in the end it still won’t be an actual BJ75, right? So maybe the resale value will be even lower. Ha.
Anyways, my buddy from work is trying to convince me to firesale the BJ70, sell the HJ60 as well and get what I really want. So, I’m torn. I just don’t wanna take too much of a loss on the BJ70 if and when I sell it. The HJ60 is what I thought would satiate my appetite, but I think I could let it go now as well. Lol.

Cruisers and I have a complicated relationship. My wife says it’s because I’m a Cruiser head. I think she’s right.

 

[Mookies]

Don't 'firesale' anything especially in this market and especially in the PNW. Every hipster and their mom wants a 60 or 70. Be patient and you'll get the money.

A clean HJ60 with next to no rust could easily be 15k so he has a point. You could bring in a 75 ute with the proceeds no doubt....although getting around the chicken tax is a pain.

 

[Nas90tdi]

Bolt seats in the back. That's how everyone brings in their Land Rover Hi-Cap pickups.

 

[goodtwin]

Don't 'firesale' anything especially in this market and especially in the PNW. Every hipster and their mom wants a 60 or 70. Be patient and you'll get the money.

A clean HJ60 with next to no rust could easily be 15k so he has a point. You could bring in a 75 ute with the proceeds no doubt....although getting around the chicken tax is a pain.

True, true. Okay, no fire sale.
That chicken tax though! I've read up on it and it's such a sham. Those are the things that reaffirm my opinion that we don't actually live in a free country. Just "kinda" free.

 

[goodtwin]

Bolt seats in the back. That's how everyone brings in their Land Rover Hi-Cap pickups.

So I was reading up on that as well. That's the loophole that Subaru used to get around it and Chevy...And Ford still does. But I would think that seats and seat belts bolted to the back of a ute would look a little questionable to a border agent when it goes through customs. I brought my HJ60 through customs and they don't take any crap.