I’ve been pretty scarce and low key the last few years due to major life changes but I am trying to get more involved in ih8mud like I used to. I’m going to do a build thread on this truck in the 70 section but I owe our local group more so I am starting here for now. There is an awesome bunch around Michigan and the region and I am hoping we get more events and time together.
Soooooo, anywhooo
The truck I am starting on has been lying in wait for a couple of years now. It is an HZJ-73 from Belgium. I got it dirt cheap from my buddy @joekatana in Texas as a project truck. Joe’s family is over there (Belgium) and he has made a cool business of bringing trucks and parts over to the US at very fair prices. He’s a super cool dude so don’t hesitate if you want something he is selling. He only believes in making a fair wage for his efforts and has no love of price gouging.
I bought a 12h-t diesel from him and wanted to pick it up personally so I could talk with him about the mid length “73” chassis, and how I wanted a project truck. He usually brings in really nice trucks so I figured if he was gonna take me for real and search for an el-cheapo, I had better meet him face to face.
As fate would have it, we were friends in about 30 seconds (typical ih8mud people) and I asked if he could search for a project for me and he said “come check this out” and led me to the back lot where this engine-less HZJ-73 sat. He had already done the import process but had pulled the original 1HZ engine for a customer in a rush for a motor. This one needed work but the lack of an engine killed it’s marketability to everyone but me
. We struck a deal on the spot.
My plan is to do a “soft” frame off restoration on the truck and put the 12h-t diesel and h-55 transmission in it. Duties for the truck will include anything Jessica wants, and whatever time I can get at the wheel.
Seriously, it will be her summer “nice weather” daily and our Saturday night rig, plus fun outings wherever a trail awaits.
Here it is at Joe’s place
Soooooo, anywhooo
The truck I am starting on has been lying in wait for a couple of years now. It is an HZJ-73 from Belgium. I got it dirt cheap from my buddy @joekatana in Texas as a project truck. Joe’s family is over there (Belgium) and he has made a cool business of bringing trucks and parts over to the US at very fair prices. He’s a super cool dude so don’t hesitate if you want something he is selling. He only believes in making a fair wage for his efforts and has no love of price gouging.
I bought a 12h-t diesel from him and wanted to pick it up personally so I could talk with him about the mid length “73” chassis, and how I wanted a project truck. He usually brings in really nice trucks so I figured if he was gonna take me for real and search for an el-cheapo, I had better meet him face to face.
As fate would have it, we were friends in about 30 seconds (typical ih8mud people) and I asked if he could search for a project for me and he said “come check this out” and led me to the back lot where this engine-less HZJ-73 sat. He had already done the import process but had pulled the original 1HZ engine for a customer in a rush for a motor. This one needed work but the lack of an engine killed it’s marketability to everyone but me
. We struck a deal on the spot.My plan is to do a “soft” frame off restoration on the truck and put the 12h-t diesel and h-55 transmission in it. Duties for the truck will include anything Jessica wants, and whatever time I can get at the wheel
.Seriously, it will be her summer “nice weather” daily and our Saturday night rig, plus fun outings wherever a trail awaits.
Here it is at Joe’s place
