Cost of ownership?

[shellb]

..... "You have to make sacrifice for owning extremely rare truck." .........

Premise #1 ...... Owning a 70 Series makes it worth while.
Premise #2 ...... When dealing with the wife.... don't get a receipt and don't create a paper trail.
In theory my HJ75 has been "maintenance" free for years. ( no receipt .... didn't happen. )

This 100%!

And Yan (Akella) can hook you up with anything, so no need to worry.

Just do it. No regrets.

 

[ForealBoreal]

true but I don't think yan will send you a complete door as he deals in new parts from overseas.

There are options out there if your willing to put in a little bit of phone and email work.

 

[shellb]

true but I don't think yan will send you a complete door as he deals in new parts from overseas.

There are options out there if your willing to put in a little bit of phone and email work.

Yep, you are probably right. I was talking about pm parts and such, which he can get.

That is right...only requires a little effort which is totally worth it!

 

[75Ute]

Aussie parts

I know this isn't strictly relevant as not in North America but for interest and comparison below are some part prices I found in Australia last week for my 70 series.
Interior door panel $165 including all handles
Front fender inner $110 each
Complete tub $1,100
Ashtray $44
Door rubber $69.95 each
Locking fuel cap $20

 

[rick_d]

...while not on the market,
I do have a set of 70 (round) front doors and rear doors for someone in a pinch.

 

[61Mk+]

isitworthit?

Hello 'Cost of Ownership' Debate Members,

My two cents, if it's worth that: you are well off knowing what you want and why.
My perspective comes from wanting a 70 series Troopie for years, and finally being able to get it built. It is consuming a huge portion of my life to get there, but i happen to find it worthwhile. There are reasons for this: i want to drive it all over the world and be able to get parts, and mechanics even, and as far as i know, no other vehicle makes this possible. As well, no other vehicle, that i know of, is possessed of such reliability. Yes i know about the G-wagens and the Unimogs (and i have a soft spot for the latter...).
However if i wasn't hooked on seeing the world and was going to stick to Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., i'd get an American product.
The reasons don't really matter: what do you want? If you are going to stay in North America, why not reduce your car budget and stick to a GM 350 V8 in a pick-up for which parts are available under any rock you look at, as well as having knowing mechanics in any location? Being unique can be amusing, and having a Land Cruiser in North America will get you some attention, but is attention alone worth it to you? I beg your pardon if i am sounding presumptuous.
If you're able to get the parts and whatever else is required to run your vehicle (insurance for one), then do it. If it is a pain in the rear, give it some thought...
If you're not in a hurry, the right choice will hit you. Best wishes!

Cheers, 61Mk+

 

[75Ute]

i want to drive it all over the world and be able to get parts, and mechanics even, and as far as i know, no other vehicle makes this possible.

Where are you taking it? Point me somewhere else if you've told this story before.

Also can you translate your reasoning into wife speak?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

..........Also can you translate your reasoning into wife speak? .............

The translator software would have to modified on a daily basis.

 

[crushers]

wife speak ...
this is going to be a revelation to all men.

 

[61Mk+]

Where are you taking it? Point me somewhere else if you've told this story before.

Also can you translate your reasoning into wife speak?

'Wife speak'? I married my Troopie, and i suspect i am unable to translate for you. When i want a change, my mistresses are motorcycles.
I will be taking my wife to the bottom of South America for starters. More travels are wanted; affordability will decide where.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Good morning everyone,
I go ski touring for the weekend and come back to a two page essay. I guess i need to elaborate more upon my position.

I live in CA where gas cruisers are a PITA to keep legal due to extremely tough smog rules. They recently changed the laws over the last 4 years making it worse. The fuel economy is horrible and I'm done with gas engines.

I plan on doing every bit of work on my cruiser myself. I have been rock crawling for over 5 years now and built my 62 up from stock. I have rebuilt every part of my 62 with exception to the engine which has seen only valve adjustment and a few other minor tuning tems. I live 20 minutes from Specter Offroad which means I have access to any parts I could ever need in an emergency, only downside is cost.

Why am I done with my 62?
It sits way too high with the SOA lift. It works great for rock crawling but driving there and back is dangerous. I want to start from scratch witha great platform and build it up with a slight lift and 33's for basic offroading and not crazy rocks.

I want a diesel import because I can get one throught a freind cheap and he can do all the proper paperwork to make a diesel legal in CA. Having a diesel in CA is extremely helpful as I can modify the drivetrain and engine as needed without worrying what the smog rules will require.


So, how do the 70's feel regarding power? My 62 is a dog up passes and hills.If These trucks are dogs I may be better off getting a pre 75 40 and swapping in a domestic diesel drivetrain.

 

[75Ute]

If you do a lot of up and down hills and passes you might want to consider a turbo diesel model or fit an after market turbo. Need on what I have read about the after market turbos I'd say you would want to spend the extra money and get a good one that includes the exhaust system as some of the cheaper ones seem to cause overheating but I have no direct experience so will leave that for others to comment.