Daily Driver - Latest Model Available - 1994/1995

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Jun 18, 2003
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Location
Oriental, NC
Hey 70 Series Family!

I will be in the market for a 70 series pretty soon. With the 25 year rule in effect I can purchase up to a 1994/1995 starting in 2020.

I have read and read and keep getting the models confused.

Here is what I would like.

73/74 - Middle wheelbase length
LHD - @Gun Runner 5 - thank you
5 speed
Factory Lockers
AC
Convertible
Diesel (Turbo / Non-Turbo) Needs to do 75 at the most

What would the 70 series experts recommend? I can provide in trade a lot of 100 series knowledge. ;<)
 
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LHD or RHD or does it make a difference?
 
LHD+MWB+Diesel is going to limit you to one of the Euro exporters mostly such as @joekatana. Most MWB LHD elsewhere are mostly gassers.... A/C and lockers is going to narrow your search even more it seems.
 
Yep, thats a tall list for a 70 series.

For diesel that puts you in an HZJ73, 1HZ (non-turbo but you can turbo it)
Lockers IMO are great but harder to find. ARB's and call it good.
@joekatana was/is looking at a full A/C kit for LHD 70 series, could be an option, although plan $2k plus more to your rig


Are you wanting soft-top or FRP top ok? If soft top you are looking for a unicorn :)

HZJ73
OEM Lockers
5 speed
LHD
A/C
Soft-top
12V

The FRP top is cool, but not super easy to take off. Not something to easily pop on and off every other day or so. It's not hard, it's just not a quick ordeal. There is talk in the classifieds of a group buy soft-top, but you are probably looking at $2k there as well. :hmm:

@SNLC is right.
If it were me and I absolutely had to have a LHD rig. I would buy an HZJ73. The nicest, lowest mileage one I could find. I would plan on adding A/C, (If I had to have it) and then anything else I thought it might need. Turbo, lift,etc...
 
Thank you. FRP top will work.

HZJ73 LHD - what years were the offered? 90 to 95?

I will add AC. And ARBs and a soft top.

I appreciate all the assistance.

Will a non turbo HZJ73 do 70 mph?
 
I could be wrong as some weird oddball cruisers pop up everywhere but as far I know, there is no model code for any factory 73/74 OEM soft top equipped with a diesel engine. I did a lot of research on this awhile ago. If a such example exists, it would be the ultimate unicorn.
 
I could be wrong as some weird oddball cruisers pop up everywhere but as far I know, there is no model code for any factory 73/74 OEM soft top equipped with a diesel engine. I did a lot of research on this awhile ago. If a such example exists, it would be the ultimate unicorn.
Thank you. I will go FRP and add a soft top at some point.
 
Will a non turbo HZJ73 do 70 mph?


They top out at 140kph maximum, but I dont think they should go over 115-120kph for extended periods. A 115 is close to 70MPH which I think is their max safe cruising speed unloaded.
In summer you have to watch the engine temps as hills will push it closer to the red. If you do drive above 120kph, you often find traces of wet engine oil in the air intake.
You also lose the fuel economy above 115kph. These were never designed for high speed freeways ect.
 
As far as I know :hmm: (see a trend here, there were lots of iterations of 70 series, and some not believed to exist pop up and make us look dumb)

The HZJ73 started in 1990, I'm not quite sure when it ended.

LHD will be a eurospec. Since you are fine with adding A/C, you should be able to find a decent LHD, HZJ73 5spd and maybe find one with lockers. If you figure ARB's are $1,600ish plus install, thats a good way to justify the higher price.

Just get the best/newest you can find in the best shape.
 
The HZJ73 became the HZJ74 in 99 which got coil springs on the front and thenot so desirable R151F gearbox, but used the same body. I believe it was discontinued on 2004. The SWB 70 series is still available in some ME markets.
I wouldn't be too worried about lockers and soft tops, prioritise getting one with a decent body and engine ,in that order.
 
@uzj100 ..... "Will a non turbo HZJ73 do 70 mph?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most 70 Series Land Cruisers, especially the diesel variants, are "go slow and enjoy life" kinda vehicles. :)
 
Looking at www.ooyyo.com


Dash shows AC.
 
@uzj100 ..... "Will a non turbo HZJ73 do 70 mph?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most 70 Series Land Cruisers, especially the diesel variants, are "go slow and enjoy life" kinda vehicles. :)

I'd say the non-turbo diesels are pretty slow. The factory turbo diesels are less slow 🤣

Slap a turbo/intercooler on the 1HZ and it will be much more fun to drive.
Looking at www.ooyyo.com


Dash shows AC.


That is an LJ73 or some iteration of the "light duty" land cruiser as it's called. Coil springs, smaller axles/diffs like mini-truck in size, different transmission. you can tell by the front ends. The lights are built in rather than sticking out. They are deemed as less desirable for the above mentioned reasons. I can't tell what engine this had, or was supposed to have. Usually the LJ's had 2LT Toyota TD, not the best reputation. I see 3.0 on the dash in aftermarket numbers so possible a 1KZ-TE engine swap? no idea if that came stock or swapped as I don't know enough about the LJ series.

Personally, I would pass on an LJ73.

Looks like this cruiser here.
One Owner 1991 LJ73 LX w/ Power and A/C
 
I'd say the non-turbo diesels are pretty slow. The factory turbo diesels are less slow 🤣

Slap a turbo/intercooler on the 1HZ and it will be much more fun to drive.



That is an LJ73 or some iteration of the "light duty" land cruiser as it's called. Coil springs, smaller axles/diffs like mini-truck in size, different transmission. you can tell by the front ends. The lights are built in rather than sticking out. They are deemed as less desirable for the above mentioned reasons. I can't tell what engine this had, or was supposed to have. Usually the LJ's had 2LT Toyota TD, not the best reputation. I see 3.0 on the dash in aftermarket numbers so possible a 1KZ-TE engine swap? no idea if that came stock or swapped as I don't know enough about the LJ series.

Personally, I would pass on an LJ73.

Looks like this cruiser here.
One Owner 1991 LJ73 LX w/ Power and A/C


I have owned many lhd LJ73’s and a few KZJ73’s and in my opinion they are more suited to the US then the leaf sprung HZJ73’s

The 2LTE in Japan has a bad rep but the 2LT in Europe without the emissions is pretty fun and reliable , the 1KZT (no E in Europe for the 7x) is faster and more economical then any of the heavy duty 7x cruisers .

I am slowly buying every lhd HZJ73 in Europe with ac , I brought 3 more to the depot today that will have to wait on their 25th birthday before they can come to the US.

All 3 have ac and one even had the oem lockers.

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