I want a Fj70 convertible left hand drive if anyone knows of one for sale that is not a disaster or major project. Thanks PG
FJ70's in America
- Thread starter r0nin89
- Start date
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SECTION ONE - A few questions for your consideration:
1. Why do you want a gas 70? More diesels out there.
2. Why a 70? The mid wheelbase (aka MWB) trucks have more room in back and (I am told) are nicer on the road.
3. Why LHD? Lots of fine RHD Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) rigs coming in and even more on the way as later models (with more cool stuff) become eligible for import as they "age in" to eligibility for legal import.
4. Why a convertible? The fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) tops on MWB 73s and 74s come off easily enough and you can easily rig a bikini top to keep your head cool
5. Why a 5 speed? The combination of a turbocharged 13BT in a JDM BJ74 with the stock automatic in such imports is well regarded for over the road use, plus is a handy configuration for trail use.
6. Have you ever driven a 70? Talked to a 70, 73, 74 owner?
SECTION TWO - Values
There have been two nice MUD rigs go to market recently - a Columbian FJ73 here https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1987-fj73.828194/ and a beautiful JDM BJ74 with H55 trans, converted to LHD here https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/bj74-full-restoration-lhd-conversion-very-nice.828062/ Bottom line (in my opinion) a really clean LHD rig (gas or benzine) will carry a painful but well-earned premium.
SECTION THREE - Suggestions
1. Post a "WTB" thread in MUD Classifieds
2. Call owners and importers and ask them for input
3. Fool around a bit before you fall in love.
FINAL COMMENTS
Buy this BJ70 from Landcruisers Direct (http://www.landcruisersdirect.com/cars/1985-toyota-land-cruiser-bj70-4000/)
1. Purchase Price $15,000 (from a reputable importer with lots of references)
2. Drive it for a while and figure out what you need
3. Add a turbo (if needed) $3,500
4. Convert to LHD (if needed) $10,000
5. Have fun with a clean, LHD 70 with very low miles. Cost you half of a new pick-up truck.
Again, good luck.
I looked at that and think the right hand drive would bug me but maybe I would get used to it.
I am not apposed to a diesel at all and a soft or removable hard top is a convertible to me.
The large the better as I want something larger then my great 77 FJ40 I just sold I guess to cheap since it went in 30 minutes.
Just looking and want something cool not many people have.
Thanks for all your great ideas and suggestions. PG
I am not apposed to a diesel at all and a soft or removable hard top is a convertible to me.
The large the better as I want something larger then my great 77 FJ40 I just sold I guess to cheap since it went in 30 minutes.
Just looking and want something cool not many people have.
Thanks for all your great ideas and suggestions. PG
The 73/74 series is a better all round vehicle to live with on a daily basis.They also have a removable windscreen and a FRP roof which cuts down on the amount of hard to fix rust spots.
I think they are at least 24 inches longer than a 40 series
I think they are at least 24 inches longer than a 40 series
crushers
post ho
a SWB 70 is not "bigger" than a 40.
A MWB 70 has more room in the back but NO leg room for rear passengers. you can relocate the rear seat but not a bolt in.
the MWB 70 and the SWB 70 series are not a great ride for long distances although many have made very long expedition trips.
the FZ is a great engine and will move the 70 down the highway much nicer than a diesel with 2/3rds the fuel economy.
RHD, I have sold literally hundreds of them. MOST people end up enjoying the uniquness of it and what i have found from thousands of test drives ... if you CAN'T drive RHD you suck at LHD. now whether or not you enjoy it is a completely different animal.
soft top 70s are NOISY at 55 mph. I make a Hard Top for the SWB 70 that creates a whole new level of enjoyment with the easy of quick removal. the soft tops is a PITA to take off and to put on BUT the side windows do roll up easy and look very cool.
in a nutshell, I have almost 15 years of RHD experience and over 30 years of Land Cruiser experience. i LOVE my PZJ70 hardtop. it is, by far, the most favorite of Cruisers i have owned ... and i have owned a lot of them.
cheers and good luck in your shopping.
A MWB 70 has more room in the back but NO leg room for rear passengers. you can relocate the rear seat but not a bolt in.
the MWB 70 and the SWB 70 series are not a great ride for long distances although many have made very long expedition trips.
the FZ is a great engine and will move the 70 down the highway much nicer than a diesel with 2/3rds the fuel economy.
RHD, I have sold literally hundreds of them. MOST people end up enjoying the uniquness of it and what i have found from thousands of test drives ... if you CAN'T drive RHD you suck at LHD. now whether or not you enjoy it is a completely different animal.
soft top 70s are NOISY at 55 mph. I make a Hard Top for the SWB 70 that creates a whole new level of enjoyment with the easy of quick removal. the soft tops is a PITA to take off and to put on BUT the side windows do roll up easy and look very cool.
in a nutshell, I have almost 15 years of RHD experience and over 30 years of Land Cruiser experience. i LOVE my PZJ70 hardtop. it is, by far, the most favorite of Cruisers i have owned ... and i have owned a lot of them.
cheers and good luck in your shopping.
crushers
post ho
154" for the SWB 40
167" for the mid wheel base 74
13" difference in over all length
89" wheel base for the 40
102" for the 74 series
13" difference between them
just for the record.
A friend of mine said the same thing but an FJ73 for instance is a BIG truck compared to a little samurai. They take 32 by 11.5 by 15 inch tires on stock suspension. I just contracted my first one out of Colombia. 1986 FJ43. LHD. 3F engine.
I have a thread here I am heading over to it now. These drive much much nicer than my classic FJ40 series.
sorry pic no that great and has 31 inch tires. no idea why these never came to the USA. they are coming now.
