HZJ73 Pros and Cons

[st1age]

I'm looking at an '90 hzj 73. What are the pros and cons of this model? Hmmm - 5 spd manual, pto toyota winch. - 4.2 litre stock engine

Any experienced folks, please help me out.

Peter

 

[crushers]

buy it and drive it...
(i am not a big fan of the PTO winch)

 

[roscoFJ73]

I'm looking at an '90 hzj 73. What are the pros and cons of this model? Hmmm - 5 spd manual, pto toyota winch. - 4.2 litre stock engine

Any experienced folks, please help me out.

Peter

No real cons if its big enough for your needs. One of the most versatile models ever made with a bullet proof engine and gearbox.
Fantastic vehicle for a weekend away camping for 2 people with one of the best offroad reputations
The winch is slow but 10/10 for reliability. If you dont like it ,sell it,it wont take long.

 

[crushers]

oh, there is one downside the rear seat foot area is non-existant so anything but baby seats will have complaining in very short order.
i usually install side mount seats in mine.

 

[Ron R]

Own my HZJ73 (1995) for almost 14 years now. Bought it used, 3/4 of a year old. Love it. It's my DD
It's almost stock. Changed springs (parabolics) and taller rims (on an off-road trip)
Installed winchbumper and MM 10500 hydr. winch and the ARB-lockers myself.
When on a trip (have been to the sahara several times, into Russia en travelled to Kazakhstan (and back!) and many other trips) it's our 'camper' and we sleep in the rig. There are no back seats and I've build a 'floor' with an extendable part (over the seats) so we have a nice sleeping spot above all our gear, stored below.
For this kind of trips (weeks...Kazahkstan was almost 6 weeks) it's a bit tight. A 75 might be better. Another thing is that aux tanks and that kind of stuff are standard or readily available aftermarket options. For the 73 it's far more difficult to get them. I had to build my own aux fuel tank. The available tanks where either very expensive or too small for my purpose.

 

[roscoFJ73]

oh, there is one downside the rear seat foot area is non-existant so anything but baby seats will have complaining in very short order.
i usually install side mount seats in mine.

I once read the aussie models have the rear seat moved back. I dont know for sure,but I have had half a basketball team in there with size 15s boots and they reckon it was ok.
I must take a closer look at a JDM 73 ONE DAY

 

[crushers]

same with the CDM 70 series, the rear seat was about 5" further back than the JDM 70 series.

 

[Ron R]

Forgot to mention...mine has no rear seats. Over here the 73 was (is) mainly in use as a commercial vehicle. To haul cargo and trailers. As a whole there are not many 70-series being driven. Think you can count the ones with rear seats on the fingers of one hand.....if any...

 

[Radd Cruisers]

They're a brilliant vehicle... I have three of them here !

One of the smoothest engines around, great gearbox, very comfortable to drive. Certainly much nicer than the BJ series.


~John


Yep, really clean rigs.

They are the very best cruisers you can buy.


Rob

 

[st1age]

Thanks for your input. Would it be hard to move the rear seat back?

 

[crushers]

it is not a straight bolt in if that is what you are asking... the anchor is different location, seat mounts will need modifying as well as you will need to install rear seat belts.

 

[crushers]

now if you were going to go that far then i would make the suggestion of a set of rear seats from a side kick to be installed. i just did a set in a 40 and they are a sweet option.

 

[prado t]

You will enjoy it, some overall improvement over the BJ series except for the 8" front axle

 

[Radd Cruisers]

... as well as you will need to install rear seat belts.

The HZJ73s generally come with either lap belts or shoulder belts in the rear --> depending on vintage.

~John

 

[crushers]

interesting...