HZJ75 in Nigeria!

[Troopie75]

Hey there! I just purchased this HZJ75. I am an American expat living in Nigeria. I grew up driving Toyotas all over Idaho mountains and got to Nigeria and discovered the 70 series and had to have one. I will be in Nigeria for the next two years and will import it back to the states when I'm done here as by then it should meet the 21/25 year rule. Anyways my current thoughts on upgrades are in process below. Its tough to get parts in Nigeria but I know a guy who ships containers here so its not to bad.

1992 HZJ75

Upgrades
Diff - Eaton elocker for rear, I like not have to run airlines
Widows in back being replaced with sliders out of a part 75
Springs - Not decided
Shocks - Not decided
Tires - Getting some M/T for now but want to get a good sturdy 10ply
Wheels - Currently on alloys, but leaning towards split, iff used correctly i think they are safe enough, and where I'm going here in the bush its gives me more security because I will be on my own and the repair for splits is maybe longer but easier overall
Bull Bar - ARB, wish I could get one here but haven't found one yet so ill have to wait for the container
Seats - It had some weird custom passenger seat but I am getting the bucket off another wrecked J75 so that I can have a center console

I would eventually like to put a pop top and some other mods but I might have to wait until I get state side. I am worried about a rule that says that the vehicle needs to be stock to import and I'm not sure how far that goes.

 

[wardharris]

Hey there! I just purchased this HZJ75.

Upgrades
Diff - Harrop Eaton ELockerTM for rear, I like not have to run airlines

We can help make that happen. Shoot me a PM or email.

Congrats!

 

[renago]

nice Car .
should find a ton of spare parts .
where are you based in Nigeria ?
is it that dangerous as they say ?
planning a trip in West Africa , might reach Nigeria in 1-2 years ?

bye Renago

 

[Troopie75]

nice Car .
should find a ton of spare parts .
where are you based in Nigeria ?
is it that dangerous as they say ?
planning a trip in West Africa , might reach Nigeria in 1-2 years ?

bye Renago

Ya so far parts have been easier to find than I would have thought. It was hard finding a "clean" 75 here as most have been molested in some way or another. You wouldn't believe what they do to cars here to keep them running.
I'm in Jos, which is sort of central Nigeria. Danger here is hugely dependent upon where you are. There are areas in the bush that are no go because you will get kidnapped. Mostly you want to stay out of the north where boo haram and other crazies reside. Other than that its typical Africa where there are safe areas and not so safe areas. Probably your biggest danger is actually just being on the road here, you're much more likely to die in a wreck than by being robbed or beheaded by some terrorist. haha sounds like a fun place right? If you make it here to Jos I'll have some cold beers waiting for you. If you want more info on roads I know a guy who sends drivers all over to pickup vehicles so he could probably get more information.

 

[renago]

Cool , thanks .
I am fixing my 78 now .
hope to leave for Gambia this summer .
park it there and the tour around .
will up date you if are are in the neighbourhood .

thanks Renago

 

[AndrewHadji]

Other than that its typical Africa where there are safe areas and not so safe areas. Probably your biggest danger is actually just being on the road here, you're much more likely to die in a wreck than by being robbed or beheaded by some terrorist.

You arnt kidding, we totaled both our 90 hzj bakkie and opel on two different occasions due to head on with drunks going the wrong way in Zambia

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

Nice. Working A/C too?

I like not having a center console, it's easier to crawl into the back from the driver's seat that way.

I've seen a few pop-tops that have been imported, if I were you I'd source a pop top there as there are none available for the *J75 in the U.S. that I'm aware of.

Where in Idaho you from?

 

[AirheadNut]

I've seen a few pop-tops that have been imported, if I were you I'd source a pop top there as there are none available for the *J75 in the U.S. that I'm aware of.

I would agree. Once it passes the 25 year mark it doesn't have to conform to any US regulations, so it doesn't have to be original. It would probably be way less expensive to get a pop top put on where you are, even if they were available in the US.

 

[AndrewHadji]

I would agree. Once it passes the 25 year mark it doesn't have to conform to any US regulations, so it doesn't have to be original. It would probably be way less expensive to get a pop top put on where you are, even if they were available in the US.

I think the stipulation is the engine match what was in the vehicle, thats one of the main causes for those defenders to be crushed, vins didnt match, engings were too new. Someone more experienced can chime in regarding that. But whole heartedly agree that a installing a pop top overseas would be cheaper.

I think alucab at ok4wd is around the 10k mark for an icarus kit installed.

 

[61Mk+]

Beautiful Troopie; i'm surprised to find the bright yellow not at all unattractive, even as i wouldn't choose that colour! Looks like it came from Holland.

 

[T-ridecruiser]

That yellow is sandstone yellow. Super hard color to find. Europe and Japan only got that color. Good job. Very nice Troopy.

 

[Troopie75]

Nice. Working A/C too?

I like not having a center console, it's easier to crawl into the back from the driver's seat that way.

I've seen a few pop-tops that have been imported, if I were you I'd source a pop top there as there are none available for the *J75 in the U.S. that I'm aware of.

Where in Idaho you from?

I'm originally from Idaho Falls but most my family lives in Boise so when we come back to visit that's where we go and I think we'll probably move there when we move back to the states. Are there a few 70 series guys there? I can't wait to get this guy back to Idaho.

Good to know on the seats cause I just got the other bucket for he passenger. The AC is working which is quite nice for here because when rainy season hits you either need your windows down to defog or AC. That's good to know on the pop top. I was thinking of waiting until I got back but sounds like it might be easier here.

 

[Troopie75]

Beautiful Troopie; i'm surprised to find the bright yellow not at all unattractive, even as i wouldn't choose that colour! Looks like it came from Holland.

Ya the code on it say it it was from Europe. I thought the same on the color! I was originally thinking I would reprint it but I quite like it now. He's already been named Old Yeller so the yellow is here to stay!

 

[Troopie75]

Anyone ever heard of swapping a factory diff off of another 70 series. There are a lot of wrecked ones here and to save a little on importing an Eaton I was wondering if I could pirate the diff and switches?

 

[renago]

Why not ?
if they have the same ratio crown /gear , it should be no problem .
check out the bearings .
ref lockers , normally if the toyotas are from africa they will NOT have lockers .
from europe maybe.
the diff with lockers have also a wider fitting on the axel , due to fit the motor of the locker.

bye Renago

 

[ozcrusier]

Nice find
If you can find some cable lockers go for them but you will need the whole diff assembly.