I just bought an HZJ76 in Tokyo. Any advice?

[Obey]

I have a friend who is a broker/exporter in Tokyo and he took me to inspect a very, very clean 2000MY (January build) HZJ76 with just 40k miles when I was there. I ended up buying it but I had a few questions:

1) Any advice on removing those damn bubble drip guards on the windows? They look riveted!

2) Same for the fender mirror. I have the fender mirror in place on my KZJ78W and I hate it too, but it's lower profile than this one. Any tips for removal?

3) Thoughts on the front porch bumper? It's a little big and bright for me but I am probably not going to mess with it. I'm curious if anyone else has replaced theirs and, if so, how it went.

4) Finally, any tips or resources? Anything I need to do with this truck when I get it in January? I like to get into the weeds on particular models and any further reading on this version of the J76 would be appreciated.

I'll update with some good pics in 2025 when it arrives!

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Sharp looking 76.
@Rigster has a similar Cruiser and might be able to offer some advice.

 

[Rigster]

Congrats on the purchase!

Check my build thread, as I dealt with the space bubbles, fender mounted mirror, EGR system, added some 3rd row seats, etc. I also have added a turbo and a lift, etc to make it navigable in the mountains where I live.

 

[Obey]

Congrats on the purchase!

Check my build thread, as I dealt with the space bubbles, fender mounted mirror, EGR system, added some 3rd row seats, etc. I also have added a turbo and a lift, etc to make it navigable in the mountains where I live.

Thank you!

 

[OGBeno]

Great work! I’m excited to see some of these last generation JDM 7x series from the 2000’s come online.

If this truck will live in the US, most everything you need, parts-wise, is available in the US through various sources.

Everything else can be imported in less than a week’s time.

You picked a great platform for long-term longevity.

 

[Obey]

Congrats on the purchase!

Check my build thread, as I dealt with the space bubbles, fender mounted mirror, EGR system, added some 3rd row seats, etc. I also have added a turbo and a lift, etc to make it navigable in the mountains where I live.

@Rigster, I read the entire thing, very helpful. A few questions:

For EGR delete, did you ever get rid of the hoses or is the screw method the only way? And did you disconnect just that one hose from the system and plug it, or was it more complicated than that?

For drip guard removal, did you ever find a method of removing the old adhesive without damaging the paint?

Finally, I’m going to remove the drip guards myself - what tool do I use and can you describe what I need to do exactly? I got a vague idea from your post but I do not want to screw it up!

Excellent, excellent, excellent post, thank you!

 

[LDRF]

Nice truck! It looks mint,

The chrome front porch rules! Plus it looks like you have a factory winch as well. Keep it.

 

[sark]

Regarding the rain guards on the windows - they are easy to remove. If they are the same that I just removed last week off our HDJ81, they are simply nuts and bolts that you can remove by hand or with a small tool. There are small metal clips that hold the plastic against the window frame and weatherstripping. I wouldn't worry too much about it and I actually like them on mine for some air without the full wind effect, but to each their own.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

What part of the country is it headed?

 

[Obey]

What part of the country is it headed?

Either Pensacola, FL or New Orleans.

 

[Rigster]

@Rigster, I read the entire thing, very helpful. A few questions:

For EGR delete, did you ever get rid of the hoses or is the screw method the only way? And did you disconnect just that one hose from the system and plug it, or was it more complicated than that?

For drip guard removal, did you ever find a method of removing the old adhesive without damaging the paint?

Finally, I’m going to remove the drip guards myself - what tool do I use and can you describe what I need to do exactly? I got a vague idea from your post but I do not want to screw it up!

Excellent, excellent, excellent post, thank you!

Hey bud, glad my experiences in my thread are helpful.

For the EGR delete, no I have not taken the time to open up the little EGR controller to see what I need to do to cancel the signal. The vacuum hose that goes the to the EGR valve is the one you need to plug, as effectively, once you remove the EGR, there is nowhere to attach it anymore.

For the adhesive removal, I need to credit @sleepydad69 for the mention of a 3M wheel that is made for this. He posted about it in my thread, he used one of these to remove the adhesive.

As far as the wind deflectors/rain guards, as @sark mentioned, they are not too difficult to deal with. I was not kidding when I said the easy part was removing them, and the hard part was dealing with the glue residue. There were some simple plastic caps on the back that "should" pop out, but due to age and brittleness, they simply broke off as I was prying them away. I just used a little upholstry type pry tool, and a pair of needlenose pliers. After that, it was a matter of running a razorblade along underneath as I pried it away with my other hand.

You will likely need to replace rubber stuff on this cruiser - hoses, fuel lines, etc. Looks like a great specimen though, and I am sure you will be pleased with your purchase!

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Either Pensacola, FL or New Orleans.

Either way, you’ll be close enough to bring that jewel to next Fall’s 70 Series Meet & Greet.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I hated the front porch bumper on my HZJ77 at first but now I barely even notice it and it is handy sometimes. I say give it some time on the bumper before you decide, especially since you have the factory winch.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I hated the front porch bumper on my HZJ77 at first but now I barely even notice it and it is handy sometimes. I say give it some time on the bumper before you decide, especially since you have the factory winch.

I'm rather partial to mine as well but after 4 years in Saudi I find a 70 series without one looks a little odd. Congrats to the OP on the purchase!

 

[hoser]

If you don't need the winch, the bumper can be retracted. If you need the winch, then an aftermarket bumper will be less of a porch.

 

[Rigster]

I hated the front porch bumper on my HZJ77 at first but now I barely even notice it and it is handy sometimes. I say give it some time on the bumper before you decide, especially since you have the factory winch.

Agreed. There are times when a workbench is needed, or somewhere to eat your lunch!

I unfortunately, have "deactivation ditches" amongst a lot of the mountain trails where I live, and the porch interferes with the approach angles. You can get the factory winch into an aftermarket bumper, with mods. @Obey - should you decide to go this route and keep the factory winch, I welded the factory winch mounting plate to my ARB bumper. Details are in my thread as well. When are you doing a road trip with that beauty and coming to visit??

 

[Obey]

If you don't need the winch, the bumper can be retracted. If you need the winch, then an aftermarket bumper will be less of a porch.

I definitely do not need the winch. I'm more of a danger to myself with it than anything. You mean I can take the bumper that's already on there and move it back a little after I remove the winch? Is that a difficult process?

 

[Combat Wombat]

Sorry for the interruption.. can your broker friend get them to Australia at all?

 

[Obey]

Sorry for the interruption.. can your broker friend get them to Australia at all?

Yes. His name is Aaron and his company is:
Bulldog Auto Japan
Aaron Ross
<sales@bulldogbros.com>

He's a good guy. I have bought 2 Land Cruisers through him. You can let him know his friend, James Reeves, referred you.

 

[CowboyRodeo]

Man I like that, great find!