Keep my 3x locked 80 or get a hzj7x?

[Onlysixsyllables]

Hello. Currently own a 1993 80 series with front and rear lockers. Super clean with 180xxx miles I got for a really good deal 1 years ago. I love it but i'm debating on keeping it or importing/buying a 1hz 70 series. Looking for a manual 74 or troopy, or basically anything thats manual and clean haha. In the east coast USA. Any tips or opinions on this? It would be my 2nd vehicle made for offroading and camping. Nothing crazy. Thank you!

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Hello. Currently own a 1993 80 series with front and rear lockers. Super clean with 180xxx miles I got for a really good deal 1 years ago. I love it but i'm debating on keeping it or importing/buying a 1hz 70 series. Looking for a manual 74 or troopy, or basically anything thats manual and clean haha. In the east coast USA. Any tips or opinions on this? It would be my 2nd vehicle made for offroading and camping. Nothing crazy. Thank you!

P.M. sent

 

[Climbingnut]

I owned a UK spec 95’ HDJ80 w/ 3x lockers, manual gearbox, etc… AMAZING vehicle. I also own a VDJ79 double cab and a VDJ200. If I were in your shoes, and had the $$ to import an HZJ7x, I’d rather go with importing an 1HD-FT and an appropriate manual gearbox to mate to it. The FZ and HZ motors are both turds IMO. Tough, but turds. As for a gearbox, could be the same one from the UK ( sourced from the Coaster minibus, a bit clunky), or could be a more modern one from the VDJ7x setup. I’ll say this, I prefered the 1HD-FT motor and 80 series to my VDJ79. It was more comfortable, and had torque like nobody’s business, even while towing. It didn’t do much over 125 kph though. The only thing I didn’t like was the gearbox. Downshifting from 2nd gear to 1st or doing anything in those two gears often required double clutching, and I was told my some UK cruiser heads that even rebuilding the gearbox wouldn’t fix it. It’s just the way they are.

 

[FJBen]

There is a world of difference between a 73/74 and a troopy compared to an 80 series.

That said, if it’s your 2nd vehicle for just fun and camping, go for it. Realize it’s slow, loud, smelly and getting parts is harder than the 80 series, but I love the 70 series.

Everyday I have better options to drive to work or errands but almost always choose my BJ74.

 

[Hulsty]

Keep the 80

 

[Guyute]

How does the 80 series forum feel about this?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

It’s quite simple actually …..
If you enjoy talking to people in your local Home Depot parking lot and virtually every time you stop for fuel, buy a 70 Series.
If you want to be left alone, keep the 80 Series.

 

[jayp2]

Realize it’s slow, loud, smelly and getting parts is harder than the 80 series

Blasphemy

lol

An HZJ74 would be at top of my list

Once you go 1HZ there's no going back.....I have three now...yes I have a problem

 

[JuanJ]

It’s quite simple actually …..
If you enjoy talking to people in your local Home Depot parking lot and virtually every time you stop for fuel, buy a 70 Series.
If you want to be left alone, keep the 80 Series.

Hello,

x2.

You might like a 76 Series as well. It is about the same size as an 80 Series.

Some 78 Series Troopies had the 200 HP 1HD-FTE engine, but these were Australia-spec only and nowadays they are firmly attached to their owners.

I would look for an HZJ74, an HZJ76 or an HZJ78.

I would consider an FZJ74 or an FZJ78 as well. They may be gassers but they are not as thirsty as an 80 Series, especially if you watch your right foot.






Juan

 

[Devils Paw 80]

You love your gasser 80, yet are considering giving it up for a used diesel Cruiser of unknown condition simply because they have a manual transmission?
Perhaps there is more to your interest that's not being shared.

In any case, I would keep the 80 and admire someone else's Troopy.

 

[OGBeno]

Keep the 80 all day long in the US.

 

[Climbingnut]

If you have the money, hire @SNLC to put a 7x body, with a 1HD-FT/E motor, on top of your 80 series chassis. That’s about the ONLY way I’d EVER choose a 7x series in the USA over an 80 series. The 7x series are just not comfortable vehicles to drive. My 79 is well kitted with fantastic Dobinsons MRR shocks for comfort,etc, and I get looks and convos here in Angola too. Still, I sure would love an inexpensive way to put coils in the back axle, a decent driver seat, power windows, door locks, decent A/C, and on and on… an 80 VX has ALL of that.

 

[TreadingLight]

My Troopy is quintuple-locked.

 

[renago]

80 is a great car , comfortable ,that can do hard off road with ease.
70 series ,is a truck that can do hard off road with a minimal confort , old school feeling,and drive .
What are you looking for , what does your soul need ?

 

[FJhammer]

As with anything, people have their preferences.

I've had most of the models over the years and for a long time, I thought the 80 was king. I wanted another 2-door because I got rid of the 40 series and by happenstance, I found a newly imported HZJ73. Driving it back across 3 states, I fell in love with that little thing. To me, it's peak Toyota. No frills, metal dashboard, rugged-utilitarian design, etc. Since then, I have imported a few more and I absolutely love them. I rarely drive any of the 80s anymore. Here are my thoughts.

73 series - I have a manual and an automatic, the manual is the way to go and with the 1HZ it's a lot of fun to drive. No, you're not winning any drag races but still so much fun. Even with leafs on all corners, it's a significant improvement over the ride of the old 40s.

74 series - Fantastic improvement in overall ride and handling by losing the leaf springs and adding coils to the front. Downside to the 74 however is the addition of the EGR (which you can delete) and in the automatic version, the electronic integration of the throttle position sensor into the A442F has given me a lot of problems.

If you go this route, I would recommend a HZJ74 in a manual.

 

[OGBeno]

JDM HZJ74s after 1999 with the TPS are definitely problematic.

Dealing with one now and it’s been a huge time and money sink.

 

[Onlysixsyllables]

P

As with anything, people have their preferences.

I've had most of the models over the years and for a long time, I thought the 80 was king. I wanted another 2-door because I got rid of the 40 series and by happenstance, I found a newly imported HZJ73. Driving it back across 3 states, I fell in love with that little thing. To me, it's peak Toyota. No frills, metal dashboard, rugged-utilitarian design, etc. Since then, I have imported a few more and I absolutely love them. I rarely drive any of the 80s anymore. Here are my thoughts.

73 series - I have a manual and an automatic, the manual is the way to go and with the 1HZ it's a lot of fun to drive. No, you're not winning any drag races but still so much fun. Even with leafs on all corners, it's a significant improvement over the ride of the old 40s.

74 series - Fantastic improvement in overall ride and handling by losing the leaf springs and adding coils to the front. Downside to the 74 however is the addition of the EGR (which you can delete) and in the automatic version, the electronic integration of the throttle position sensor into the A442F has given me a lot of problems.

If you go this route, I would recommend a HZJ74 in a manual.

Perfect reply thank you! How slow and sluggish are they in a straight line compared to the 80? I know they're all slow and I don't care for slowness, I just want to get a better general idea of it all. Appreciate it


The TPS problems are for autos only correct? A manual is a must. I'm leaning towards a 73/74 or a troopy

 

[Bblair]

Where are you in NC? I'm just across the line in Danville, VA. You're more than welcome to come drive my manual HZJ73 to see how slow it actually is.

 

[Squash]

Both!
Love my 1991 Aussie spec HZJ75,
Enjoy the 1995 Hdj80 from Belarus
Different rides and powerbands.

 

[Onlysixsyllables]

Where are you in NC? I'm just across the line in Danville, VA. You're more than welcome to come drive my manual HZJ73 to see how slow it actually is.

Near Bragg. Appreciate it!