So I was out and about here on Okinawa looking for a replacement body for my Surf. Goal was to find body and fix Surf. Not really looking for a new vehicle perse but if I came across the right cruiser for the good price I would consider it. That was my objective anyway.
All the junk yards were saying my Surf was too old too easily find and even harder being a gasser. So I became more and interested in other cruiser options.
So I go to one of my local cruiser friends and tell him that there were a couple of HZJ73s on the local market and I was interested in checking them out. I asked if he knew of them. Now this friend that I talk of is a Okinawan friend who is wealthy and has a fleet of cruisers. He has a cruiser shop and works on cruisers just to pass time. Never worked a day in his life. He knew that I had taken special interest in one of his cruisers. Friend asks me what I was looking to spend. So I honestly tell him what my max was and that max was only for a special cruiser. Everything he has as far as cruisers go are more than my max so I wasn't ready for what was about to come.
So he drops his head for a few minutes and walks around. I'm thinking he is trying to think of where he knows a good cruiser that might be for sale. He stops and asks me if I wanted a 40 series. Of course if it is right for the right price. He says that he would sell me the BJ44 that I always ask to drive around for a $1,000 less than my max. My mouth dropped and I said yes, I would love to buy that BJ44. Then he gave me two caveats. 1: I would give him 1st opprotunity to buy the BJ44 back if I decided to sell. 2: Continue to help him get cruiser parts from the states. Both were simple yes answers. We shook hands and I went back to my Prado pulled out my money and paid him right there on the spot. I had no doubts that this was a special deal for a friend from a friend.
So now I have a BJ44 that has a shortened body, 13B-T, H55, Cable lockers, Toyota electric winch.
Oh, yes, I know the bezel is upside down but it is right side up around here.
Forgot to mention that they only things I have done to this 44 is add my 35" BFGs and wheels. Change the rear shackles to greasable ones.
Here are the pics:
All the junk yards were saying my Surf was too old too easily find and even harder being a gasser. So I became more and interested in other cruiser options.
So I go to one of my local cruiser friends and tell him that there were a couple of HZJ73s on the local market and I was interested in checking them out. I asked if he knew of them. Now this friend that I talk of is a Okinawan friend who is wealthy and has a fleet of cruisers. He has a cruiser shop and works on cruisers just to pass time. Never worked a day in his life. He knew that I had taken special interest in one of his cruisers. Friend asks me what I was looking to spend. So I honestly tell him what my max was and that max was only for a special cruiser. Everything he has as far as cruisers go are more than my max so I wasn't ready for what was about to come.
So he drops his head for a few minutes and walks around. I'm thinking he is trying to think of where he knows a good cruiser that might be for sale. He stops and asks me if I wanted a 40 series. Of course if it is right for the right price. He says that he would sell me the BJ44 that I always ask to drive around for a $1,000 less than my max. My mouth dropped and I said yes, I would love to buy that BJ44. Then he gave me two caveats. 1: I would give him 1st opprotunity to buy the BJ44 back if I decided to sell. 2: Continue to help him get cruiser parts from the states. Both were simple yes answers. We shook hands and I went back to my Prado pulled out my money and paid him right there on the spot. I had no doubts that this was a special deal for a friend from a friend.
So now I have a BJ44 that has a shortened body, 13B-T, H55, Cable lockers, Toyota electric winch.
Oh, yes, I know the bezel is upside down but it is right side up around here.
Forgot to mention that they only things I have done to this 44 is add my 35" BFGs and wheels. Change the rear shackles to greasable ones.
Here are the pics:
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in june. I also met a guy named sean who works quite a bit on landcruisers. He showed me the ropes about these monsters. I plan on getting him to fab me a lift kit in the near future. Hey do you know where i can find a damn soft top? Any tips you might have would be greatly appreciated!!!!!
