My Troop Project: 1988 HJ75

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NicaNorth

NicaNorth

Supporting Vendor
10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Threads
48
Messages
646
Location
Maine
Website
www.nicanorth.com
I just picked this thing up last week and I am pretty happy with the find. Here's a short list of details:

- 1988 HJ75 (2H with 4 Speed)
- 89,000KM (approx 55,000MI)
- Original Paint
- Solid Chassis
- No Heat or A/C (factory bare-boned)
- No Power Steering
- Original Split Steelies with new 7.00" x 16.00" Tires

This Troopy will be my first real project since being in Nicaragua. It needs a little body work in the rear quarters, needs a rear differential seal, needs an interior "refresh," but all-in-all I have never seen a Troop that wasn't beat to s***.

I will be adding all the ducting for Heat and A/C, but sourcing heaters down here can be a bit of a challenge. My goal is to have both heat and A/C installed before this hits U.S. soil. Like with any project, I assume I'll hit many snags along the way. I am certainly thankful for forums like this that help support projects like my current one as well as fuel such an unhealthy addiction;)

I know I'll have some questions, let me know if you guys do.

IMG_1112.webp
 
NicaNorth said:
I just picked this thing up last week and I am pretty happy with the find. Here's a short list of details:

- 1988 HJ75 (2H with 4 Speed)
- 89,000KM (approx 55,000MI)
- Original Paint
- Solid Chassis
- No Heat or A/C (factory bare-boned)
- No Power Steering
- Original Split Steelies with new 7.00" x 16.00" Tires

This Troopy will be my first real project since being in Nicaragua. It needs a little body work in the rear quarters, needs a rear differential seal, needs an interior "refresh," but all-in-all I have never seen a Troop that wasn't beat to s***.

I will be adding all the ducting for Heat and A/C, but sourcing heaters down here can be a bit of a challenge. My goal is to have both heat and A/C installed before this hits U.S. soil. Like with any project, I assume I'll hit many snags along the way. I am certainly thankful for forums like this that help support projects like my current one as well as fuel such an unhealthy addiction;)

I know I'll have some questions, let me know if you guys do.

View attachment 1185282
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Sweet - love the rig.
 
Nice find, mister, and at very low miles no less. In case you give a damn, the grille is newer than your car, in '88 75s still had the steel one. Hope you love it.
 
61Mk+ said:
Nice find, mister, and at very low miles no less. In case you give a damn, the grille is newer than your car, in '88 75s still had the steel one. Hope you love it.
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Yes, you are correct. That is a newer grille with matching parking lights and signals from a HZJ. The original steel one was no good, so went with a new one. That's also why the center emblem is missing right now. Aside from the plastic, I prefer this style over the steel. You?
 
Hello Joelikessno,
I prefer the steel ones: if a piece of road gak hits your grille and cracks it, the grille has done its job. My reason for preferring steel is that it is very easy to bend back into something resembling its original shape; plastic, not so much, once it's cracked, it stays that way. I know that shops exist that will 'weld' plastic right, but those are not common. Steel will rust, certainly, but it is a material that is easier to look after and fix. And i intend to take my car to places where older technology and materials are the order of the day. Steel will corrode, but it can be coated to at least slow that process down. As well, i prefer the looks of the steel grille.
Siflersmom, i'm with you mister, the world needs more Troopys.
 
NM Frontier said:
Looks like a killer find! Love the color too. Some more pics please!

How's the interior?

Gonna keep the splits or go with a more common wheel(well for NA)?
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Interior panels all need replacement. The seats are great. That's one of the things I really like about the 70 Series: simplicity.

I'm keeping the steelies on this one.
 
Stopped here on the way to the garage for a quick photo on the helicopter pad.

Next up, some fresh fluids & filters all around, new diff. seal, new exhaust from the manifold back and some other basic preventative maintenance. After that, it's about time I strip the interior and start sourcing new panels, floor pads, climate control and all that fun stuff.


IMG_1149.webp
 
tmarx said:
Congrats - looks in very good condition !
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Thanks, @tmarx

I've done a ton of mechanical maintenance to get the low-mile 2H running perfectly; it's unremarkably peppy for a non-turbo. All this thing needs now are interior/exterior cosmetic work. We are still sourcing parts to see what our final investment will be in this thing;)
 
OGBeno said:
So is this build thread for a vehicle you are going to build and then sell?

If so, it's not a "build thread"; it's a vehicle for sale.
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Actually, it's not a vehicle for sale, until it's for sale. Does this thread say "for sale" anyplace?

Nope. Didn't think so.
 
OGBeno said:
That's reasonably oblique.

There are no either/or situations with Land Cruisers.

My biggest problem is folks who "build" trucks and get everything gratis (info, etc), then they try to make a buck off of it.

That's disingenuous.
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Other than free "info," what else are people getting for free? Do tell! I want some free stuff!
 
I just arrived in Charlotte, NC and have approximately 3 hours to kill before my next flight. I assumed I would be just killing time while bored senseless and then I noticed this thread. Thanks for the entertainment. :lol:
 
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