So if you are in the market for a HZJ73 , how would you want it , stock or modified ?

[joekatana]

I am getting ready to list a one owner HZJ73 that is bone stock and however I seem to appreciate this fact most people seem to have another opinion about this. I like the fact that it just drives so smooth with the well settled oem suspension and that it makes just an awesome daily driver without a constant attack on my lower back and kidneys like the lifted 73's on bigger tires.

If you would be in the market would you go for the stock version and keep it like that or modify it yourself the way you want it ? Or buy one that already has the expensive lift kit and bigger tires on it ?

Here are some examples of how similar cruisers yet could look so different with minor accessories or the lack of it

First one is the cruiser the way I feel it should be enjoyed , second one is a similar one sold a few years ago with a lift kit and bigger wheels and tires , I could add the exact wheels and tires to the cruiser and list it like that. Third pic is of the last one I sold and I add some decals to it , again something that I like because it is period correct but how do you think about it ?

To bad I couldn't find the option of starting a poll for this

Thanks

Joe

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I like the stock look with hard top, but ideally that would also mean stock front bumper and no fender extensions. 15'" or 16" White spoke or chrome wheels would be necessary too-none of that current trend towards hideous styles/diameters or black.

Maybe you could list as is and offer different pricing for modifying to suit customer preference.

 

[joekatana]

I like the stock look with hard top, but ideally that would also mean stock front bumper and no fender extensions. 15'" or 16" White spoke or chrome wheels would be necessary too-none of that current trend towards hideous styles/diameters or black.

Maybe you could list as is and offer different pricing for modifying to suit customer preference.

Actually the fender flares are stock and came on this model from the factory as did the hard to find removable top doors, the 15" oem white wheels are new but are also the correct wheel for this one.

Offering it with different price options would be relying on people's vision and although that might work to some degree here it definitely wouldn't work on let's name Ebay or BAT and those are apparently the two most selling 70 series sites right now.

I have the hard top for it and when ready to list I will put it back on and take a few pics with it , right now I am having to much fun driving this one around topless

 

[coldtaco]

I would lean towards the stock side. For me personally I would want it to be as rust free as possible first and foremost, then mechanically sound, ready to hit the road for thousands of miles I like to figure out how much I want to modify it. Of course if the vehicle had hard to get options, like A/C or the half doors or in the case of the 73/74 have both soft top and hard top, factory locked axles, then I would be more inclined to pay for those. Of course if it had a nice 2" lift and slightly larger tires and wheels that I like and armor, I would not let that hold me back.

 

[2fpower]

Don't use me as a guide as I don't think that I am "normal". Most mainstream folks don't enjoy the wrenching side of stuff. I have a feeling you will get a premium price putting big tires and accessories on them and giving turn key solutions.

Personally, I would want stock, then do the mods exactly like I want them.

 

[John Young]

Was this a European truck?

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I like the stock running boards--and I use them when getting in and out. Looks like a beautiful truck!

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Thousands of dollars worth of accessories and upgrades at a "stock" price. .... At least I'm honest.

 

[G-Cat]

Stock everything **except** add mild lift and larger tires (on OEM wheels). Add graphics. Done.

 

[Honger]

Don't use me as a guide as I don't think that I am "normal". Most mainstream folks don't enjoy the wrenching side of stuff. I have a feeling you will get a premium price putting big tires and accessories on them and giving turn key solutions.

Personally, I would want stock, then do the mods exactly like I want them.

I agree completely. You'll fetch more with some lift and bigger tires... but I would want it stock.

Want to just trade for a 1977 FJ40?

 

[FJ73Texas]

Another vote for stock here. Everyone is different and not every mod added to it is going to mesh with the next owner.

 

[FJBen]

I agree it’s only stock/original once. That said, a small lift and 255/85r16s look perfect. Put the graphics on and call it good. OEM wheels and it will make a great little rig right off the get go and let someone put whatever they want on it after that.

 

[Whiskerz]

Stock and reliable with fresh services so that I do not have to start with a pile of basic work needed. Make sure everything works. Lights etc.

 

[joekatana]

I would lean towards the stock side. For me personally I would want it to be as rust free as possible first and foremost, then mechanically sound, ready to hit the road for thousands of miles I like to figure out how much I want to modify it. Of course if the vehicle had hard to get options, like A/C or the half doors or in the case of the 73/74 have both soft top and hard top, factory locked axles, then I would be more inclined to pay for those. Of course if it had a nice 2" lift and slightly larger tires and wheels that I like and armor, I would not let that hold me back.

No ac but it has factory elockers , I have never seen a 73 that came with both softtop and frp top , oem softops where a rare minority in Europe and most have been parted out already because they where the first to rust out from the inside out do to rain just pouring in as the top gets older.

I have a lift kit here so I might just ad it to it

 

[joekatana]

Don't use me as a guide as I don't think that I am "normal". Most mainstream folks don't enjoy the wrenching side of stuff. I have a feeling you will get a premium price putting big tires and accessories on them and giving turn key solutions.

Personally, I would want stock, then do the mods exactly like I want them.

I think exactly like you although it seems that we are a minority and most people need some eye candy on it to write that check

 

[joekatana]

Was this a European truck?

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I like the stock running boards--and I use them when getting in and out. Looks like a beautiful truck!

Yes this was a Euopean truck and I have the aluminum running boards for it, most of the time and in this case also the mounts start to detoriate and I would not advise anyone to frequently use those as a step to get in to the truck , not at a new one nor a old used one unless you weigh under a 150 lb like the JDM folks that these where intended for in 1984

 

[joekatana]

Stock everything **except** add mild lift and larger tires (on OEM wheels). Add graphics. Done.

These wheels are the oem correct ones for the cruiser , I might just add some 32" Goodyears and a small lift to it before I list it. It probably sells better but the ride will be sacrificing in smoothness

 

[joekatana]

I agree completely. You'll fetch more with some lift and bigger tires... but I would want it stock.

Want to just trade for a 1977 FJ40?

Sorry my 40 series days are behind me , a super nice 1984 BJ46 in LHD of course might still tempt me but no more swb for me

 

[joekatana]

I agree it’s only stock/original once. That said, a small lift and 255/85r16s look perfect. Put the graphics on and call it good. OEM wheels and it will make a great little rig right off the get go and let someone put whatever they want on it after that.

These are the correct stock wheels and a skinny 255 in combination with the also stock fender flares would make it look pretty bad, if I go for a bigger tire here it will have to be a wider one also

 

[joekatana]

Stock and reliable with fresh services so that I do not have to start with a pile of basic work needed. Make sure everything works. Lights etc.

Already rebuild complete front axle including new bearings , new front discs and pads, 2 new interstate batteries, new wheels and tires, new windshield frame and new windshield on order, new rear locker actuator on order, have all the filters ready for a maintenance before it leaves my shop..... I always try to ship them out ready to use , sometimes there are things like rear wipers or defrosters that are not functional anymore because po's removed part of the wiring harness or whatever the reason is that I might let pass and state in the ad but all the important stuff needs to work.

 

[FJBen]

These are the correct stock wheels and a skinny 255 in combination with the also stock fender flares would make it look pretty bad, if I go for a bigger tire here it will have to be a wider one also

I’m running flares a lift and 255 skinny’s and don’t think it looks too bad. I wouldn’t be against pulling my flares off either.