Meshal
SILVER Star
Actually, I can source one with this truck if someone asks, haha
SWB vs MWB vs wagon/troopy? 70 series noob here
- Thread starter Onlysixsyllables
- Start date
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Hello,
I may need one of those one day. It is good to know you can source one. Duly noted.
Juan
Plus you would have to remove the rear door frame as well. I think.
Hello,
I know it takes more than the FRP top to change from hard top to soft top.
Unlike windshield frames, B pillars and other parts, FRP tops are long gone.
With that particular soft top 73 Series, it would be nice to have all the parts for a conversion, especially those that are discontinued. Sometimes you cannot have all that you want.
Juan
I can get you as many frp tops as you want , there are plenty countries in the world where the cruisers just rusted away from underneath the tops . All those countries with a lot of rain and salt on the road in winter time have plenty of pristine frp tops around , you can’t find a single decent body panel there but the frp tops are well preserved.
Sorry Juan, wasn't implying you didn't know yourself but a lot of people don't realize how much goes into making a 73/74 a correct OEM FST set up. Miss the one I had sometimes.
I guess I will chime in but I am far from many of the seasoned experts here. I am on my third 70 series and I owned all body styles (PZJ70 SWB, FJ73 MWB, and HZJ77 LWB) except the troopy or pickup.
If I had to do it all over again, I would probably return back to the 73/74 platform but that is just me.
If I had to do it all over again, I would probably return back to the 73/74 platform but that is just me.
I’ll add in my limited .02 on the topic. Whilst I’ve been around cruisers my whole life and have personally owned 15 cruisers from 40s to 100s, I’ve only had 1 70 series.
It’s Probabaly been my favorite cruiser for just a cool vehicle….ive daily driven my BJ74 since 2019 basically. Great size rig. Not too big, not too small. Chugs down the highway at 65 pretty easily. The soft top was Probabaly my favorite mod. It’s cool. I’m cool(ish) it wheels great, suspension rides pretty dang good for leaf.
If I wanted a a vehicle to cross country tour…I’d be back in an 80 series. It’s my ultimate suv, still cool and unique looking, pinnacle Toyota.
If I wanted a camper style oveurerelander I’d get a pop top troopy.
I have my tdi jetta wagon for mpg/errands, tundra for hauling.
not sure I would sell a nice 80 I built to get a 70 series…heck I’ve contemplated many times trading/selling my 74 to get back into an 80
But a 70 series is super cool, unique and if I’m only hitting localish trails, lakes and fun riding it or just trying to look cool at the local Walmart and impress people on a forum with my “not edited” photos, then a 70 series hits that spot perfectly.
Personally, I’d try to get the newest 73/74 LHD soft top one I could find from the Middle East with a 1FZ/5 speed. 2nd choice would be the cleanest European LHD 1hz 5spd I could find.
The FRP/softtop option on these is just awesome.
Because I can’t control myself posting photos, summer mode and winter mode
It’s Probabaly been my favorite cruiser for just a cool vehicle….ive daily driven my BJ74 since 2019 basically. Great size rig. Not too big, not too small. Chugs down the highway at 65 pretty easily. The soft top was Probabaly my favorite mod. It’s cool. I’m cool(ish) it wheels great, suspension rides pretty dang good for leaf.
If I wanted a a vehicle to cross country tour…I’d be back in an 80 series. It’s my ultimate suv, still cool and unique looking, pinnacle Toyota.
If I wanted a camper style oveurerelander I’d get a pop top troopy.
I have my tdi jetta wagon for mpg/errands, tundra for hauling.
not sure I would sell a nice 80 I built to get a 70 series…heck I’ve contemplated many times trading/selling my 74 to get back into an 80
But a 70 series is super cool, unique and if I’m only hitting localish trails, lakes and fun riding it or just trying to look cool at the local Walmart and impress people on a forum with my “not edited” photos, then a 70 series hits that spot perfectly.
Personally, I’d try to get the newest 73/74 LHD soft top one I could find from the Middle East with a 1FZ/5 speed. 2nd choice would be the cleanest European LHD 1hz 5spd I could find.
The FRP/softtop option on these is just awesome.
Because I can’t control myself posting photos, summer mode and winter mode
TreadingLight
"Overlanding is Sh*t"
It 100% depends on your intended use. You mentioned camping and offroading, for example.
But how do you camp and what kind of offroading?
Troopies are great rigs for camping, esp if you like to sleep in your vehicle. With a pop top and some cabinets inside you can carry a small apartment on wheels.
Troopies with good suspension (Dobinsons IMS for me) will eat up washboard and forest roads, get you on and off beaches, and handle mild obstacles on trails with ease.
But you'd be hard pressed to get a Troopy through the Rubicon.
If that's the kind of wheeling you do, a 76 or 73/74 would be the ticket.
I dig my Troopy for long roadtrips but have started building a 40 series for wheeling because there are just too many places a Troopy can't go.
I would not consider any automatic transmission paired with a 1hz.
A 6 speed miata is a great companion to a Land Cruiser. I am about to jump in my NB.
But how do you camp and what kind of offroading?
Troopies are great rigs for camping, esp if you like to sleep in your vehicle. With a pop top and some cabinets inside you can carry a small apartment on wheels.
Troopies with good suspension (Dobinsons IMS for me) will eat up washboard and forest roads, get you on and off beaches, and handle mild obstacles on trails with ease.
But you'd be hard pressed to get a Troopy through the Rubicon.
If that's the kind of wheeling you do, a 76 or 73/74 would be the ticket.
I dig my Troopy for long roadtrips but have started building a 40 series for wheeling because there are just too many places a Troopy can't go.
I would not consider any automatic transmission paired with a 1hz.
A 6 speed miata is a great companion to a Land Cruiser. I am about to jump in my NB.
- Thread starter
- #33
For sure. Moderate offroading for the sake of camping. Not into full on rock crawling. Mainly offroading to explore and get a nice campsite. Maybe some mudding. Hauling gear/equipment when needed.
Looking into a 73, but I hear mixed reviews about adding a roof rack for a RTT which is how we like to camp. At this point I'm down for anything that is clean haha
Meshal
SILVER Star
maybe a clean fj70?
1989, 240k km, full floater, ac and heater, h55 with 3f
1989, 240k km, full floater, ac and heater, h55 with 3f
- Thread starter
- #35
I love that, beautiful truck. But I'm looking for one with a 1hz preferably
TreadingLight
"Overlanding is Sh*t"
Sounds like you've answered your own question then. Shop for something clean and take what you can get.
Clean hzj7x cruisers are few and far between though. They are old and were used as workhorses for the most part.
@Onlysixsyllables there are a couple of cruisers for sale from mud members that are not far from you- a RHD BJ73 with 13BT swap in Oriental, NC (great price, especially for a camp/wheeling truck), a LHD HZJ73 in Virginia Beach, and I'm on the outer banks if you want to come drive a 1Hz turbo troopy. Unless you already have a history with these trucks I'd recommend getting out and driving a few to see what will really fit your needs. Most 70 series are going to have rust either visible or hidden, middle east trucks less so, but depends on where from and it's almost impossible to find those with 1Hz.
13BT is a runner. I bet if you drove both those trucks you'd prefer it.
I have a '94 FZJ75 pickup and that truck will absolutely scoot with the 1FZ-F engine. My personal opinion of course but that's the only engine I would be considering in an importable 70 series (or obviously the 1FZ-FE but I'm not sure where to get one of those in a 70 series).
Good luck with your search.
Hello,
The 1HZ engine is as reliable as it gets.
However, keep in mind that it was not designed with American roads, or with life in the fast lane, in mind. You can get some extra power with a low-pressure turbo and intercooler, but not that much if you want to keep it reliable.
An engine swap with a more powerful power plant is possible but it is not cheap if done properly.
Juan