In other words as a hobby vehicle they are great. As your only daily transportation not so much.
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Just buy a 70 Series and download the Uber app.
The ideal 70 series for me would be either the pickup that Slee made Slee Off Road Combines the Best Toyota Parts in One Land Cruiser
Or one of those late model SWB FZJ70's from Venezuela, with coil suspension and solid axles.
Or one of those late model SWB FZJ70's from Venezuela, with coil suspension and solid axles.
mines a daily driver and it was -15F last night driving to/from work. I had a BJ-70/71 when I lived in Fairbanks, AK and it was my daily driver in down to -40F or colder, I did have a garage to park in at night, and block heater to plug in at work. Any of these I believe if maintenance is up to snuff they will be just as reliable as any new vehicle. Yeah, if they break without giving you a heads up and you got to order parts from Japan or other places, then this can present a problem. Otherwise if you see something that will need fixing and get parts ahead of time, then your down time will be like any other vehicle down time.
If you want short wheel base lhd hardtop you automaticly limit yourself to 2 markets
Latin American one with only a few FJ70 and LJ70 models available as most are 73 mid wheel base.
Europen market with LJ70 (coil springs makes this the most comfortable daily driver and some VX models have ac) BJ70 which is most of the time base entry level with no options,BJ71 same as BJ70 but with 13BT turbo diesel and more options or one of the fewer available PZJ70 and HZJ70......3 years from now the KZJ70 will become available and that is the best daily driver (KZJ73 in my case)
Just my 2 cents
Those and the rare Canadian BJ70's. Hard to find, generally rusty, but they're out there.
@Delancy ...... "Anything ideal has and will remain, that which you cannot have."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There was a time when I would buy a Land Cruiser and would almost immediately start looking to see if there was a "better" one out there somewhere. This habit lasted for a long time. It finally dawned on me that they are ALL GOOD in their own way. After this revelation I seem to enjoy them a lot more. I may be the only person on this forum that prefers the "squared-off, boxy look" over the new quasi Tacoma look.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There was a time when I would buy a Land Cruiser and would almost immediately start looking to see if there was a "better" one out there somewhere. This habit lasted for a long time. It finally dawned on me that they are ALL GOOD in their own way. After this revelation I seem to enjoy them a lot more. I may be the only person on this forum that prefers the "squared-off, boxy look" over the new quasi Tacoma look.
Buy one that someone put their sweat and blood into getting it just where they wanted it and then either got bored with it becuase they really like to fix them up or becuase they spent way too much on getting there and need the money... Those are the best deals. And then change it the way you want at your pace
- Thread starter
- #32
Hello and again and thank you all for your valuable contributions.
Fortunately I shared the photo of the engine with the experts of the subject and confirmed my suspicions, although it is not bad, it is not the most desirable.
That leads me to think of a more drastic solution like the one they pose with the 60 series, I'd rather do the same but with a 70 series, maybe use a more modern engine and slowly assemble the components to make a little "Frankenstein" , To put in that monster step by step the most desirable mechanical options: Suspension, Motor, Transmissions, A / C, until gradually arriving at my "Ideal" that would be the last and most desperate decision, (Although I did not discard it, A good remodeling workshop in the Houston area).
This the 2L Motor on photo ( Maybe for future motor transplant)
Among the many options I have sought, I was offered an RHD in excellent condition and it tells me that for approximately US 5,000 you can make the change to LHD. The truth is not sure if this exists, if someone has done it and if it really works well, also with the documents, I do not know what would happen.
This impeccable copy is the one they offer to sacrifice with the RHD-LHD change.
Of course, that implies time, money and having a mechanical master. Meanwhile, I already have the Uber App ... LOL
Ideally, you'll always be in another garage or in your mind, I just have to look for a good base to start working on it or ... that "The Force be with me" and hunt one that is already worked ...
Thank you to everyone for your comments.
Fortunately I shared the photo of the engine with the experts of the subject and confirmed my suspicions, although it is not bad, it is not the most desirable.
That leads me to think of a more drastic solution like the one they pose with the 60 series, I'd rather do the same but with a 70 series, maybe use a more modern engine and slowly assemble the components to make a little "Frankenstein" , To put in that monster step by step the most desirable mechanical options: Suspension, Motor, Transmissions, A / C, until gradually arriving at my "Ideal" that would be the last and most desperate decision, (Although I did not discard it, A good remodeling workshop in the Houston area).
This the 2L Motor on photo ( Maybe for future motor transplant)
Among the many options I have sought, I was offered an RHD in excellent condition and it tells me that for approximately US 5,000 you can make the change to LHD. The truth is not sure if this exists, if someone has done it and if it really works well, also with the documents, I do not know what would happen.
This impeccable copy is the one they offer to sacrifice with the RHD-LHD change.
Of course, that implies time, money and having a mechanical master. Meanwhile, I already have the Uber App ... LOL
Ideally, you'll always be in another garage or in your mind, I just have to look for a good base to start working on it or ... that "The Force be with me" and hunt one that is already worked ...
Thank you to everyone for your comments.
- Thread starter
- #33
Sorry, my mistake uploading the photos.
Where is this LC Museum you speak of?
Hello,
Ideal 70 Series is a rather broad definition.
Some things to consider.
A SWB model (70/71) can make a good daily driver, provided you are used to a hard suspension. It is also a good expedition vehicle for one person.
A MWB (73/74) is a great grocery/stuff hauler, and good for a three-person family.
A LWB (75/79 pickup, 75/78 Troop Carrier, 76/77 5-door) can make a great overland and/or family vehicle.
All three are great trail rigs.
LWB models have usually lived hard lives under rough conditions.
Most imports are diesel-powered RHD trucks.
Gassers are available but likely to have lived hard lives.
RHD to LHD conversion is possible but not really worth the effort in my books.
POs of turbodiesel Cruisers may have ignored the owners' manual warnings on allowing the turbo to cool down, and without proper care their engines are time bombs likely to puke their innards without warning.
A ton of accessories or a shiny paint job might hide abuse, nasty hacking or extensive rust.
Thorough checking is a must.
Hope this helps.
Juan
Ideal 70 Series is a rather broad definition.
Some things to consider.
A SWB model (70/71) can make a good daily driver, provided you are used to a hard suspension. It is also a good expedition vehicle for one person.
A MWB (73/74) is a great grocery/stuff hauler, and good for a three-person family.
A LWB (75/79 pickup, 75/78 Troop Carrier, 76/77 5-door) can make a great overland and/or family vehicle.
All three are great trail rigs.
LWB models have usually lived hard lives under rough conditions.
Most imports are diesel-powered RHD trucks.
Gassers are available but likely to have lived hard lives.
RHD to LHD conversion is possible but not really worth the effort in my books.
POs of turbodiesel Cruisers may have ignored the owners' manual warnings on allowing the turbo to cool down, and without proper care their engines are time bombs likely to puke their innards without warning.
A ton of accessories or a shiny paint job might hide abuse, nasty hacking or extensive rust.
Thorough checking is a must.
Hope this helps.
Juan
I like the Motorage GRJ70 Series myself. We can't get the VDJs in Japan so the petrol V6 is what we get.
I would love the 5 airbags and reinforced frame that are in the 2017 Australia 70 Series two-door pickup. Also the revamped 2nd gear and 5th gear, which makes the transmission a bit more highway friendly. Ideally a 6 speed, but I don't see Toyota making a new manual 6 speed truck transmission any time soon...
I would love the 5 airbags and reinforced frame that are in the 2017 Australia 70 Series two-door pickup. Also the revamped 2nd gear and 5th gear, which makes the transmission a bit more highway friendly. Ideally a 6 speed, but I don't see Toyota making a new manual 6 speed truck transmission any time soon...
Last edited:
I am waiting if any of the LHd markets will get the 5 airbags version.I like the Motorage GRJ70 Series myself. We can't get the VDJs in Japan so the petrol V6 is what we get.
I would love the 5 airbags and reinforced frame that are in the 2017 Australia 70 Series two-door pickup. Also the revamped 2nd gear and 5th gear, which makes the transmission a bit more highway friendly. Ideally a 6 speed, but I don't see Toyota making a new manual 6 speed truck transmission any time soon...