What to buy?

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PhrogsPhorever

PhrogsPhorever

Can’t put Possum in a cage
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Well, I've been looking at a couple of cruisers and an in a conundrum as which to buy.

So, I've been looking atn 85 BJ70 and a 94 HZJ75.

The BJ70 is in great shape, 3B, H55, FF rear drum brake axle, brand new OME suspension, body and interior is in darn near perfect shape for a 25y/o truck. Pretty vanilla but a good find for a turnkey BJ.

The HZJ75 is in Ok shape, RHD, 1HZ, H55, OEM twin tanks and snorkel, FF rear disc axle. Mechanically it is sound with the usual unknowns as to past servicing. Body and interior is in Ok shape, but will need some loving to get it looking good. It's a 94 so I have to dig to see if the PO has the pertinent import docs, but it has a clear FL title that match the numbers on the frame. And since it is already registered in Fl, I am still a resident and can register it there with no problems.

So, the BJ70 will be a little easier to source parts for as it's a Canadian spec truck. The HZJ75 will be harder to source parts for but has the Troopy, expedition rig coolness factor, and I'd probably sell my 4BT 80 and built that one up if I got it.

I really like the shape the BJ is in, but I love the 75 series troopies.

What say ye ONSC folk?:cheers:
 
BJ70

BJ70.webp

HZJ75 looks almost exactly like this, minus the roof rack, different bumper and tires. Webshots site

1994 Troopie pictures from cars photos on webshots

HZJ75.webp
BJ70.webp
HZJ75.webp
 
I'd have to sell the 2 vehicles to do that.

The :princess: has a strict 3 vehicle cap on me right now. For some reason she doesn't understand that sometimes 3 just isn't enough.

With the troopy, it's easy, the 80 would go and I'd focus the expedition efforts toward the HZJ.

If I get the BJ, I don't know what I will have to sell. Probably the Tacoma and DD the BJ:idea:
 
I got to wheel with both at GSMTR and both are cool lil trucks. Sounds like your on it but only caution would be some of the gray market titles outta florida like the HZJ transplanted 80 thats still for sale.

My vote is HZJ75 and keep the 40 and hook me up on the cummins :D

LCDowney has the 3b 70 and matt mcinnes has the 75 if you wanna PM them.
GSMTR09 026.webp
GSMTR09 028.webp
 
Get that BJ74 from cali...nice middle ground between the two.

13b-t and cable lockers...those alone are money.

Let Jason or I have the cummins!
 
The grey market thing doesn't bother me, I'm still a FL resident and can just register it at the Inlaws address. :grinpimp:

But, with all the reasearch I have done, the HZJ parts are much harder to source. The BJ is super easy, it was a Canadian Spec 70, so the 3B and most other parts are either easy to source, or have some commonality with 40s and 60s. The 75 series parts have some commonality with 40s, 60s and 80s, but there are some things that you have to source from Australia or try to cherry pick the Canadian and the few 'Merican vendors for stuff. That is why I am on the fence about the 70 versus 75.

As I said, the 75 has the uber coolness factor, and really any 70 series in the US in good shape is kind of the "great white whale".
 
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Well, the decision is made. I'm going with the BJ70. The 75 is nice, but the condition and the price of the 70 makes it too good to pass up.

For all you fans of the 80, keep an eye out. I have to decide what vehicle to sell now;)
 
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