what to do with my 70 series rag top.

[crushers]

so as most of you know i have a pretty sweet rag top 70 showing up in 2 weeks and i have to make a decision...
it is replacing my PZJ75 since i absolutely love open top vehicles. now this one will never be as practicle as the pickup but it could be a really nice ride either way.
so here is my question for the masses (since i am really indicisive on my own), do i keep it stock, replace the top, replace the e/brake handle, console lid and throw a set of ENS tires on the splits and call it quites
OR
do the above and then add from my collection of parts, a factory snorkle, a dakar lift, a mapped turbo, my kicking 70 series one off front bumper, a set of sliders, custom side mount rear seats and end up with a one of a kind BJ70 rag top (after all Moose has a really clean rag top 70 to admire)...
(if i knew how to do a pole i would. if someone wants to show me how i would be fine in doing one).

so what should i do? all views and opinions appreciated...

 

[seapotato]

(if i knew how to do a pole i would. if someone wants to show me how i would be fine in doing one)

now that there, is one daaaaamn funny little typo....

 

[Technikev]

Well, Wayne, myself, I would probably mod it a bit, but not anything that couldn't be easily undone, and nothing that really changes the appearance.

Now, having said that, specifically what I would do is is replace the top and stuff to make it all good and factory. Then I would the Dakar and maybe the sliders. Maybe leave it there for a while until you get a bit bored with it. I wouldn't put on 35's or tall and real skinnies. The 255/65-16's look good on the 70's.

The snorkel was available from the factory, so that is prolly fine.

I don't know... it's a tough call. I guess, what I'd stick with is midly modded, but nothing excessive.

Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun with it. Wish it were in my driveway.

-kevin

 

[1990 LJ78]

I'm with Kevin.
Mod just a small amount.
Stuff that can be undone. If the need arises.
Good luck with it Wayne.
Regards

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Wayne, just like we ask everyone else - what do you plan on doing with the rig?


That being said, I'd probably vote for your second choice! I know that you are not a "collector-type" of guy: you like to use your rigs! Of course, yor TLCs might just be "mall-cruisers" now that you off-road that 'lil Mitsu jeep!

I'm looking forward to following your posts about this rig!

Regards,

Alan

 

[Diescipel]

Sounds to me like you want to build something with all the joys of the 40 series but with all the comforts and upgrades of the 70s.

So go for it!

I like the idea of a slightly modded, capable but otherwise not garrish looking rig. At least, that's what I'm trying to build.

B

 

[wesintl]

You have to keep that as stock as possible. It's almost a showroom piece. Keep it locked down for sunday drives only.

Somehow I don't see that happening. Knowing you if the mods don't begin now they will later on.

were not talking any old 70. That thing still has the pastic on the doors.

 

[Island Moose]

Mine is stock because I'm poor...option #2 would be my dream rig.

 

[denis]

sell it and buy the 75 back

 

[crushers]

sell it and buy the 75 back

thanks for the opinions guys, i really do appreciate it. still undecided though, both side of the equation makes sense to me... what to do...

but the above comment struck me REAL funny this early in the morning...
thanks for the laugh!!

 

[roscoFJ73]

Wayne your wheeling trips are usually of an longer than one night period from memory.
If thats correct that will be too small and too cold with a soft top and its too nice to modify anyway .
I would use it as DD and get a LWB maybe a 60 or HZJ75 if possible and use it for those longer trips.
Nothing beats a 4wd that you can camp in the back when the eyes get too heavy

 

[crushers]

true but for wheeling i have the PZJ70, worse case senerio i would take this one mild "sunny sunday" off road runs...
the real problem i have is " you build it , you will wheel it" moto will probably come into play...

i have had many 60s over the years and i really don't like them off road (around here anyway)...

hummm, the 75(s) i have had have seen extremely short off road trips. the PZ never saw off road at all since i bought it and the HZ i had only did about 2 or 3 short mild runs...

 

[denis]

but the above comment struck me REAL funny this early in the morning...
thanks for the laugh!!

you're welcome
I would kill for a 75 truck, maybe one day I will build one from scratch

 

[nickw]

Wayne,
I guess it depends on what you want to do with it.
The more you build it, the more you will want to use it......
So I guess the question is, what do you want to do with it?
Do you want to use the truck (bush), or have it as a pavment princess/show truck?

You could build it into a show truck, but just make sure you also have a bush truck too.
Otherwise the tempation would be great to bush drive it.
I would probably limit it to good foresty service roads only.

As for what you want in a show truck thats upto you.

Cheers,
Nick

 

[Tapage]

Dude .. Wayne ..

hahahahahaha congrats my dear friend .. ! you are in trhe way !

Turboed Nice
Suspension Nice
Front and Rear Bull Bar .. winch of course . NICE !
Snorkel Pretty NICE !!!

G damn dude .. ! go ahead !!!!

 

[lshobie]

I'd leave it original -- just replace what needs to be fixed and enjoy it as is. It wont be long before something else in japan catches your eye and you pass the 70 on to someone else.

just my opinion.

 

[crushers]

Dude .. Wayne ..

hahahahahaha congrats my dear friend .. ! you are in trhe way !

Turboed Nice
Suspension Nice
Front and Rear Bull Bar .. winch of course . NICE !
Snorkel Pretty NICE !!!

G damn dude .. ! go ahead !!!!

yah, it would look pretty sweet done up...

 

[crushers]

I'd leave it original -- just replace what needs to be fixed and enjoy it as is. It wont be long before something else in japan catches your eye and you pass the 70 on to someone else.

just my opinion.

i agree, i change my mind like Calgary weather...
this is the main reason i am in a quandary...

 

[crushers]

see, that is the thing...
i have a decent bush truck already so that part of the temptation is dealt with ... unless something happens to the bush pig...
as for a show quality truck that is too easy but then a show quality modified rig might be cool as well... a pavement princess so to speak... but then is that me?
cheers

 

[lshobie]

Oh, while i think of it - what was the problem that time you took some water in the PZJ70? I think you said it was blowing smoke and lacked power or something - was it the turbo?