Why 70s

[TMort]

I personally love the look of the 70 series.

I just wanted to post and see why others chose the 70 series over the 60 or 80 series?

 

[coldtaco]

Looks and diesel, since Toyota won’t sell us a good off road rig w/a diesel. Toyota did sell a 2LT powered pickup in mid 80’s, good luck finding one in good shape

 

[LDowney]

The 70s are the replacement for 40s, so SWB / MWB / wagons / pickups / troopy models are available (in addition to driveline / powerplant / suspension options. The 60 and 80 series do not have diversity of this level in the line up.

Variety and choice yields a broad base of interest and perspectives (which your question will likely bring forth).

 

[sodafeld1]

I loved my old bj40 series 30 years ago. The body with bolt on straight panels with curves, the simplicity of the drive train and engine. The old indirect injection diesel gives the option of being able to run on veg oil. Everything on them are tough and practical. Many a brilliant adventure we had. Lost her to circumstance.
But I can't afford them now as they went up in value drastically, especially the hj47 troopy, which is more family friendly and camping.

I looked for over a year for a hj47 troopy , hard to get them not rusted out or way to pricey. But an ex fire brigade Hj75 troopy, bang orange, in excellent condition came up for a good price $12k aud, no rust had 180,000km. It was the next best. Don't regret it, love it too much! Bonus is front disc brakes, power steering and 5th gear as stock.

I prefer the older cars pre 1992 for sure, easier to work on, less electrics. Maybe a hzj75 troopy would have been better for the engine, but I am extremely happy with what I have.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

70 series is built with commercial use in mind (as a replacement for the 40 series). There are some more optioned 70 series catered to sub-urban buyers, but the vehicle still has the underlying reliable commercial build quality and design.

60, 80, 100, 200, 300 series are built more specifically only for sub-urban buyers. They are more comfortable and handle better on the highway.

I like my 70 series wagon as it works well for daily use, but is excellent off road. It's narrower than 60, 80, 100 series and more utilitarian. This appeals to me. The trails I explore on are narrow, and the 70 series fits well.

I like the boxy look too. Sort of like Land Rover Defender and G Wagon look. Classic style.

Finally, they're still make them, so parts are easier to get.

 

[TMort]

Both excellent explanations @sodafeld1 and @GTSSportCoupe danke!

 

[FJ40 that green thing]

All good points above, I love the looks and notoriety, 60 and 80 series are awesome trucks but it is fun to own something more unique or rare for the US. I went for a KZJ78 mainly for the turbo diesel and solid axles with coil suspension. The other main reason for me was the cost of a decent 60/80/100 with 200k miles on it was still more than the 70 with 1/2 as many miles on it so I feel like I'll get more life out of it before rebuilding everything. The utility of it, fuel economy, the aftermarket accessory options and most parts availability for it is actually pretty good being that the 70 series is still in production. I like the narrow size of it, gutter mounts on the roof, it truly is an SUV. I also find the 1KZ engine to be quite a bit peppier than any other series land cruiser i've ever driven, with the exception of the 200 so that's also a plus.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I personally love the look of the 70 series.

I just wanted to post and see why others chose the 70 series over the 60 or 80 series?

Why restrict yourself to just one variant? I personally think the 80 series is perhaps the best land cruiser ever made but I do find myself driving the others more often. I’m not a diesel fan in smallish vehicles so that’s never been a factor for me. Having said that, I had a diesel 100 series in the UK for a few years and it was great….guessing I would have said the same had it been the V8 petrol.

 

[FJBen]

Let's see, I've owned:

1 = 100 series
6 = 80 series
1 = 70 series
2 = 60/62 series
2 = 55 series
1 = 45 series
2 = 40 series

I've enjoyed most all of them save for a super crusty 60 series. They all have pros/cons and some are much better than things than others. I feel like I have a pretty good idea of the different models and their strengths and weaknesses.

To me the 40 series is THE Land Cruiser. Iconic. Top off, hardtop, simple, rugged, easy trail fixes Legend. That said, they are usually loud, slow, small, old and etc.
The 80 series is one of my favorite. Probably the best solid axle SUV, or just straight SUV ever built. Can pretty much do it all...Not topless, 4 door, larger doesn't have the iconic look like the 40.

The 70 series is just a great mix between the 40's and 80s and up. Tough, simple, proven, iconic (at least outside the US by far).
OPTIONS!!!!
2 door, 4 door, hard top, soft top, short wheel base, medium wheel base, long wheel base, pickup, diesel, turbo diesel, petrol, RHD, LHD, "70 series, A cruiser for everyone™". I'm trademarking that

For me, it was a BJ74, 2 door turbodiesel 5 speed removable top mid wheel base that hooked me on the 70 series. Basically a newer 40 series thats pretty comfy for trips and all sorts of weather.

 

[rick_d]

i have owned
7 40 series
23 45 wagons
2 55
3 60
1 62 (caretook for friend)
0 80/100
2 74
1 79

74 is simply the best platform for a cruiser. Nimble. 102” wb. Quiet. Best in coil/leaf config (see bottombracket)
79 is good work truck.
70 is short. 75/78 troop carrier is beast. 75 pick up is tight. 77/76 might be tolerable but see 1999+ coil front end.

Single reason to buy a 7x is parts. You can get late model stuff new and many swap from old trucks up.

If you are in germany get a 1999+ 74 series screw the older stuff

 

[TMort]

i have owned
7 40 series
23 45 wagons
2 55
3 60
1 62 (caretook for friend)
0 80/100
2 74
1 79

74 is simply the best platform for a cruiser. Nimble. 102” wb. Quiet. Best in coil/leaf config (see bottombracket)
79 is good work truck.
70 is short. 75/78 troop carrier is beast. 75 pick up is tight. 77/76 might be tolerable but see 1999+ coil front end.

Single reason to buy a 7x is parts. You can get late model stuff new and many swap from old trucks up.

If you are in germany get a 1999+ 74 series screw the older stuff

Thanks great post! Would like to look into 1999+ but it has to be 25+ yrs old to import back to U.S.

 

[FJ73Texas]

74 is simply the best platform for a cruiser. Nimble. 102” wb. Quiet.

I agree 100% here. I really miss my FJ73 (same as 74 from a body style standpoint).

 

[TMort]

Are 73 and 74s the same but different year or motor? They have 73s over here but not 74s. Lots and lots of shorter ones. For example a 73 (w the removable top) in average shape for 8,500 euro.

i have owned
7 40 series
23 45 wagons
2 55
3 60
1 62 (caretook for friend)
0 80/100
2 74
1 79

74 is simply the best platform for a cruiser. Nimble. 102” wb. Quiet. Best in coil/leaf config (see bottombracket)
79 is good work truck.
70 is short. 75/78 troop carrier is beast. 75 pick up is tight. 77/76 might be tolerable but see 1999+ coil front end.

Single reason to buy a 7x is parts. You can get late model stuff new and many swap from old trucks up.

If you are in germany get a 1999+ 74 series screw the older stuff

 

[FJBen]

Are 73 and 74s the same but different year or motor? They have 73s over here but not 74s. Lots and lots of shorter ones. For example a 73 (w the removable top) in average shape for 8,500 euro.

73/74 series are mid-wheelbase removable FRP top, or soft top.


BJ73 - 3B diesel
BJ73 - Spain only VM-motorri 2.5 turbo diesel junk
BJ74 - 13BT turbo diesel RHD only (except for under 10 for Paris Dakar allegedly)
HZJ73 - 1HZ 6 cylinder turbo diesel
HZJ74 - 1HZ 6 cylinder, coil spring front

FJ73 - 3F 6cylinder gas
FZJ73 - 1FZ 6 cylinder gas
FZ73-FE - 1FZ fuel inject 6 cylinder gas
FJZ74-FJ 1FZ fuel injected 6 cylinder gas, coil spring front end


EDIT: thanks @FJ73Texas these are the Prado models, EDIT AGAIN added RJ73
LJ73 - 2LT/2LTE 4 cylinder turbo diesel
KZJ-73 - 1KZ - 4 cylinder turbo diesel
PZJ-73 - 5 cylinder diesel
RJ-73 - 22R 4 cylinder gas

So yes, the later 74 series has the coil spring front end in the mid wheelbase. Best model if you can get it, not importable to the US yet.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Don't forget the LJ73, KZJ73 , and PZJ73....although those rarely seem to pop up. The KZJ73 and LJ73 are odd ones because it has the prado nose.

 

[TMort]

I haven’t seen a single 74 over here. Only 70s, lots of 70s and a few 73s. But again I’m only searching 98 and older. Also of note, there’s a very nice 60 series for 20k though. Seems expensive but looks to be in mint condition.

73/74 series are mid-wheelbase removable FRP top, or soft top.


BJ73 - 3B diesel
BJ73 - Spain only VM-motorri 2.5 turbo diesel junk
BJ74 - 13BT turbo diesel RHD only (except for under 10 for Paris Dakar allegedly)
HZJ73 - 1HZ 6 cylinder turbo diesel
HZJ74 - 1HZ 6 cylinder, coil spring front

FJ73 - 3F 6cylinder gas
FZJ73 - 1FZ 6 cylinder gas
FZ73-FE - 1FZ fuel inject 6 cylinder gas
FJZ74-FJ 1FZ fuel injected 6 cylinder gas, coil spring front end


So yes, the later 74 series has the coil spring front end in the mid wheelbase. Best model if you can get it, not importable to the US yet.

 

[FJ40 that green thing]

I haven’t seen a single 74 over here. Only 70s, lots of 70s and a few 73s. But again I’m only searching 98 and older. Also of note, there’s a very nice 60 series for 20k though. Seems expensive but looks to be in mint condition

How are the 70's priced there? Since you can get nice 60's in the US for $20k+ pretty easily, you might as well bring home a rad 70 series?

 

[FJBen]

I haven’t seen a single 74 over here. Only 70s, lots of 70s and a few 73s. But again I’m only searching 98 and older. Also of note, there’s a very nice 60 series for 20k though. Seems expensive but looks to be in mint condition.

Yep, 74's would be
BJ74 - 13BT 1984~1989.
and then the FZJ/HZJ74 which would be newer and the coil sprung version I believe 98 until 2004 all though pretty hard to find

To be honest, I don't think I've seen a European BJ74 for sale, mainly just Japan and Australia. Not saying they didn't exist there, it's just you never really see them for sale from there.


2001 LHD HZJ74 for sale in Italy.
Toyota per € 25.000,- - https://www.autoscout24.it/annunci/-86f81e22-45f4-4002-80de-a49df1099187

 

[TMort]

Look at this beauty!

 

[FJ40 that green thing]

Are 73 and 74s the same but different year or motor? They have 73s over here but not 74s. Lots and lots of shorter ones. For example a 73 (w the removable top) in average shape for 8,500 euro.

A shorty with fiberglass top in US is going to be $18-30k so this seems pretty reasonable. This would be the equivalent to your 40 series, just newer. Great off road, limited space. 70 series wagons and troopies are going to be more ideal for "overlanding" or hauling people and stuff. can't really go wrong with any of them.