Toyo 70 light 4 door

[Scott Brady]

Really? You are planning to use an LJ in AZ?

Yep. We also use an FZJ80, which tend to eat head gaskets and heads with regularity. We live in a small town at over 5,000 feet (i.e. cooler), are fastidious about maintenance and don't abuse them. We are going to keep the cooling system in top shape and install an EGT pyro next week. Of course it helps that it only has 60,000 miles on it. Time will tell if the little 2.5L will prove reliable.

 

[UK4X4]

Well it was certainly reliable while I had it.

last seen being driven to Yemen by a dark skinned turban clad fellow

I had no overheating issues even in Oman in summer 52oC

The little 2.4 is underpowered but was used in many a Hilux including the one Top gear tried to kill- the desert dwellers loved them for their simplicity and hard wearing, even day in day use on graded tracks.

I could fill it and the trailer- performance did not change much but was noticible in sand use - it was more of a gazzel lightly loaded and when i added 285 75R16 BFG K2's it just floated over the dunes- with some heavy right foot to keep the engine in its power band.

I'd have one again for light use - but loved the Nissan patrol 4.8 that replaced it- load capacity and give that power baby !

 

[redthies]

We live in a small town at over 5,000 feet.

You live in one of my favorite towns in Az! The whole Wickenburg to Jerome area is awesome.

Treat that LJ right, (looks like you plan to) and you should be fine. If it overheats, deal with it then. Plenty of options for parts/motors here in Canada, and plenty of people who can help you find what you need on ExPo!

 

[Scott Brady]

You live in one of my favorite towns in Az! The whole Wickenburg to Jerome area is awesome.

Please stop by the next time you are in the area. Would love to show you around.

Treat that LJ right, (looks like you plan to) and you should be fine. If it overheats, deal with it then. Plenty of options for parts/motors here in Canada, and plenty of people who can help you find what you need on ExPo!

We are not planning to take it around the world or even outside of the Southwest. It is going to be a fun, efficient and functional daily driver. Lots of space. I drive it like an old grandma - we have HEMIs for the more spirited activities

 

[lostworldexpedition]

Congrats on your new to you wobbly old truck

Have you contacted Rafael for maintenance? He is a great LandCruiser mechanic.

Hope to see you and maybe do a trip or two when we hit Colombia on the way up!

 

[jham]

UK4x4, we have an LJ70 here in Uganda identical to the second picture you posted. Thing is a beast and will walk through anything. It sits pretty high with the lead springs, it has 235/85s on it now with lots of room to spare - they actually look small.

Tooling around the villages in these things is pure bliss, that diesel just purrs.