75-series Land Cruiser, Summer 2008

Rare Breed:
Toyota Land Cruiser 75-series pickup
Common around the world, a 75-series pickup is royalty in the U.S.
Story and photography by Chris Marzonie
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Overland Journal Summer 2008
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1.
2.
3.
4.
"Diesel" fuel cap with Japanese characters
Speaker HID lamps
Rear receiver hitch with pintle
BFG Mud-Terrains on non-U.S. 80-series
wheels (Hint: 75-series trucks can be distinguished from 78/79-series by the 6-bolt pattern. 78/79-series have a 5-bolt pattern.)
5. Technitop roof tent
6. A Viair on-board air compressor with storage
tank is mounted inside the toolbox
7. Diamond-plate toolbox and custom rack with
mounts for the roof tent
8. 4.2 liter 6-cylinder 1HZ diesel with ATX turbo
9. The windshield has hinges for folding operation, but there are no bumpers or latches on
this truck.
10.Left-hand drive; Cobra 75WXST CB; and
ARB compressor switch.
11.ARB switches for front and rear air lockers
12.ARB roof rack and Safari Snorkel with precleaner
Overland Journal Summer 2008
t’s strange to think of a Toyota Land Cruiser as contraband, sharing a list with absinthe, Cuban cigars, Sierra Leonean diamonds, and coca. But while 75-series Land
Cruisers are ubiquitous workhorses virtually everywhere in the world, they were
never imported into the U.S. Sighting one here is cause for bootleg-turn maneuvers
to get a close-up view or flag down the driver.
Speculation abounds as to why we have been (and continue to be) denied. Personally, I don’t
buy the argument that “the U.S. market simply won’t support it.” My guess is that it has more to
do with design feasibility and economics as they relate to EPA and DOT standards. Canadians
share our grief to an extent, but they can import foreign vehicles that are at least 15 years old
(we have to wait 25). That means our friends to the north will be able to import a truck like the
one featured here in another five years. Up until a few months ago, Mexico allowed foreign used
cars between 10 and 15 years old to be imported, but a recent change to the law says they must
be exactly 10 years old. So, if you live in Mexico and would like to own a 1998 HZJ-75, this year
is your one and only chance.
Toyota introduced the 70-series in 1984, replacing the venerable 40-series except in very
limited markets. The new range was designed to appeal to a broader market, while still retaining
the mandatory strength and reliability for which the 40s were legendary. The lineup started with
the 70 (short wheelbase), 73 (mid-wheelbase), and 75 (long wheelbase) versions. Configurations
included cab-chassis and two-door troop carriers (wagons). The production run lasted through
1998 (the year of our feature vehicle), when the slightly updated 78/79-series was introduced.
The 75 employed a stout, boxed ladder frame chassis with leaf spring front and rear axles.
The front and rear differentials were aligned to the right side of the vehicle, along with the
transfer case, to allow easy tracking of the lowest points through rough terrain and obstacles.
The 70s were soon in use by commercial, military, and private interests the world over—with
the exception of North America.
So you’ll understand why my jaw dropped when I saw this truck cruising the streets of Moab
last year. I tracked down the owner, Jeremiah Proffitt of Proffitt’s Cruisers, and he invited me to
visit their shop in Delta, Colorado, to spend some time with the 75-series truck and a few other
of their remarkable Land Cruiser projects.
According to Jeremiah, the previous owner imported several 75s to North America exclusively for underground mining operations. They were ordered as left-hand drive, Middle-Eastspecification cab-chassis versions with no body panels or bed behind the cab. Consistent with
MSHA smog requirements for underground mines, 1HZ 4.2 liter, six-cylinder diesel motors
fitted with ATX turbo-chargers were supplied. The diesel engines were mated to five-speed
manual gearboxes and two-speed transfer cases. Four-wheel disc brakes were another nice feature included with these trucks.
5.
9.
10.
1.
11.
2.
6.
3.
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8.
75
12.
Overland Journal Summer 2008
. . . sharing a list with absinthe,
Cuban cigars,
Sierra Leonean diamonds, and coca.
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Overland Journal Summer 2008
For whatever reason, the previous owner decided (or perhaps planned all along) to spare
one of the trucks from the tortuous clutches of life in a hard-rock mine, and managed to legally
title the truck for street use. The result is what you see here, as far as we can determine the only
legally titled 1998 HZJ-75 truck on U.S. soil.
After enduring what was no doubt a gauntlet of red tape, inspections, permits, and certifications, the owner spared no expense turning the truck into a functional 4WD vehicle. He had
a custom stainless-steel bed built and painted to match the cab, including continuation of the
body lines and angles. He fitted new differentials from Toyota, equipped front and rear with
ARB air lockers. The front end is equipped with an ARB bullbar, Speaker HID lamps, and a
Warn 8274 winch. Other modifications included aftermarket dampers and Alcan springs for the
suspension, and a Safari Snorkel with pre-filter.
Once out on the streets, the original owner found the truck attracted far too much attention
for his liking. It was subsequently relegated to collector’s status, and warehoused in a metal barn
somewhere in the mountains of Colorado. The barn doors were blocked with heavy equipment
to eliminate break-ins. And there it sat for years.
Eventually, the owner decided to sell, and contacted Proffitt’s Cruisers. Jeremiah was elated
to acquire such an esteemed example of the Land Cruiser legacy, especially one that was otherwise unheard of in the U.S. market—and one that had only 43,000 miles on the odometer.
Jeremiah inherited many spares with his purchase, including the original differentials, suspension, spare clutch, spare axles, and various other parts. To add his own touches and more
overland capability to the truck, Proffitt installed a diamond-plate toolbox behind the cab, along
with a custom steel rack to accommodate a Technitop roof tent and a custom canvas canopy.
Atop the cab sits a short ARB roof rack, a useful gear platform for camping with the tent deployed. Perfectly proportioned to the body and suspension is a set of 255/85/R16 BFG TA/
KM Mud-terrain tires on non-U.S.-spec FJ80 wheels, although Jeremiah plans to install a set of
factory solid-center split rims to maintain a more original appearance. Likewise, Jeremiah plans
to replace the Safari Snorkel with a new OEM Toyota snorkel. (It’s not much different from the
safari version, but it does have the name “Land Cruiser” molded into the plastic.)
The interior of the HZJ-75 is very utilitarian, just as Toyota intended. Cloth 60/40 bench
seats face a spartan dash, with no power locks or windows in sight. ARB illuminated rocker
switches, a Cobra 75WXST CB, and XM radio are simple modifications that match the purpose
of the truck as a rugged and reliable workhorse.
It’s interesting to note that Overland Journal’s executive editor, its publisher, and its editorial
director (myself) have all driven 70-series Land Cruisers at some point or another. We’re very
fortunate to have had these experiences, and I hope the countries who have the 70-series Land
Cruisers available to them know how lucky they are. I remain hopeful that a 78-series Troop
carrier will find its way to my driveway one of these days. Until then, I’ll just have to arrange
visits to Jeremiah’s 75. At least I was lucky enough to get in without paying admission the first
time. After this article runs, who knows?
Specifications
• 1998 Toyota HZJ-75 cab-chassis
truck
• Middle-East spec left-hand drive
• 1HZ diesel engine with ATX Turbo
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Two-speed manual transfer case
• Four-wheel disc brakes
• Solid (live) front and rear axles
• Leaf spring (spring-under) suspension front and rear
Modifications
• Legally titled in the U.S.
• Stainless-steel bed
• ARB air lockers front and rear
• ARB bullbar
• ARB short roof rack
• Safari Snorkel
• Warn 8274 electric winch
• Speaker HID lamps
• Diamond-plate locking toolbox
• Viair on-board air compressor
with tank
• Technitop roof tent by African
Outback Products
• Custom utility rack (similar to
original, but with mounts for the
tent)
• Custom soft canvas cover
• Cobra 75WXST CB radio
For current-year model 70-series
Toyotas on the web:
toyota.co.jp/worldwide
toyota-gib.com
Overland Journal Summer 2008
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