Land Cruiser 70 Series Soft Top: BJ73, HZJ73, BJ74 and KZJ73 Guide

The 70 Series in brief

The 70 Series Land Cruiser replaced the 40 Series in 1984. It's Toyota's "Heavy Duty" line, still built in some countries today. The 70 Series was not sold new in the US, but thanks to the 25-year rule, more and more of them are being imported: BJ73s, BJ74s, HZJ73s and KZJ73s are prized for overlanding and long trips because they're tough, simple and easy to service.

Many arrive with a factory or fiberglass hard top. A soft top lets you drive open, shed weight, or bring back the spirit of the early Land Cruisers.

Which trucks does the 70 Series soft top fit?

The 70 Series comes in three lengths: short (70), medium (73, 74) and long (75, 76, 77, 78, 79). Our 70 Series full soft top is one single part for:

The rear closure is the same on all of these. An HZJ73 soft top is also a BJ73, BJ74 or KZJ73 soft top: the engine doesn't change the body.

How to identify your 70 Series

Model names in import listings aren't always accurate. Before ordering a 70 Series soft top, confirm the exact code:

• The ID plate: it's in the engine bay and shows the model code, for example HZJ73 or BJ74.
• The frame number: it's stamped directly on the chassis and should match your import and title paperwork.
• The engine code: stamped on the block (3B, 13B-T, 1HZ, 1KZ-T...), it confirms the original version unless the engine has been swapped.

If the code ends in 0, 3 or 4, your truck is a match. If it ends in 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, it's a long wheelbase. To decode every letter, read our guide to Land Cruiser model codes.

Be careful with listings: an HZJ73 is sometimes advertised as a BJ73, or the other way around, and some imported trucks have been fitted with a roof or rear body from another model. Trust the code on the ID plate rather than the ad.

If in doubt (modified body, parts from another truck), send us photos through the contact page. A shot of the back of the truck and one of the ID plate are usually enough to confirm the fit.

What's included

Our Land Cruiser 70 soft top is a full soft top:

• roof, sides and rear window;
• large soft side windows, clear or lightly tinted;
• YKK marine-grade zippers;
• twist-lock fasteners, straps, snaps and hooks;
• stainless hardware included.

It ships without bows: it sits on the truck's original bows. Door hinges and handles are not included. It's cut to Toyota's original pattern and mounts on the factory fasteners, with no drilling or modification.

Vinyl, color and finish

The top is UV-treated vinyl with welded seams. Vinyl is waterproof, stands up well to sun and tearing, and cleans easily. That's exactly what a travel truck that often sleeps outside needs, whether it's parked in the desert Southwest or a rainy Pacific Northwest campsite.

Two colors:

• Beige, close to Toyota's original canvas, sharp on a white or beige 70;
• Black, understated, works with any paint and hides trail dust.

Soft windows come clear or lightly tinted. On a truck that covers long miles under strong sun, light tint adds comfort; clear keeps better visibility when maneuvering and at night.

Each top is handmade in Colombia by Land Cruiser upholstery specialists.

Swapping the hard top for a soft top

Many imported BJ73s and HZJ73s show up with a hard top. Switching to a soft top changes the truck's character: lighter, open in good weather, more raw.

A few things to check first:

1. Bows: if they were removed along with the soft top long ago, you'll need to find or fabricate them.
2. Factory mounting points: rails, hooks and anchor points must be present and solid.
3. How you use it: for winter or sleeping in the truck, the hard top insulates better. Many owners keep both and swap with the seasons.
4. Paperwork: if you change roof type, it's wise to check with your insurance company and your state's DMV.

We compare both options in detail in FJ40 soft top vs hard top; the reasoning applies to the 70 Series too.

Installing a soft top on a BJ73 or HZJ73

The method is the same as on an FJ40:

1. Check and straighten the bows, and inspect the windshield frame.
2. Pick a warm, dry day: vinyl is more flexible.
3. Center the top, start at the front, then the sides, then the rear.
4. Don't force the zippers when it's cold.
5. Let the top relax in the sun for a few days, then re-tighten.

Two people make it easier. For a first install, half a day is a fair estimate. Detailed steps are in How to install an FJ40 soft top.

Care on the road

A 70 Series on a long trip puts its top through a lot: dust, sun, rain. Good habits:

• rinse off dust with clean water, then wash with mild soap and a soft brush;
• never use bleach, solvents or a pressure washer up close;
• wipe the soft windows with a clean microfiber cloth, no glass cleaner;
• brush the zippers after a dusty trail;
• never roll up or store the top wet.

Shipping and ordering

We offer free shipping to the US and Europe, with tracking, in 1 to 4 weeks. The package weighs about 24 lb (10.9 kg). You have 14 days to change your mind as long as the top is unused.

The current price and options are on the Land Cruiser 70 Series soft top page. Got a 40 Series in the garage too? The FJ40 / BJ40 / BJ42 soft top has its own page, and our FJ40 soft top buying guide walks you through it.

Not sure which top fits your truck? Send us a photo of your Land Cruiser and we'll get back to you quickly.