Importing a 4.2 l diesel from Japan; am I nuts?

[Shayne]

My advice is to try before you buy . I have a fetish for a 4.2

(mainly because it appeals to the rebel in me who is heartsick because eurofaggots insist on pushing for digitally mastered sowing machine engines , rant over)

and i was shocked when i had a little play in a car park with a 4.2 1HZ recently .

It didn't put me off and of course it wasn't a fair test drive but the difference between it and my tuned 3.0l 1kz-te was enormous . To summarize i came away thinking i would have to learn a completely difference driving style if i move to a 4.2 .

 

[clivehorridge]

My advice is to try before you buy . I have a fetish for a 4.2

(mainly because it appeals to the rebel in me who is heartsick because eurofaggots insist on pushing for digitally mastered sowing machine engines , rant over)

and i was shocked when i had a little play in a car park with a 4.2 1HZ recently .

It didn't put me off and of course it wasn't a fair test drive but the difference between it and my tuned 3.0l 1kz-te was enormous . To summarize i came away thinking i would have to learn a completely difference driving style if i move to a 4.2 .

Don't forget Shayne, the difference between my 1HZ and a 1HD is probably enormous. I can't say for sure because I've never driven a 1HD, but I'm using my imagination and experience of the difference between a 2.7lt 4 cylinder diesel Terrano with turbo working and the same when it was not (staggering!).

I think you'd love a UK spec HDJ80, and you shouldn't take any notice of your car-park ride in my old faithful HZJ80, at all .

I take comfort that it was probably specifically designed for an old fart like me... JMHO

 

[Shayne]

I know Clive i don't put much stock in that brief experience but i won't thread jack , instead i will repeat try before you buy which has to be good advice when your looking at vehicles such as a 4.2 swb 70 which i guess has to be very different from anything that might be considered an alternative .

 

[GeekOKent]

I regularly switch between the 105 with the 4.2l 1hz engine and the 120 with the 3.0l 1kd engine. There is a world of a difference between the two. The 3.0l with the turbo is awesome. Its refined quiet and very nice as a car. The 4.2 1hz on the other hand has character. Its a very different drive without a doubt. They are both very enjoyable drives, for very different reasons. But its not just the wngine that makes the experience though, the transmission and suspension at least have a huge role to play here. Not to mention the exterior panels and internal finish.

 

[StarCruiser]

Doesnt the 1HD-FT produce something like 208 horses?
Also there is much debate on here regarding Waxoyl and other rust treatments. One I am about to add to with a new (to the UK) treatment called Krown from Canada. Whatever you use, you will need to rustproof it. Not expensive to have done either.

I know what you are saying about the looks of the 70. I love em. 80s are more refined it's true. But if the 70 is what you love and are used to, then happy days. Get what you love. Practicality in parking is a bonus (maybe a necessity in Japan).

I have a JDM HDJ 81 and have never had trouble getting parts. There's now a few companies like Amayama and Partsouq that supply genuine parts in the post from Japan and Saudi at reactions of the UK cost. If you want to check, I can pm you the number of the guy at my local Toyota dealership who knows about the JDM stuff. I expect he'll tell you if there's any issues in getting parts which I doubt.

 

[Ben]

If you go for a 70 with the 4.2, then like others have said it will ride like a truck. This is mainly down to the fact it will almost certainly be leaf sprung front and back.

Where as if you go for a KZJ70 it will have coil springs all round, just like an 80 series so will be just as comfy as an 80 series as it has an almost identical suspension setup. But it will be smaller and still have that cool as 70 series look!

The 3 litre turbo diesel, 1KZ-TE engine fitted to the KZJ70's was also fitted to UK 4-Runners, 70's, 90 and 120 series Prado and the Hi-Lux, so spares will be easy to get.

The short wheel base models are the 70/71, mid wheel base are 73/74 and long wheel base 79/79.

My choice would be for the medium wheel base KZJ73 or KZJ74.

Japanese market LandCruisers tended to have all the extras, so getting one with factory diff locks front and back, factory winch and bullbar would be seriously cool, not to mention aircon, electric mirrors, windows, seats, locking hubs, etc. etc.

 

[Ben]

I was following a conversation on Facebook today about an American living in Japan who wanted to import a LandCruiser back to the US and there was another American living in Japan who was saying that older diesel engine'd vehicles are banned from a lot of areas of Japan.

So if the intention is to buy one and drive it round over there for a while before exporting it, its worth checking if you can legally even do that, I suspect you will find you cant.

 

[Harriet]

Thanks Ben, we'll be looking at the smaller KZ's with more interest; ditto asking the garage whether we can actually drive the thing in Tokyo. Very helpful, so thanks a lot. We are hoping to get out to a LC specialist this weekend to see some in the metal so to speak. So your post was really timely.

 

[Shayne]

Hate to throw a spannner in the works because a 4.2 swb is definitely a rare breed that interests me but having just read your first post on this thread which gives your requirements again i feel obligated to say a 2001/02 KDJ90 fits the bill like a glove .

The only comparison i can think of which a KZJ70 might improve upon is luggage space and i can't imagine there being a lot of difference ?

KDJ90 is a lighter truck with road bias independent front suspension with far better fuel economy and no known issues even with very high mileage .

 

[Harriet]

Hi Shayne, thanks for keeping up with this thread and posting.
Totally see where you are coming from; the KDJ90 is a stellar piece of kit and would DO the job in its sleep, all day long, every day. Thing is , the aesthetics are a huge turn off, whereas the 70's just look the dog's danglies. So to speak!

 

[Shayne]

Understood Harriet the LR Defender appeals to me in the same way but i will never own one for obvious reasons , just making sure your eyes are wide open .

 

[Dances with Chimps]

Ive owned my imported 1993 HDJ81 4.2l for around 4 weeks now, although I have research them solidly for near on 2 years, im loving her atm. There is a lot of enthusiasm here as you can see and plenty of people willing to offer advice. Although I cannot offer any mechanical advice I can tell you that Adrian Flux sorted my insurance out £375 PA fully comp but with only a 5000 mile annual limit. As she's my second car, for playing with, this is ok for me. But it does look like Adrian Flux is the insurance broker of choice, others may have a better suggestion, best of luck with it!

 

[Crushers]

i have imported numorous Land Cruisers from Japan over the 9 years i was importing.
yes, Japan has rusted vehicles. badly rusted vehicles up to show room condition ones. North Island and northern south island you need to stay away from.
the 3.5L 1PZ is a very nice engine but the 1HZ manual is the one you want. add a turbo that is mapped for your driving habits and you will be extremely happy.
caution as well, Japan is notorious for roll back odometers.
if you are not in a hurry, if you have the budget then getting a premium cruiser from Japan is a smart plan.
go cheap or rush and you will be wishing you bought back home and saved the frustration.
good luck.

 

[jonboots28]

View attachment 107567
The 1HZ is a 4,2l straight six cylinder non turbo with 130 hp.
1hd-t is the (slightly modificated) 1hz with a turbo. 160 hp.
1hd-ft is still based on the same 6 cylinder block, turboed with 24 valves. 170 hp.
Afaik the 70 series has the 1hz and only the 80 series has the 1 hd-t and the 1hd-ft.
I put a turbo on the 1hz of my hzj75 , this made a big difference when driving uphill especially when driving the higher altitude alpine passes.
The different gearing and the stronger 1hd-ft engine makes my 80 a much smoother ride.
The 70 series drives like a small truck and the 80 series drive like a big car.
Btw a guy from work had a 70 series body put on a 80 series frame.....a great combination IMO but he hasn't succeeded in getting it legally on the road.

Loving that pic, would love to chop my troopy someday to something like this

 

[jonboots28]

1hz is a great engine btw, think mine is at 440000 atm ('91 troopy)

New radiator 2 years ago, change oil and clean filter every 8/9000 km.
Starts on the button every time.

Obviously, not very good at drag racing at the lights but, if I'm aiming downhill, will clutch out in second and beat most hiluxs/rangers etc up to 60kmh.

Funny watching their faces in my mirror

 

[80=4ever]

You could buy something like this in OZ with no rust and a V8 Diesel, just thought you could use it to compare prices in Japan.

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-2008/SSE-AD-4522106/?Cr=11