HELP - evaluating a 1993 HDJ81V 4.2L TD

[zambiamud]

HELP!

I special orded a 1993 HDJ81V "limited" 4.2L TD from Japan. It arrived yesterday at the importer. Took some checklists and a buddy who is truck saavy. Here are the ups and downs so far:

Downs:
1. slight movement in the wheels when shaken
2. front left fender has 'crakled paint lines' and other 3 are perfect
3. spare tire is different make/size than other four.

Ups:
1. already has integrated bumper
2. not a rust spot to be seen
3. oil seems 'clean'
4. trans seemed to slide smoothly in place.

Any comments/help before I send the rest of the $????

Christopher

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by zambiamud

HELP!



Downs:
1. slight movement in the wheels when shaken
2. front left fender has 'crakled paint lines' and other 3 are perfect
3. spare tire is different make/size than other four.

Hardly worth worrying about. Its 13 years old ,it wont be perfect.
The wheel movement is probably only a wheel bearing adjustment.

The paint ,well you have to expect the odd touch up at that age.
Get use to it or fix it.

Depending on what size the tyre is ,it may still be ok as a get home spare.

I would be more interested in the condition of the engine and fuel injection.
I would also be preparing to replace all the oil/coolant/fluids with proper grade products unless you are certain it has the correct grade.

These vehicles can last a long time and clock up extremely high klms wih a little TLC.

Also DONT FORGET THE BIG END BEARINGS as they had a habit of wearing out at between 100000-200000klms
Its difficult to tell without a visual inspection,sometimes they make a ticking noise at idle.
It can cost big dollars if the crank gets damaged and total engine destruction is also possible if its allowed to happen.
Its usually a 4 hr job plus bearings. Dont put the old ones back in even if they look ok.

[crushers]

agreed, the wheel bearings will probably need adjusting (not replacing)
paint cracking on one fender sounds like "accident repaired" to me
what is the different size of the spare, with in an inch? then don't worry about it. or is it just different markings on the spare?

[zambiamud]

Originally Posted by crushers

agreed, the wheel bearings will probably need adjusting (not replacing)
paint cracking on one fender sounds like "accident repaired" to me
what is the different size of the spare, with in an inch? then don't worry about it. or is it just different markings on the spare?

Accident repaired:
I checked the 'lines' of the hood and sides around the fender and did not detect any signs of body panel damage. What else would you suggest?

The four on the ground are 70 and the spare is 75.

Cheers,
cmr

[crushers]

hummm, do you have the auction sheet handy? if so send it to me at
wayne@crushersrule.com

usual cause of paint cracking is imperfection under the paint...

when you say 70 vs 75 what are the rest of the numbers?

[brownbear]

perfect JDM alliance discussion....

[dieseldan]

If you plan on taking care of the cosmetic bumper issue - there are guy's who do the car lot circuit and do paint detailing - bumpers are the easiest and cheapest - doubt it would cost more than two bills.

Good luck with truck!

[zambiamud]

Consfusion on the rules for forums.

Not sure why this discussion was moved from the diesel section - perhaps I need to make is clearer what the vehicle is? Should I be posting to the 80s and 100s only?

Cheers,
cmr

[crushers]

nah, BB probably just decided it would get more input from this section...

[zambiamud]

Originally Posted by crushers

hummm, do you have the auction sheet handy? if so send it to me at
wayne@crushersrule.com

usual cause of paint cracking is imperfection under the paint...

when you say 70 vs 75 what are the rest of the numbers?

Hey Wayne - thanks for the posts.
Auction sheet I can try and get from the Zambian import folk, but I seem to remember he said it was in all Japanese.

4 Tires are 275/70R16 Bridgestone Winter Duelers. The spare is a different rim and tyre - BFG T/A LT285/75. They said they would chg the rear tire since its a different size. The depth on the 4 ground tires seems ok, but there is cracking in the grooves. Since I won't see a lot of snow here in Southern Africa...these don't sound ideal.

I noticed that the model number is S-HDJ81 VRNPGX. I'm familiar with most of those numbers, but what's with the "S".


cmr

[zambiamud]

Other issues needing input from the gurus:

Those inclined can see it at: http://christopherreichert.multiply.com/photos/album/43

What yall think?

Objective use of this vehicle:
Im a humanitarian worker livin in africa for over 6 yrs now. Need this rig to:
1. conduct expeditions around southern africa,
2. carry my outback crap - mtn bikes, inflatable kayak, campin equip, etc.
3. cart around parents when they are around,
4. pull a trailor - either for expeditions or pullin motorcylces,
5. kit it out - as a 30 yr old single guy im ready to kit da rig out for a bit of show/fun...but would start with pragmatics first...

I'm at over 1,000 meters, and gets hell bent on mud/rain around dec.

Issues thus far....(not only is this my 1st TLC, its my 1st owned vehicle...small/easy words appreciated...). droppin $15K usd on this rig. had 3 independent mechanics test drive and eval it as im trying to learn and triangulate info...

* BEBs. noted the extensive discussion on BEBs. am a bit hesitant to have it done in zambia....maybe ill drive da rig down to south africa and have it done there...
* timing belt. says 93K km on the clock...but there's a small crack on the dash...no sticker on the belt cover. asked the importer to replace, but denied...
* tires. 'winter deulers' can't be good for africa? although depth seems ok - as if the rig sat for its life - they are crackin in the grooves...
* steerin rodons and dampers. mechanic guy said they were shot. importer said they will replace at their cost.
* shocks. mechanic said rear shocks shot, and were leakin. African roads are fairly brutal...
* wheel bearing. one could actually shake the tires - they seemed loose - importer said they would adjust the bearings.
* chipped windscreen. importer said would apply sealant.
* ARB (does this mean integrated bullbar???) the alum is corroded from sea salt. importer will polish/paint.
* paint probs. the top of the car has significant paint splotchin. other folk i know here in zambia have similiar issues. the importar has offered to repaint it at their cost - any hints? hope they don't flub it up...
* speakers. the speakers on the 13 yr ole rig are horrific. any base sends them a vibratin'

that's abt it. all this is beyond excitin. my fam is sick of me talkin about this damn rig. is there an AA for TLC folk????

cmr

[crushers]

Originally Posted by zambiamud

Hey Wayne - thanks for the posts.
Auction sheet I can try and get from the Zambian import folk, but I seem to remember he said it was in all Japanese.

4 Tires are 275/70R16 Bridgestone Winter Duelers. The spare is a different rim and tyre - BFG T/A LT285/75. They said they would chg the rear tire since its a different size. The depth on the 4 ground tires seems ok, but there is cracking in the grooves. Since I won't see a lot of snow here in Southern Africa...these don't sound ideal.

I noticed that the model number is S-HDJ81 VRNPGX. I'm familiar with most of those numbers, but what's with the "S".


cmr

of course it is in Japanese, i can translate it...
tires, if in doubt change them out.

[crushers]

Other issues needing input from the gurus:

Those inclined can see it at: http://christopherreichert.multiply.com/photos/album/43

What yall think?

---pics are nice but small

Objective use of this vehicle:
Im a humanitarian worker livin in africa for over 6 yrs now. Need this rig to:
1. conduct expeditions around southern africa,
2. carry my outback crap - mtn bikes, inflatable kayak, campin equip, etc.
3. cart around parents when they are around,
4. pull a trailor - either for expeditions or pullin motorcylces,
5. kit it out - as a 30 yr old single guy im ready to kit da rig out for a bit of show/fun...but would start with pragmatics first...

---keep it stock with a roof rack...reliability is a must, no?

I'm at over 1,000 meters, and gets hell bent on mud/rain around dec.

---two set sof tires mounted on rims, one for dry conditions one for muddy month(s)

Issues thus far....(not only is this my 1st TLC, its my 1st owned vehicle...small/easy words appreciated...). droppin $15K usd on this rig. had 3 independent mechanics test drive and eval it as im trying to learn and triangulate info...

* BEBs. noted the extensive discussion on BEBs. am a bit hesitant to have it done in zambia....maybe ill drive da rig down to south africa and have it done there...
---i heard they had solved this problem by 93 but for peice of mind get them done at your earliext convinence.

* timing belt. says 93K km on the clock...but there's a small crack on the dash...no sticker on the belt cover. asked the importer to replace, but denied...
---get it done

* tires. 'winter deulers' can't be good for africa? although depth seems ok - as if the rig sat for its life - they are crackin in the grooves...
---see above

* steerin rodons and dampers. mechanic guy said they were shot. importer said they will replace at their cost.
---good news, sounds like a decent importer

* shocks. mechanic said rear shocks shot, and were leakin. African roads are fairly brutal...
---good news

* wheel bearing. one could actually shake the tires - they seemed loose - importer said they would adjust the bearings.
pppgood news

* chipped windscreen. importer said would apply sealant.
----i doubt it will be the last stone chip

* ARB (does this mean integrated bullbar???) the alum is corroded from sea salt. importer will polish/paint.
---gives it character, i would leave it alone, if the paint starts to peal it will look like shit...

* paint probs. the top of the car has significant paint splotchin. other folk i know here in zambia have similiar issues. the importar has offered to repaint it at their cost - any hints? hope they don't flub it up...
---i would be tempted to leave it alone unless you KNOW they are going to do a good job, see above

* speakers. the speakers on the 13 yr ole rig are horrific. any base sends them a vibratin'
---turn down the radio??
;^)

that's abt it. all this is beyond excitin. my fam is sick of me talkin about this damn rig. is there an AA for TLC folk????
---you are here, right? welcome to the group "HI, my name is Wayne and i am a cruiserholic..."

I am back to bed

[Martin White]

You are fortunate to get advice from Wayne, as he knows more about these trucks than just about anyone else who posts on this forum.

[zambiamud]

Wayne,

Thanks a billion. Your feedback is greatly appreciated...

cmr

[crushers]

no problem...
remember these are just my opinions, not gospel...

cheers and welcome

[lizardsinep]

Downs:
1. slight movement in the wheels when shaken
2. front left fender has 'crakled paint lines' and other 3 are perfect

fender is probley just the clear in the paint job = not mixed/sprayed properly= not a big deal just get it redone if your worried

movement 'MAY" be a problem , I would check the knuckle bearings as well as the spindle bearings ...my hilux was the same , spindles were fine but knuckles (both sides ) were toast ......no maintainance

[zambiamud]

Imported in!

Just picked up the rig last thursday from the importer. I've got a 5000km or 1 month warrenty on the engine/transmission. So I'm trying to be anal on the review.

Importer did:
1. replaced tire rodons
2. tightend up the play in the wheels - no more mvmt
3. painted the roof/bull bar
4. fixed CD player, speakers and windscreen
5. full service.

I've done about 150km already on and off-road and here are some notes:
1. rig is insanely sweet
2. trans was working so smooth. yesterday noted that sometimes when go to acclerate at a slow speed from a coast - say at 20km, the rpms rev up, but no power to wheels right away. like a little slip. bad sign, hey?
3. murphy's law. 2nd day out a blue taxi smashed into the back of me. can u friggin believe it??? the guy was nearly in tears as his hood was crumpled up 1/4 way, headlights smashed, and radiater damaged. the rig??? like 4 small scratches, and some blue paint. rig 1, taxi 0.

cheers
cmr

[crushers]

autos can feel sluggish from the take off, not a big deal but check the fluid level to be safe.

sounds like a very good importer, congrates on the rig!!

we need pics!!

sad about the accident, i am sure the taxi driver won't be tailgating again in the near future...

cheers

[zambiamud]

Hey Wayne,

Thanks for the feedback. Ya, you can imagine I wasnt a happy TLC addict at that moment. Think i said something like, "your #$%@ing lucky its your car that's #$$$ed up, and not mine." Later, after I calmed down I was a tad nicer.

Cheers,