The whole "JDM" culture/vibe/whatever is pretty well divorced from the truck world. Most big ticket 80's I see have LS swaps, and the entire catalog of off-road/overland parts thrown at it, since that culture seems here to stay as well.
I've seen prices all over, and it really comes down to how much someone wants a something. Particularly clean and well maintained examples fetch a premium, as with all things. Finding and swapping a diesel into an LHD in North America is a difficult and expensive endeavor, so if someone wants a diesel, it's easiest to find a factory diesel one, especially RHD.
The Jap spec ones tend to be better taken care of for the most part, and they do have little neat stuff like the compass/inclineometer, fender mirror, rear LSD, and especially the fridge, etc. that make it interesting.
Parts really arent difficult to get, I'm actually very happy with how easy it's been so far. I'm currently restoring an HDJ81, fixing the bits of rust, and daily driving it in the mean time.
Driving backwards in the drive thru is an option. I dont go through them much, but usually I just throw it in park and run around to the other side. It's really no big deal. Doesnt take too long to get used to driving on the wrong side either.
I dont expect to see $60k+ RHD examples selling any time soon, regardless of how many accessories they have hanging off of them, but perhaps one day. There's plenty of variety with different ways you can set these things up, so not everyone is doing the exact same mods.
Another factor is location. In the northwest, I imagine I would have a far easier time selling than I will here in FL.
I've seen prices all over, and it really comes down to how much someone wants a something. Particularly clean and well maintained examples fetch a premium, as with all things. Finding and swapping a diesel into an LHD in North America is a difficult and expensive endeavor, so if someone wants a diesel, it's easiest to find a factory diesel one, especially RHD.
The Jap spec ones tend to be better taken care of for the most part, and they do have little neat stuff like the compass/inclineometer, fender mirror, rear LSD, and especially the fridge, etc. that make it interesting.
Parts really arent difficult to get, I'm actually very happy with how easy it's been so far. I'm currently restoring an HDJ81, fixing the bits of rust, and daily driving it in the mean time.
Driving backwards in the drive thru is an option. I dont go through them much, but usually I just throw it in park and run around to the other side. It's really no big deal. Doesnt take too long to get used to driving on the wrong side either.
I dont expect to see $60k+ RHD examples selling any time soon, regardless of how many accessories they have hanging off of them, but perhaps one day. There's plenty of variety with different ways you can set these things up, so not everyone is doing the exact same mods.
Another factor is location. In the northwest, I imagine I would have a far easier time selling than I will here in FL.