Wanted 1995-1997 Manual HDJ81

Year

1995

Vehicle Model

1. 80 Series

Mileage

12345

Hi friends! I am planing to build a 80 series to live out of. I am very specifically looking for a '95, '96, or '97, manual, turbo diesel HDJ81, with a tailgate instead of barn doors. I live in Hawaii and would be shipping it here, but am able to fly to buy and ship the vehicle myself. I plan to sell my current vehicle for around 25K, anything above that would be a loan. I look forward to hearing from you guys, and am hopefully able to find a unicorn <3

 

[GreenPump]

You will not find a manual 1HDFT for 25k. That configuration goes in the 35k range, and up.

With your budget, you have two options.

Option 1) - You can settle for a 1HDT (earlier years) instead - I happen to know of a 1990 HDJ81 manual for sale in your budget. The 1HDT is a great engine, parts availability is good, and with regular maintenance they last forever. Doing valve lash and BeBs is no big deal. Power and fuel economy are extremely similar.

Option 2) - Try to find a 1995-1997, and then swap in a manual trans. Lots of people have dropped a new H151F into their 80, it is relatively simple and can be done for roughly $5k. You will save some money, potentially 5 or 10 grand, compared to buying a factory manual 1HDFT or FTE.

 

[Sanguinius]

You will not find a manual 1HDFT for 25k. That configuration goes in the 35k range, and up.

With your budget, you have two options.

Option 1) - You can settle for a 1HDT (earlier years) instead - I happen to know of a 1990 HDJ81 manual for sale in your budget. The 1HDT is a great engine, parts availability is good, and with regular maintenance they last forever. Doing valve lash and BeBs is no big deal. Power and fuel economy are extremely similar.

Option 2) - Try to find a 1995-1997, and then swap in a manual trans. Lots of people have dropped a new H151F into their 80, it is relatively simple and can be done for roughly $5k. You will save some money, potentially 5 or 10 grand, compared to buying a factory manual 1HDFT or FTE.

I can go above 25k, I plan to spend about 40K, with a little bit of leeway, but I will be giving around 25k cash and the rest will be given as a bank check.

 

[GreenPump]

Thread '1996 HDJ81 5spd 1HDFT Oregon' For Sale - 1996 HDJ81 5spd 1HDFT Oregon - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1996-hdj81-5spd-1hdft-oregon.1361626/

 

[ikarus]

Unicorn for sure. Worth it but very rare. I think I see 1-2 in that spec for sale every year.

Might be able to save some money/headache by going straight to an importer. For example, the Canary Islands have clean LHD cruisers like this one:


I talked to that importer and I believe I could have had that landed in the US for around $45K. The guy who ended up buying it is trying to sell it for $90K in the US. haha

Seems like JDMs were like 20:1 auto to manual, while Europe and Australia got a lot more manuals.

And to echo @GreenPump it wouldn't be too hard to do a manual swap. I bet you could find a clean auto 1HDFT in the $30K range and spend $10-12K to have a shop swap it, or $5-8K to swap it yourself.

Good luck!

 

[Tanner H]

Theres a 92 5-speed on BAT that ends in a few hours. Not the exact motor you're looking for but looks clean and already has USA title (Hawaii).


EDIT: auction just ended at $46,000. damn!

1992 Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ81 VX Turbodiesel 5-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ81 VX Turbodiesel 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #203,808.

bringatrailer.com