Hi all — long-time admirer, first post. I'm planning a purchase 1–2 years out and want to get my research right before I'm ready to pull the trigger.
I'm looking specifically for a Left Hand Drive FZJ70-77. A 4-door wagon with the 1FZ gasoline inline-six — sourced from the Middle East (UAE or Saudi Arabia preferred). GX trim is the target. I'm not interested in diesel, RHD, or South American examples for this build, nor the Prado or Troopy. I love the FZJ75 pickup, but wife wants a wagon for family, so wagon it is.
More specifically, I've narrowed to the 1998–1999 GCC-spec examples — the updated 1FZ-FE with distributorless coil pack ignition, revised head, longer intake runners, 4-nozzle injectors, and the higher GCC power rating. I understand those years resolve the earlier head gasket vulnerability and represent the best version of the engine in the 70-77-series body before the designation changed to 78-series with coil front suspension (also stopped looking as good in my opinion).
I've seen references to a "V" suffix in the chassis code denoting GCC market origin, but I couldn't find that confirmed here — happy to be corrected on how the community actually identifies Gulf-market examples.
A few specific questions:
1. Which importers currently have active sourcing relationships in the Gulf specifically for LHD "petrol" wagons? I've come across Evergreen Offroad, Land Cruiser Direct, and CCCruisers — has anyone worked with any of them on a LHD gasoline wagon from that region?
2. Are there any importers or buying agents based in the UAE or Saudi I should be talking to directly?
3. What should I be asking a potential importer to verify before committing — documentation, inspection process, sourcing transparency?
4. Any known red flags or cautionary experiences in the current Gulf import market I should know about?
5. For the 1998–1999 GCC examples specifically — is there anything to watch for on those years that differs from earlier 70-series examples beyond what I've already mentioned?
Happy to do the homework, just want to make sure I'm pointed in the right direction before the time comes. Thanks in advance.
I'm looking specifically for a Left Hand Drive FZJ70-77. A 4-door wagon with the 1FZ gasoline inline-six — sourced from the Middle East (UAE or Saudi Arabia preferred). GX trim is the target. I'm not interested in diesel, RHD, or South American examples for this build, nor the Prado or Troopy. I love the FZJ75 pickup, but wife wants a wagon for family, so wagon it is.
More specifically, I've narrowed to the 1998–1999 GCC-spec examples — the updated 1FZ-FE with distributorless coil pack ignition, revised head, longer intake runners, 4-nozzle injectors, and the higher GCC power rating. I understand those years resolve the earlier head gasket vulnerability and represent the best version of the engine in the 70-77-series body before the designation changed to 78-series with coil front suspension (also stopped looking as good in my opinion).
I've seen references to a "V" suffix in the chassis code denoting GCC market origin, but I couldn't find that confirmed here — happy to be corrected on how the community actually identifies Gulf-market examples.
A few specific questions:
1. Which importers currently have active sourcing relationships in the Gulf specifically for LHD "petrol" wagons? I've come across Evergreen Offroad, Land Cruiser Direct, and CCCruisers — has anyone worked with any of them on a LHD gasoline wagon from that region?
2. Are there any importers or buying agents based in the UAE or Saudi I should be talking to directly?
3. What should I be asking a potential importer to verify before committing — documentation, inspection process, sourcing transparency?
4. Any known red flags or cautionary experiences in the current Gulf import market I should know about?
5. For the 1998–1999 GCC examples specifically — is there anything to watch for on those years that differs from earlier 70-series examples beyond what I've already mentioned?
Happy to do the homework, just want to make sure I'm pointed in the right direction before the time comes. Thanks in advance.
