Buying a JDM diesel 4x4 vs buying 'local'

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cop out..
when a person makes a statement they can not back up ... well... they don't back it up.

you have actually driven a RHD how long? lets see, you confesed the first time you drove RHD was scary for you...
quote:
My first time driving a RHD was in NZ, and I got thrown into it at 11 oclock at night, stick shift was nothing compared to figgering out which side of the road to drive on...especially when you hit a big multi lane intersection...
end quote

no wonder you have a distaste for RHD and the PERCIEVED disadvantages of them. I (and many on this forum) have driven RHD on LHD roads for 7 years as DD...and i have yet to have an accident or cause and accident. my wife has been driving RHD for the same amount of time as DD in Calgary for 6 years and now in the rurals for almost a year with no accident nor causing one.

sad to say, you will never understand because your mind is closed to the subject.

BUT RHD is not for everyone, just like driving at all is not for everyone. i feel you have banged your head against the wall enough that the brain damage is begining to show.

the biggest habit to get into driving a RHD on LHD roadways is don't tailgate, the angle of vision is greatly improved when you do not have a vehicle stuck to your front bumper... try it sometime, even in a LHD vehicle not tailgating is advantagous.

BTW, whether the advantage of RHD is service related or not is irrelevant. the advantage serves the general public the same.
 
A large percent of the driving public are fawkin idiots. Cell phones, electronic gadgets and un-disciplined kids have made this even worse. RHD in a LHD world isn't for dummies, so it's probably a good idea that most folks remain apprehensive of buying a RHD vehicle. That merely improves the selection and keeps the prices low for those who can master the additional challenges.

I wouldn't have a problem with a RHD endorsement on the driver's license, much like for motorcycles, buses or commercial trucks
 
The odd decent/righteous RHD drive vehicle amongst masses of mutant/deviant LHD ones? ......Ooooooh! :eek: Recipe for disaster x 1000,000! The sky will fall in!


:cheers:

PS.
I'll be quite happy if ya'll decide to leave our RHD cruzers alone (and cease bunging them in containers in the dead of night and whisking them off to your faraway lands). Especially our "forty series"! :D

PPS. Obviously I'm not serious because all the same arguments apply (in reverse) to the "muscle cars" we steal each year from "The States". (And I'm quite partial to "American Automobiles" --- especially certain V8s from the 50s and 60s.)
 
oooh, 68 Road Runner, 69 charger, 69 Buic Riv (430 hypro), 68 Dodge monaco, 70 hemi cuda rag, pisto grips, traction bars, hurst shifters, shaker hoods, 426 hemi, 440 dual 4 bbl, 383, 340 6 pack...
yep, i was a Dodge freak back then... rubber through first and second... watching the fuel gauge drop as the speedo climbed...1/2" fuel lines...
the sound of a healthy dodge V8 still makes the hairs stand on end!!

<you peeps keep your hands off my babies!! someday i might even be able to afford one again>
 
If you haven't driven RHD on our roads for any length of time then your opinion on the topic is nothing more than an opinion - and not worth any practical value. RHD's are not for everyone but the right to choose should be.

We've owned two different JDM models over three years and 200,000+ km combined driving between us. NEVER has RHD been a safety issue when obeying the laws of the road. (following distance and passing etc) .. but really when anyone offers up their .02 cents by quoting ICBC or thier own percieved issues with the whole idea then take it for what it's really worth.

But is buying JDM worth it? ABSO-frickin-LUTELY IF and only if you do your research - be sure RHD is ok for you personally - and be prepared to get what you pay for just like anything else in life - though imo JDM's offer better bang for your buck so long as you are an informed savy buyer.

:meh:
 
You seapotato I say tomato.. whatever. I doubt anyone really gives a shat what you, me or anyone else has to say about RHD's and what any advantages or disadvantages might be in driving one. Either you like 'em or you don't but don't tell me my RHD is more dangerous to operate than a LHD - that is horse****.

The post asks for opinions on value for import vs. domestic - not LHD vs. RHD.
 
humm, selling RHDs....what does that have to do with the virtues of the advantages of them? nothing.

we were discussing the advantages and disadvatages of RHD vs LHD, not just Land Cruisers... but i guess you glossed over that point. (the original post was discussing Bighorn vs a Trooper in the article linked)

Posties deliver the mail AND drive their vehicles as DD... sheesh, you think they make enough money to buy a special vehicle for their job?? obviously you have nevered followed a postie...15k/h?? man, that one is priceless.

line of sight has already been discussed and discarded but you hold on to it like a life line, sad really.

tailgating IS the point that you can not see or accept but you still do not have your 10X disadvanages of RHDs posted...because?... well, because you don't have them, it really is that simple.

spouting off a couple poor examples of disadvantages that are easily overcome is a poor fight, to say the least.

the most important item is you have NO credentials to spout off. you do not drive a RHD, you do not own a RHD, you do not work on or experience RHD vehicles in general... you are blowing hot air and backing an organization that has an agenda.
MAYBE one day you will have personal experience and actually have something of value to add to this forum... right now... you have nothing.

<there were no personal attacks, just facts, problem is, unless everyone agrees with you then it is a personal attack.>
 
crushers said:
humm, selling RHDs....what does that have to do with the virtues of the advantages of them? nothing.

we were discussing the advantages and disadvatages of RHD vs LHD, not just Land Cruisers... but i guess you glossed over that point. (the original post was discussing Bighorn vs a Trooper in the article linked)

Posties deliver the mail AND drive their vehicles as DD... sheesh, you think they make enough money to buy a special vehicle for their job?? obviously you have nevered followed a postie...15k/h?? man, that one is priceless.

line of sight has already been discussed and discarded but you hold on to it like a life line, sad really.

tailgating IS the point that you can not see or accept but you still do not have your 10X disadvanages of RHDs posted...because?... well, because you don't have them, it really is that simple.

spouting off a couple poor examples of disadvantages that are easily overcome is a poor fight, to say the least.

the most important item is you have NO credentials to spout off. you do not drive a RHD, you do not own a RHD, you do not work on or experience RHD vehicles in general... you are blowing hot air and backing an organization that has an agenda.
MAYBE one day you will have personal experience and actually have something of value to add to this forum... right now... you have nothing.

<there were no personal attacks, just facts, problem is, unless everyone agrees with you then it is a personal attack.>
Click to expand...

See there you go again.

You really have no idea what I do or don't work on and experience.

What does selling JDM's have to do with it? apparently it stops you from admitting disadvantages, certainly it will stop you from advertizing them, therefor creates a vested interest in the arguments.

Does driving a RHD daily make you an expert on the downsides? You'd think. And I have actually driven RHD's, in a few countries. and LHD's in RHD countries. Same difference.


It's not ideal.


I don't support ICBC, I can see their point of view and I don't entirely disagree with it. I've been cutoff on the highway by dipshits in delicas too many times to not think it can lead to accidents.

Posties was just one of your examples. Service vehicles where you frequently stop and get in and out obviously make sense, but that's not 99% of the market we're talking about.
And ease of exit is pretty much the number one advantage of RHD. Does that outweigh occasion awkward driving situations? up to the individual and how they drive .
If you parallel park 10 times a day then likely yes. If they parallel park 10 times a year then probably not.


LHD vehicles in RHD countries have the same issues.

it's not ideal. if it was, toyota et al would sell new RHD's at their lots in canada.

as for the 10x thing that you keep harping on, if we took everything literally we'd all be sarah palins. I consider the detractions to outweigh the benefits because they tend to happen at speed and not while parking.

As for adding something of value, do you really think throwing out insults when someone questions your opinion and says RHD's have disadvantages is something of value?
Short of drawing a picture I've described the reasons I'd prefer to stick with LHD around here. Just an opinion, just like your opinion.

Anyways that's enough of this, as I said somewhere above, I really don't care all that much one way or another, certainly not enough to get drawn into this squabble like I have.
 
bike.webp
bike.webp
 
There's a lot more savings when buying a Diesel

I will do this by outline format, as the original poster is SO WRONG on SO MANY LEVELS:

1) Ease of service. Nothing is in a deep area, so you save service fees if you are a DIY person.

2) Loss of depreciation. My Diesel is worth more NOW then it was when I bought it, and prices will continue to rise. Any other vehicle will depreciate, not appreciate in value.

3) Switch to alternative fuels. Other vehicles cannot use multi-fuels. Diesels can use 80% Ethanol, 75% Methanol, waste vegetable oil, bio-Diesel, and Diesel fuel. You can make your own fuel and factor that into the equation. I calculate that when I am up and running bio-Diesel in Winter and WVO in all other seasons I will be saving enough to repay my purchase price in 4 years.

4) Insurance fees on a Diesel are dirt cheap. And if you insure as a 25 y.o. classic, the savings are HUGE!

5) Common parts at salvage yards. You can get parts for pennies on the dollar as compared to other makes and models.

There are other cost advantages, but i think I hit the biggies (although I invite others to take a stab at it).

I think the original poster just needs to see an entire equation, in that a LC Diesel is not just fuel savings.

Best,

T
 
seapotato said:
Nice. :rolleyes:

I can see I'm banging my head against a wall here.

Simple concept of lines of sight, nothing to do with mindset, has to do with geometry.

it clearly doesn't take a genius to drive a RHD truck on LHD roads , or vice versa.



But theres 10x more situations when it's a disadvantage than otherwise.


So I have no problem with icbc being sticky about it. It is inherently unsafe in a lot of situations.

And I'd prefer not to get stuck behind any more of them at left turn lanes.

As for turning this into a RHD vs LHD thread, well that's exactly what it is, because an argument of rust vs no rust is really not an argument.

out.
Click to expand...

You speak as if you have never driven a RHD LC. I own one, and given it has excellent 360 degree line of site it make zero difference that it is RHD.

You are obviously buying into an old-wive's-tale.

I drive my RHD LC on left turn only roads and merges and I can see everything clearly and safely.

Given the US Postal service is bound by OSHA, and that means they cannot ask their drivers to do anything dangerous, and those drivers ALL drive RHD vehicles, .....your argument is bunk.

The study the Canadian authorities quote is also admitedly bad, and hence holds no water.

When you are wrong you may feel as if you are banging your head against a wall. In reality however it is folks like myself who consume their time explaining things to you who are the people banging their heads on a thick wall, as you probably will never understand. No offense intended, but you are wrong sir in your claims and assertions.

Best,

T
 
SH*T this post has turned into a fight, If your a good enough driver RHD shouldn't matter to much, however its a Damn disadvantage.

#1 Drivethoughs, they are all designed for LHD vehicles, its not a huge disadvantage but It sucks to have to get.

#2 Left hand turns, there are some that are dangerous for LHD vehicles, they are doubly so with RHD. There is no doubt about RHD is gonna be alittle harder.

#3 Passing on highways, its harder with RHD,

#4 Pulling out of parking spots is harder.

#5 Parking lot attendants, you have to reach over a very long way to talk to them

#6 Gated entrances, again you are gonna have many issues using your key card

#7 Valet Parking, if you are fortunate enough to be able to use valet parking do you want them to drive your truck,



With some effort, you can overcome most of the disadvantages, but RHD is not better than LHD in North America. No matter what BS thats been flung up with this thread, RHD is not better. Its not unsafe though, you just have to compensate with driving habits . Although with LHD you dont have to compensate as much.
 
estimate?

Getting back to the spirit of the original post, perhaps you all can help me to see if I made a major financial blunder on a JDM HDJ81. I never bothered to check the North American market for anything comparable so here are the specs and options on my truck- would the community care to give me an idea what the cost would be to build the same here? Thx!

1) 1991 locked 1hdt 80 series with ful load- fridge, heated seats everything. 112,000 km/65,000 miles/NO RUST/cherry in-out
2) 5 BRAND NEW Interco TSL 35" tires
3) Warn 9500 lb winch
4) H.D. Winch bumper/roller fairlead
5) Swing out rear tire carrier
6) 5 inch OME lift
7) 70% tint on windows behind driver/passenger
8) Perfect factory floormats, interior is flawless.
9) Underside and exterior 95% scratch on winch bumper (rattlecan)
10) Stainless 3 inch exhaust (not rice!) front to back.

Now- keep in ind that I am not the type to do much work beyond regular maintenance so perhaps think of the labour cost to do the upgrades?

Im curious because I converted my hard won savings (and I mean blood and sweat) to get this before the market totally dumped! Thought this might be a fun excercise for those on this board who are way more knowledgeable than me and an education for myself. Cheers!
 
sailor said:
Getting back to the spirit of the original post, perhaps you all can help me to see if I made a major financial blunder on a JDM HDJ81. I never bothered to check the North American market for anything comparable so here are the specs and options on my truck- would the community care to give me an idea what the cost would be to build the same here? Thx!

1) 1991 locked 1hdt 80 series with ful load- fridge, heated seats everything. 112,000 km/65,000 miles/NO RUST/cherry in-out
2) 5 BRAND NEW Interco TSL 35" tires
3) Warn 9500 lb winch
4) H.D. Winch bumper/roller fairlead
5) Swing out rear tire carrier
6) 5 inch OME lift
7) 70% tint on windows behind driver/passenger
8) Perfect factory floormats, interior is flawless.
9) Underside and exterior 95% scratch on winch bumper (rattlecan)
10) Stainless 3 inch exhaust (not rice!) front to back.

Now- keep in ind that I am not the type to do much work beyond regular maintenance so perhaps think of the labour cost to do the upgrades?

Im curious because I converted my hard won savings (and I mean blood and sweat) to get this before the market totally dumped! Thought this might be a fun excercise for those on this board who are way more knowledgeable than me and an education for myself. Cheers!
Click to expand...

To get anything comparable to that truck you have to look at either JDMs or a converted truck like a US 80 series with a 4bt in it or the like. They never imported diesel 80's in North america. The cheapest JDM's 80's are going for about 9-12K while the high end truck (like what your describing) are going for 18-20K
 
depends, what did you pay for it?
we wil go use the lower for the fun.

6500 take a gasser 80... anywhere from $6500 to $15,000
8500 buy a diesel HDT and tranny good deal but can go as high as 12,000
2000 installation, if you do it yourself 4500-6500 for a shop to install
3000 lockers if not already in the truck and if you can find them that cheap 2200 per end if new
1000 installation if you do the work yourself or 2000-3000 for a shop to do
1200 interco tires but as high as 2000
1000 warn winch +/-
1000 bumper and roller
400 swing out rear tire plus 200 for installation
1000 lift if you do it yourself
flawless interior not for 6500 base price
350 SS exhaust range from 350 - 1200

so on the low side converting a gasser to this unit will be 25,950 to the high side of 46,700... but the NA gasser has third row seating and the steering on the LHD side for those troubled by the disadvantages of RHD.

now to be comparative you can buy a LOT of gas for $10,500 so knock that off the total price which leaves $10,400 for low end build to $46,700- $12,000 (HDT) - $6500 = $28,200 for the high end build.

myself i would drive the gasser if i HAD to convert from gas to diesel (which i don't so that is mute)
 
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Icefire said:
SH*T this post has turned into a fight, If your a good enough driver RHD shouldn't matter to much, however its a Damn disadvantage.

#1 Drivethoughs, they are all designed for LHD vehicles, its not a huge disadvantage but It sucks to have to get.

#2 Left hand turns, there are some that are dangerous for LHD vehicles, they are doubly so with RHD. There is no doubt about RHD is gonna be alittle harder.

#3 Passing on highways, its harder with RHD,

#4 Pulling out of parking spots is harder.

#5 Parking lot attendants, you have to reach over a very long way to talk to them

#6 Gated entrances, again you are gonna have many issues using your key card

#7 Valet Parking, if you are fortunate enough to be able to use valet parking do you want them to drive your truck,



With some effort, you can overcome most of the disadvantages, but RHD is not better than LHD in North America. No matter what BS thats been flung up with this thread, RHD is not better. Its not unsafe though, you just have to compensate with driving habits . Although with LHD you dont have to compensate as much.
Click to expand...

Thankyou.

There are indeed disadvantages, and it annoys when people claim there isn't. Apparently it annoys me enough to get in an internet argument...:rolleyes::lol:

All vehicles have blind spots and reduced vision on one side( except for dieseldans bicycle) , it's better to have the good vision on the side that involves all the common manoevers that tend to lead to accidents .merging, passing, turning across oncoming traffic. and in north america that'd be the left side.

( and Tobash,I think the postoffice argument is kindof a special case, a vehicle that has frequent stops, with them constantly getting in and out, so it's not entirely applicable to a discussion of daily driving. If your vehicle has 360* sightlines, then there really is no big issue. Many don't, even my BJ70 which has more glass than a goldfish bowl :lol: but I appreciate the politeness ;))

But that's more than enough of all that.





Sailor, that would be an expensive truck to build, if you just throw a simple lowball figure of 10 grand at what a diesel swap in an 80 would cost, ( and I'm sure that's really IS low, considering if it was a toyota diesel swap the engine alone would eat up most of that, but it's just for example)

add that to the purchase price of a nice 80 with no extras which you sometimes see for 5g's in the states, and you're already in the upper ballpark of the jdms, without any accessories.

pretty easy to see another 5-10g's dissapear into that project too.

So for what you have you probably did ok.:)



had to ad this picture for the sake of all suffering through reading this threads middle section.... :lol:
duty_calls.webp
 
Judging by these costs alone - with the condition and upgrades the JDM was an ABSOLUTE BARGAIN. As for the RHD issue, the biggest problem I face is the fact that the turn signal and wiper stalks are reversed. I like the ease of access from the curb but the drive through thing is a pain.. But then perhaps its a good idea to get off my lazy ass and walk into the bank/ralphin' Rons etc. for a change! My truck is at the customs right now but driving the dealers 81 for a few days. RHD=NP for me and a huge savings to boot.
 
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