Canada Cruiser Suspension Option? Factory

[DBrown2]

Well my buddy just got a 92, 80.

It sits 3.5-4in higher than any others I have seen. We thought must have a lift, well it dont, and comparing it to the other 80 he had at his shop. The arms on the front have a dipper curve down.

So we ran the vin.. Thru a local Yota dealer connection...

They said that this was a Canada Vin, but was sold in the US?

Whats up with it guys?

 

[Tools R Us]

Were 80's ever sold in Canada? Some pictures of the arms may help with the ID?

 

[semlin]

uh, if it has kmh on the speedometer and odometer and daytime running lights (headlights come on whenever you start the truck) then it could be Canadian, but so far as I know the only Canadian cruisers after 1990 were the 1997 year lx450 and I live there .

Shoot some photos of the arms you are talking about (lower control arms??), and shocks and check the shocks for markings. It definitely sounds like you have a lift of some kind.

 

[Ocelot]

but so far as I know the only Canadian cruisers after 1990 were the 1997 year lx450 and I live there .

Are you certain about this, I've seen a lot of FZJ80s, and checking the local autotrader shows lots of 80s for sale http://www.canadatrader.com/result/...&distance=&city=&pro=AB,BC&dm=2&type=province . I guess they could all be imported from the states, but I always thought the land cruiser was sold here for quite some time? I'ma newb though so I dont really know anything.

 

[aamiggia]

I'm 100% sure 80's were never sold in Canada. Mind you, this only comes from field studies and no documented proof. So I could be wrong... but I doubt it

The only way you can get a "Canadian" FZJ80 is to buy a Lexus LX450 they were sold as 96 and 97 models. I've seen 1996's for sale in Toronto and my buddy's dad bought one back in the day, but he did have to jump through hoops ($$$).

Cruiser's have been sold here for quite a while back through the early 70's at least. The diesels started in 1981 (40), then the 60's and 70's. I believe all Landcruisers were imported through the US after 1989. That's why the diesel imports stopped. Basically the Landcruiser name to the general public died in 1990, but it still lives through the LX450 and the JDM 15+ year imports.

 

[aamiggia]

Just checked the link.

For those kind of prices for the LC's I'll sell you my 1997 Lexus LX450! Although the truck is in Ontario.

 

[Ocelot]

Cool thanks for the info.

Did you ever get my email?

I think I'm going to hold off on a LC Purchase till 2008... then I'm going to import a 1993 LHD HDJ-80 5-Speed 3x locked rig in blue... or thats the plan anyways

 

[Landpimp]

80's were NOT sold in canada new.

NO such thing as a stock OEM lifted 80.

 

[DBrown2]

Well next time, I'm up there, I will snap a few pics...

Yes I am referring to the lower control arms.. We looked at the shocks and arms, even cleaned them didnt see anything, but they where nasty...

OK guys, to clarify, the truck never was sold in Canada... The guy at Yota, said its the same suspension package, they put on the ones over seas and now are done in Canada... It does sit higher. The guy said there are different part#'s for the arms.

 

[Landpimp]

there are different OEM springs that might account for an inch or so.

The arms.......I don't know.

 

[aamiggia]

Ocelot, I'm not sure if I got your email. Did you send it recently?

Where do you plan on getting the LHD HDJ80 from? and why specificaly a 1993?

I have a web site of the Germany Autotrader that has a few 1990 LHD HDJ-80 with diff locks for around 10-12k Euros, although most of them are up to 250,000 km's.

If you have a line on some from Soth America, I might be in a position of getting one at the same time. We should tlak again. PM me when you get a chance

 

[DBrown2]

Ok ocelot and aamiga... That is what PM's are for... You two are fogging up my post.

 

[MTNRAT]

My business partners dad bought an 1994 80 with difflocks in Canada (British Columbia). Metric speedo etc. I know this because he has since moved to California and when we flew down to pick it up (he gave his kids the LC and a Lexus coupe), going across the border was a breeze with the 80 because it was originally purchased in Canada. The Lexus was more of a pain because it was a US version. From what I understand LC 80s were discontinued in Canada in 1996 and replaced with the Lexus. All with lockers too.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[semlin]

Sean,
some individual Toyota dealers in BC imported new 80s from the US into Canada new and sold them "grey market". I have never seen one with kmh on the outside of the speedo dial but I guess it's possible. Downtown Toyota in vcr was the chief culprit. I have spoken to their parts manager and he figures they imported a couple of dozen over about 5 years, usually to order. He said that they were the number one cruiser dealer in Canada before toyota stopped bringin them in and tried hard to persuade toyota to bring in the 80s but sales on the lc were flat everywhere in canada but vancouver. If you drive by today they have a scion xb on their lot so I guess the tradition continues.

 

[MTNRAT]

Semlin, That explains it. He did buy it in Vancouver and likes to get what he wants, and what is hot, (has a 2004 Cayanne turbo and a 2005 Bently).
Cheers,
Sean