- Thread starter
- #21
I think it would be a non-issue if it happens after the vehicle is in the States, as it's very common across collector car restoration to remove the plates for a repaint.
Columbian FZJ73 Assistance and Questions
- Thread starter Alpine4X4
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I think it would be a non-issue if it happens after the vehicle is in the States, as it's very common across collector car restoration to remove the plates for a repaint.
- Thread starter
- #23
Yes, has documentation that it was rebuilt here in the USA. He said it was to give the engine a "refresh", which I have done many times on motorcycle engines. Would rebuild them myself on the kitchen table. He is a car collector, and has many exotic cars such as Ferrari, so spending extra on a rebuild without it really needing it, is not going to break the bank for him.
Exiled
SILVER Star
Man, I hate to be THAT guy, but I wouldn't take at face value that "he's a collector with a bunch of exotic cars". Possible, but unlikely. Also, the standard South American "engine refresh" is basically an external cleanup, eliminating leaks with homemade gaskets and maybe replacing some of the hardware with shiny replated hardware. I would operate under the assumption that NOTHING of substance was replaced inside of the engine, nor that OEM parts/gaskets were used. Again, it's *possible*, but it's unlikely based on my experience with SA imports.
Colombia is a bit better than Venezuela when it comes to fuel quality but I would also assume that it's been run on questionable fuel (low octane, or poor quality, or contaminated) and I would anticipate potential issues with the fuel system (pump, carb/injectors, lines, tank).
Somebody else already called out SOFASA on the VIN tag which denotes local assembly. If it was a fully-imported Land Cruiser from Japan, the VIN tag would look like a standard General Market tag.
sark
42601-60262-03
@Alpine4X4
As someone with a JDM RHD HZJ73, I don't really understand the stubbornness against RHD vehicles. Bring your +1 through drive-throughs when you get Dairy Queen, it's not a big deal. You won't be passing anyone anyways to be worried about left-hand-side visibility.
That being said, I would seriously consider a LHD from the Middle East or Europe over one from SA. @wngrog has worked with @Meshal for the ME market and @joekatana brings back EU vehicles and parts. Consider checking out @wngrog's recent build threads on the 75's and 73's.
In terms of quality, from what I've seen, Japan and the Middle East have the best quality 30 year old vehicles available to import.
As someone with a JDM RHD HZJ73, I don't really understand the stubbornness against RHD vehicles. Bring your +1 through drive-throughs when you get Dairy Queen, it's not a big deal. You won't be passing anyone anyways to be worried about left-hand-side visibility.
That being said, I would seriously consider a LHD from the Middle East or Europe over one from SA. @wngrog has worked with @Meshal for the ME market and @joekatana brings back EU vehicles and parts. Consider checking out @wngrog's recent build threads on the 75's and 73's.
In terms of quality, from what I've seen, Japan and the Middle East have the best quality 30 year old vehicles available to import.
As most of you already know I am heavily biased towards the Euro spec diesel cruisers , probably because that’s what I have been driving and wheeling for the past 3 decades . I also lived in a few different parts of the world and noticed that world travelers mainly do it in 80% euro spec cruisers and 15% african market ones . The other 5 % are just people who started with the wrong market one 
If you want to be a “overlander “ you can pick one from any market , the Starbucks , Rei and cars and coffee gatherings are usually pretty close anyways .
I have owned a few cruisers from South of the border and am working on bringing up the “jadebean” troopy up to snuff for the new owner now . These south of the border trucks lack a lot of things that we don’t think about , for example this one never had retractable seat belts , when I wanted to install the heater core and ac I also found out that none of the brackets on the firewall needed to mount these where there . They are build for a cheaper market and are build a lot cheaper .
The JDM ones seem to be the ones with the most options and the cleanest interiors , now diesels are made to work and unfortunately the low mileage jdm cruisers never have done that and many of the 1HZ’s die here in the US when the sludge comes loose and blocks the oil channels , I have sold many high mileage euro 1HZ’s to people that had there low mileage one self destruct .
Only owned 1 Middle East spec cruiser and wasn’t impressed with the 3F in it , inspected a few FZJ75’s for customers that came from the ME and wasn’t really impressed with them either but i think that was mostly because those sellers where importing the cheapest ones they could find unlike Nolan who seems to import the nicest ones he can find .
In the end it all comes down to what you want and how much you want to spend but buying from the right seller will give you a headstart .
If you want to be a “overlander “ you can pick one from any market , the Starbucks , Rei and cars and coffee gatherings are usually pretty close anyways .
I have owned a few cruisers from South of the border and am working on bringing up the “jadebean” troopy up to snuff for the new owner now . These south of the border trucks lack a lot of things that we don’t think about , for example this one never had retractable seat belts , when I wanted to install the heater core and ac I also found out that none of the brackets on the firewall needed to mount these where there . They are build for a cheaper market and are build a lot cheaper .
The JDM ones seem to be the ones with the most options and the cleanest interiors , now diesels are made to work and unfortunately the low mileage jdm cruisers never have done that and many of the 1HZ’s die here in the US when the sludge comes loose and blocks the oil channels , I have sold many high mileage euro 1HZ’s to people that had there low mileage one self destruct .
Only owned 1 Middle East spec cruiser and wasn’t impressed with the 3F in it , inspected a few FZJ75’s for customers that came from the ME and wasn’t really impressed with them either but i think that was mostly because those sellers where importing the cheapest ones they could find unlike Nolan who seems to import the nicest ones he can find .
In the end it all comes down to what you want and how much you want to spend but buying from the right seller will give you a headstart .
- Thread starter
- #28
Can you find me a pristine HZJ105 or FZJ105 that hasn't been modded, no rust, and basic trim like a G or GX?As most of you already know I am heavily biased towards the Euro spec diesel cruisers , probably because that’s what I have been driving and wheeling for the past 3 decades . I also lived in a few different parts of the world and noticed that world travelers mainly do it in 80% euro spec cruisers and 15% african market ones . The other 5 % are just people who started with the wrong market one
If you want to be a “overlander “ you can pick one from any market , the Starbucks , Rei and cars and coffee gatherings are usually pretty close anyways .
I have owned a few cruisers from South of the border and am working on bringing up the “jadebean” troopy up to snuff for the new owner now . These south of the border trucks lack a lot of things that we don’t think about , for example this one never had retractable seat belts , when I wanted to install the heater core and ac I also found out that none of the brackets on the firewall needed to mount these where there . They are build for a cheaper market and are build a lot cheaper .
The JDM ones seem to be the ones with the most options and the cleanest interiors , now diesels are made to work and unfortunately the low mileage jdm cruisers never have done that and many of the 1HZ’s die here in the US when the sludge comes loose and blocks the oil channels , I have sold many high mileage euro 1HZ’s to people that had there low mileage one self destruct .
Only owned 1 Middle East spec cruiser and wasn’t impressed with the 3F in it , inspected a few FZJ75’s for customers that came from the ME and wasn’t really impressed with them either but i think that was mostly because those sellers where importing the cheapest ones they could find unlike Nolan who seems to import the nicest ones he can find .
In the end it all comes down to what you want and how much you want to spend but buying from the right seller will give you a headstart .
... and of course at a reasonable price
No , neither of those where sold in Europe trough the toyota dealerships. Contact Nolan for a Middle East fzj105 or find a hzj105 in Central AmericaCan you find me a pristine HZJ105 or FZJ105 that hasn't been modded, no rust, and basic trim like a G or GX?
... and of course at a reasonable price
- Thread starter
- #30
I lived in England for 5-1/2 years, and owned a RHD while over there, and also drove plenty of LHD vehicles over there also, from a Corvette to bigger trucks. Driving and passing on narrow roads with oncoming traffic sucks when your sitting on the wrong side of the vehicle while driving, no matter what county you're in.
I'll stick with LHD while living in North America.
Have you checkout Carcave USA in Aiken SC. Their 73 are Japanese built LC LHD made for Europe. I would hesitate on a Colombia made LC given the beating it takes on those dirt roads. Also dealers dont short their sale price because these 73 are desirable. Good luck and don’t rush into unless you are sure you have a solid vehicle in your front.
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- Thread starter
- #32
Thanks, but the only 70 -series I'm interested in are the ones with 1FZ engine, which aren't common in Europe, well maybe there's a few in Turkey? As They have plenty of Troopies with the 1FZ.
Okay I am sorry, that is a huge no no flag for me ‘give the engine a refresh’ and you said less than 250k kilometers on the engine. My 95 KZJ73 has 249k KM which is give or take 155k miles. Anyone who owns these things will tell you with proper service and maintenance the engine will not need a major overhaul until 300k miles if that. Also have you asked for the service maintenance from prior owners. Any collector or dealer will be keen on the paperwork since it will only add value to the LC. If you need an expert advice without pressure call Car cave in Aiken SC who always sells the 73 series and have rebuild the engine on a couple of them ask the owner for his opinion. I know you’re excited about the truck, but the folks on this panel are very knowledgeable and they want you to have a good experience with the LC. Do not commit to buying until you know all the ins and out. Is it a manual or automatic? If its manual make sure the clutch is reliable. Diesel I hope?
- Thread starter
- #34
Manual, 1FZ engine, so that combination is what appeals to me. If I wanted a diesel, I'd prefer it in an 80 or 105.
I would imagine that if this rig lived in Colombia for a few years, it must have had some rain land on it (assuming it was garage kept) and a few patches of mud dirt stuck to its chassis on the back roads. I am no expert on rust, but that is a recipe for some rust spot. All LCs have some rust as we know it. The goal is to not have rust on the important location. What gets me is the engine refresh. Also some service paperwork from over the years should be available for viewing. I like that ‘pig in a lipstick’ analogy. I hope this perspective owner really dont jump to conclusion without a thorough research, and yes $30k is usually where a decent Euro made 73 series begins.
- Thread starter
- #36
As I've stated before, an engine refresh is not out of the unusual, as I've had friends with 60's and 70's muscle cars do it, even though everything was running fine, and I've done it numerous times on motorcycle engines.
Refreshing domestic engines and motorcycle engines cost a fraction of what it would cost to rebuild a Yota engine . Just look around here and see what the average cost was for people that rebuild their 2F,3FE,1FZ,3B,2H,12HT,1HZ 1HDT or any other cruiser engine . Most people plan to spend a few k on parts and end up tripling that . Also curious why you consider a HZJ105 or FZJ100 ? The 100 series has the 1HDTFTE and the 2 UZ which both are vast superior engines over the 1HZ and the 1FZ . The front solid axle is a nice gimmick but to me after owning several of these the 105's are just overweight underpowered 80's .
FJBen
SILVER Star
This.
I got my Bj74 from a friend and it had a blown head gasket, 2 bent pushrods and a scored piston liner due to a busted heater hose.
My machine work alone was $1,900 and I got a deal. It should have been closer to $3k at most shops. I did 90% of putting it back together. My friend bought all the rebuild kit/pistons, liners and had the head rebuilt (although I had to redo it, his shop sucked and my shop refreshed for free) I think the rebuild kit and extras was well over $2500.
So at a great deal, and me doing the whole rebuild minus machine work and crank/piston assembly…It’s well over $5k. Most spend much much more than that. Not even adding all the while you are in there things…carb or IP, injectors etc.
Cruiser engines aren’t a cheap rebuild/refresh. So it seems strange someone would rebuild pistons and all a cruiser engine without issues.
Maybe pull to reseal leaking gaskets.
- Thread starter
- #39
I'm not getting the 73, as I just committed to an HZJ105 with less than 100K Km on it, and real nice shape.
