Cost of ownership?

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Randy88FJ62

Randy88FJ62

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
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367
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5,754
Location
North of LA California
For those who own a diesel turbo 5 speed in the USA:

What are the hurdles of owning a rare truck in the US?

Are there any major issues with finding parts? Any issues with insurance?

I do all my own work on my current 62 including axle rebuilds, tcase rebuilds, trany swaps, etc.

Trying to get a rough cost of ownership.

Any positive things you'd like to say about it? Anything to watch for when purchasing one?

Any links or info would be much appreciated as I spend all my time in the 60 section.
 
......." What are the hurdles of owning a rare truck in the US? " .............



Can you narrow it down to what "rare truck" you have in mind?
 
One of the reasons I went back to a North American Model was the ability to go to Napa or order trouble free from toyota

A rare truck is one where the parts have to come from a specialist. Prices are higher and when you think about it - this makes sense. It takes a lot of overhead and expertise to cater to our limited market. It not like we drive F150's.

My JDM was expensive to maintain - for rotors and other consumables. Surprisingly though, mamy parts were available out of the US toyota shops for less than local here in canada and I could get filters and brake pads, thermostats and belts etc.. It meant knowing my part numbers but sometimes it was just easier to go to the specialists and the Canada guys know their stuff

In no particular order i bought from:

ENS toyota
First Toyota Parts
Radd Cruisers
4wheel auto
Mustang Connection


And now also buying from cruiserparts.net and akella who is vendor here on mud

However a set of injectors $$$$$, fuel pump $$$$$ but not much different than costs for a cummins


I easily spent and average of $3500-4000 a year in maintenance and upgrades. Cost of ownership is only limited by your wants vs needs. We all want the best now.. don't we?
 
I can't afford break downs with my HZJ77 as its my daily driver.
I tend to do a lot of preventative maintenance.
I already have a bunch planned for maintenance coming up quick here.

GoFasts calculation is pretty accurate.
Its like anything you can neglect it and run it as it may not need it at this moment but I would rather have it safe in my mind 2000kms from home near civilization or 200kms in butt fxxx nowhere with not a soul around.

You have to be a bit crafty. Keep notes and a log of everything.
I buy parts from a variety of places.

Most of my cruiser stuff comes from John @ Radd Cruisers, i research my prices pretty extensively as I don't have a ton of money. His pricing is very very accurate and fair. Been pretty happy with them and he will continue to get my business.

Akella on the forum helps me out with my hard to get Toyota OEM parts.

Certain things I still get out of australia as I can buy and ship it cheaper to my door for less than I can sourcing it in Canada with substantial savings. I want to support local but if its going to keep $100 bucks in my pocket on a $150 dollar order it just means more money in my pocket sourcing out of the country vs sourcing local. This doesn't happen too often though.
 
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The moral of the above replies is that parts are difficult to come by in Canada and
MUCH more difficult ( and expensive ) to come by in the U.S.
I have been able to find all of the necessary parts for my HJ75 but the majority of the parts had to be sourced in Canada which involved some delays and the expense of shipping.
Is it worth it ...... HECK YES. :)
 
Randy88FJ62 said:
For those who own a diesel turbo 5 speed in the USA:

What are the hurdles of owning a rare truck in the US?

Are there any major issues with finding parts? Any issues with insurance?

I do all my own work on my current 62 including axle rebuilds, tcase rebuilds, trany swaps, etc.

Trying to get a rough cost of ownership.

Any positive things you'd like to say about it? Anything to watch for when purchasing one?

Any links or info would be much appreciated as I spend all my time in the 60 section.
Click to expand...

Fitting a toyota diesel to your 60 might be the easiest way in the long term.If you get a good engine ,it will only be oil and filters most of the time.
If you are talking about a 7* series from Japan,they have a reputation for having the mileage altered.
If you are getting one from australia,they have a reputation for looking like the mileage they have done;)
 
cost?

like what?

oil, air, and fuel filters are US parts.

most the valve pucks are US parts (although I need two non us for optimal shim)

Radiator was last major expense --is a US part. ($400) Oh, and a thermostat and gasket.

8 years ago my 24v heater resistor went out (down to one speed), got two from Mark at ENS in 7 days. ($80 shipped for two at that time)

injectors were rebuilt ($96) and turbo was rebuilt (under $200) at a nor-california shop, the injection pump at a local shop ($614) and only because ultra low sulfur diesel switch made the seals shrink and it leaked (drove it for 9 months leaking).

You buy a diesel for simplicity and so that YOU can work on it. One wire to the fuel cut solenoid (and starter) are all that are needed to get home. If you can't handle getting you hands dirty and knowing your engine back to front. If you are getting it for bragging rights don't.

I feel confident to jump in my 25 year old cruiser tomorrow and drive 1,000 miles round trip, at 80mph, get 18-21mpg, and wheel at the 1/2 way point (did that two weeks ago)- but I also have the confidence to fix a broken alternator adjustment bolt in the lightning and rain and at 10pm to make it the last 100 miles home.

If your dealer won't order stuff for you, stop giving them your business. Lots of other businesses out there who can help (Big Mike, Georg, Kurt, Sheldon and Greg, Mudrak, Maarten, Stedman).

Another tip, make friends with other cruiserheads.
 
70 is on my list in future too. And i will only settle for 1hz version for the reason of parts prices and availability.

70 series are not that different for oem parts prices compare to 80's 100' and etc. Any cruiser is not cheap to maintain. The biggest issue that you cannot walk into local parts store and get parts over the counter as easy as for ford or any other domestic.

If you will get 70 be ready to get use to the 1-3 weeks wait time to get your parts at reasonable price.

They dont ask much for parts if you dont wheel them too hard and brake them.

You have to make sacrifice for owning extremely rare truck.
 
..... "You have to make sacrifice for owning extremely rare truck." .........

Premise #1 ...... Owning a 70 Series makes it worth while. :)
Premise #2 ...... When dealing with the wife.... don't get a receipt and don't create a paper trail. :D
In theory my HJ75 has been "maintenance" free for years. ( no receipt .... didn't happen. :) )
 
cost of ownership ...
if you are concerned about cost of ownership then buy a Yaris.
you are considering a rare truck so down time is a concern, parts can be a concern but since most of the drivetrain crosses over to NA vehicles the parts are not a big issue.
every spring and fall you do a "once over" on your vehicles, right?
pull the wheels, change the fluids, check the belts and hoses etc.
so IF the brakes are getting low then order the parts at that time, DON'T wait till it breaks to fix it.
preventive maintenance is important when you own a unique vehicle.

if you plan ahead then you won't be let down.
 
...a few other comments,,,

In the next 10 years the number of US 60, 70, and 80 series diesels and gas vehicles will grow significantly from 25 year old imports rules, especially the 70 series as it is a FAR superior platform to the 40 series although not as 'militaristic' in appearance.

trucks:
70 series have a long run of parts with 1985-2006 essentially being unchanged in body panels and variations from 2007-2013+ only being in the front clip and dash. The single biggest plus is they are used as cab chassis donors for the north american mining industry and therefore ALL pickup/1hz parts less bed (and a/c) travel through the toyota main warehouse in Ontario, southern california -even if not on the US roster of parts.

The wagons are going to be the hardest hit with parts issues. The last 60 series was seen new in 1990 (exception venezuela) and the last 80 series 1998. The Ontario California warehouse (aka "japan" for retail dealers) has three house size dumpsters that low selling E/F class parts get thrown out into daily. If you want a trim piece order it today because it is getting scrapped tomorrow. (true also for 70 series -90Kxx parts pre 1990).

engines:
post 1990
1HZ production for early blocks (1990-1998) and later blocks (1998 -present) are also mostly interchangeable except for timing cover and timing idler (the 12 valve 1HD-t is same base as early 1hz and 95% of parts interchange). That is a 23 year production run folks vs the 2F made '75-'80 then incompatibly changed '81-'87.

1HD-FT ?('95-98) and 1HD-FTE ('98-04?) 24 valve engines were never sold in north america

PZ engines are rare and have issues most notably the dual mass flywheel (swap a 1hz and be done).

pre1990
2H/12H-t are old and the turbo version short lived

3b/13bt, are old (but loved-why?) and the 13Bt was a short run (4+ years)

gas engines, not popular imports now and many locAls are subject to emissions test and the engines cannot be made compliant.

other drivetrain items:
H15X and R140/150 transmissions are a rarity although the R series trannies are mine spec in north america.
 
Some good info here.

My opinion: If analyzed purely from a financial perspective, old Land cruisers rarely make any sense at all. When I think of what I've put into mine, I could have had a much newer, more powerful vehicle easily. And I've done all my own work and been very specific and thrifty when buying parts. And I've put a fraction into mine of what others have put into theirs.

We own Land cruisers because we love them; plain and simple. Finances are a pesky annoyance on the path to making our Land cruisers what we want them to be.
 
Rick
in what way is the 70 "is a FAR superior platform to the 40 series"?
 
...[ In the next 10 years the number of US 60, 70, and 80 series diesels and gas vehicles will grow significantly from 25 year old imports rules, especially the 70 series as it is a FAR superior platform to the 40 series although not as 'militaristic' in appearance. ]...


While I can't comment on the import market in Canada, I believe the 70 Series will only "trickle" into the U.S. if for no other reason than the weak U.S. dollar.
Other than some creature comfort items such as power steering and factory A/C
I would have to disagree than the 70 Series is FAR superior to the 40 Series. Both are unique and capable in their own way. :)
 
ForealBoreal said:
Not bad.
Depends on if you want new or used.
Price is also a big factor.

I recently bought a set of complete set of fenders (all three pieces) and doors without glass for what I think to be a fair enough price.
Click to expand...

If you got in an accident and damaged a rear door on your 77, what kind of wait would you be looking at? I can't imagine something like that would be cheap once shipping was factored in?
 
I make a phone call to 1/5 places I know of and I could get one quick.
A pallet from Vancouver to pr costs 150 bucks. Throw it on a pallet.
I could probably have one within the week if it happened early Monday.
 
i can have you a rear door in Canada in less than a week for $400 aprox complete with glass, hinges, rubber etc.
 
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