Crazy UN spec 80 series?

[Atreyou]

Hello everyone, mega lurker here stepping out from the shadows. Have wanted an 80 series for about 12 years now and am finally in a position to pick one up. I live in Uganda and I have come across a tidy ex-UN vehicle that spent 8 years in the hands of a trustworthy and long-standing member of the expat community who used to run a 4x4 shop. After buying the vehicle at a UN auction, he did a mild safari conversion and added a few well-thought out mods. The vehicle runs like a top.

I am absolutely stumped, however, by the configuration of the vehicle when compared to the codes on the bulkhead stamp. I have done a lot of research here and on ToyoDIY and understand what the codes mean, but cannot wrap my head around the combination. I trust the vehicle and the seller, so this is mostly about understanding what I have and how unique it may be.

Model code is HZJ80R-GCMRS, which ToyoDIY identifies as a 1997 model.

The engine code is 1HZ, but it has the 24 valve TD motor in it. Seller swears to God he did not do an engine swap and I believe him. Particularly since the transmission code is H150 for the manual transmission that corresponds to the TD motors. Do you guys think that it came with the 1HDFT from the factory but the stamp has an error? Or given that it is a General Market spec vehicle, did these come as rolling chassis from the factory and then Toyota Gibraltar or whomever decided what engine option to install to suit the needs of a giant customer like the UN?

The axle code is K294, which corresponds to the locking diffs. However, the seller says the vehicle has LSD diffs and I can confirm that the dash doesn't have the CDL switch or rotary FR and RR diff lock switch. I didn't know enough about axles when I looked at the car, so wasn't able to check for the actuator when I was under there. If it came with locking diffs from the factory, why the f*** would the UN swap these for LSDs? Also, do you reckon that the wiring is in place for me to add switches and locking diffs down the line?

The trim level is pretty damn poverty-packish with no running boards or other niceties and a very 70-eries/105-ish interior. However, it has auto door locks and windows, A/C, sunroof and tailgate.

Has anyone come across anything like this before? Here is a picture of the bulkhead stamp. Thanks!

 

[hatzlibutzli]

If it came with locking diffs from the factory, why the f*** would the UN swap these for LSDs?

That one is easy to answer: manual axle locking diffs in the hands of soldiers are a quick way to wreck the drivetrain. Many armys go for the "fool proof" version!

Regards ... Simon

 

[DivByZero]

Looks to me like the plate doesn't match the engine and drivetrain. Either those have been swapped after manufacture, or the plate has. With some pictures of the vehicle, it'd be easier to work out the history. That configuration should NOT have had a sunroof though, so I'm guessing the plate doesn't match the vehicle personally. Doesn't mean the guy you bought it from did anything dodgy, it could have happened long before it came into his possession.

Post some pics. People will be able to figure out what's going on.

 

[DivByZero]

Oh, I should say before going any further, check the VIN on the frame and see if it matches the VIN on the compliance plate. Also do a VIN lookup and confirm it matches the details on the plate. You'll find the VIN stamped on the frame on the left side, just behind the front tyre. Found it hard to find a good pic, but here's a low res one which shows the spot:

I'm pretty confident you'll find a discrepancy.

 

[Atreyou]

That one is easy to answer: manual axle locking diffs in the hands of soldiers are a quick way to wreck the drivetrain. Many armys go for the "fool proof" version!

Regards ... Simon

Haha, du hast vielleicht recht! That might be why they made the swap, but I still wonder why the switches are missing from the dash...thanks.

 

[Atreyou]

Oh, I should say before going any further, check the VIN on the frame and see if it matches the VIN on the compliance plate. Also do a VIN lookup and confirm it matches the details on the plate. You'll find the VIN stamped on the frame on the left side, just behind the front tyre. Found it hard to find a good pic, but here's a low res one which shows the spot:
View attachment 2926284
I'm pretty confident you'll find a discrepancy.

Hey Nemesis, just saw your responses. Thanks a lot. Agree that this is all too wonky for the car to have rolled out of the factory with this plate and this engine/drivetrain. Really good point on cross-referencing the VIN on the frame. Will take some pics and share soon.

Is it still weird that the plate (original or not) shows a 1HZ motor mated to an H150 gearbox? Isn't that a bit of a disconnect? Thanks.

 

[DivByZero]

Hey Nemesis, just saw your responses. Thanks a lot. Agree that this is all too wonky for the car to have rolled out of the factory with this plate and this engine/drivetrain. Really good point on cross-referencing the VIN on the frame. Will take some pics and share soon.

Is it still weird that the plate (original or not) shows a 1HZ motor mated to an H150 gearbox? Isn't that a bit of a disconnect? Thanks.

No, that's normal actually. My HZJ80 is the same, 1HZ with the H150F. I think the HDJ engines actually had the H151F gearbox. It's hard to tell the difference visually, they're basically the same box, just with different gear ratios. With the different engine in there, I think it's an open question what's actually fitted though.

 

[Atreyou]

No, that's normal actually. My HZJ80 is the same, 1HZ with the H150F. I think the HDJ engines actually had the H151F gearbox. It's hard to tell the difference visually, they're basically the same box, just with different gear ratios. With the different engine in there, I think it's an open question what's actually fitted though.

Thanks dude, starting to think the UN garage or auctioneer did a f***ing Lego build out of spare parts or something and then slapped a random plate on it. Going to get under there and start documenting what axles and gearbox are actually on the car. Will cross reference VIN number on frame and see if there is a door jamb sticker and what that says. At least it runs really well!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Any pics of the rest of the truck??? This might help.

 

[Chang739]

Yeah don't leave us hanging, I wanna see this safari rig!

 

[Ghostrider I]

Actually, it's an H155.

 

[TurboDennis]

The HZJ80 body was probably swapped onto an HDJ80 chassis.

 

[SaturnAscends]

Subbed. I'd be curious to see more pics also.

 

[Atreyou]

Okay guys, sorry for the delay - had to meet the seller to take pics. We have an oral agreement but I have not handed over a dollar yet and have not taken possession. Just got back.

First up, the frame/chassis number actually matches the bulkhead plate, which unless I am wrong means that this started off as an HZJ80 from the factory. That lines up with the spartan interior (seats now feature canvas safari seat covers) and side facing bench seats (removed). However, it has a tailgate instead of barn doors and came with a factory sunroof (now converted to the front low-profile safari hatch).

 

[Atreyou]

Here are some additional exterior pics. Original color was white, the idea is to remove the rhinoliner and repaint it a gray/green color as not a fan of the sand yellow.

 

[Atreyou]

I looked for the engine number here:

But it seems to have been filed off:

My guess is that the original HZ was either swapped out for a 1HDFT, or a conversion was done whereby the 24 valve head and other necessary parts were fitted to the original 1HZ block. What do you guys think? Here is a fuller picture of the engine:

 

[Atreyou]

Now to the axles. The bulkhead stamp says the vehicle came with K294 (locking diff) axles. The dash has windows? where the rotary FR/RR diff lock switch would be and also the CDL switch. However, the truck has a rear LSD axle. So I am guessing that the locking axles were swapped for a floating front and LSD rear. CD lock now occurs manually when engaged in low range.

Do you reckon the wiring is in there to fit locking diffs later on if I want? I didn't see any wiring harnesses above either diff, but there is one plugged into the center diff. Also found some random unplugged harnesses. Might be ABS ones since this system was disconnected. Keen to hear everyone's thoughts!

Kind of bummed that this appears to have come triple locked from the factory, but doesn't have that configuration now.

Top of rear diff:

 

[Atreyou]

Top of front diff:

(Just realized I should have looked at it from the front to see if it had the actuator, indicating the original locking front diff was left in)

Random disconnected harnesses:

 

[DivByZero]

....WTF?

Well it definitely looks like a good buy. If the price is right, and you want it, I'd say go for it.

I find the vehicle confusing though. The only thing that's certain is that the frame matches the firewall plate. That's not in dispute. The frame however belongs on a white 80 series with a 1HZ engine, factory lockers, and a tan interior. In fact, there are many, many discrepancies.
-It has power windows. It shouldn't.
-It has central locking. It shouldn't.
-It shouldn't have power mirrors. Not only does it have power mirrors, but apparently it also has the JDM-exclusive folding power mirrors.
-It has a power antenna. It shouldn't.
-It should have ambulance doors. It doesn't.
-It has a sunroof (or had at least). It shouldn't.
-It should have locking differentials. It doesn't.
-It should have a factory sub-tank. It doesn't.
-It shouldn't have variable intermittent wipers. It does.
-It should have the manual lever-style environmental controls. It has the VX style electric type.
-It has a factory JDM (and GCC) rear swingout tyre carrier. It shouldn't.
-It has gas bonnet struts. It shouldn't.
-It has the single-piece VX style headlights. It shouldn't.
-It has the factory headlight cleaners. It shouldn't.
-It has the VX style ignition barrel light. It shouldn't.
-It has factory ABS. It shouldn't.

I think the most likely scenario here is there's been a full body swap, and the plate from the donor frame was used to replace the plate on the body so that they matched. The axles have also been swapped over though, not to mention the engine swap that's been performed. The body itself most likely comes from a 95+ year VX model GCC spec vehicle, or possibly even a RHD Japanese domestic model (less likely).

Whatever the history, it looks like a good buy.

 

[FMC80]

....WTF?

Well it definitely looks like a good buy. If the price is right, and you want it, I'd say go for it.

I find the vehicle confusing though. The only thing that's certain is that the frame matches the firewall plate. That's not in dispute. The frame however belongs on a white 80 series with a 1HZ engine, factory lockers, and a tan interior. In fact, there are many, many discrepancies.
-It has power windows. It shouldn't.
-It has central locking. It shouldn't.
-It shouldn't have power mirrors. Not only does it have power mirrors, but apparently it also has the JDM-exclusive folding power mirrors.
-It has a power antenna. It shouldn't.
-It should have ambulance doors. It doesn't.
-It has a sunroof (or had at least). It shouldn't.
-It should have locking differentials. It doesn't.
-It should have a factory sub-tank. It doesn't.
-It shouldn't have intermittent wipers. It does.
-It should have the manual lever-style environmental controls. It has the VX style electric type.
-It has a factory JDM (and GCC) rear swingout tyre carrier. It shouldn't.
-It has gas bonnet struts. It shouldn't.
-It has the single-piece VX style headlights. It shouldn't.
-It has the factory headlight cleaners. It shouldn't.
-It has the VX style ignition barrel light. It shouldn't.
-It has factory ABS. It shouldn't.

I think the most likely scenario here is there's been a full body swap, and the plate from the donor frame was used to replace the plate on the body so that they matched. The axles have also been swapped over though, not to mention the engine swap that's been performed. The body itself most likely comes from a 95+ year VX model GCC spec vehicle, or possibly even a RHD Japanese domestic model (less likely).

Whatever the history, it looks like a good buy.

This was a well thought out answer. You sir are da man. With all these discrepancies, why do you think it’s still a good buy?