English Newbie FJ80 Question

[ozpass]

Hello all! I've checked out the FAQ and done a search and couldn't find the answer to my question. I suspect that it's because the answer is so widely known that it isn't worth commiting it to electronic form!

However.... I live in the UK and am about to buy a 1992 Landcruiser VX 4.2 Turbodiesel. My question is related to the model designation. The car I'm looking at is a Japanese Import - that much I know. The dealer tells me that "all landcruiser VX's in the UK are Japanese Imports" and that the official UK model was the Amazon. Namely the VX and Amazon are the same model, the only difference being that the Amazon was the official Toyota UK import. Can anyone confirm if this is correct? It obviously has implications regarding insuring my car.

I hope that my banal question doesn't bother anyone too much. I'm aware that this is a primarily US-based site but I did search sufficiently to discover that there is at least one British member - the biodiesel expert JimPhilips.

Thanks in advance of any assistance.

 

[e9999]

Hi Welcome to the forum!

no UK or JDM expert myself, but I do vaguely remember reading that the VX designation is indeed common in other countries besides the US.

You might have better luck on the Diesel forum on this site. Or you could PM Mot to ask about the JDM designations, he's our Japanese LCs expert.

Enjoy the rig!

 

[Grench]

Yah... Imagine that... Model designations for Land Cruisers because there is more than one model released in a single year... I have no idea when they last had more than one vehicle with the Land Cruiser moniker in the US for a single model year.

 

[wussyPup]

However.... I live in the UK and am about to buy a 1992 Landcruiser VX 4.2 Turbodiesel. My question is related to the model designation. The car I'm looking at is a Japanese Import - that much I know. The dealer tells me that "all landcruiser VX's in the UK are Japanese Imports" and that the official UK model was the Amazon. Namely the VX and Amazon are the same model, the only difference being that the Amazon was the official Toyota UK import. Can anyone confirm if this is correct?

Hi, and welcome...

I have a 1990 HDJ81 VX imported from Japan last winter. Here are some clues:
- weight capacity sticker on rear, exterior, LHS
- tyre inflation sticker on front, RHS, door pillar is in Japanese
- safety and instruction decals on driver's door in Japanese

G'luck, -Steve

 

[mot]

There were also the GX (base model, usually with barn doors) and the VX Limited (loaded) models.

Mot

 

[ozpass]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

The car is *definitely* a Japanese import - this I know for a fact due to all the Japanese stickers inside, the speedo (despite being converted) still reading in Km/h and all of the details you mentioned above.

What I wanted to know, however, is this:

Was there ever a "Landcruiser VX" sold by Toyota UK, or are all "Landcruiser VX's" in the UK Japanese grey imports like the one I've been checking out?

Thanks in advance.

 

[e9999]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

The car is *definitely* a Japanese import - this I know for a fact due to all the Japanese stickers inside, the speedo (despite being converted) still reading in Km/h and all of the details you mentioned above.

What I wanted to know, however, is this:

Was there ever a "Landcruiser VX" sold by Toyota UK, or are all "Landcruiser VX's" in the UK Japanese grey imports like the one I've been checking out?

Thanks in advance.

isn't there some sort of UK landcruiser web site that would have some history info?
or can't you ask a local dealer?

 

[ozpass]

isn't there some sort of UK landcruiser web site that would have some history info?
or can't you ask a local dealer?

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a UK specific Landcruiser site. A Google search brought me here - seemingly a mecca for 'Cruiser information!

I have called two local dealers and the only people who would speak to me couldn't confirm what I was asking. I think that if you aren't interested in a 2006 model car then you only get to speak to the cleaner!

 

[bigbrowndog]

http://www.tlocuk.co.uk/forums/
cheers and welcome from Oz. I bet this U.K. Landcruiser forum's chat is more restrained than chat here. LOL. regards gazza

 

[ozpass]

Thanks for the tip. I've joined that forum and posted my question but it's a lot quieter then over here! If I get an answer I'll be sure to post it back into this thread for posterity.