Going from an fj80 to possibly a kzj78

[Roastchestnuts]

After searching for another fj80 I have come to the conclusion that I might venture elsewhere in the land cruiser family. I had a bad car accident last month. my fiancé was driving and a car came up fast be hind us. it spooked her and some how we ended up loosing control of the vehicle. and rolled it many times going 70mph. we survived and we credit the survival to the robustness of the fj80. however having much discussion with my fiancé we both don't feel at this time we can sit behind the wheel of an fj80. We both feel somthing different might be needed for us to move past the accident. Honestly I still have some ptsd from the crash. I do want to stay in the land cruiser family and I am thinking about either holding out for a good fj60 or possible somthing JDM and I am leaning twards a kzj78 that is for sale near me. I am going to look at it Friday and will probably buy it if everything looks good to me. my questions are:

Any 80 owners out there ever drive or have experience with the 70 series land cruiser Prado? It has the 1kz te diesel engine and an automatic a343 trans (I wish it was a 5speed) has about 140,000 miles (about 224,000KM) Other than cracked heads and the electric locking hubs and rust, should I look for any other issues? additionally have any of you ever registered a jdm vehicle In North Carolina? The vehicle has a clean title in Virginia and I am unaware of any title transfer issues. any input would be greatly appreciated. below is a picture of the accident.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Maybe I don't fully understand why you and your fiance can't sit behind the wheel of a FJ80 anymore but I will say you won't find the KZJ78 any better than the FJ80 for US highways...maybe slower?

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Maybe I don't fully understand why you and your fiance can't sit behind the wheel of a FJ80 anymore but I will say you won't find the KZJ78 any better than the FJ80 for US highways...maybe slower?

while I am a big fan of the fj80 she was driving and suffered a fractured c7 vertebrae in her neck. it was pretty traumatizing. I think mentally we just want somthing different maybe ascetically so it does not remind us of the fj80.

 

[FJ73Texas]

while I am a big fan of the fj80 she was driving and suffered a fractured c7 vertebrae in her neck. it was pretty traumatizing. I think mentally we just want somthing different maybe ascetically so it does not remind us of the fj80.

I can't imagine how terrible that was. I get what you are saying now. Please do let us know if you end up in that KZJ78.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Sorry to hear of your horrible accident in the 80. Glad you guys survived though.

If you want a comfortable, safe and capable landcruiser suitable for highway cruising, maybe look at the 100 series.

If you want a cruiser with a solid front axle that is ok on the highway, but still quite capable off road, the KZJ78 would be an ok option

I have an LJ78 (tuned up, and will do 90mph), but must say I've never felt it was an easy comfortable highway driver. I find it takes a lot of focus on the highway compared to any modern car, and is tiring to drive on long trips. It's narrower than an 80 series which I think impacts highway comfort.

1KZTE is easy to tune up for more power though. With just an intercooler, manual boost controller and a tweak to the spill valve it will outpower a 1FZFE easily. I'd rather have a 1KZTE than 1HZ any day.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I can't imagine how terrible that was. I get what you are saying now. Please do let us know if you end up in that KZJ78.

Will do and thanks!

 

[renago]

go for a 100 if your use is 80 street/20 off .
KZJ 78 prado is a nice car ,but quality far inferior of an 80 even more then a 100 .
but all depends on $$$ I guess

 

[kgrove]

I don't have an FJ80, but I do have an HDJ81 and KZJ78. You'll find the KZJ78 drives much more like a 4Runner than an 80 series. It feels lighter and similar sized. I was pleasantly surprised at it's acceleration and driving feel. I've only owned it a short period and haven't fully tested it on big hills etc, but have driven some local freeways and have no problems driving 70mph. It will be at least a few weeks before I can get out on some interstates where I can test it at higher speeds and on big, long hills. I think my KZJ78 is pretty stock, though I haven't fully explored it yet... for sure still has the stock exhaust, no boost controller or intercooler.

The prior posts on the 100 series... Absolutely agree. The 100 series absolutely kicks the snot out of either the 80 series or KZJ78 for city and highway driving. I also have an '02 100 series that I can't convince myself to sell because it just drives too damn nicely. If city and highway driving are your prime concerns, absolutely go with the 100 series. They'd be what you get if you crossed an 80 series with a Lexus sedan. I'm keeping my 100 as my long-term vacation mobile and the KZJ78 as a fun project and "Friday car".

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Sorry to hear of your horrible accident in the 80. Glad you guys survived though.

If you want a comfortable, safe and capable landcruiser suitable for highway cruising, maybe look at the 100 series.

If you want a cruiser with a solid front axle that is ok on the highway, but still quite capable off road, the KZJ78 would be an ok option

I have an LJ78 (tuned up, and will do 90mph), but must say I've never felt it was an easy comfortable highway driver. I find it takes a lot of focus on the highway compared to any modern car, and is tiring to drive on long trips. It's narrower than an 80 series which I think impacts highway comfort.

1KZTE is easy to tune up for more power though. With just an intercooler, manual boost controller and a tweak to the spill valve it will outpower a 1FZFE easily. I'd rather have a 1KZTE than 1HZ any day.

Yeah I live on the outer banks on Ocracoke island in North Carolina. We would use the land cruiser for more of a beach/ around town vehicle with occasional trips on the highway. I felt like my 80 was not great for hwy either to be honest it felt like a more antique vehicle. I have toyed with the idea of a 100 series. I am not sure how I feel about them. What kind of fuel milage do you get out of the 1kzte?

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I don't have an FJ80, but I do have an HDJ81 and KZJ78. You'll find the KZJ78 drives much more like a 4Runner than an 80 series. It feels lighter and similar sized. I was pleasantly surprised at it's acceleration and driving feel. I've only owned it a short period and haven't fully tested it on big hills etc, but have driven some local freeways and have no problems driving 70mph. It will be at least a few weeks before I can get out on some interstates where I can test it at higher speeds and on big, long hills. I think my KZJ78 is pretty stock, though I haven't fully explored it yet... for sure still has the stock exhaust, no boost controller or intercooler.

The prior posts on the 100 series... Absolutely agree. The 100 series absolutely kicks the snot out of either the 80 series or KZJ78 for city and highway driving. I also have an '02 100 series that I can't convince myself to sell because it just drives too damn nicely. If city and highway driving are your prime concerns, absolutely go with the 100 series. They'd be what you get if you crossed an 80 series with a Lexus sedan. I'm keeping my 100 as my long-term vacation mobile and the KZJ78 as a fun project and "Friday car".

Its good to know the Prado kzj78 drives more like a 4runner. this one I am looking at looks like it has a similar solid front axle like the fj80. although the suspension set up is different. I have had 3rd gen and 1st gen 4runners before.

Thats a good point on the 100 series. However we have a car for off island (road trips) we actually only took my vehicle because we were conserned about snow in the mountains where we were vacationing too. Truth be told we are more looking to get into a beach vehicle for an occasional trip off island with a little hwy driving

Thanks for your input!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

go for a 100 if your use is 80 street/20 off .
KZJ 78 prado is a nice car ,but quality far inferior of an 80 even more then a 100 .
but all depends on $$$ I guess

at least we are talking Toyota! I toyed with the idea of getting a Isuzu trooper or a Suzuki samurai haha. I am more looking to get a off road vehicle for maybe the occasional camping trip. I think If I was going to go for somthing more modern I would get another 3rd gen 4runner for the fuel milage haha. I think the 100 series is off the table though.

 

[OGBeno]

The KZJ78 is an antique as well. Don't fool yourself.

100 series all the way.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Yeah I live on the outer banks on Ocracoke island in North Carolina. We would use the land cruiser for more of a beach/ around town vehicle with occasional trips on the highway. I felt like my 80 was not great for hwy either to be honest it felt like a more antique vehicle. I have toyed with the idea of a 100 series. I am not sure how I feel about them. What kind of fuel milage do you get out of the 1kzte?

A KZJ78 will get 12l/100km (20usmpg) typical highway driving, 15l/100km (16usmpg) city driving, and 10l/100km (24usmpg) best case driving less than 60mph on country roads.

 

[NM Frontier]

I have a FZJ80 and a BJ74 not quite a KZJ78 but similar enough. Sorry to hear about the accident. I would have to agree with the comments above about looking at the 100. If you felt the Fj80 was antique the Prado is not going to feel any newer, and that could be what you are looking for I guess. As for drivability I have a Auto in my 74 and I am reminded of it every time I am on the highway and also in sand (any time high RPM is needed). I Know the drivetrain is not an apples to apples comparisons but they are still underpowered Toyota diesels with power sucking autos just don't forget these trucks were not designed for our highway systems. If its a second vehicle and wheeling is the primary duty then the Prado would be fine but any more street driving and I think you will miss the 80. I would seek out a FZJ80 or above. And if safety is a priority then the 100 wins all day long.

 

[kgrove]

I'd throw this out as a warning against all JDM cars: They are a terrible choice for anyone unwilling or unable to get deeply involved in maintenance and diagnoses themselves. Toyota dealers and many mechanics won't touch them. When you do find a mechanic that will work on them, they will likely rely on you to source parts since many or all of the parts require online research and ordering from overseas. My local LC specialist shop won't touch JDM cars any longer because they've had too many experiences where the car gets stranded in their garage bay while waiting for parts to arrive. The shop gets frustrated because a car is occupying a garage bay that could be generating money and the customers get frustrated by the time it takes, the shipping costs, and the administrative costs the shop has to charge for researching specs and parts.

The KZJ78 suffers additionally in that it was only sold for a few years, and it appears in relatively low volumes. You'll find far fewer vehicle specific YouTube videos, forum posts, etc to help you figure out KZJ78 mods than many other cars.

I'm not trying to tell you NOT to get a JDM car, just making sure you are aware of at least my perspective on their difficulties. IMO they are fun projects for people who enjoy working on their cars, but they are bad options for people who mostly need reliable transportation. They aren't unreliable cars, but they can go down for 2-3 weeks at a time if something is discovered during routine maintenance that requires ordering parts.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I agree with the above that you should be able to work on these and source parts yourself.

It's true that the KZJ78 was made for just a few years. That said, the 1KZTE and A343F were produced in a ton of models and parts are available and prolific. The light duty 70 series shares a ton of parts with heavy duty 70 series. Even parts made for the brand new models are often the same as the older ones. I've never had a problem finding parts for mine. Places like Partsouq, Amayama, Megazip, Ebay etc. make it easy and fast. Use ToyoDIY and other online EPC's to find your part numbers.

Also, the A343F is a much better trans IMHO than the hydraulic A440F and A442F. I never find myself lacking for torque or power while offroad. In fact, mine is a little too jumpy from idle, and I actually turn the fuel down while offroad. Little bump of the throttle and the 35s step right up ledges etc. no problem. No high rpms needed.

 

[TonyP]

If a safe vehicle is your concern, the 70 series isn't exactly the pinnacle of safety.

 

[OGBeno]

I'm not trying to tell you NOT to get a JDM car, just making sure you are aware of at least my perspective on their difficulties. IMO they are fun projects for people who enjoy working on their cars, but they are bad options for people who mostly need reliable transportation. They aren't unreliable cars, but they can go down for 2-3 weeks at a time if something is discovered during routine maintenance that requires ordering parts.

Truth.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I’m assuming, perhaps incorrectly, that even the 1996 70 Series (legal to import) wouldn’t have the basic safety systems (airbags) of the 100 Series.

 

[residualboulders]

@Roastchestnuts So sorry to hear about your accident, that's a traumatizing thing to go through. I'm glad you both survived.

FWIW - Just this last week I bought a low mile 1994 fzj80 stock condition - coincidentally a few days later my brother purchased a stock 1996 KZJ78. Both phsyced about our new cruisers, we took them out to a local mtn pass to compare the two rigs. The 80 definitely wins for comfort, braking and road handling, the Prado diesel climbs quicker and is a bit peppier to drive. I could see myself owning a Prado in the future, it's a fun car. But it's not as robust as the 80 and a little cramped to drive (I'm 5'11). I also have an fj60 which feels more like the fzj80, just more rudimentary. Brakes and handling are much better in the fzj80 than the fj60. If it is your main vehicle and will see a lot of road time, I'm afraid I agree with everyone else - I'd try and find a clean 100 series. It will have better brakes, better handling and more power. They can be had for less money than the Prado, an 80 and even a nice 60 series. If it's not your main vehicle, the Prado or 60 are both awesome rigs. But, I love them all.

Another thought if you plan to mod - Less aftermarket options for the Prado than the other models.