HDJ101 - What to look for (3 Viewers)

[GreenPump]

I will preface this thread by saying that I am very familiar with the 1HDT, and 80 series platform. 100 series and 1HDFT, not so much.

I am going to look at an HDJ101 for sale locally. Other than the normal toyota stuff, rust, engine health, etc, are there any quirks I need to be aware of with these rigs?

Things to look for that are a PITA or expensive?

 

[SNLC]

EGR in particular water cooled sucks.

Cheers

 

[GreenPump]

Are the factory intercoolers water to air? Difficult to remove EGR?

 

[ikarus]

On my 100 (LX470) I had a bunch of rust hiding in the rear guarter behind the wheel wells. I think road salt got trapped up in there behind the bumper.

Other than that, typical 100 Series stuff. The torsion bar front end is the worst. Most people run into a wall when building them and realize that you just can't get much travel or lift up front and end up a) keeping the tire size mild for a touring/dirt road setup, b) doing a SAS or c) giving up on the platform on moving up to a 200 or back down to an 80. That was my experience at least. I actually really liked my 100 and will probably get another one day. Or a 105 and swap in a FTE.

On top of that the rear axle is a semi float. Don't know if you're buying one to wheel it - all this might not matter!

Also 5x150 wheel selection isn't nearly as good as 6x139.7 but it has been getting better.

I don't have any hands-on experience with the 1HD-FTE but lots of people swear by it and say it's the best engine Toyota ever made. Very similar design to the 1HD-T and 1HD-FT but improved and more potential for power, or at least different since you can tune it rather than messing with a mechanical injection pump. Parts seem more readily available than 1HD-FT since they made so many. Lots of support in Australia.

From what I’ve heard lots of guys remove the stock intercooler for a larger aftermarket FMIC.

EGR can make the intake really sooty. Don't know if any markets still had engines with no EGR - Japan I'm pretty sure had EGR on most if not all.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

Don't early models have a frail 2 pinion front diff which is prone to grenading?

I almost bought one a few years ago, but the 100 Series was really the point where they stopped making Land Cruisers as tough as possible and went for a compromise on road manners and comfort. I walked away.

I think they are much better looking than an 80, but other than arguably the engine I see no improvement.

A friend has an HZJ105 with a 1HD-T and H152 swap. That is pretty much peak Land Cruiser IMO. Wouldn't swap it for my 60 though.

 

[HDJ80L]

Was looking for a HDJ100 to buy for a while as well, still regularly checking offerings. Stock they look boring imo but with a few mods I think they can turn into great looking rigs, not to mention the fantastic engine. I'd try to get a 2000+ with a manual transmission or late model 5 speed auto but those are most sought after with prices climbing almost into 80 series territory Real unicorn would be 2005+ with manual transmission, I think over the years I only ever saw 2 in total. I remember a nice one in Italy that sold for nearly 40k a while ago.

 

[GreenPump]

the 100 Series was really the point where they stopped making Land Cruisers as tough as possible and went for a compromise on road manners and comfort

Yes, I absolutely agree with this.

To clarify, this rig does not need to hold up to what I put the HDJ81 series or LN106 hilux through. Tow a trailer on the weekend, some dirt roads and lots of snow driving. No plans to modify the suspension or offroad capability beyond that of stock configuration.

I think after owning quite a few different toyotas in the last few years, the 80 is by far my favorite platform. Hard to beat the live axle, coils, lockers, from factory.

 

[ikarus]

Yes, I absolutely agree with this.

To clarify, this rig does not need to hold up to what I put the HDJ81 series or LN106 hilux through. Tow a trailer on the weekend, some dirt roads and lots of snow driving. No plans to modify the suspension or offroad capability beyond that of stock configuration.

I think after owning quite a few different toyotas in the last few years, the 80 is by far my favorite platform. Hard to beat the live axle, coils, lockers, from factory.

It's perfect for doing that. Small lift and 33" tires and call it good. That's what I would do if I get another one.

Like @Eurasiaoverland mentioned the front diff is also a weak point. 98-99 had a 2 pinion front diff that was especially weak but I think people have even broken later model diffs as well. Since you mentioned snow driving, that's one of the times when people break diffs - basically in mixed traction environments, not even on the trail - like if one front wheel is spinning and the other gets some traction, the sudden shock to the system breaks parts in the front diff.

The solution is either be careful how you drive it, or upgrade to an ARB locker in the front. Just look up "100 series diff blown" and there's plenty of reading.

 

[ikarus]

Good info here as well:

100 Series Front Diff Failure - Random Chat

There are two basic failure modes on the front IFS 100 diff, R&P or spider-gears. The earlier 2-pinion diff is well know to fail at the spiders/cross-shaft but they don't always fail that way, on occasion they too break a ring/pinon. I'm curious what year and what failures you've personally...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[GreenPump]

not even on the trail - like if one front wheel is spinning and the other gets some traction, the sudden shock to the system breaks parts in the front diff.

YIKES. The diff is never something I've had to worry about on hilux/ 80s. How disappointing.