HDJ81 or HZJ77...hmmmmm

[Flex]

So I will soon be the owner of an HDJ81....orrrrrrrr an HZJ77, I just can't seem to decide. I've done a few searches and found one thread comparing the two, but for real world useability no clear winner stands out. My first choice is an HZJ77 as in my mind it's a way nicer looking truck without all the extra creature comforts that are probably going to go "poof" at some time or other. Also I want to keep this truck for a long time, and from what I read the 1HZ is a longer lived engine than the 1HD-T (I'm aware of the BEB issues). If I settle for an HDJ81 I can probably find one lurking around in nice shape without importing one (There are TONS of them in Vancouver) however if I want the HZJ77 I'll probably have to import one as they are quite a bit more rare...sigh

Any impressions or comments are welcome

 

[crushers]

the HDT and the 1HZ share the same block design, change out the BEB on either if you plan on modifying the engine. both are 500K engines.

the spartan interiors are nice due to nothing to break but you can get the HZJ77 with almost all the creature comforts of the HDJ81.

both can be manual or auto.

the real only big difference is the suspensions, leaf vs coil. coil rides NICE but leafs can be modified to ride real nice too.

oh yah, another huge difference between the two is the HDJ81 comes with the H151 5 speed (personal opinion, it is a POS) and the HZJ77 comes with the H55F.

if you do go with the HZJ77 then plan on turboing it. it really needs it especially if it is the auto version.

if you go with the HDJ81 then go auto, fuel milage is better, performance is better, and they are usually cheaper.

it really comes down to your pocket book and personal desire.

as for "there are lots around and i can get it today", screw that idea. rush purchases are usually regretted.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I sometimes wonder why Toyota made 2 fullsize wagons for essentially the same market

The 77 is leaf sprung from memory and wont give quite as good a ride.

IMO you are better off with the 80 because of the factory turbo. Im pretty sure the 77 will be smaller on the inside.
Not that the 80 is all that great considering its external bulk

 

[crushers]

the 77 has more room than the 80 due to all the padding on the 80 and the rounded body styling...discieving i know...

 

[lshobie]

I'd go with the HZJ77 and turbo it. I've had 80's and am not a big fan of them, the interior is small, not much room in the back seats and the cargo area is small, the cargo area in a 7X series is bigger on the inside - not as wide interior panels and a higher floor to roof - squarer.

As far as engines go I like the 1HZ better, I agree with wayne about the tranny's as well. And you'd need a turbo to get you through the hills - if you live on flatter areas then you could get by.


regards,

Louis

 

[gatier]

I have to disagree with Crushers and lshobie.
I recently bought an HDJ 81 and took some measurements inside the car. In compare to LJ 78 which should be the same as HZJ 77 (inside only of course the trunk in HDJ was the same depth but 3 inch wider on the bottom and 4 inch higher up. Height is +- the same.
I think this situation is the same on the front seats. Drove the car 1000km after purchase from Calgary and I felt very comfortable on the front seat, more leg room every way especially lengthwise.

 

[77cruiser77]

The fact the HZJ77 isn't everywhere I look alone is a selling point for me. That and sometimes in the dark and I see headlights and a vague outline of vehicle at certain distances I have trouble telling the difference between an 80 and ford explorer. This is a serious con for me as well

 

[ForealBoreal]

I'll throw in my few cents why not.

I had a 81 after growing up with a 70 series. I sold my 81 because it was too cushy. The 81 was a sweet ride, but too much of a soccer mom ride. I wanted something a bit more spartan. I knew the first time that I popped our first container open that my Dads 73 was cooler than my 81. I said man I should have bought one of these. I said heck I'll drive this for a few months and buy a 77. It also had too much electrical crap that I knew was going to be a headache down the road. I also disliked the full-time awd.

70 series look a hell of a lot nicer than the 80 series IMHO. The only thing I miss from my 81 is the 1hd-t which I think will soon change when I finally purchase my turbo set up for my 77. I can tolerate its turtle like tendencies just fine, but its really going to bring the truck to life. After all it is a land cruiser not a sports car.
I'll be doing the BEB's when I turbo mine. Its not a hard job and its cheap insurance.

Don't rush into buying anything. The market is flooded right now with JDM stuff. The yen is also high. If your set on importing from japan your going to be spending some money. Good luck trying to find a 77 that is clean too. Wayne waited over a LONG time for a nice one to come up. I lucked out at finding one at 6 months.
Prepare yourself for a wait. Do your research and don't buy something just because you have the money.

Coil rides real nice for the 81. My 77 has pretty big spring packs and it rides like a bit of lumber truck. I personally don't care. It rides better when it's loaded with all my camping stuff. Should change when I get around to building a heavy rear bumper, new roof rack and rear drawers.

 

[romey]

2 cents,
- more 80's to choose from locally and time is on your side, like everyone says, don't rush.
- easier to get body parts for an 80 as there are a few fz 80s and lexus lx450s runnin around (maybe a dozen 77's in canada, what happens when you mash up your quarters? or doors?)
- an 80 will for sure be cheaper if you find one locally (unless you import your own, then it'll maybe just be a tad less than a 77, 2012's comin up so you can grab a 1997! funny, we've virtually stopped seeing mid 90's jdms b/c of the market...all thats there are 90-92 80s, and the odd 93....?)

but i love them 77s for the same reasons mentioned above (and i'm more of a minimalist myself) !!! there's one on bonsairides (in london, ontario) that's still in japan, goin for 16G's landed, 5spd, winch, no lockers, looks clean.

but hey, i've been meaning to ask this while we're on topic...what's the word on the HZJ80s with the "poverty package"? or "UN spec". usually in white, vinyl seats, simpler dash (w/o the push button stuff the vx's have), 5spd, and can come with partial transfer case/manual locking hubs (correct me if i'm wrong)? is that tranny the h151 and not h55?
- you get the awesome 1hz, coil sprung, more room (as proven, lol) and the spartan'ness!
just sayin...
anyway, the rest of the info is anecdotal and subjective, i've got 2 kids and we're a-okay in the 80 with baby seats and strollers and camping trips, space is a non issue, imho ...i mean a new 4 runner is a palace compared to either 77 or 80 with only a couple of cubic inches difference in space. we've owned our 80 for almost 6 years now and we still love it! it's really just been doing it's job and gettin us around in comfort.

but yeah, if you really have the coin, hzj77! g'luck with whichever you decide, i don't think you'll be dissapointed eitherway...they are landcruisers.

 

[crushers]

now don't be talking sense in a thread full of personal opinions ...
what is wrong with yah?

 

[romey]

lol. wants and needs...maybe the po just needs an 80 but wants a 77....like most of us do! here's more sense, ....get a Pzj77, locked/5spd and just call it a day eh?!

 

[SHREDwagon]

Since your planning on keeping it a while, biggest question should be parts availability? Any novelty will soon wear off when you're paying more to ship parts from Japan and Australia than parts are worth..... Will you be pulling wrenches yourself?

I'm able to get most parts all over North America with an 81....... used or for a relatively sane price!

Edit: With a post '94 81, you won't have to worry about upgrading the brakes front and rear. Different A442F tranny though.

 

[crushers]

ummm, 70 sereis parts can be bought in canada just as easy as the 80 series parts
plus
who wants a American "mall buggy" SUV knock-off?

 

[Douglas S]

who wants a American "mall buggy" SUV knock-off?

Apparently I, and many others, do.

 

[crushers]

apparently ...

of course it could be money and supply ... some take second best since they can't afford the best.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

apparently ...

of course it could be money and supply ... some take second best since they can't afford the best.

Dear Canadians, You should just be thankful that you have the "choice." Your southern neighbors only dream about a HZJ77 or any other 70 Series for that matter.
....1978HJ45 ( USA )

 

[romey]

Dear Canadians, You should just be thankful that you have the "choice." Your southern neighbors only dream about a HZJ77 or any other 70 Series for that matter.
....1978HJ45 ( USA )

lol, amen to that! well, except for those illegals at the pismo beach/surf and turf!

Flex, make up your mind yet?!

 

[Douglas S]

some take second best since they can't afford the best.

Some do, yes. Assuming your view of what is "best" is shared by the rest of the world.

btw...some of the descriptions on your site paint a very different picture than your posts on here.

 

[crushers]

damn buddy, this is a friggin forum ... good natured jabs given and taken.

thin skinned kid.

you take a look at the old RMLCA group and you will find lots of support there. seems the 81 has replaced the 60 as the rig to own ...

some of us like to be different.

seriously, i would take a 77 over an 81 anytime for both long hauls and DD. i have driven almost every form of Land Cruiser that has hit Canadian soil and ... well ... i would take a troopie over any other Cruiser.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

"well...I would take a troopie over any other Cruiser" ....... Now Wayne you know the HJ75 (pickup) is the coolest Cruiser of all.
.....1978HJ45