Import 105 Series to USA?

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John Young said:
The HZJ105 is really very rare in the Middle East. Moreover most of the ones I've seen have been later years. I ended up acquiring a 2003 and a 2007 because I really wanted them even though I can't import them to the US for several years. I can not say definitively that there are no 1998 or 1999 HZJ105 but I certainly never seen any in the Middle East. My solution is to bring them to Canada and then use it as an excuse to spend some time exploring Canada and Alaska.
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Wow that's legit! Jealous, I'd love to get an '07. How are the prices - are there any centralized craigslist type websites where people list their cars for sale?

William839 said:
What about importing from Mongolia ? They’re also LHD and seems to have a large inventory of 105s
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I've seen a few 80s a guy brought in locally from Mongolia and they were funny. Pretty beat, rusty and had some weird custom carpet. Obviously can't judge an entire country's inventory of vehicles off a couple old HDJ80s though... They got craigslist over there or what? haha. I haven't even started looking in Asia.
 
ikarus said:
Wow that's legit! Jealous, I'd love to get an '07. How are the prices - are there any centralized craigslist type websites where people list their cars for sale?
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There are enough people looking that prices are not cheap. Both of mine were well used government vehicles,. each with issues, and I paid close to 20K USD each. And then the work started. It pains me to think about it but Missus White probably had 35-40K USD work needed. Then another 6K in transport costs. But I just had to have a diesel 105 as a 'last hurrah'.
 
ikarus said:
Wow that's legit! Jealous, I'd love to get an '07. How are the prices - are there any centralized craigslist type websites where people list their cars for sale?


I've seen a few 80s a guy brought in locally from Mongolia and they were funny. Pretty beat, rusty and had some weird custom carpet. Obviously can't judge an entire country's inventory of vehicles off a couple old HDJ80s though... They got craigslist over there or what? haha. I haven't even started looking in Asia.
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Now you’re scaring me
 
John Young said:
There are enough people looking that prices are not cheap. Both of mine were well used government vehicles,. each with issues, and I paid close to 20K USD each. And then the work started. It pains me to think about it but Missus White probably had 35-40K USD work needed. Then another 6K in transport costs. But I just had to have a diesel 105 as a 'last hurrah'.
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There’s really no easy way to import vehicles, especially without knowing condition or test driving before hand … doesn’t seem practical for someone on a budget to truly utilize as a Daily driver without dumping large amounts of $$
 
William839 said:
There’s really no easy way to import vehicles, especially without knowing condition or test driving before hand … doesn’t seem practical for someone on a budget to truly utilize as a Daily driver without dumping large amounts of $$
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There's something to be said for using an importer, or importing from a place where you'd like to take a vacation to and do a little car shopping as well. The Japanese auction system can work well for buying sight unseen but that's a whole can of worms too.
 
hoser said:
Are you bragging or advertising? :flipoff2:
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@hoser .... adverbragging ? lol. @ikarus
1998 1HZ, non- turbo. manual transmission.
UAE Ministry of Interior retired.
documented miles of 75,823
white exterior grey cloth interior.
LHD
no third row ( possible to add)
very clean inside and out with signs of use in the third row area.
expected stateside top of 2024 on the east coast.

PHOTO-2023-11-22-05-00-59.jpg
 
anavant said:
@hoser .... adverbragging ? lol. @ikarus
1998 1HZ, non- turbo. manual transmission.
UAE Ministry of Interior retired.
documented miles of 75,823
white exterior grey cloth interior.
LHD
no third row ( possible to add)
very clean inside and out with signs of use in the third row area.
expected stateside top of 2024 on the east coast.

View attachment 3496275
Click to expand...
One day. I think I need one in my life.
 
I have come across a handful in Latin America including some UN spec Gibraltar prepared ones. Poverty pack HZJ105s with all the factory goodies like snorkel, lockers, steel wheels, roof rack, vinyl interior, manual windows and doors, barn doors, Gibraltar installed roll cage. Mid 2000’s and available for $12-20k but not importable so 🤷🏼‍♂️

A 105 for me in LHD is in the top five of most “wanted” Cruisers. Probably a FZJ105 with the coil pack 1FZ. That or a clean cheap one for me to do a swap in!

Cheers
 
 
Search by VIN or Frame #: VIN entering help

Market
General		Year
05/1998		Make
TOYOTA		Model
LAND CRUISER		Frame
HZJ105


Vehicle characteristics
GRADE:GX:GX TYPE
DESTINATION:GEN:GENERAL COUNTRIES
DRIVER'S POSITION:LHD:LEFT-HAND DRIVE
ENGINE:1HZ:4200CC DIESEL
FUEL SYSTEM:DSL2:DIESEL 2 VALVE
TRANSMISSION:MTM:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
GEAR SHIFT TYPE:5F:MTM, 5-SPEED FLOOR SHIFT
BACK DOOR:SOB:SWING OUT BACK DOOR
COLOR CODE:6Q7
TRIM CODE:FK10

Search Results
VIN*Model codeFromToFrame Characteristics
JTECB09J..HZJ105L-GCMNS01/1998 -07/2002HZJ105GXGENLHD1HZDSL2MTM5FSOB
Click here to continue

Interesting. I can't say that I agree with the esthetic choices but this is the VIN. The above is from toyodiy
 
The wrap is downright atrocious in my opinion but to each their own.
I will be interested to see where this goes. I am not really in the market but always kinda in the market and I figured someone on here may be.
 
 
willyroo said:
The 105 is a great truck. But it's a truck. :)

The 1HZ? An excellent device, perfectly engineered by Toyota to turn diesel into fumes and noise, with a self-limiter somewhere around 100km/hr. We used to have fun back in the day getting the HZJ105 over 110km/hr - needed a tailwind, a downhill slope etc :D
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From my limited experience thus far, near sea level, the 1HZ w/ 5spd manual and in 2H, it's actually very drivable in the city and getting onto an expressway. Easily got up to 110mk/hr without any hesitation, with 3 blokes in it. SO much better than my old W460 300GD Mercedes (pathetic!!).

MountaineerLC said:
Certainly not a direct answer to the question, but I wonder why Toyota only offered the 105 with the 1HZ or 1FZ? Both are arguably underpowered and barely (or totally not) adequate for highway travel. Seems like the 1HD or 2UZ would have been better options. Especially 1HD since it was offered in the 80 series and would have fit in the 105 without issue.

Of course this line of thinking opens the rabbit hole of "are we in the US better off SAS'ing a 100 than importing a 105...?"
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Having gone down the "I'll buy a J100, SAS it using the TrailTailor kit and a pro installer," I quickly realized that the swap would cost as much as the used truck itself. And it still wouldn't be a legit J105. So I sold the J100, and eventually found my dream J105.

ikarus said:
Thinking more about importing an HZJ105. According to my research it was available in a few markets:

- Africa. Probably not ideal to import from here, few go-to sources, and I doubt the condition will be great.
- Asia (not Japan). Also not ideal, I've seen a few cruisers imported from Mongolia and they were rough. No idea where else you could find them - the Stans? Thailand? T-Ban inherited NATO surplus? No idea. LHD in some places though.
- Australia. RHD of course, easy enough to import from and communicate with AU. Most 105s are high KMs and well-used. Lots of options on Gumtree. Have to watch out for rust if they were used on the beach.
- Middle East. LHD. I've heard that diesels are less popular than gas over there. Cars often "well-used" - I drove a Saudi FZJ75 a couple years back and that thing was so hammered. haha. Unless someone knows a go-to ME importer that has clean vehicles?
- Central & South America. I've seen a couple clean 80s come out of there (Panama and Costa Rica if I remember right) but I know the general rule of thumb is to avoid SA vehicles, especially older so-called "restorations." LHD though.

I'm leaning toward Australia. Anyone have any insights or other options I might be passing up?
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Australia is solid, seem to have the most available for sale online. Have to watch out for rust due to the salty environment.
I've seen a few for sale in European countries; Bosnia, Germany, etc. Still need to watch out for rust due to some wet climates.
Not really much of an option now, but Russia would have some too.
Good article for those who haven't come across it; 105 Series LandCruiser: Your guide to the Toyota 4WD - Car Advice - https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/105-series-landcruiser-your-guide-to-the-toyota-4wd-80045
 
Just spent a week driving Mrs. White in Canada. Yes, going up steep slopes was something of a chore, but really an enjoyable drive.
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