Landcruiser Automatic/diesel

[sonja]

Hi everyone,
my family and i are in the infancy stages of preparing to enter the Mongolia Charity Rally in 2009.
i am looking for some info and advice and hopefully the right landcruiser. i had polio effect my right leg so we are looking for an automatic.
does anyone have any suggestion as to where we can find one?and what problems we may have driving an automatic some 13000 miles?
i have been keeping an eye on the autotrader.
i would like to find one in western canada (we live in british columbia). i don't want to import one because we would have to pay for shipping overseas twice.

Sonja

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Sonja,
A late model Land Cruiser from Japan would fit the bill. I would get one from one of the importers here on this board that makes sure they are in good shape. An auto should be fine 13,000 miles. I greatly recommend Robb Lasserman in Vancouver for further discusion. He does limited importation but knows what he is doing and there are some sketchy importers.
RADD Cruisers

I also suggest posting in the forums on Expedition Portal Forums - Powered by vBulletin as well. They may have some excellent advice...

Cheers, Andre

 

[roscoFJ73]

Hi everyone,
my family and i are in the infancy stages of preparing to enter the Mongolia Charity Rally in 2009.
i am looking for some info and advice and hopefully the right landcruiser. i had polio effect my right leg so we are looking for an automatic.
does anyone have any suggestion as to where we can find one?and what problems we may have driving an automatic some 13000 miles?
i have been keeping an eye on the autotrader.
i would like to find one in western canada (we live in british columbia). i don't want to import one because we would have to pay for shipping overseas twice.

Sonja

I cant see any problems with driving an auto all that distance,they are as well suited as a manual.

The shipping price is built into the market value of any low klm Japanese import unless you ship one from Japan to the starting point

 

[cruiser_guy]

If you do not want to have a Japanese import then you ONLY choice is an HJ60 from either '86 or '87. Those are the ONLY years and that is the ONLY model LandCruiser that came with a diesel automatic to Canada.

 

[kim]

Hi Charles, is it easy/possible to mate an A440 to a early eighties 3B?

 

[fernandol]

you could get a diesel 80, or similar, in europe and do a bit of overlanding to Mongolia before the rally.

If you decide to take a look at this possibility I can recomend contacting Ramon or Francesc Termens of TR2 Rally Services near Barcelona, Spain.
tr24x4.com

Great shop, family owned and operated, headed by a father and son team with huge experience. They can find the truck you need and get it ready for any rally.

Of course you would be paying in Euros but could save on shipping and have a great experience driving from Europe to Mongolia


Regards

Fernando

 

[cruiser_guy]

Hi Charles, is it easy/possible to mate an A440 to a early eighties 3B?

You'd need one out of a JDM. There were no 3B auto's sent to Canada by Toyota. The input shafts are different between the "B" and "H/F" engine series.

 

[BiG BoB]

I think it would be a pretty silly idea to graft an auto into a manual vehicle for a rally in an un-developed country... If something breaks ordering parts specific to the conversion may be difficult, ordering parts for an auto or a manual that was factory would be a simpler exercise.

Sean

 

[roscoFJ73]

I think it would be a pretty silly idea to graft an auto into a manual vehicle for a rally in an un-developed country... If something breaks ordering parts specific to the conversion may be difficult, ordering parts for an auto or a manual that was factory would be a simpler exercise.

Sean

Have another read. The original poster has a disabilty and prefers an auto.

 

[rommeldog]

have a look at my '87 hj60 in the classified section (search "Canadian hj60 for sale"). I have been driving it as my daily driver (but still paying for storage on my new car). I don't really want to sell it, but a pending move may force my hand. Let me know, Jason

 

[arnob_38]

Hello,

If your tour is in Mongolia, and you want an automatic, then you have no other choice than choosing a HDJ80, HDJ100 our HZJ105 Diesel.
The HZJ 78 is probably the perfect truck, but it does not exist with auto Drive.

The HDJ80 and early 100 have the same auto transmission (3 gears plus overdrive), while the new 100 have 5 gears.
Auto drive is probably the easiest way to driveoff-road, provided you are very cautious with using the low gear, to avoid heating too much the transmission oil. The risk is to believe that you can drive in High gears everytime, without noticing thqt your oil is getting too hot. Usually, when the Oil alam signal turns on, it's too late, and you'd rather change your transmission oil.
What else :
- you much ensure that the torque converter of your auto transmission (equivalent of the clutch for the manual transmission) has been replaced properly. usually, if failed between 100M km and 200M km.
- The 80 is full mechanic, so can be fixed almost everywhere. The 100 is a little bit more fragile (CDI plus front wishbone), but it will truly depend on how you drive : rally-like or tourism.
- On my 98 auto 100, I went up to 38Liters per 100km in soft sand ; so watch out your autonomy.
- The HZJ105 is basically a 80 engine without turbo in a 100 body. Ony 130hp, which is sometimes not enouygh when you are loaded with 3.5tons.
- on the 100, you must replace the front torque bar and rear spring as a minimum. The stock Kayaba absorbers are fine, cheap but very soft ; mght be worth to change for OME (not too expensive), Koni Heavy track raid (more $) or race absorbers (Proflex...)

Best regards from France.

Arnaud
ex 98 automatic HDJ100
now 97 manual HDJ80 (preparation just started for next raid in Tunisia)

 

[BiG BoB]

Perhaps consider Nissan Patrols as well...

I understand that the OP needs an auto, but my point is that consideration should not be given for creating a frankenstein auto/manual conversion (in case of breakdown)

When you're out in the bush, the easy vehicle to fix is a stock vehicle.

Sean

 

[Dazza]

I think the 80 series would be a stouter choice, if you catch my drift. the live front axle is worth it's weight off road, in my opinion... good advice on watching trans temp, you may want to consider a better race style cooling system if you will be driving real hard, and suspension / tires, vehicle protection
, etc... good luck!!!

 

[cruiser_guy]

I understand that the OP needs an auto, but my point is that consideration should not be given for creating a frankenstein auto/manual conversion (in case of breakdown)

When you're out in the bush, the easy vehicle to fix is a stock vehicle.

Sean

True, but if care is taken in the conversion to use all stock parts, as in my FJ55 with the 3B turbo diesel, parts should be just as easily found as a stock truck so long as you know where the parts came from (granted the turbo is not a stock item).

 

[canucksafari]

Perhaps consider Nissan Patrols as well...

I understand that the OP needs an auto, but my point is that consideration should not be given for creating a frankenstein auto/manual conversion (in case of breakdown)

When you're out in the bush, the easy vehicle to fix is a stock vehicle.

Sean

I think you will like the Patrol (AKA Safari) and they can be had at around $5,000 less than a JDM 80 Series Cruiser here in BC. However, if you are planning on towing with an auto Patrol or Cruiser, I would suggest an upgraded valve body (Wholesale Automatic Transmissions). You also have to realize that the Nissan Patrol did not get a turbo until 1998. The Japanese maket Patrol - the Safari - got a turbo option in 1993. I understand from some contacts I have that these OEM Tuboed Safaris are very hard to find on the used market. A tubo would be nice in my standard Safari but I can do most hills on the Hope-Pinceton at 80 kms/hr. On an auto, I think I would have to have a turbo. Both ATEB in Burnaby and Kodiak in Maple Ridge are selling and installing Aussie turbo kits for Safaris and Cruisers. You csan also consider doing a u-brew turbo for a bit less money.

If considerling a Patrol/Safari, then stick to looking at ones with the 4.2L diesel. These are million kms tractor motors. The 3.0L (European models and later Aussie) is a real dog. The 2.8 is way undersized for the weight of the vehicle.

With an 80 Series Cruiser you can source one which has OEM front and rear lockers. The Patrol/Safari was only offered with a rear vacuum locker or a rear LSD. TJM and ARB both offer lockers. Also a Pathy LSD bolts right into the front Dif on a Patrol or Safari. I have the the rear LSD and it has to be the best LSD I have ever had. The clutch pack locks up the rear dif very nicely. Also, the Patrol/Safari maintains selectable hubs and I think does much better in the fuel economy department. With my standard running on summer fuel i consitently get aound 10L/100kms.


The axles on the Safari/Patrol are a bit heavier built than the Cruiser. This is only an issue if you are running a lot of weight or doing some real tough wheeling where breakage is likely. I think that you will find the interior amenitites much nicer on the 80 than the Patrol. The Patrols tends to be more of a working class vehicle. I suggest you have a look at Outerlimits4x4.com for more info and definitely a lot of arguements.

 

[sonja]

mother of GAWD...i gotta a lot homework!

Sonja

 

[BiG BoB]

Do a stopover here in Australia on the way to Mongolia, pick up a Nissan GQ / GU model Patrol (also known as a Ford Maverick) or 80 / 100 Series cruiser and fit it out here (ARB / TJM / OL etc)

Theres literaly thousands of these vehicle on sale every week here, parts are easy to get, and many of the workshops will be experienced in setting up vehicles for VERY remote work.

I'm not 100% sure the 4.2 TD came with an auto option... It is however the pick of the diesel motors. The 3L motor is more powerful, and available with a pretty good automatic, but be careful of which year it is as some earlier ones have had problems.

Sean

 

[canucksafari]

I would second buying one in Australia and having it fitted out there. You have a good selection of people who know both Cruisers and Trolls inside out. You also have the best selection in the world of aftermarket options and spares for an expedition. And it is a short hop on a ship to Asia for your vehicle. I recommend you connect with a 4x4 club in Australia for help with your set-up.

If you want to bring it back to Canada afterwards, then just make sure the build date on the frame will be 15 years old before it arrives at a Canadian dock (probably best to be 15 years old before it is shipped).

And yes, I can vouch that the Patrol TD4.2 (GQ) came with an auto from 1990 for sure - maybe earlier. If you go with a Patrol, remember that the TD4.2 pre-August 1993 had the heavier pistons so is best suited to turboing and higher boost. Lots of 1993-97s have been turboed but the set-up is usually with a modest boost.

 

[kim]

I would second buying one in Australia and having it fitted out there. You have a good selection of people who know both Cruisers and Trolls inside out. You also have the best selection in the world of aftermarket options and spares for an expedition. And it is a short hop on a ship to Asia for your vehicle. I recommend you connect with a 4x4 club in Australia for help with your set-up.

If you want to bring it back to Canada afterwards, then just make sure the build date on the frame will be 15 years old before it arrives at a Canadian dock (probably best to be 15 years old before it is shipped).

And yes, I can vouch that the Patrol TD4.2 (GQ) came with an auto from 1990 for sure - maybe earlier. If you go with a Patrol, remember that the TD4.2 pre-August 1993 had the heavier pistons so is best suited to turboing and higher boost. Lots of 1993-97s have been turboed but the set-up is usually with a modest boost.

The rally is from London, England to Mongolia. Australia isn't exactly enroute as sanja lives in BC.

 

[canucksafari]

Too bad it wasn't the other way around. I hear Germany has a decent supply of well maintained Land Cruisers and Patrols. England also has both. However, from what I have heard from guys in the UK, the ones of an importable age to Canada most likely would have rust issues like a Wet Coast 60. Maybe an US 80 series gas engine model would be best. Still it is going to cost a fair amount of money to ship it across Canada and then across the ditch: $2,000-$3,000 at least.