So I have a bit of a problem. Which vehicle will be better to have in the US, specifically in California. And once I move out of the states in around 5 years, which will be easier to sell?
OPTION 1.
I can buy an LJ78 from my friend in Poland. Very good condition and a half finished steering wheel swap. We have the LJ70 model in Europe which is short but the front part and dashboard are identical to the LJ78 so these swaps are common. You buy a JDM LJ78, buy a used LJ70 (or only parts off it) and use the OEM dashboard, OEM harness, OEM vents etc. in order to put the steering wheel and pedals on the EU/US side. So you can have a cool truck with the steering wheel not in the awkward position.
Currently I can buy the truck for $5000 but I will need another $7000 to finish the swap, have the engine inspected and upgrade parts if necessary plus add a custom aftermarket turbo which will make the 2.4 diesel more usable. Probably around $4000 to transport the truck to the US. I don't know if it will be a hassle to register it in the US. Probably I will need to set up an LLC in another state and register it there because CA will make me problems as usual. So let's assume another $4000.
That brings me to $20K for a drivable LJ78 in the US.
OPTION 2.
Just spend $15-20K on a super clean FZJ80 with low miles and forget about the hassle.
I know the 80-series inside and out having used it for overlanding for almost two decades. Will I have any benefits (worth the hassle) from the LJ78 when compared to the FZJ80?
- maybe better mileage? But will it offset the additional cost and time wasted?
- will I sell it for more than I paid realistically? I mean selling price and not listing price which usually are two different things?
What would you do?
OPTION 1.
I can buy an LJ78 from my friend in Poland. Very good condition and a half finished steering wheel swap. We have the LJ70 model in Europe which is short but the front part and dashboard are identical to the LJ78 so these swaps are common. You buy a JDM LJ78, buy a used LJ70 (or only parts off it) and use the OEM dashboard, OEM harness, OEM vents etc. in order to put the steering wheel and pedals on the EU/US side. So you can have a cool truck with the steering wheel not in the awkward position.
Currently I can buy the truck for $5000 but I will need another $7000 to finish the swap, have the engine inspected and upgrade parts if necessary plus add a custom aftermarket turbo which will make the 2.4 diesel more usable. Probably around $4000 to transport the truck to the US. I don't know if it will be a hassle to register it in the US. Probably I will need to set up an LLC in another state and register it there because CA will make me problems as usual. So let's assume another $4000.
That brings me to $20K for a drivable LJ78 in the US.
OPTION 2.
Just spend $15-20K on a super clean FZJ80 with low miles and forget about the hassle.
I know the 80-series inside and out having used it for overlanding for almost two decades. Will I have any benefits (worth the hassle) from the LJ78 when compared to the FZJ80?
- maybe better mileage? But will it offset the additional cost and time wasted?
- will I sell it for more than I paid realistically? I mean selling price and not listing price which usually are two different things?
What would you do?