I'm a current 100 series owner and I'm considering selling it for a roughly 93-95 vintage JDM 80 series with the 1HD-T engine. My reasoning is just to play with the extra off road potential of the 80 series suspension, but going with the diesel so it's not as big a step down in power and torque from my 100. To be honest, my use would be 95% around town, but the 5% off road would be 2-3 weeks per year taking it on hiking and fishing trips. It's not exactly crossing Namibia, but I would be a healthy off road trail away from the closest mechanic. If I go through with it, I almost certainly would get it from a Japanese auction because I can get one way cheaper and without rust than a gasser from the US. I probably could get one for around 20K (purchase, shipping, duties, plus maybe $5K in baseline maintenance).
I'm not terribly concerned about the RHD issue or jumping backwards from a 100 to an 80, but I do have concerns about having a RHD and 1HD-T in the US. While the average small town mechanic may not be first choice in repairing my 100 should it break on a trip, at least it's a US based product with support and parts available from the closest Toyota dealer. The RHD and 1HD-T both could make repairs away from home much more complicated (i.e., I can imagine having to be personally involved in identifying parts and air freighting parts from Japan or the UAE to Podunk, Montana, where with my 100 series the Toyota dealer 150 miles away can source the parts).
I know if I do the right baseline maintenance, the likelihood of problems in the field goes down dramatically, but stuff always happens. Any of you US based folks have JDM 80s and can share how you've handled problems in the field? How much more difficult has it been sourcing parts, finding expertise, etc and avoiding having your unique car be the occasionally vacation killer?
I'm not terribly concerned about the RHD issue or jumping backwards from a 100 to an 80, but I do have concerns about having a RHD and 1HD-T in the US. While the average small town mechanic may not be first choice in repairing my 100 should it break on a trip, at least it's a US based product with support and parts available from the closest Toyota dealer. The RHD and 1HD-T both could make repairs away from home much more complicated (i.e., I can imagine having to be personally involved in identifying parts and air freighting parts from Japan or the UAE to Podunk, Montana, where with my 100 series the Toyota dealer 150 miles away can source the parts).
I know if I do the right baseline maintenance, the likelihood of problems in the field goes down dramatically, but stuff always happens. Any of you US based folks have JDM 80s and can share how you've handled problems in the field? How much more difficult has it been sourcing parts, finding expertise, etc and avoiding having your unique car be the occasionally vacation killer?