Hey all, relatively new to the 80's series platform, but I've always been a fan and wanted one for years. Then I made a terrible mistake, I started researching builds and which way I wanted to take my LX450. Then I really made a mistake and started reading through @jomelo and @SNLC 's builds threads. So shout to you guys for inspiring this 1HD-FTE dream, and financial nightmare.
So I bought the LX450 about a year ago now, had 150k on the odometer, and I've added about 10k in that time. it's my DD so it'll continue to go up. It's been re-sprayed, and I've fixed a lot of the little quirks that come with these, at the age they are now. heater hoses, small interior items, coolant flush, etc. Then she started spewing coolant out the side of the block at cylinder #6. I was a little thrown off, but who knows if the ODO is correct, or how many times it's been overheated in it's life. it came with next to no maintenance history so I knew it was a gamble. I still drive it, it runs fine, no signs of coolant mixing with oil. I just make sure she's always topped up on coolant.
I was at a crossroads, do I tear into the 1FZ-FE, make sure the block is fine, get a new head and throw a turbo kit on it? It's sensible I can get most of the parts here, there are some great shops around if I need someone to do it, @Cruisers and Co is local and was a huge help. I stopped by a few times and talked Johnathon to death about which route to go. 1FZ-FE wit a Turbo kit, or 1HDFT/FTE.
I decided to go down the painful route... with the highest gamble. a few weeks ago I bought a 1998 HDJ100 through Japan Car Direct. Mike was my auction agent, and he was great to work with. I'd pick out an HDJ100, he'd go over the auction sheets, and give me his thoughts, we did this for a about a month before we finally landed on one, I thought I could get it for a decent price. The stars aligned and my bid won it. The ship date is the first, should hopefully be here by the end of May.
Here's the LX450, on Charlie Brown Christmas tree duty
Here's the HDJ100, coming from crusty rusty Hokkaido.
I'm looking forward to get started tearing out the 1FZ-FE when the HDJ100 gets here, and see if I can't do this swap for a sensible amount of $$$. I'll update when I get her home.
So I bought the LX450 about a year ago now, had 150k on the odometer, and I've added about 10k in that time. it's my DD so it'll continue to go up. It's been re-sprayed, and I've fixed a lot of the little quirks that come with these, at the age they are now. heater hoses, small interior items, coolant flush, etc. Then she started spewing coolant out the side of the block at cylinder #6. I was a little thrown off, but who knows if the ODO is correct, or how many times it's been overheated in it's life. it came with next to no maintenance history so I knew it was a gamble. I still drive it, it runs fine, no signs of coolant mixing with oil. I just make sure she's always topped up on coolant.
I was at a crossroads, do I tear into the 1FZ-FE, make sure the block is fine, get a new head and throw a turbo kit on it? It's sensible I can get most of the parts here, there are some great shops around if I need someone to do it, @Cruisers and Co is local and was a huge help. I stopped by a few times and talked Johnathon to death about which route to go. 1FZ-FE wit a Turbo kit, or 1HDFT/FTE.
I decided to go down the painful route... with the highest gamble. a few weeks ago I bought a 1998 HDJ100 through Japan Car Direct. Mike was my auction agent, and he was great to work with. I'd pick out an HDJ100, he'd go over the auction sheets, and give me his thoughts, we did this for a about a month before we finally landed on one, I thought I could get it for a decent price. The stars aligned and my bid won it. The ship date is the first, should hopefully be here by the end of May.
Here's the LX450, on Charlie Brown Christmas tree duty
I'm looking forward to get started tearing out the 1FZ-FE when the HDJ100 gets here, and see if I can't do this swap for a sensible amount of $$$. I'll update when I get her home.
