.
I am back!
After I sold Lexy last Christmas, I was looking forward to import a Nissan Patrol from
Japan, but for every Patrol I found there were over 20 Landcruisers. I failed to find a
Patrol for the right price, the scarcity of it makes it at least 40% more expensive than a
landcruiser of the same year and mileage. Solid drivetrain, but not sure it was 40% better!
Long story short, I found the landcruisers more appealing in terms of price and
availability of spare parts. After 4 months of searching, and failing to get one for the
prices I was fighting for, I finally found 1 in the local craigslist. Made an offer I was
surprised the owner accepted it immediately!!! I thought the ad was a scam!
5 minutes after I saw the Landcruiser, Landy, I told the owner take my money!
The auction sheets show it was grade 4 car (4 out of 6). Meanwhile, I was looking at
grade 3.5 or 3 from Japan for the money I wanted to spend. I almost paid for grade 4,
2003, with only 45,000km, but then the agent told me the undercarriage is painted, not
bare metal. Unfortunately many vehicles were painted, but the agents are honest about it.
Anyhow, I saved over $5,000 by not importing it myself and paying for a grade 4 vehicle
directly to an agent there. The owner is has a hobby of importing JDM vehicles and
selling them for a decent profit. He got it 3 weeks ago, and just put an ad last week.
According to the papers, he made decent money, and we are both happy, even though
my offer was 30% lower than asking price, haha! Savage!!
After I go the keys, I asked him why he accepted my offer, he said
his wife forced him to move some of his cars off the driveway or else! LOL
Landy
2002, 100,000km, A750 transmission (5 speed) apparently introduced in Japan in the
2nd half of 2002, so clean and almost 99% rust free it was unbelievable!
I am glad I got to inspect and drive the vehicle before I buy it.
It drives like I just bought it new! Even better than Lexy!
I appreciate how Japanese people take care of their vehicles.
Plan for Mods
Lift Kit –
Most cruisers come with AHC in Japan, so I made sure I dont buy one with it!
I will put the same lift kit I had in Lexy, IronMan Cell Pro Foam. I liked them.
But I never tried the OMEs anyways.
Tires –
Landy, thankfully, came with 18s aftermarket wheels. I researched them, apparently only sold in
Japan. Wheels were categorized as SUV wheels, but not as 4x4 wheels, so not sure
they can take offroad punishment. However, I like the fact that they are 18 as I am
planning to buy 285/75/18, true 35s.
According to research in this forum, that is the best
size for 35s that with fit with no rubbing, even if I keep the stock UCA.
I might paint the wheels bronze or gun metal grey, not sure yet.
They look similar to those Rays wheels I think.
Spare tire in the back is original 17 so I am not sure if I shoud get 315/70/17 for it as a
spare, or just get an 18 steel wheel and buy a fifth 285/75/18.
Does the spare tire have to be rotated with the other 4, or just keep it as spare?
Stock tires now are winters, 285/60/18. Humming on the HWY.
I plan on getting the same tires I had in Lexy, TOYO AT2, but might consider the KO2 or maybe TOYO RT
I dont think the TOYO MT are necessary.
Timing Belt -
Most JDM 100s had stickers showing timing belt was changed between 95 to
99,000km, which is much earlier than about 150,000km interval, but Landy has no
stickers, however, the waterpump looks different than Lexy, it looks blue, so not it is the
original I assume. What do u guys recommend?
No plans to add a rear bumper as Landy comes with a tire carrier standard, haha, I
know many of you wish they had that! I might buy a Slee front bumper, but not sure I
want one as of now.
Only 2 cruisers of 105 between 2002 and 2004 came with a rear difflocker, very rare!
Oh, and only 4 maybe with a rear tire carrier like mine, love it!!
Might add ARB difflock in the future, will see!
For those who might ask “why didn’t you get the 4.2 diesel form Japan?” I honestly
considered it, but for the price premium, I will have to drive it for at least 8 or so years to
recoup the difference in price (gas prices, not including maintenance cost) then after 8
years I can start enjoying the MPG savings. I don’t think it was worth it to be honest, especially if you are not towing.
Most 4.2s cost double the 4.7s for the same year and mileage!!
I will update this thread as I make progress in building Landy, stay tuned.
Oh, I still have the drawers from Lexy, putting them in this weekend!
To any Canadian looking for a 100 from the USA, forget it!
Consider getting one from Japan! Mine has only 100,000km, and if u find that mileage in the USA (assuming u find
one + rust free) you will pay at least twice the price I paid for mine. The process is
frustrating and scary when you plan to drop big money on a car you never inspected,
but I think it is worth it!
Oh, and you will be driving on the RIGHT side! Haha!
Good Luck!
I am back!
After I sold Lexy last Christmas, I was looking forward to import a Nissan Patrol from
Japan, but for every Patrol I found there were over 20 Landcruisers. I failed to find a
Patrol for the right price, the scarcity of it makes it at least 40% more expensive than a
landcruiser of the same year and mileage. Solid drivetrain, but not sure it was 40% better!
Long story short, I found the landcruisers more appealing in terms of price and
availability of spare parts. After 4 months of searching, and failing to get one for the
prices I was fighting for, I finally found 1 in the local craigslist. Made an offer I was
surprised the owner accepted it immediately!!! I thought the ad was a scam!
5 minutes after I saw the Landcruiser, Landy, I told the owner take my money!
The auction sheets show it was grade 4 car (4 out of 6). Meanwhile, I was looking at
grade 3.5 or 3 from Japan for the money I wanted to spend. I almost paid for grade 4,
2003, with only 45,000km, but then the agent told me the undercarriage is painted, not
bare metal. Unfortunately many vehicles were painted, but the agents are honest about it.
Anyhow, I saved over $5,000 by not importing it myself and paying for a grade 4 vehicle
directly to an agent there. The owner is has a hobby of importing JDM vehicles and
selling them for a decent profit. He got it 3 weeks ago, and just put an ad last week.
According to the papers, he made decent money, and we are both happy, even though
my offer was 30% lower than asking price, haha! Savage!!
After I go the keys, I asked him why he accepted my offer, he said
his wife forced him to move some of his cars off the driveway or else! LOL
Landy
2002, 100,000km, A750 transmission (5 speed) apparently introduced in Japan in the
2nd half of 2002, so clean and almost 99% rust free it was unbelievable!
I am glad I got to inspect and drive the vehicle before I buy it.
It drives like I just bought it new! Even better than Lexy!
I appreciate how Japanese people take care of their vehicles.
Plan for Mods
Lift Kit –
Most cruisers come with AHC in Japan, so I made sure I dont buy one with it!
I will put the same lift kit I had in Lexy, IronMan Cell Pro Foam. I liked them.
But I never tried the OMEs anyways.
Tires –
Landy, thankfully, came with 18s aftermarket wheels. I researched them, apparently only sold in
Japan. Wheels were categorized as SUV wheels, but not as 4x4 wheels, so not sure
they can take offroad punishment. However, I like the fact that they are 18 as I am
planning to buy 285/75/18, true 35s.
According to research in this forum, that is the best
size for 35s that with fit with no rubbing, even if I keep the stock UCA.
I might paint the wheels bronze or gun metal grey, not sure yet.
They look similar to those Rays wheels I think.
Spare tire in the back is original 17 so I am not sure if I shoud get 315/70/17 for it as a
spare, or just get an 18 steel wheel and buy a fifth 285/75/18.
Does the spare tire have to be rotated with the other 4, or just keep it as spare?
Stock tires now are winters, 285/60/18. Humming on the HWY.
I plan on getting the same tires I had in Lexy, TOYO AT2, but might consider the KO2 or maybe TOYO RT
I dont think the TOYO MT are necessary.
Timing Belt -
Most JDM 100s had stickers showing timing belt was changed between 95 to
99,000km, which is much earlier than about 150,000km interval, but Landy has no
stickers, however, the waterpump looks different than Lexy, it looks blue, so not it is the
original I assume. What do u guys recommend?
No plans to add a rear bumper as Landy comes with a tire carrier standard, haha, I
know many of you wish they had that! I might buy a Slee front bumper, but not sure I
want one as of now.
Only 2 cruisers of 105 between 2002 and 2004 came with a rear difflocker, very rare!
Oh, and only 4 maybe with a rear tire carrier like mine, love it!!
Might add ARB difflock in the future, will see!
For those who might ask “why didn’t you get the 4.2 diesel form Japan?” I honestly
considered it, but for the price premium, I will have to drive it for at least 8 or so years to
recoup the difference in price (gas prices, not including maintenance cost) then after 8
years I can start enjoying the MPG savings. I don’t think it was worth it to be honest, especially if you are not towing.
Most 4.2s cost double the 4.7s for the same year and mileage!!
I will update this thread as I make progress in building Landy, stay tuned.
Oh, I still have the drawers from Lexy, putting them in this weekend!
To any Canadian looking for a 100 from the USA, forget it!
Consider getting one from Japan! Mine has only 100,000km, and if u find that mileage in the USA (assuming u find
one + rust free) you will pay at least twice the price I paid for mine. The process is
frustrating and scary when you plan to drop big money on a car you never inspected,
but I think it is worth it!
Oh, and you will be driving on the RIGHT side! Haha!
Good Luck!
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