Opinions please?

[LCFan]

Hi guys,

I'm seriously considering buying a RHD cruiser, but I was wondering if some of you who are driving these trucks regularly wouldn't mind sharing your experience regarding sitting on the right.

Is this a hassle or something you don't think about much? I'm thinking of things like parking garages... can you lean across and reach the button or attendant (assuming you don't have a passenger).

Also, could someone clarify the footroom situation? I've read comments about it being tight using the clutch and gas on the right side? What does this mean?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

 

[Whistler74]

Hi Paul
I've been daily driving my BJ74 for 6 months now, and have no big issues with RHD. Parking garage access means unbuckling to reach across with the card. No problem if an attendant is there - it usually gets a smile and a comment. Power windows is a help. A 60 or 80 series might be a bit more of a reach than a 70.

Footroom with a clutch I can't answer, as mine is an auto. The seat doesn't go back far, but there sure is lots of headroom.

Biggest problem is that my wife likes it as much as I do, so we may have to get another. Convinced yet?

Good luck searching!

 

[Eric Winkworth]

LOL, i can't help, but I know with all the little things that i've done to my old rusty CDM spec, I sure wish I went JDM!, Ah well maybe next year.

 

[pl510]

It's super easy to get used to. After a while you get used to getting in on the right side and driving is not an issue at all. You might want to aprtk away from the surb a little so you don;t have to climb out in a snow bank but then you may never have that problem.
My wife also likes the LandCruiser, it is HER dream car after all. In fact she can't wait until the snow goes so I can Drive my Datsun 510 (not her dream car) and she can have the 'Cruiser to herself!!
You'll love it if you buy one!

 

[mjohn7]

Hi Paul;

I drive a BJ74 as a daily driver also have driven HZJ73 and LJ78, all have good headroom, legroom could be better as the seat does not move to far back. Daily driving is easy to get use to. (always a source of conversation at the filling station) Only problem as said parking garage and drive thurs.

Also the auction prices of Landcruisers have risen over the past months (in Japan). Local prices will relfect this increase as well as increase in shipping costs. You may want to look at buyng direct from Japan and self import .

John

 

[expat]

Been driving one for 7-8 months now; I think I actually prefer it. I bought mine from Marko of Outback. Drove from Kitsalano, through Vancouver, and on the windiest road I know (sunshine coast highway) in Canada on my first day of ownership. No problems.

My wife likes it too. She'd trade her minivan for a 80 series in a flash...

I don't do drive thru's anyways. Ferry boardings mean unbuckling the belt, but not much of a stretch since I use coupons. I've passed with no issues.

It's great if you have a dog up front...

 

[light_duty]

Hi Paul;

You may want to look at buyng direct from Japan and self import .

John

You MAY want to, but it's risky, unless you have a contact in Japan who can check the vehicle over for you. Not only that but it's a hell of a process to get the truck from Japan to your doorstep, and fees and costs can really add up.

I imported my own LJ78 this October, and it's *still* not on the road due to niggling problems that required repair. I saved some money over buying from an importer, I could have been driving the thing months ago if I'd bought it from a *reputable* importer. The truck is in good shape, but it's definitely not a premium unit such as you'd get from Outback Imports or lshobie or Wayne Smith on this forum. The peace of mind may be worth the extra money, depending on how you approach the process. I decided to look at it as an adventure, and I can safely say that I wasn't disappointed...

But I agree with the others that driving a RHD is no prob. In fact, I really enjoy the double takes from passing motorists, etc.

My two bits.

Robin

 

[roscoFJ73]

I cant reccomend RHD highly enough

 

[beanz2]

Also, could someone clarify the footroom situation? I've read comments about it being tight using the clutch and gas on the right side? What does this mean?

The issue is that in RHD 70 series (70/73/75) the transmission tunnel is right next to the clutch pedal. Where as on LHD vehicles your right foot is always on the accelerator, on RHD your left foot needs to rest somewhere when you aren't on the clutch and there is no room but underneath the clutch pedal, not next to it.

On post-90 70 series, you can fit an optional foot rest. But on the older ones the floorpan is differently shaped and the newer model foot rest does not fit.

Dave

 

[David*BJ70]

I drive a RHD drive only once in my life. Nice... but BE CAREFULL Paul. Very carefull ! If you want to use the wippers, you will use the flasher ( ho ! want a big prob !)


... but honestly, that semm almost easy to learn.

PS : Thank Louis (lshobie) from Adventure Auto Import for the opportunity !

 

[LCFan]

Ok, now I see what the footroom issue is. That being said, is there enough room to actually fit your foot under the clutch pedal or is it a tight squeeze and uncomfortable? (I have size 13 shoes)

Also, in a parking garage, when you unbuckle your seatbelt, is a 70 series narrow enough to be able to lean out to reach the card reader? Some of you mentioned it's possible, but I'm still not clear. Are you able to slide into the passenger seat, is this necessary, or do you just reach across? I use a parking garage/lot every day and am wondering if this is an irritation factor for the long run. By the way, the truck I'm thinking of getting is a BJ70.
Thanks

 

[crushers]

if the unit is an auto there is no issue with the foot space, if it is a manual then you learn to tuck your foot under your other leg for long trips and no, there is no room under the clutch or beside it. i have toyed with taking the clutch pedal off and heating and bending it towards the brake about and inch to an inch and a half and then i could get my size 13 beside the clutch and be much more relaxing.
as for reaching across to swip a card, total PITA, for buttons just a short stick works nice or for the swiping of the card i guess you get creative and make a claw that holds the card and swipe it from your seat.
the RHD does have it's downside for certain obstacles but they can be over come.
best thing you can do it go for a test drive in someone's RHD and see for yourself.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Ok, now I see what the footroom issue is. That being said, is there enough room to actually fit your foot under the clutch pedal or is it a tight squeeze and uncomfortable? (I have size 13 shoes)

Also, in a parking garage, when you unbuckle your seatbelt, is a 70 series narrow enough to be able to lean out to reach the card reader? Some of you mentioned it's possible, but I'm still not clear. Are you able to slide into the passenger seat, is this necessary, or do you just reach across? I use a parking garage/lot every day and am wondering if this is an irritation factor for the long run. By the way, the truck I'm thinking of getting is a BJ70.
Thanks

Size 13 shoes are not a problem for me.
The seats in a 70 are quite high,nothing like a car seat
Sliding from the drivers seat to the passengers seat is a probem with the centre console being so high.
I guess it would be easier with the bench seat.

The 70 looks narrow but thats because of the height. I guess the interior width is the same as my 740 Volvo
I can just reach the passengers side window winder handle but not reach out the window.

 

[beanz2]

The bench seat is a bit of a help, but you still have to put the vehicle in neutral and engage the parking brake. Couple that with wind up windows, it can be a pain.

Dave

 

[Stone]

I've had my BJ74 since Decemvber 2003 if I remember correctly. It had around 75k kms on the odometer when I first received the truck, and it now has over 127k kms. I drive it 99% that I'm on the road, and the 1% that I drive my wife's Honda Civic, I feel out of place...that's how used to RHD I've become.

You have to be a little more cautious in certain situations on the road...but if you're a good careful driver to begin with, those skills will transfer over when you drive RHD. Some people though seem to never be able to wrap their heads around the RHD idea, and I think those people shouldn't drive RHD. Most people probably wouldn't have any problems getting used to it.

I wrote the Driver's Impression for the BJ74 in Wayne's site...pretty much all that I have to say about the experience of owning one.

http://www.luxuryimports.ca/vehicles/spec_bj74.php

 

[Kalawang]

I doubt the issues would be in driving the RHD in itself, if issues are to arise. Definitely driving habits have to adapt for the new perspective. ( No pun intended. ) In my opinion a greater degree of patience and caution are required, but not to any inordinate degree. Much the same caution is required in LHD. You just have to learn to drive less aggressively, but then we would all be better off and safer if more people did so.

It's the little things we don't normally pay attention to that will bring themselves to your attentio9n more often. Talking to the speakerbox at the drive in and getting your meal, the ticket at the pay parking, warning your passengers about alighting from their side in traffic. It's the little inconveniences of being an RHD in an LHD world that make you more aware of the changes. None are necessarily critical, just a bit more effort than otherwise.


Kalawang