Ordering a fuel tank from Impex Japan -- what else should I tack on to my order?

[supadisco]

Hello fellow FJ40 owners. I need a complete weather-stripping overhaul on my '71 rig. It seems like most places domestically want a small fortune for these skinny strips of rubber. Impex has things like this piece for the door window (68180-90300) for $17. For those who have price-compared, would you be so kind as to let me know what is worth adding on to this international order that might save me some cash? Maybe some other cosmetic or light-weight mechanical stuff I'll need down the line? Thanks so much! Happy cruisin'

 

[supadisco]

for example, look at the price difference on this idential part of weather stripping (62797-90800) for the side window: $211 on ebay: Glass Seal Weatherstrip Side Window L+R Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 (63-72) 1F | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/154839044091?itmmeta=01HXW2CSX5QCBW6RMCAVMTD4V4&hash=item240d204ffb:g:fLkAAOSwZv5gyX2x&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4LHLLAct5Ia%2FTChZDGcFodsuK9R2Uho8lA08oL290FZ%2FzOCYw0Rtb7zCBUZTg9DVvGf7%2BHobNRSDvYcfgZm6XGu08t7%2BWCPOd1F4YDrsTToUJqjrQdXt%2FfqS8XT8QwUToJCDX4rGRspxDDADjyHRNamzaTXOuZ4e0wgIBSMnv7hWtN6aDN1DBAFP%2F1VNaQDSoZWMTvkbpdDX8JDTQMG9T9ULuqCaEGBL0S6Eo%2FC%2FZxgUMx22ab5d4tDc6IVDWiNEshxaN3M9FqMUxFFaLqtemkE4qn4dds4cPiQ7KaqN0OBz%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9aes4LvYw

yet $34 on Impex Japan: 62797-90800 TOYOTA , 6279790800 New parts search — IMPEX JAPAN - https://en.impex-jp.com/parts/new/search.html?partNo=6279790800

crazy! for new owners like me, i'd very much appreciate any tips/links/sites to avoid getting ripped off. cheers, j

 

[EWheeler]

Im sorry, but this feels like spam. Why do you need to order a fuel tank from Japan?

Order weather stripping from Toyota if available, and if NLA from Mr.T, order from City Racer.

 

[supadisco]

Im sorry, but this feels like spam. Why do you need to order a fuel tank from Japan?

Order weather stripping from Toyota if available, and if NLA from Mr.T, order from City Racer.

what feels like spam? the shocking disparity in online prices i'm trying to avoid? confused...
online Toyota is double the price of the site in Japan as is City Racer. weather stripping weighs so little that it won't much affect the shipping price of my 15kg fuel tank, so that's why i'm asking. hope that makes sense. thanks.

 

[supadisco]

Im sorry, but this feels like spam. Why do you need to order a fuel tank from Japan?

Order weather stripping from Toyota if available, and if NLA from Mr.T, order from City Racer.

and the '71 fuel tank w/shipping is around $300 from japan whereas it's $600+ shipping here...at least that's my research has turned up. welcome any other suggestions.

 

[OGBeno]

A fuel tank from Japan is **not** going to be $300 landed in the US.

Ever.

 

[EWheeler]

what feels like spam? the shocking disparity in online prices i'm trying to avoid? confused...
online Toyota is double the price of the site in Japan as is City Racer. weather stripping weighs so little that it won't much affect the shipping price of my 15kg fuel tank, so that's why i'm asking. hope that makes sense. thanks.

You asked for advice on how not to get ripped off. You don't get ripped off by buying from known trusted vendors. I've never heard of Impex, but that doesn't mean its not legit, and the fact you've been a member for less than 2 weeks and posting links to "smoking deals" from unknown overseas vendors, it just feels spammy. If that offends you, sorry.

I added the tank to my cart at CCOT and its $530 shipped. I'd take the less risky route and spend my money domestically for a large item like a fuel tank. Owning and maintaining a 50 year old vehicle is not cheap, you'll get no argument from me there.

 

[OGBeno]

You asked for advice on how not to get ripped off. You don't get ripped off by buying from known trusted vendors. I've never heard of Impex, but that doesn't mean its not legit, and the fact you've been a member for less than 2 weeks and posting links to "smoking deals" from unknown overseas vendors, it just feels spammy. If that offends you, sorry.

I added the tank to my cart at CCOT and its $530 shipped. I'd take the less risky route and spend my money domestically for a large item like a fuel tank. Owning and maintaining a 50 year old vehicle is not cheap, you'll get no argument from me there.

IMPEX is legitimate and a good source. Their system is wonky but they deliver when parts are available.

 

[supadisco]

A fuel tank from Japan is **not** going to be $300 landed in the US.

Ever.

maybe you're right, but hope you're wrong...this says $149 for the tank and $179 for fedex economy shipping, total $325.

 

[supadisco]

You asked for advice on how not to get ripped off. You don't get ripped off by buying from known trusted vendors. I've never heard of Impex, but that doesn't mean its not legit, and the fact you've been a member for less than 2 weeks and posting links to "smoking deals" from unknown overseas vendors, it just feels spammy. If that offends you, sorry.

I added the tank to my cart at CCOT and its $530 shipped. I'd take the less risky route and spend my money domestically for a large item like a fuel tank. Owning and maintaining a 50 year old vehicle is not cheap, you'll get no argument from me there.

didn't offend me, it just confused me. like, wtf would i possibly be spamming, some random japanese website? why?
yes, i'm new here as i just re-acquired a 40 for the first time in 30 years (no internet my first go-round!) so i'm asking some questions and doing some research that may or may not benefit others in a similar situation. have a good day, sir.

 

[scratchhax]

didn't offend me, it just confused me. like, wtf would i possibly be spamming, some random japanese website? why?
yes, i'm new here as i just re-acquired a 40 for the first time in 30 years (no internet my first go-round!) so i'm asking some questions and doing some research that may or may not benefit others in a similar situation. have a good day, sir.

As you can imagine, the forum sometimes gets hit with some spammy folks, so a lot of us are on a bit of a hair trigger for anything that looks like it might be advertising. The price being 1/3 of what it is from Toyota direct does give wish.com vibes if you know what I mean, so not a personal attack by any means, just the forum folks doing their best to keep the shady at bay.
I just bought a brand new tank for my 69 from Toyota two weeks ago for $415 after tax. I would ping your local dealership. They will all show list price on the parts computer of $650 but everyone I talked to said if you order it from their online web page you get the $390 price. No shipping required. I'd do the same for your weather stripping etc. My experience with other sources has landed me a bunch of incompatible parts and unresponsive sellers. And for all that is holy, never try to buy a transmission off Facebook marketplace particularly if it's anywhere near chicago. $1000 lesson learned.

 

[supadisco]

As you can imagine, the forum sometimes gets hit with some spammy folks, so a lot of us are on a bit of a hair trigger for anything that looks like it might be advertising. The price being 1/3 of what it is from Toyota direct does give wish.com vibes if you know what I mean, so not a personal attack by any means, just the forum folks doing their best to keep the shady at bay.
I just bought a brand new tank for my 69 from Toyota two weeks ago for $415 after tax. I would ping your local dealership. They will all show list price on the parts computer of $650 but everyone I talked to said if you order it from their online web page you get the $390 price. No shipping required. I'd do the same for your weather stripping etc. My experience with other sources has landed me a bunch of incompatible parts and unresponsive sellers. And for all that is holy, never try to buy a transmission off Facebook marketplace particularly if it's anywhere near chicago. $1000 lesson learned.

great advice, much appreciated! i'll hit up the local Toyota tomorrow. i'd gladly pay an extra $100 for peace of mind, but when it's $600 vs $300 part is when i start rolling the dice knowing how much more stuff is on my shopping list. thanks again...

 

[OGBeno]

maybe you're right, but hope you're wrong...this says $149 for the tank and $179 for fedex economy shipping, total $325.

View attachment 3631990

I wish you the best of luck. And I hope I am wrong.

 

[scratchhax]

great advice, much appreciated! i'll hit up the local Toyota tomorrow. i'd gladly pay an extra $100 for peace of mind, but when it's $600 vs $300 part is when i start rolling the dice knowing how much more stuff is on my shopping list. thanks again...

Totally get it! As for bits and bobs, without knowing the general condition of your rig I would suggest
Brake rebuild kits, front rear and parking
Front knuckle rebuild kits (they aren't hard to rebuild but it's a messy messy job)
Transfer case parking brake seal. This thing practically comes leaking from the factory
All the weather stripping you can get your hands on, but for old rigs like ours don't mess with aftermarket. It's not that much more expensive to get toyota and a lot of the aftermarket stuff doesn't fit the window openings well.
Wipers cost a fortune but some clever lad figured out that old VW bug arms will fit our wiper drives and those blades are way cheaper.

I have a full running log of everything I've bought and how much it costs on the second page of my rigs build log.

 

[supadisco]

Totally get it! As for bits and bobs, without knowing the general condition of your rig I would suggest
Brake rebuild kits, front rear and parking
Front knuckle rebuild kits (they aren't hard to rebuild but it's a messy messy job)
Transfer case parking brake seal. This thing practically comes leaking from the factory
All the weather stripping you can get your hands on, but for old rigs like ours don't mess with aftermarket. It's not that much more expensive to get toyota and a lot of the aftermarket stuff doesn't fit the window openings well.
Wipers cost a fortune but some clever lad figured out that old VW bug arms will fit our wiper drives and those blades are way cheaper.

I have a full running log of everything I've bought and how much it costs on the second page of my rigs build log.

fantastic tips, and very helpful link, following now...bit daunting, but i knew this wouldn't be cheap. cheers scratchhax!

 

[vfrer]

It is a game and depends on when/what you need. If you can, wait for a sale from the online toyota parts dealers and get 25% off and you can get free shipping if you spend over $75. Should be a sale coming Memorial Day or July 4th... I am eying a tank myself for about 340 shipped with tax when the sale is on (current price is $423 at serra toyota).

 

[supadisco]

It is a game and depends on when/what you need. If you can, wait for a sale from the online toyota parts dealers and get 25% off and you can get free shipping if you spend over $75. Should be a sale coming Memorial Day or July 4th... I am eying a tank myself for about 340 shipped with tax when the sale is on (current price is $423 at serra toyota).

great tips again, i owe you one!!! now to see if i can cancel my tank from Japan as the company's incommunicado and no word from them in nearly 2 weeks!

 

[supadisco]

Ok, so after over 2 weeks of waiting for the Impex Japan people to get the part in and no update from them I asked and they cancelled the order. I've since found on Nucar Toyota Parts out of Attleboro the tank for about $390 and $60 shipping, plus they had a bunch of other small stuff i need and they claim they're the lowest price online as they only markup their stuff 10%. Excited to check this one off the list and get one step closer to having my rig running right again.
It's quite the wild goose chase tracking down parts that are in stock and at fair prices. Thanks all

 

[Green Bean]

Also, don’t forget about @Ruben C with Capo Valley Toyota. Great guy. They provide a discount to Mud members and I’ve found their website easy for checking parts availability. Fast shipping is another bonus.

 

[supadisco]

Also, don’t forget about @Ruben C with Capo Valley Toyota. Great guy. They provide a discount to Mud members and I’ve found their website easy for checking parts availability. Fast shipping is another bonus.

that's great to know, thanks Bean! i used to live not far from that area too. i've left two messages with my local Toyota people but no reply. the hunt continues. it's like a complicated jigsaw puzzle putting this thing back together.