RHD vs LHD (Aussie import FJ40 questions)

[Sporin]

I might have an opportunity to pick up a RHD Aussie import FJ40 in really nice shape for a really good price, but I have some questions..

Beyond the obvious driving on the "wrong" side of the car, is there anything else I should be aware of if I were to buy a RHD FJ40?

Are there a lot of parts that are RHD/LHD specific? I was looking at CCoT and saw they sell replacement fenders but they are RHD only. Are there a lot of parts like this? Or is it mostly just body panels?

The body is in very good shape but if every linkage and bracket is different then it would be a real issue. Is the engine bay the same or is it "flipped" in a RHD vehicle?

Anything else I might have to worry myself about? It does not have front disks, so it makes me wonder what other things the Aussie model doesn't have that makes US 78's so desirable (Fine splines, 4.11's, PS?, Disk brakes)

Also, if the truck itself is in really good shape rust-wise, should any of those things matter very much? Example: Disk brake swap is easy enough from my reading.

Any input would be great, thanks.
Questions)

 

[yuurei]

I have NZ RHD FJ (supposedly a 78) it was assembled in Austraila (not Japan). What I've found to be different:
Heater ducts and blower motor (blower is on passenger side)
Steering component locations (obviously)
Wiper motor location (not sure about motor)
Washer bottle location
Alternator location (passenger side - may be due to year)
Dash layout (seems to be an exact mirror opposite)
Throttle, speedometer, and other cabling and linkage lengths
Brake and cluth booster locations
Wiring harness may be different (at least some of the looms)

For items that are in different locations the parts themselves are the same as for LHD cruisers

As far as sheet metal:
Inner fender (only difference is cutout for steering)
Windshield frame (because of wiper motor)
Firewall
Dash
Front seat frames (the driver seat is over the gas tank, instead of the passenger)
Rear seat frames - longer, due to no rollbar

There may be other things, but I just got started on mine.

The drivetrain seems to identical to LHD.

A word of caution for "bargain" imports from that part of the world:

These may be salvage vehicles from flooding (possibly the tsunami) - it won't say on the title though. I figure mine was under about four feet of water. Although it started up right off the ship with a jump (bad battery).

There is usually no smog equipment at all on theses vehicles.

Also, it seems they like to weld the tops to the bodies in that part of the world.

That's all I can think of for now.

Good Luck

 

[Sporin]

Fantastic input, thank you!!!!!

This one has been here awhile and I'm reasonably confident it's not a flood cheapo.

The seller is a club member I know with a very good rep in past sales. I would obviously give it a VERY thorough going over top an bottom before laying down the cash.