RHD isn’t a big deal I’ve owned mine for years no big deal. It’s not an 80 but it is a diesel.
Shopping for an HDJ81...in Japan
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FMC80
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Hmmm, maybe I should look into bringing back one of these instead of an 80! Nah! I would if I was solely in it for the money or was in a position to help out a fellow mudder. But I really want a 80 now more than a 100/200 like I did in the past. Something about the 80 is just gnarly.
@Dork snowflakes melt when they're within 500ft of me! Jk, I'm not sweating their opinions. I asked their thoughts, despite wanting more cost of ownership, sourcing parts, etc. You're right, I've been driving RHD for quite a bit now. When I first started 3 years ago, my biggest issue was doing the "Okinawa wave" where I actuated my wipers instead of blinker...there was a couple times I turned into oncoming traffic (that would've happened regardless of L/RHD). As for drive thrus, I can't care any less about them. ATMs too. Don't care. If I can't figure out how to get food or money because my driver's side window isn't close enough to the window then I deserve nothing good in life; especially not such a badass HDJ81!
Finally, good point about the boobs...never thought of that...won't matter until I leave Japan anyway
Not to pile on.....View attachment 1698640
Sweeeet!
I never understood what the problem some people have with RHD. It took 15 minutes to get used to and now I actually prefer it. Wiper blinker thing is the only issue when I jump from car to car. Its fun to see peoples reaction when they think my dog is driving. Im so used to driving either side that I can go to any country and just go without the learning curve. Drive through a problem? I have this thing called an arm and so does the drive through employee. reaching has never been a problem at a drive through or a toll booth.
Then there are the people that say that overtaking maneuvers are difficult and dangerous due to the limited line of sight. I call bull****. I drive a Diesel cruiser and I get overtaken and not do the overtaking
Honestly the only people who complain about it are generally people who either have not driven a RHD or simply lack the driving skills
Take this chance to get a really clean nice cruiser and import the biatch. Make it 4Then enjoy the hell out of it. You live in Japan so driving a RHD is not an issue whatsoever for you. 70 series? Ill take an 80 over that any day.
Thanks @ZeGerman, good inputs and I read one of your threads regarding your HDJ81...I plan on PMing you until you block me.
Thanks and sweet ride!
I've been driving mine for 2 years. The not a big deal. I have to badge through kiosks every day to get into work, and while it is a little inconvenient, my Harbor Freight grabber stick does the job. I have to get out at drive through ATMs (rarely have to go in the first place) but drive though windows are no problem in general. I'd say the 6" lift causes more problems than the RHD.
Value wise, just try to find a sub 200k US spec 80 in JDM condition for the same price. My 1990 HDJ81 (50k miles) was in far better shape when I got it 2 years ago than my 1995 FZJ80 (90k miles, from IL) was when I got it 7 years ago, largely because the 1990 was so clean. When I had to do the front axle, and when I had to take the front bumper, grille, lights, etc out there was no fighting with rusted fasteners; it was pretty amazing.
I bought mine from @SteveJackson and he did a super job going over it and I felt comfortable buying sight unseen. I have to say that the opportunity to have your pick of the litter first hand would be tough to pass on.
Get it and drive it and enjoy it. Bring it home on the slow boat. The I don't think the cruiser craze is going anywhere soon. I think there was a bit of a bubble in 2015/16 when the first HDJ81 started showing up and they are a bit more plentiful now, but I think the value is still strong overall. If you could find a HDJ80, LHD, in JDM condition some would basically pay 10k more for it (ultimate unicorn blood).
There were probably some folks who threw down for one so they could feel like they were living the #vanlife or recreating REI adverts and found that for whatever reason (reasons I'm sure all long time 80 owners are familiar with) it was not for them, and they are now jilted and spurned 80 lovers. If you bring that thing home in decent shape and need to get rid if it, someone who has been lurking and looking will take it off of your hands (just don't expect to be able to CarMax it for what it's actually worth).
I suffer from the lack of top end on I40 near Asheville and driving up 321 to Blowing Rock. Everything takes a little extra time and planning. But I'd do it again.
Do your homework. If you bring it home in good shape, you have nothing to fear. I do recommend the 1995 or better 1HDFTE for the 24v and other updates. Sounds like you'll do just fine with the timing of your return to legally import.
Cheers!
1000%
FMC80
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@slceso thanks for taking the time to provide great words of advice. You brought up some real world, first-hand challenges of ownership that I was looking for. I plan on trying to get as late model year as possible but I need to be patient and that's not something I'm good at. I also don't have a lot of time by virtue of me having to transfer duty stations in about 6 weeks. We aren't allowed to have more than 1 vehicle per driving age adult per household. So I guess my wife will have to walk everywhere she goes with the kiddos until I get my LC! Hahahahaah Jk, she'd kill me.
FMC80
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Okay all, thanks for chiming in, this is the list of things I'll be asking the guy I commissioned to search for in my next vehicle. I had a few things on this list but you guys helped me construct it. Please look it over and let me know if I'm missing anything.
The following are my preferences and requirements:
I will be PCS out of Japan in sometime in 2020 so would like the rig to be built within first 6 months of 1995 or before.
- HDJ81
- Diesel
- 4x4
- Below 150,000KM
- Auto transmission
- No Rust (no rust cover up or POR15 rigs please)
- Interior to have original steering wheel…cloth or leather is fine. Just clean and well-kept as possible
- Clean modifications…no electronics rats nest of s*** to weed through
- Tire Swing Carrier on back of rig
- I don’t mind suspension lifts but prefer them to be 4” and below
- As original as possible all around is best
Overall would like the rig to be solid mechanically, electrically sound, something that you know was well taken care of and not covered up by dealerships to make it look better than it is.
What do you guys think? Anything else?
The following are my preferences and requirements:
I will be PCS out of Japan in sometime in 2020 so would like the rig to be built within first 6 months of 1995 or before.
- HDJ81
- Diesel
- 4x4
- Below 150,000KM
- Auto transmission
- No Rust (no rust cover up or POR15 rigs please)
- Interior to have original steering wheel…cloth or leather is fine. Just clean and well-kept as possible
- Clean modifications…no electronics rats nest of s*** to weed through
- Tire Swing Carrier on back of rig
- I don’t mind suspension lifts but prefer them to be 4” and below
- As original as possible all around is best
Overall would like the rig to be solid mechanically, electrically sound, something that you know was well taken care of and not covered up by dealerships to make it look better than it is.
What do you guys think? Anything else?
Perhaps look for an "Active Vacation" model.
That is "camping" version that was less expensive to register and is likely to have been used less.
With a 95 you are not likely to have a steering wheel swap because of the airbag.
That is "camping" version that was less expensive to register and is likely to have been used less.
With a 95 you are not likely to have a steering wheel swap because of the airbag.
An Active Vacation model would be cool as chit! I thought I read something about them being virtually nonexistent in japan due to having to update them sooner or something because it’s an RV... Likely heresy.
FMC80
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@cruiserdan thanks again for the knowledge! I don’t know why many vehicles out here have steering wheels swapped out. It looks ridiculous to me. I guess if it isn’t too hard to source an OEM steering wheel pre-1995 it shouldn’t be a deal breaker. I figured it would be a huge pain to take everything apart etc. I’ll definitely look out for the “Vacation” model but I haven’t seen one in the 3 years I’ve been here. Granted I wasn’t looking constantly but figured I may have seen something by now. I’ll keep an eye out and report back any findings.
Would it kill you to post a pic so all of us flatlanders know what the heck you are talking about
Dang. That is pretty nice!
I do have the google, I just like it when other people do things for me so I don't have to do as much efforting, not gonna lie
This way, everything is in the same thread, I don't have to do anything and everything just sorta works out for the better....
Love the Opinel knife, cheese fork, fly rod and teapot! That is how you know it will work for the average 80 owner. They can see how all of their stuff will function within the truck. I am hoping that sleeping bag has mallards printed on the cozy interior, flannel portion.
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FMC80
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This was the first LC that met some of my criteria that came up at auction since I began looking...pretty rough externally. Requires an entirely new paint job, had a few bumps and bruises, interior was a bit ratty but the engine fired right up. Sounded good and there was zero rust. It had 164KM on it and sold for 8K USD...I was only going to offer 7 at most. I have a short vid of the engine running but still figuring out how to add pics and vids! Kind of a pain in the ass to do so!
The search continues!
The search continues!
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I think those buttons are to raise and lower the antenna.
FMC80
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I didn’t see the vehicle in person but yeah, it doesn’t look too bad. Peeling clear coat and oxidation is going to happen. Not sure if you can tell from the pics but the vehicle has been in a few fender benders. Don’t know the extent to it so I wanted to pass. The guy who is shopping for me in tokyo said it was really rough. Maybe the pics don’t do it justice.
If it was just cosmetics, my budget would allow me to do a new paint job (if I wanted) and some mods after acquiring the vehicle but I’m going to hold out and see what else we find.