Shopping for an HDJ81...in Japan

[ppc]

Rust on the rear hatch looks bad, looks like more rust on the bottom of one of the doors all of which just doesn't jive with the visual of the undercarriage. I'm guessing the frame has been painted possibly to coverup more rust.

 

[FMC80]

Rust on the rear hatch looks bad, looks like more rust on the bottom of one of the doors all of which just doesn't jive with the visual of the undercarriage. I'm guessing the frame has been painted possibly to coverup more rust.

It must’ve had some maintenance or something in the past to allow water to seep in. The door sills were suspect to me too. It’s hard making these decisions by pics only but there’s no reward without some risk.

 

[ppc]

I think the one you posted on #77 is a much better choice. Tires laying in the back versus rust showing is a no brainer.

 

[FMC80]

I think the one you posted on #77 is a much better choice. Tires laying in the back versus rust showing is a no brainer.

That ones gone and it was a bad choice based on age....if I could’ve I probably would’ve but I’m moving on to an older model so I can take it back with me.

 

[FMC80]

No surprise but the vehicle I posted today didn’t sell. The seller was a bit greedy and started the auction at 11K USD. It’ll be back for cheaper next go round.

 

[FMC80]

So from what I gather, this HDJ81 that I posted today comes with the 1HZ diesel engine. Anyone have thoughts on that? The 1HZ is supposedly indestructible but is less powerful and has less torque. I know the 1HD-T/FT/FTE are all great engines so I'm not hung up on one over the other. The 1HZ not having turbo may be advantageous to those of us in locations without an efficient and affordable supply chain.

Anyone have differing thoughts or opinions? The color is whacky but I think I like it.

I will mull over today's prospect some more as it will show up to auction again next week but at a reduced price. The guy I commissioned said the rust was isolated to the tailgate and the bottom of the drivers door. Didn't look like the frame had any coverups or anything. I noticed some hardware on the bumper were corroded but it isn't unexpected.

 

[Red Merle]

So from what I gather, this HDJ81 that I posted today comes with the 1HZ diesel engine. Anyone have thoughts on that? The 1HZ is supposedly indestructible but is less powerful and has less torque. I know the 1HD-T/FT/FTE are all great engines so I'm not hung up on one over the other. The 1HZ not having turbo may be advantageous to those of us in locations without an efficient and affordable supply chain.

Anyone have differing thoughts or opinions? The color is whacky but I think I like it.

I will mull over today's prospect some more as it will show up to auction again next week but at a reduced price. The guy I commissioned said the rust was isolated to the tailgate and the bottom of the drivers door. Didn't look like the frame had any coverups or anything. I noticed some hardware on the bumper were corroded but it isn't unexpected.

Maybe just watch that one sell. That will tell you the market. You could offer a low ball bid and have a number in mind you wouldn't cross, but I bet better examples show up if you wait for a few months. You've shown us what, 4 nice LCs in a few weeks? I never see any for sale that I am willing to buy for at least a 1000 miles away. Just slow your roll a hair...

 

[FMC80]

Maybe just watch that one sell. That will tell you the market. You could offer a low ball bid and have a number in mind you wouldn't cross, but I bet better examples show up if you wait for a few months. You've shown us what, 4 nice LCs in a few weeks? I never see any for sale that I am willing to buy for at least a 1000 miles away. Just slow your roll a hair...

That is exactly what I intend to do! So far I haven't noticed any trends on sale prices. The vehicles represented and sold are too different in overall condition and price to guage it properly. So it will be good data for sure to see what the market is doing. Additionally, I've been combing the car stealerships on main land and they're prices are through the roof and frankly, I know of at least three horror stories from people who've bought based on communications and pictures and have been burned. I'm not dealing with that. The guy who is on the ground working to find me one is very attuned to detail and is a certified mechanic from Canada and knows what to look for. I'm just staying patient waiting for "the one".

Pred

 

[Rigidarm]

That is exactly what I intend to do! So far I haven't noticed any trends on sale prices. The vehicles represented and sold are too different in overall condition and price to guage it properly. So it will be good data for sure to see what the market is doing. Additionally, I've been combing the car stealerships on main land and they're prices are through the roof and frankly, I know of at least three horror stories from people who've bought based on communications and pictures and have been burned. I'm not dealing with that. The guy who is on the ground working to find me one is very attuned to detail and is a certified mechanic from Canada and knows what to look for. I'm just staying patient waiting for "the one".

Pred

First off ... Thanks for your service. My dad was AAC in WW11. 8th. I would have taken the first LC you posted possibly because of the many things you do want (and factory tinted windows .... my 1993 has them and they are great) along with the turbo and 24V engine. Lockers too! You might have bought it and then sold it if another better example came along. Hedging your bet with a good example like the first model ain’t a bad idea. My 93 LC is white and the original paint is in excellent condition here in Calif. She my baby. Had her for24 years now. Keep us posted and good luck.

 

[Marine7]

Like this? View attachment 1698609

God that thing is BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[PDoyle]

The upholstery pattern is different than the US spec 80. It looks to be a diesel, which I am unfamiliar with but it's clear someone detailed it. I would check for common leaks and other issues.

White is the easiest color match on these and a new hatch will only run you about $400 shipped and you could load up a pallet for only another $300.

The undercarriage is spectacular. I am surprised by the rust but I bet more is hiding under the rear sliding window trim too.

Looks like a good candidate to me, pending how much you want to spend.

Where can I get a white rear hatch for $400. shipped?

 

[BILT4ME]

Where can I get a white rear hatch for $400. shipped?

Check with @slow95z and/or @arcteryx

 

[slow95z]

I don't have white, sorry

 

[PDoyle]

I did. price quotes were at $1000. plus getting it to me.

 

[FMC80]

First off ... Thanks for your service. My dad was AAC in WW11. 8th. I would have taken the first LC you posted possibly because of the many things you do want (and factory tinted windows .... my 1993 has them and they are great) along with the turbo and 24V engine. Lockers too! You might have bought it and then sold it if another better example came along. Hedging your bet with a good example like the first model ain’t a bad idea. My 93 LC is white and the original paint is in excellent condition here in Calif. She my baby. Had her for24 years now. Keep us posted and good luck.

You're welcome, serving is my privilige. Thanks to your father for leading the way for the rest of us! I didn't mind the first LC but the guy I'm paying to shop for around for me told me it was in rough shape and that he would pass on it as there are better ones to be had for similar costs. It was the very first one that came up for me and I needed to take my time.

I thought the 24V came in 95-97? I'm not hell bent on having 1HD-T/FT/FTE variants at all. I just want an old enough vehicle that I will be able to take back in case my next service committment is cut short semi-unexpectedly. It's a slight risk the way I'm planning out my purchase. Another thing to consider is the arbitrary rules set for service members in the Pacific region: we are not allowed to resell a vehicle unless we've owned it for at least 120 days (waiverable). We are only allowed one vehicle per adult in the household, up to two and waiverable to three. I guess people in the past flipped cars and made a mess of things.

Anyway, I'll keep this post updated as I get more prospects. Thanks for your inputs!

 

[Rigidarm]

You're welcome, serving is my privilige. Thanks to your father for leading the way for the rest of us! I didn't mind the first LC but the guy I'm paying to shop for around for me told me it was in rough shape and that he would pass on it as there are better ones to be had for similar costs. It was the very first one that came up for me and I needed to take my time.

I thought the 24V came in 95-97? I'm not hell bent on having 1HD-T/FT/FTE variants at all. I just want an old enough vehicle that I will be able to take back in case my next service committment is cut short semi-unexpectedly. It's a slight risk the way I'm planning out my purchase. Another thing to consider is the arbitrary rules set for service members in the Pacific region: we are not allowed to resell a vehicle unless we've owned it for at least 120 days (waiverable). We are only allowed one vehicle per adult in the household, up to two and waiverable to three. I guess people in the past flipped cars and made a mess of things.

Anyway, I'll keep this post updated as I get more prospects. Thanks for your inputs!

Thx P308,
My dad was to go to San Diego after the Nazis fell. He was with the 8th B17 bomb group out of England (many lost as you know) and then was to train on B24’s. The Pacific theatre ended while he was in transit to SD. A couple years later I hit the one in a billion lucky lottery!!
I know how quickly plans can change in the military.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing your choice and best wishes.

 

[Red Merle]

I did. price quotes were at $1000. plus getting it to me.

Have you checked car-part.com? I was looking at fenders on there before I bought a pallet of stuff from @slow95z and there were plenty of options. You might have to wait to find the right color, but they are out there.

 

[PDoyle]

Yes, thanks I have checked out car-parts.com. I would most likely want a hatch that is far enough away that it would have to be shipped and I'm not confident a yard would get it to me without any damage.
But I haven't tried so I'm not sure either.

 

[slow95z]

I have shipped parts all over the place and never had one get damaged.

 

[Red Merle]

I have shipped parts all over the place and never had one get damaged.

The Fastenal shipping method is good. They don't do enough of them for it to be "just another load of beat up bull****". Even though I had reservations about the store in my town, I was pleased to see my pallet, intact and inside with people acknowledging that it must be something special for someone to take the time, money and effort to send a load up from Georgia to where I live near the Canadian border. The shipping rate for the whole pallet was less than what UPS charged to ship a carbon fiber bike that was in a bike box and the whole thing weighed 24 pounds. My Dad was a logistics guy for 40 years. He thought that idea had a lot of merit.