South America Expedition Vehicle Selection (Canadian Edition)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

R

RockShoes

Joined
Oct 21, 2013
Threads
2
Messages
70
Location
Kamloops, BC, Canada
I’m looking to outfit an expedition rig for a 6-8 month trip touring through South America. Primary activities will include mountaineering, ski-touring, and climbing so the vehicle will be responsible for being able to access the starting areas. It needs to be capable of reliably moving 2-4 people and all of their gear for the duration of the trip. Diesel power is a must for all the usual expedition reasons. I want the rig to be a sort of base camp whenever a starting point is 4x4 accessible.

I’m in Canada so 15 year old JDM is possible (Sorry guys. I think the 25 year rule state side is ridiculous too). If I go 60 series domestic is possible but the 60 series just never appealed to me. This leaves me thinking either HDJ81 or HZJ77. The old school 4x4 lover in me is screaming 70 series while my practical side knows every diesel deserves a turbo.

I’m looking at a $15-20K budget (have to leave something for the trip itself). This will be my first JDM experience so I have lots of questions.

Is my budget realistic?

Which truck will best suit my needs (as outlined above)?

Should I import on my own or through an importer?

If I use an importer who should I go through?

What type of modifications should I factor into the budget?

Which will be the least nightmarish when I need parts?
 
15k-20k will be enough to to purchase a HZJ77 but not enough to mod it and leave enough to travel too. Turbocharging a HZJ77 is not a cheap endeavour especially seeing how you'll want to intercool it while you're at it to keep temps down.

Climbing and mountaineering? Not aware of many cruiserheads into that, where are you located?

HDJ81 can be bought for 10k. Ready to go out of the box, add a fridge and maybe a good platform and hit the road.
 
I'm living just out of Vancouver (Burnaby) so port pick-up will be more convenient for me than it is for most. The HDJ81 is what I expected would become the more practical choice based on the number of vehicles sold (and thus availability). I also recall reading somewhere that the 80 series was produced in South America longer than anywhere else so part availability might be better during the trip.

In the bit of research I've done so far it looks like BEBs should be done on spec. Any other PM type things I should be looking to do on arrival?

Sent from my A500 4
 
The 80 was made in VZ until 2009. Pretty sure they were gas and not diesel.

We've been on the road for 3 months and feel the 81 is perfect for 2 minimalists. We use a ski box to hold UL gear, which we'll be swapping out for touring gear in Chile.

Maybe unrealistic for a few people and gear. IMHO, a sprinter has a lot more room, good economy and parts availability. Only downside is 2WD, which is more of a compromise. Or a Toyota Hiace if you have to have 4WD and more space than an 81/Delica.

For me, I decided on a cruiser from the get go. I kinda regret that on the days we're just making miles. But as soon as I shift into 4LO solo, I'm 100% certain of my choice. It's also easier maneuvering a smaller vehicle down crazy narrow roads filled with worst drivers in the world. And yes, I've been to Burnaby.

Remember, the dude with the biggest bumper wins - even changing lanes. So budget one in.

Good luck man!

Edit: whatever you choose - KEEP IT BELOW 2.1m in height. Unless you you want to pay double in shipping. That's with tires aired down.

Also, the Yen is really high right now - so look at getting a JDM already in Canada for that budget.
 
Last edited:
At least in Peru and Bolivia, parts availability for the 70 should be just fine. They are EVERYWHERE down there. Sounds like an incredible trip (especially the ski touring!). Keep us posted!
 
It's definitely a long term plan. The goal is to source and outfit the rig over the next year and depart within 2 years. I'm fortunate in having a job that allows me to take lengthy unpaid leave without fear of losing my position.

Most of the trip will be myself and my girlfriend with other friends to join us at different points along the way. Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina are or top priorities along the way so far.

SHREDwagon, many thanks for the tip on height restrictions. I'm thinking fairly small for lift. Old Man Emu perhaps.

Sent from my SGH-T989D
 
For the money, I would look at a HDJ-81, get the bottom end bearings done and any all maintenance.

Then outfit it with bumpers sliders auxillary fuel tank and a good rear storage drawer setup. I say sliders more for dent prevention in parking lots, and they add a bit of armor in case of an accident more then playing in the rocks, and they are fairly cheap for what you get out of them.

You can always get a roof rack if you think it may limit your space, and get some good tires and a spare or two to match.

There's a few in this link, some already built up albeit slightly over priced, including a decent looking PZJ (5 cylinder HZ) cruiser:

http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1993-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-SUV-W0QQAdIdZ520375669

wayne (crushersrule on ih8mud) is an importer (http://www.luxuryimports.ca/index.php) on here, and there is a thread in the 70 series section regarding importers to search from as well.

What end of canada are you at BTW?
 
Last edited:
I'm in Burnaby BC so port pick up will be the least of my worries.

So far I'm thinking HDJ81. On arrival it's BEB's ASAP, bumpers, sliders, large capacity fuel tank, conservative lift (under 2.1m, excellent advice). The storage drawers I'll likely end up doing myself. I have access to a killer wood shop so I should be able to save a few bucks there.

What's the deal with the BEB's in the HD/HJ engines? Were the stock ones just that bad? The 100 to 150k many of these rigs are imported with is relatively low mileage for a diesel. Should I budget to do them every 150k (probably 2 twice over the life of the vehicle with me)?

Sent from my SGH-T989D
 
The 100's with the 1HD-FT engine can be imported now too - if you're importing.

So far I've yet to need and aux. fuel tank. I have an OEM 13 GA tank sitting in storage that I didn't have time to install. Actually, haven't even used my 5 GA Scepter yet. Stock range is 700 Km's +. I'd look into a Webasto/Espar for that kinda $. Especially if your winter camping. I changed my priorities after splitting/camping 20 days out of the truck last winter.

Stock BEB's were faulty (metallurgy). Once replaced with aftermarket, not an issue.

Gauges, gauges and..... Gauges! EGT and tranny temp minimum. Boost, if you play with the turbo. But, the more the better (oil pressure, volts, coolant temp). Stock gauges are garbage, and on a long trip these will alert you to any issues before $ damage is done. By far, the best mod I've done for this trip.
 
And just to let you know...the yen is down. On par with the $CDN.
 
Hey RS

A quick look on Yahoo Japan (their answer to ebay) and there are some interesting HDJ-81s but with the budget you mentioned it would be impossible as a good 81 is advertised for Yen1,300,000 to Yen2,800,000 (from CAD$14,000-CAN$30,000) and then you have to get it to Canada, make it legal and then mod it accordingly.....as Shred mentioned, purchasing one already in Canada would be the only way to go....
Sounds like a great trip!!

Cheers,
Gord
 
yep, better deals/value with ones already landed. I think there's one outwest now with low k's and locked and already lifted. check kijiji.

4 will be cramp on the 80 with all the gear, but doable and will definitely need a full size roof rack/storage. 2 will be nice and cozy and you can set up a sleep platform in the back.

i'd just keep it simple. I don't think you'd be bush wacking in the middle of nowhere alone and picking hard lines. maybe just a winch up front. and the usual maint. stuff. don't think you'll need 35's, 33's are perfect for a stock hdj81 (i'm running 33" tkos).

with all the s.american overlanding threads and sites I've seen, they've mostly been on paved/gravel road. if wheeling is new to you, then i'd start headin out with the local cruiser guys and get to know basic recovery skills.

i'll just add these, if you don't mind, there's a few 80s here. maybe give you more of an idea on what to pack/gear, etc..

http://www.expeditionamericas.com/

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/199407-dmc-south-america-expedition-rotw-write-up.html

http://www.overland-underwater.com/index.php?title=home_page

http://www.4wdtraveller.com/2007/08/4x4-vagabond-wheeling-world.html

http://www.drivinghome.co.uk/html/equipment.shtml

http://www.expeditionoverland.com/

http://www.brian894x4.com/Expedition4X4s.html

http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80.html

http://www.expeditionswest.com/vehicles/adventurepartners/Doron/doron100.html

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=15 (forum)

http://newcruiser.ca/
 
Last edited:
romey said:
or you could call it a day with these cheaper Nissan safaris (sorry, i know, it's the OTHER truck) with the high roof and have more funds left for gear and mods. :)

http://bc.kijiji.ca/f-nissan-safari...ariQQisProvinceSearchZtrueQQisSearchFormZtrue

they can get it done too.
Click to expand...

I've heard from the aussies that they probably have a more solid power train and axles, only thing they didnt like about them was the suspension on them is a step down from the landcruiser, and open diff cruisers often were able to travel the same terrain as locked nissan safari's.
 
yeah, the aussies with safaris will argue that it's a better/stronger truck than a cruiser. you'll also read of cruiser guys using Safari axles in their 70s, that might tell you something. not sure about the suspension, but I've read that it's an easy upgrade with ome coils for an 80 series. and they come with vacuum lockers and swaybar disconnects. but I wouldn't even worry about the suspension. safari's are tough no nonsense rigs! simpler, 24Volts, and more minimalist like 70 series.
 
if you can find a TD42-T you are good to go .. but the NA TD42 is slooooow .. it will last forever ( like an well care 1HZ )
 
Great suggestions all around guys. I'm on holiday in Spain until the 24th so I'll be a little while before I have a chance to research everything that's been put forward.

I have thought about the patrol. I recall my biggest concern lying around parts availability. The 80 series was sold in North America (gas only) while the patrol never made it over (as far as I know anyway). In my own brain that tells me at least some parts should be easier to source. The 70 series is still used as a mine services vehicle in Canada meaning parts should be available (albeit with potentially difficult to contact and order from suppliers).

Most of the trip will be done as two people with others to join periodically as we go (friends flying in to join at different points along the way). Cramped space for a week or two isn't too much of a concern. A good quality roof rack is on the add list so some of that should be alleviated before we even start.

As for 4wd experience, I do have some. Probably less than many of the people here. I grew up in the BC interior using a pickup winch line to skid up firewood logs to heat the family home. Most of the time it involved driving up decommissioned logging/mine exploration roads in a 1985 single cab K20 to cut standing deadfall. Sometimes the winch line was more for getting the truck out than anything. I don't expect the few 4x4 roads I access in South America to be worse than that considering most of the trip could be completed in a 2wd car.

Muchas gracias everyone for the help thus far.

Sent from my A500 4
 
agreed with every single point you made. i was in a similar boat picking between an 80 and a safari about 6 years ago (and coming from a nissan pathy then 4 runner). i was worried about parts. but things have improved with that much more safaris out west. (i mean, outback imports sold a few safaris during the jdm peak) and you at least have 2 hardcore safari guys in BC that would gladly help you out i'm sure (they're on the delica.ca forum). and they're buddies with another hardcore safari guy in s.ontario. between them, all the parts/resources you'll ever need.

anyway, Spain eh? might as well start lookin for a lhd cruiser there! and ship!! heck, i'd look out for troopies too! :)

and like you said, you're not looking for crazy roads, so you'll be fine with a stockish rig with good All terrains.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

fjsigs
Fj45 Troopy roof rack questions
Replies
2
Views
994
nakman
nakman

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom