SPY PHOTOS - LHD HDJ81 in Abbotsford, BC!

[yosemitesamiam]

man! We are going to need a full write up, and estimated cost when you are done and have the time!!! That is beautiful!

Would I be correct in assuming the only way to convert an 80 to Diesel in the US is the contact G&S and get an engine/trans and Tcase sent here?

Hehehe... galdarnit...somehow I recon'd this would get leaked onto that interweb.

Yes folks my FZJ80 now lives and breathes diesel. It was a long time coming due to lack of spare time due towork, family, bidness and of course waiting for parts and FSMs to come from all over the world: Australia, Germany, Japan, Saskatchewan, Mongolia and even as remote as California if you can believe that.
I still have a number of loose ends to tie up, AC, Cruise control, but the important stuff is done.

There are many people to thank for helping to make this swap happen whom will be mentioned when I
do some kind of a report here on it complete with non spy photos and some feedback on performance and mileage improvement.
I can already tell you all that despite the HP figures between the 1FZ 212hp and 1HD-T 168 hp, the drivability of the 80 with 1HD-T is FAR superior and the low end torque really lends itself to moving the 80 around. Having only burned 1/4 of a tank I have already gone 160miles so by the time I hit the bottom of the tank I am confident that I will be well past the 280miles per tank I got limping the FZJ around with a very light foot.

And Tapage.. it is a 12valve 1HD-T with a late model (95-) ECT type A442 w/Extreme valve body, HF2A full time case. No viscous coupling. The truck is 12volt start too.

My OME 850/860 kit is on the way.. the extra weight of the diesel has the fron end 1" off the bump stops.

 

[Tapage]

I have been driving diesel cruisers since 92 or something...but thanks.
The HF2AV case is the full time case with viscous coupling, something to do with ABS I think. HF2A is Full time case, HF1A is part time case.

Ooops .. ! HA .. glad to know you are in the Diesel Team long time ago.

And thnsk I'm for sure a little confused about HF1A and HF2A

 

[jcolvin]

Hehehe... galdarnit...somehow I recon'd this would get leaked onto that interweb.

Yes folks my FZJ80 now lives and breathes diesel. It was a long time coming due to lack of spare time due towork, family, bidness and of course waiting for parts and FSMs to come from all over the world: Australia, Germany, Japan, Saskatchewan, Mongolia and even as remote as California if you can believe that.
I still have a number of loose ends to tie up, AC, Cruise control, but the important stuff is done.

The question to my mind is, considering that you can get a low mileage RHD HDJ-81 for around $13,000, was it worth the time and effort to do the conversion? I've been considering doing similar to my FJ80, but given the cost of a stock JDM model it just doesn't seem worthwhile.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

The question to my mind is, considering that you can get a low mileage RHD HDJ-81 for around $13,000, was it worth the time and effort to do the conversion? I've been considering doing similar to my FJ80, but given the cost of a stock JDM model it just doesn't seem worthwhile.

13K for a low milage rig, I will take one.

Rob

 

[brownbear]

post up where you seen it for 13k. Seems a little low. Most are 18 to 25K also remember they are 91 or older.

With an 80 conversion, you can use a later one(with a newer engine) that is very clean and LHD. Also it might be better equiped with airbags and ABS etc. Also 3 point seatbelts in the rear and more.

I think its worth it if you have a nice FZJ or whatever to convert. I think Sheldon should make a business of this, as in selling converted trucks..... first one was just practice

 

[Stone]

The question to my mind is, considering that you can get a low mileage RHD HDJ-81 for around $13,000, was it worth the time and effort to do the conversion? I've been considering doing similar to my FJ80, but given the cost of a stock JDM model it just doesn't seem worthwhile.

It's always worthwhile to be able to say that you have done one. I think having done a conversion himself makes Sheldon somewhat of an authority on the subject (amongst a select few in our forum who have also done conversions themselves).

 

[jcolvin]

post up where you seen it for 13k. Seems a little low. Most are 18 to 25K also remember they are 91 or older.

With an 80 conversion, you can use a later one(with a newer engine) that is very clean and LHD. Also it might be better equiped with airbags and ABS etc. Also 3 point seatbelts in the rear and more.

I think its worth it if you have a nice FZJ or whatever to convert. I think Sheldon should make a business of this, as in selling converted trucks..... first one was just practice

$13,000 is the rough cost if you do all the importing yourself and get a good deal at the auction (low mileage to me means <130,000 km or so for an HDJ81). Thesedays likely cost a couple thou more since you'll probably have to put it in a container (roro shipping has been mighty tight lately).

I think the big advantage of doing a diesel conversion would be that you could then legally flog it down to the USA.

 

[tlcruiserman]

man! We are going to need a full write up, and estimated cost when you are done and have the time!!! That is beautiful!

Would I be correct in assuming the only way to convert an 80 to Diesel in the US is the contact G&S and get an engine/trans and Tcase sent here?

That is one way to go, however there are several places in USA to get half cut diesels.

 

[tlcruiserman]

Hey guys...there's a pretty nice looking mint HDJ81 that's rolling around in the Lower Mainland in BC. 1HD-T and that's right...Left Hand Drive! I saw a couple of Lexus LX450 with the diesel swap done at Cruiser Days 2005...but these things are still pretty rare.

I managed to get some spy photos with my cell phone cam...check it out.

So if this is left hand drive it should be an HJD80 not an 81 Correct?

 

[tlcruiserman]

Here are some photos of 96' HDJ80, I little dirty under the bonnet, was in Moab with it recently This is all original factory, 1DH-FT with H151.

Cheers,

Michael

 

[cruiserdan]

And I missed my chance to buy that truck...........

 

[panamacruiser]

any of you guys want to buy an used HDJ-80 or a brand new Land Cruiser Diesel mail me I'll hook you up with the proper people all of them are LHD and you can opt for a GX or a VX with either dual A/C or dual fuel tanks or a cooler with an ice maker remember the GX is the non-turbo model

 

[Red Herring]

Oh man. Thats awesome! Good for Sheldon! Must be fun fun fun to blast around in!

 

[tlcruiserman]

post up where you seen it for 13k. Seems a little low. Most are 18 to 25K also remember they are 91 or older.

With an 80 conversion, you can use a later one(with a newer engine) that is very clean and LHD. Also it might be better equiped with airbags and ABS etc. Also 3 point seatbelts in the rear and more.

I think its worth it if you have a nice FZJ or whatever to convert. I think Sheldon should make a business of this, as in selling converted trucks..... first one was just practice

I am doing a 80 series conversion, I should say finishing one, this guy spent 8k for the 1HD-T half cut (very good price), then payed someone 12k to convert it, after 1 year he almost had to take the guy to cout to get his truck back - and it had never run, although the engine/drive train was installed nothing after that was done except tearing the whole dash apart. I am finishing the job for this guy, I have yet to get the truck but I figured it is about 4k if all is as stated to me. Oh this is in USA.

My point was that I agree with Brown Bear, at a minimum if you already own an FZJ plan on spending about 15 - 20k to have the conversion done properly. I now know of two different places in California (LA area) that have started conversion and could not finish them, I know of one other place in northern california that does these conversion properly.

In California (maybe slightly higher here) you can pickup a nice 95-97 80 series FZJ model for anyehre from 12k to 20k depending on what options and mileage, there are the few rare cases where you can find one for 9 - 12k but they usually are pretty used up as far as the stuff you would still care about like interior and body.

Just my 2cents.

Cheers,

Michael

 

[crushers]

side note, you can buy a lot of gasoline for $14-$20K...

 

[brownbear]

side note, you can buy a lot of gasoline for $14-$20K...

Oh for sure. But then the same can be said of JDM 80s , they are 10-15k more in price than a 1990 imported 80 from the US.........(i think)

BUT for those who want a diesel and enjoy the range and torque they provide.......

When youy can only drive 300 miles a tank, then have to spend 80-100 bucks for gas, then intial outlay of cash to do the conversion is forgotten about afterwards.

The extended range and feel is why most would do this I imagine, or the cool factor

I would presume finding a locked unit with nice interior would the choice, regardless of miles. Most likely the engine will ditched for cheap anyhow. Might pay for the shipping costs if anything.


sucks tho to pay for the conversion only to find out the shop you hired is unable to do it. Especially half way thru....

 

[crushers]

i feel it is mostly for the cool side of things...
the stae boys can't get the diesel (mostly) so it is a "want" issue.
the HDT puts out 212 hp and the gasser after 93 put out 214 hp. the gasser gets 18 mpg and on a good day in stock condition a diesel will return 28 mpg.
if you take into consideration only a 1/3 imporovment in fuel milage it will take a LONG time to pay off a conversion by fuel savings.
now torque, diesel coolness and cheaper turneups might make the idesel a good thing.
we are willing to pay for the diesel cruisers mostly because it si a turn key operation.
if i lived in the staes and had the chace for Sheldon to do a conversion on mine then i would jump at it. i LOVE diesel, i am not into fuel savings and coolness rules...
cheers

 

[Technikev]

I agree wholeheartedly. Sure a guy can buy a RHD 80 series, and there are quite a few around, but to have the 1HDT in a LHD? Cool...

And Wayne, I know its been a while since you were in school, but 18 mpg to 28 mpg is closer to a 50 percent improvement. LOL

later,
kevin

 

[crushers]

LOL!!
actually i was going closest round numbers 18 (20) - 28 (30)...
;^)

 

[rick_d]

wayne-

12 valve 1HD-T's put out about 165-170 bhp, much less than a 1FZ-FE at 212 bhp.

torque is 268 for diesel, 275 for gasser.

mpg quoted by wayne MUST be in the non standard imperial gallons.

liters per 100klm or US miles per gallon only please.