Taking the 100 overseas...suspension upgrades?
- Thread starter VidereStudios
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Well, after spending tons of time on LCOOL (Aussie LC forum), I posted a very similar thread there. The responses there indicated that buying an Australian LandCruiser and starting there would be a majorly expensive proposition. The registration costs there would be between $500 and $1100 PER year, which I would have to keep up until I could import the rig into the States. That compared to the Oregon registration of $43 a year. $450 to $1050 buys A LOT of gasoline.
My goal is to maximize my travel money rather than spend tons on acquiring and registering a vehicle. So at this point, I am pretty sure I am going to stick with the LX470. The only way this would change is if my dad comes back with interesting news regarding registering a HDJ100 or HZJ78 in the Czech Republic. That would be the only realistic overseas option I see at this point.
My goal is to maximize my travel money rather than spend tons on acquiring and registering a vehicle. So at this point, I am pretty sure I am going to stick with the LX470. The only way this would change is if my dad comes back with interesting news regarding registering a HDJ100 or HZJ78 in the Czech Republic. That would be the only realistic overseas option I see at this point.
How about finding a 1990 HDJ81 from Japan. It will be 25 years old next year and importable to the US. It will already have straight axles and get better fuel mileage... available lockers. More aftermarket overland parts for the 80 too.
After you have done all the baselining maintenance, I'd delete the AHC/put a mild OME lift on it to fit 33s, add winch/bumper, roof rack for gas cans/hilift/pull pal, maybe an auxiliary fuel tank, and hit the road.
100's seem common enough to source OEM parts in Russia. Here are some inspiring examples of 100's at work in the motherland:
And last but not least...no idea who these Russian Billionaires are...or where their budget comes from, but they have fine taste in vehicles. These are the craziest 100's I've ever seen (who knows what all they are underneath, unimog axles maybe...or 105's).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PV6PDeewCE
Also, I haven't traveled Africa like more experienced folks on here. But I do have some Ugandan friends. When they visited the states, I picked them up in my wife's 100, they said "that's the same land cruiser the UN people drive." That to say, apparently 100 parts are available in the middle of Africa
And last but not least...no idea who these Russian Billionaires are...or where their budget comes from, but they have fine taste in vehicles. These are the craziest 100's I've ever seen (who knows what all they are underneath, unimog axles maybe...or 105's).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PV6PDeewCE
Also, I haven't traveled Africa like more experienced folks on here. But I do have some Ugandan friends. When they visited the states, I picked them up in my wife's 100, they said "that's the same land cruiser the UN people drive." That to say, apparently 100 parts are available in the middle of Africa