I've been considering picking up one of the lower mileage 1HD-T JDM imports as a daily driver. I see the thread on discontinued parts and am thinking through the ramifications of what that is. Any comments on repairs/parts issues from those who are running these every day?
Viability as Daily Driver
- Thread starter omni
- Start date
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I have a '97 HDJ81. Used to be my daily, now I have a Tundra as a daily if that tells you anything. Lasted about a year. haha
It's doable for sure. I could have kept it running just fine but it does get tricky if you need to be somewhere consistently, like a 9-5 job. If you work from home it's easier. Just know that if you have something broken at 7pm on a Sunday you may not be able to run out to Autozone that night and get to work in the morning. You'll probably need to wait a week or so for a part to get shipped in.
You also (in my opinion) need to budget the time and effort to work on it yourself. Unless you have a local cruiser shop that loves imported diesels, I think you're better off getting the FSM and learning how to do your own work. They're relatively simple to work on - I've never taken mine to a shop. But if you don't have the space, time or tools then it can be a headache.
Parts are actually pretty easy to find in my opinion. Partsouq will have most of what you need to keep it running and driving, and their shipping from the middle east is often faster than a US dealer can get you parts. Also Cruiser Outfitters carries a lot of JDM/diesel parts.
One of the benefits of the 80 Series platform is that you share so much with US 80s, like body panels, brake components, driveline/knuckles, suspension etc. so those parts aren't too hard to find. Many of the diesel parts themselves are just like any diesel in the US uses, so any competent diesel shop should be able to rebuild your IP or injectors. Tuning would most likely be up to you though, which can be done with some hand tools and patience.
The harder parts to find are going to be RHD specific like the steering box or tire carrier parts. The hardest parts to find are parts that aren't required to keep it running - interior parts, dashboard, etc.
Lots of RHD parts are available out of Australia like exhausts, floor mats, intercoolers, airboxes. They're like F150s over there.
I'd say I've found 99% of what I've set out to find. Every now and then I'll run into an obscure part that just isn't made anymore like a door actuator or a shift boot. But you become an expert at shopping around from Partsouq, Amayama, Impex, Mega Zip, Japan4x4, Ebay Australia, etc.
I daily'd mine for a year but ultimately I needed a truck bed, and I wanted to be able to let my cruiser sit in the garage for a week or so at a time so I didn't feel like I had to rush upgrades and repairs to get it back on the road ASAP, and do it 100% correctly.
Sorry I know that's a little bit of a ramble but happy to answer any other questions about owning an imported cruiser.
It's doable for sure. I could have kept it running just fine but it does get tricky if you need to be somewhere consistently, like a 9-5 job. If you work from home it's easier. Just know that if you have something broken at 7pm on a Sunday you may not be able to run out to Autozone that night and get to work in the morning. You'll probably need to wait a week or so for a part to get shipped in.
You also (in my opinion) need to budget the time and effort to work on it yourself. Unless you have a local cruiser shop that loves imported diesels, I think you're better off getting the FSM and learning how to do your own work. They're relatively simple to work on - I've never taken mine to a shop. But if you don't have the space, time or tools then it can be a headache.
Parts are actually pretty easy to find in my opinion. Partsouq will have most of what you need to keep it running and driving, and their shipping from the middle east is often faster than a US dealer can get you parts. Also Cruiser Outfitters carries a lot of JDM/diesel parts.
One of the benefits of the 80 Series platform is that you share so much with US 80s, like body panels, brake components, driveline/knuckles, suspension etc. so those parts aren't too hard to find. Many of the diesel parts themselves are just like any diesel in the US uses, so any competent diesel shop should be able to rebuild your IP or injectors. Tuning would most likely be up to you though, which can be done with some hand tools and patience.
The harder parts to find are going to be RHD specific like the steering box or tire carrier parts. The hardest parts to find are parts that aren't required to keep it running - interior parts, dashboard, etc.
Lots of RHD parts are available out of Australia like exhausts, floor mats, intercoolers, airboxes. They're like F150s over there.
I'd say I've found 99% of what I've set out to find. Every now and then I'll run into an obscure part that just isn't made anymore like a door actuator or a shift boot. But you become an expert at shopping around from Partsouq, Amayama, Impex, Mega Zip, Japan4x4, Ebay Australia, etc.
I daily'd mine for a year but ultimately I needed a truck bed, and I wanted to be able to let my cruiser sit in the garage for a week or so at a time so I didn't feel like I had to rush upgrades and repairs to get it back on the road ASAP, and do it 100% correctly.
Sorry I know that's a little bit of a ramble but happy to answer any other questions about owning an imported cruiser.
mudgudgeon
Resident galah
I daily drove mine for years.
Loved it! Wheeled the piss out of it! Tuned it up! Loved it more! Broke it! Sold it!
Miss it! All! The! Damn! Time!
Haven't owned it for about 14 years now, and its still an all time favourite vehicle.
If you're prepared to give it a thorough going over to catch up with maintenance or replacement of all the 30year old rubber parts, and any deferred maintenance, and thoroughly added the condition of the engine, no reason not to drive it daily.
I would seriously consider a turbo upgrade, and a performance tune by someone who knows what they are doing.
They are capable of a lot more power and torque output, which makes them far more fun and more practical to drive. Brings power more in line with modern cars.
Then, an upgraded exhaust, EGT & boost gauges kind of become mandatory.
Either spend big dollars for one that's been updated, or buy with the intention of spending $10k + on all the above items. And keep up with oil and filter changes etc
mudgudgeon
Resident galah
I have been daily driving my 1HZ diesel Land Crusier for the past three months since I sold my DD. It has been doing a fantastic job. Not too worried since I can source most parts from Australia.
I had a 5spd 1hd-t l put waaaaaay too many miles on far too quickly. It was kickass.
I think these gems should not be abused in such a manner, but preserved for a lifetime of weekend outings and trips. And godforbid an accident happens while in the grind. These machines are special
I think these gems should not be abused in such a manner, but preserved for a lifetime of weekend outings and trips. And godforbid an accident happens while in the grind. These machines are special
- Thread starter
- #7
Im close to retirement, so I won't be putting nearly as many miles on it as I would when working. I still have an F250 that will take the abuse when necessary. I had an HJ47 Troopy, so I know what you are talking about. Thx.
- Thread starter
- #8
This exactly what Im' trying to decide... $40k on an example with 45k Miles?
mudgudgeon
Resident galah
I'd question if the 45k miles is legit. That's an average of 1500 miles/ year. Improbable i think.
And, yeah, people will tell you Japanese vehicles don't do many miles, blah blah blah. Lots do, and even if they don't, registration costs go up year on year, so they become more expensive to own each year. For the most part, they either get used, or off loaded.
It might be legit, but I'd be suspicious until I was sure the overall condition of the vehicle supported that number. Is there service records? Do they look legit or fabricated?
1500 miles per year equals a few very short trips occasionally. Or a handful of longer trips even more infrequently.
This means engine and driveline etc are never going to get up to full operating temperature. This is not ideal at all
Diesels can end up with glazed cylinder walls if not loaded up, and not run up to temperature.
Other components benefit from lubricants being brought up to temperature so they disperse/circulate throughout assemblies correctly.
45k miles, you'd want certain things to show little wear, things like seat upholstery, pedal rubbers, floor mat where the driver's heel would rest, steering wheel pad, upholstery where driver might rest their elbow, wear and tear on controls like indicator stalk, shifter etc.
I'd want paint, undercarriage, driveine, interior to be pristine at that price, not just cleverly detailed.
Lots of Japanes cars get smoked in too.
If it's a 1hd-t, it's every bit of 30 yrs old, and up to 35yrs old.
The problem with a 30+ year old vehicle that's done low miles, all the rubber has still deteriorated and hardened.
Things like engine and driveline seals, harmonic bslancer, timing belts, infection pump seals, hoses, suspension bushes, brake hoses, body molds and trims, window chanels.
If it's sat for long periods, parts won't stay lubricated and protected from corrosion/rust etc
Buy with the expectation that you'll still need to baseline it.
Ie, take care of all the stuff above that hasn't been touched in 30years
I daily drove my 1993 hzj73 from 2019-2022ish with no issues other than it being slow. I’d do it again if I could because it was the most reliable vehicle I ever owned. Never had anything go wrong except the alternator went out once. I thought I’d be happier/smarter getting a newer Toyota truck but I was wrong lol. The 70 series with a NA 1hz is simpler and more robust in my opinion.
The worst part was trying to find rear sliding window seals.
The worst part was trying to find rear sliding window seals.
Daily'd mine on and off for about 15 years, and it's now my daughter's daily. Thankfully the platform was global and parts availability is still pretty good for the things that will keep it running safely. It will require you to do most of the work for it to make sense. If you spent all your time reading these forums you'd think they always need something. That's kind of true after so long considering the age of most of these and the fact that a lot of stuff was probably deferred or ignored, but if you do a proper baseline and address common wear items (especially aged and brittle plastics/rubbers), it'll last you a very long time.
In the grand scheme of things they're still very modern and reliable, and having Mud as a resource is pretty invaluable, you won't run into anything that hasn't been covered here.
In the grand scheme of things they're still very modern and reliable, and having Mud as a resource is pretty invaluable, you won't run into anything that hasn't been covered here.
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