What work should I do on my HZJ77 (1HZ) before I ship it from Japan to the US?

[EngineBlockEggs]

Hi,

I currently live in Japan and I have a 1997 HZJ77 with a 1HZ. There are no obvious issues with it, I've had it for about a year now as a daily driver. I want to replace the exhaust as it is pretty rusted and I assume that will be hard to get in the US. I also plan on replacing the intercooler, ideally with an OEM if possible, since the one in there is old and I want to avoid overheating issues. I would like to replace the shocks and lift kit as well, mostly because I'm not really sure what the previous owner put in there and I'd like to comfort of knowing it's all new and solid. I want to swap the wheels with steelies and throw new tires on 'em but that's obviously not something I need to do here. Lastly, I plan on replacing the engine mounts, exhaust mounts, and maybe the transmission mount too!

Anyone here know what I've listed above will be difficult to do back in the US? Anything else you recommend I get done here in Japan? Thanks!

 

[Fishbulb]

My first thought would be timing belt and water pump maybe and snag any JDM accessories that you might want that you can’t get here.

 

[Guyute]

77 sans sunroof. Dig it.

Had a shop buy/install the missing spare tire mount and swap out the aftermarket rims for OEM while my HZJ73 was still in Japan. Wasn't able to ship it with the interior full of parts and goodies like I waned, but if they were installed we were gold.

Maybe grab floor mats and a dash cover if you don't already. RHD stuff isn't as easy to come by here for obvious reasons.

If you're doing the WP and worried about overheating it's probably easier and cheaper to get an OEM radiator while you're there. Replace the hoses while you're in there if they're 28 years old.

 

[prwillard2]

If you're active duty get all the extra parts boxed or palletized and tell the movers they're professional goods because you're a part time mechanic. They won't count for your weight limit up to 500 pounds.

 

[EngineBlockEggs]

Thanks guys! Some things I didn't think of and some good recommendations!

 

[DanielMayor]

If you're active duty get all the extra parts boxed or palletized and tell the movers they're professional goods because you're a part time mechanic. They won't count for your weight limit up to 500 pounds.

I'm about to get myself into an HZJ77 and this will definitely help out a few years from now!

 

[NoGo2R]

So..?

Were you able to get the items needed prior to PCS or still standing by?

 

[EngineBlockEggs]

So..?

Were you able to get the items needed prior to PCS or still standing by?

I was, yes. I had the radiator replaced (they didn't do a great job), a few OEM hoses, and a couple other things that I forget. I've been back in the US with my truck for over a year now. Parts in the US are easy to come by if you know where to look online, but if you need a garage to work on it for you it can be pretty difficult to find one. I do what I can myself.

 

[NoGo2R]

I was, yes. I had the radiator replaced (they didn't do a great job), a few OEM hoses, and a couple other things that I forget. I've been back in the US with my truck for over a year now. Parts in the US are easy to come by if you know where to look online, but if you need a garage to work on it for you it can be pretty difficult to find one. I do what I can myself.

Too bad about the radiator - hopefully that was corrected right away.

How's it driving a JDM vehicle in CONUS?

Even now, when I make trips to visit Japanese relatives, I still do the "GI wave" the first day or so when using the turn signal.

Well if you found "where to look online", let the rest of us know... it'd be greatly appreciated.

Hope you continue to enjoy it.
Think the MUD forum would enjoy any trips or future upgrades.

Best of luck.

 

[EngineBlockEggs]

Too bad about the radiator - hopefully that was corrected right away.

How's it driving a JDM vehicle in CONUS?

Even now, when I make trips to visit Japanese relatives, I still do the "GI wave" the first day or so when using the turn signal.

Well if you found "where to look online", let the rest of us know... it'd be greatly appreciated.

Hope you continue to enjoy it.
Think the MUD forum would enjoy any trips or future upgrades.

Best of luck.

Thank man. Driving a RHD JDM in the US is pretty easy. The only issues are that the 1HZ is super slow and under powered so I tend to stay off freeways and being RHD means that if I am trying to make a left hand turn at a four-way intersection I can't see around a car on the other side of the intersection also trying to make a left hand turn.

As for parts, I've had great luck with Cruiser Teq both in their online stock and customer service. Seems like great people.

I've driven RHD for years and still do the wipers/blinkers mix up. We called it the "Oki wave" though.

Cheers.

 

[NoGo2R]

Thank man. Driving a RHD JDM in the US is pretty easy. The only issues are that the 1HZ is super slow and under powered so I tend to stay off freeways and being RHD means that if I am trying to make a left hand turn at a four-way intersection I can't see around a car on the other side of the intersection also trying to make a left hand turn.

As for parts, I've had great luck with Cruiser Teq both in their online stock and customer service. Seems like great people.

I've driven RHD for years and still do the wipers/blinkers mix up. We called it the "Oki wave" though.

Cheers.

Understood.

You know what you got and how to get the most enjoyment out of it if needed, you can al6 get a USDM vehicle for a daily.

BTW, if USAA is covering you, how was that process to get set up?

Great to hear you've had a good experience with Cruiser Teq.

I was mostly on mainland, though I did a few TAD on Oki'as well... Plus my Japan assignments were a LONG time ago.

Take care and have a great rest of your weekend

 

[EngineBlockEggs]

Understood.

You know what you got and how to get the most enjoyment out of it if needed, you can al6 get a USDM vehicle for a daily.

BTW, if USAA is covering you, how was that process to get set up?

Great to hear you've had a good experience with Cruiser Teq.

I was mostly on mainland, though I did a few TAD on Oki'as well... Plus my Japan assignments were a LONG time ago.

Take care and have a great rest of your weekend

USAA was easy. I did it over the phone and I was just honest about the truck. USAA sucks though, I might switch to GEICO. Same coverage for less generally speaking.

 

[NoGo2R]

USAA was easy. I did it over the phone and I was just honest about the truck. USAA sucks though, I might switch to GEICO. Same coverage for less generally speaking.

Yeah...was thinking of switching over to AMICA for all my insurance needs for a while.
But when I called about getting insurance set up for the incoming HZJ76, the agent on the phone couldn't grasp why the vehicle didn't have a 17 digit VIN number...

Didn't know GEICO covered JDM vehicles?

Thanks, I'll give them a call on Monday!

 

[EngineBlockEggs]

Yeah...was thinking of switching over to AMICA for all my insurance needs for a while.
But when I called about getting insurance set up for the incoming HZJ76, the agent on the phone couldn't grasp why the vehicle didn't have a 17 digit VIN number...

Didn't know GEICO covered JDM vehicles?

Thanks, I'll give them a call on Monday!

I don't know if they do, I just know USAA overcharges for coverage.