Yo! LC70 padawan

[Datchew]

Greetings from Texas

I'm looking at importing my first 70 series and will have lots of questions.

Great forum. Looking forward to learning a lot.

 

[gilmorneau]

If you haven't already seen it, this will get you started:

Thread 'Information Re: Importing to the USA and Complete DIY How-To'

Feb 11, 2021

I’ve imported several Landcruisers from overseas in the last few years, and thought I’d share some of what I’ve learned about the process—where to find cars, how to get them shipped, how to get them through US Customs, what everything costs, how long it takes, who can help, what’s legal and what’s not, etc. Hopefully, this can serve as a reference for anyone interested in bringing a foreign-market vehicle to the USA (or buying one that’s already been imported).

I’ve tried to organize it into sections, but it’s a ton of information, so take your time.

• gilmorneau

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[Datchew]

Thank you for that. I have now read, re-read, and digested that thread.

I'm sure most of my soon to be questions are already covered on the forum somewhere but if you have any guidance on the following, please advise.

I'm going to be targeting a HCJ77 or 76. I may have the naming convention wrong but generally i want a late 90's to early 2000's 4 door with manual gearbox and straight 6 diesel.

Generally, i'm going to try to educate myself on which versions/models from the late-90's to early 2000's are made of and what changes took place from year to year. I'm not sure where a good source of information is to do that.

Where can i start exploring specifics of yearly updates/changes to the model? suspension, wheel base, whatever.
Engine changes
gearbox, axle, diff, or other changes.

 

[gilmorneau]

I'm going to be targeting a HCJ77 or 76. I may have the naming convention wrong but generally i want a late 90's to early 2000's 4 door with manual gearbox and straight 6 diesel.

4-door 70-series with straight 6 diesel narrows it down to HZJ76 or HZJ77 AFAIK. The 77 is (I'm pretty sure) JDM only, so all will be right hand drive. You don't mention if that matters to you. The 76 is available in left hand drive. 77's are leaf sprung all around, 76 has coils up front. 77 dates from 1990-1999. 76 dates from 1999-present. Pretty sure that's right, but happy to be corrected.

Generally, i'm going to try to educate myself on which versions/models from the late-90's to early 2000's are made of and what changes took place from year to year. I'm not sure where a good source of information is to do that.

wikipedia,
the Landcruiser Heritage Museum,
and, of course, IH8MUD.

Short answer is that anything from 1990-1999 is pretty much the same (i.e a 1990 won't differ much from a 1998)
1999-2007 had a cosmetic and suspension upgrade
Newer versions than that but you aren't allowed to import them.

 

[Datchew]

Thank you much Gilmorneu

I'm fine with RH drive. I have copious experience driving a manual vehicle all around Ireland. Also... it's a bit quirky to have a RH drive in the US.
I'm also focusing on importing from Japan as they have rigorous annual inspections, low mileage, and are typically in better shape from what i've read.

Appreciate the info on spring vs coil. I think for my purposes, coils would be preferred as I won't exactly be racing or rock crawling.

Is there any value in getting into the weeds of engine specifics or are most of the I-6 diesels similar enough to not worry about.
I.e., are there any quirky landmines to be aware of like "oooh... that specific model of that specific year from that specific country has metallurgy problems in the crank bearings."

 

[AirheadNut]

4-door, heavy duty 70-series of importable age limits you to the HZJ77 or 76, which are largely the same except for the front suspension and axle. One engine option, the 1HZ 4.2L naturally aspirated diesel. Manual transmission will be the H55f for the 77 and (I believe) the R151f for the 76. Honestly I would focus on overall condition over 77 vs 76, there just isn't that much difference between them.

 

[FJ73Texas]

HZJ77 owner here in San Antonio although I rarely drive mine these days. If you can, I would definitely get the HZJ76 from Japan if you can find one that suits you.