Yokohama, Japan to Castle Rock, CO by Way of Seattle - My '98 HDJ100's Journey

[gpkaufm]

Hi everyone... I've been a member of IHM for over ten years but never contributed anything up to this point. I recently purchased a 1998 JDM HDJ100 Land Cruiser with the renowned 1HD-FTE diesel, right-hand drive that originally came from ***ui, Japan. I flew to Seattle where it was imported to a few weeks ago, test drove it, fell in love with it/bought, and had it shipped to Colorado. I've started this thread to document the journey of this LC from JDM to me and all the mods I'll be making along the way.

1998 Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ-100 with 1HD-FTE diesel engine, right-hand drive
110k miles
Super clean interior (will post pictures soon)

My intent is to use this vehicle for the hobbies and interests me and my family love: camping, hunting, exploring, four-wheeling, winter sports, etc in Colorado and beyond. This LC makes our 15th Toyota in a row, so needless to say, we are a Toyota family.

Thank you all in advance for your interest, suggestions, guidance, and support on my (and the LC's) journey.

Loaded on the shipping truck in Seattle....

Her arrival at my house in Castle Rock, Colorado....

Unloading this beautiful LC..

 

[gpkaufm]

... unloading....

and at her new home here Colorado....

Mods and upgrades coming soon.

 

[gpkaufm]

The factory air filter was a filthy, clogged mess. The turbo lag left a lot to be desired. So, I decided to cut into a perfectly good fender and install an Armax Safari snorkel and replace the factory air filter with a washable/reusable K&N.

Snorkel arrived after only one snafu with snorkel retailer (insert eye roll)...

Template on... ready to cut into a perfectly good fender....

Holes cut... no turning back now.

Dirty old filter replaced with K&N...

All done... she's breathing a lot better than before. The turbo spools up much quicker now (most importantly), you can hear the intake and turbo (cool factor), plus it looks more ready for adventure (also cool factor)...

 

[jaewastooshort]

looks good! I would have loved to get ahold of an OEM swing-out spare setup... ended up going aftermarket.

 

[jaewastooshort]

View attachment 3658783

any chance you know (or can find part numbers) for that offset license plate mount bracket, or the blanking plate for the inner tail light space on the right side? Asking on the off-chance that you happen to have either off the truck at some point and could look for the p/n... so far a google search isn't leading to any information on either.

 

[gpkaufm]

looks good! I would have loved to get ahold of an OEM swing-out spare setup... ended up going aftermarket.

This one's in pretty good shape. I'll leave it on until/if it becomes a problem... for now, it's stout and doesn't bounce around.

 

[gpkaufm]

any chance you know (or can find part numbers) for that offset license plate mount bracket, or the blanking plate for the inner tail light space on the right side? Asking on the off-chance that you happen to have either off the truck at some point and could look for the p/n... so far a google search isn't leading to any information on either.

Unfortunately, I don't... this one came from the factory like this.

 

[Moridinbg]

I am so glad that the FTE is at last landing in the USA. Finally there will be proper info about the diesel engine here on MUD, instead of trawling through countless Australian facebook groups

K&N filters are notoriously bad for this engine. Avoid them. The one that you pulled is not OEM - the Toyota one does not have that metal mesh on the outside. PN is 17801-17020 and it is water washable.

any chance you know (or can find part numbers) for that offset license plate mount bracket, or the blanking plate for the inner tail light space on the right side? Asking on the off-chance that you happen to have either off the truck at some point and could look for the p/n... so far a google search isn't leading to any information on either.

The offset license plate is OEM for vehicles with the factory tire carrier. Unfortunately the lower tailgate is completely different on these vehicles. There is a recess where the license plate goes, also a recess for the tire. I don't think you can make it look good on the regular tailgate. Anyway, the backing plate for the plate is 76801-60050 and the lights holder with the Land Cruiser text on top of it is 81276-60310. It takes the same license plate light inserts as in the regular upper tailgate.

You can browse through the different parts at Back door panel & glass for Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ101K - Genuine parts - https://toyota.epc-data.com/land_cruiser/hdj101k/86307/body/6761/ for the tailgate, Spare wheel carrier for Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ101K - Auto parts - https://toyota.epc-data.com/land_cruiser/hdj101k/86307/body/5153/ for the tire carrier and there is a bracket for the carrier inside the rear pillar at Tool box & license plate bracket for Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ101K - Auto parts - https://toyota.epc-data.com/land_cruiser/hdj101k/86307/body/7554/

 

[gpkaufm]

I am so glad that the FTE is at last landing in the USA. Finally there will be proper info about the diesel engine here on MUD, instead of trawling through countless Australian facebook groups

K&N filters are notoriously bad for this engine. Avoid them. The one that you pulled is not OEM - the Toyota one does not have that metal mesh on the outside. PN is 17801-17020 and it is water washable.



The offset license plate is OEM for vehicles with the factory tire carrier. Unfortunately the lower tailgate is completely different on these vehicles. There is a recess where the license plate goes, also a recess for the tire. I don't think you can make it look good on the regular tailgate. Anyway, the backing plate for the plate is 76801-60050 and the lights holder with the Land Cruiser text on top of it is 81276-60310. It takes the same license plate light inserts as in the regular upper tailgate.

You can browse through the different parts at Back door panel & glass for Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ101K - Genuine parts - https://toyota.epc-data.com/land_cruiser/hdj101k/86307/body/6761/ for the tailgate, Spare wheel carrier for Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ101K - Auto parts - https://toyota.epc-data.com/land_cruiser/hdj101k/86307/body/5153/ for the tire carrier and there is a bracket for the carrier inside the rear pillar at Tool box & license plate bracket for Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ101K - Auto parts - https://toyota.epc-data.com/land_cruiser/hdj101k/86307/body/7554/

I just got a couple of the 17801-17020 air filters. Will be replacing asap.

 

[gpkaufm]

Ok... I've had an ABS light come on. I ran the diagnostic check and came up with code 32 (which is a left front wheel speed sensor). I took a look at the sensor and it does seem like it's seen better days. I can't find a part number for it. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[Natesfj40]

I replaced my ABS sensor only to have it pulled and damaged, most likely due to the modest lift I did. Does anyone know of a good extended ABS sensor? I'd prefer to use stock sensors, but I'm not sure if there is a near OEM solution. Extensions/ ideas?

 

[Natesfj40]

Thanks @cruisermatt!
He has an easy, affordable extension. If you lift your 100, it might be a good idea to extend the abs sensors so they don't get overly stressed.
This is cheap insurance, I'm on my third and final set.

I will post a link to his site when I have some time later.

 

[gpkaufm]

Update: I purchased a replacement wheel speed sensor on eBay for under $20. Getting the old one out proved to be a massive pain, but I was able to get it out without having to remove the rotor, etc. I just kept chipping away at the plastic housing that was stuck and twisted and pulled on the old magnet until it came out.

I couldn't believe how much copper I pulled out of the broken sensor... it just kept coming and coming and coming...

And the stubborn magnet that took forever to get freed up.

But got it done. Drove about a block and the light turned off. So far so good!

 

[gpkaufm]

Wheels and tires installed. Went with the Method Racing MR305 17" Bronze with Toyo Open Range AT Plus 265/70R17 tires. I had to reach out to Method to send me different caps that would cover the grease caps on the front wheels. Will upload pics of those when they arrive.

 

[gpkaufm]

UPDATE:

- Ironman 4x4 2" lift installed
- Ironman front bumper with winch installed
- Method Racing MR305 wheels with Toyo Open Range AT tires (265 70R17)

 

[Mike NXP]

Hows the ride feel with the recent updates compared to when you first got it . Better, worse, same same?

 

[gpkaufm]

How it's going...

 

[gpkaufm]

Hows the ride feel with the recent updates compared to when you first got it . Better, worse, same same?

I definitely feel the extra weight, but not in a bad way... more like a more solid, grounded kind of way. Added the Gamiviti rack with Tim @gamiviti. Great rack!