1997 Toyota Land Cruiser - California-Registered 1HDFT Diesel, Triple Locked, Low Miles HDJ81

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This is the unicorn 80 Series you’ve been waiting for, a rare late-model 1997 HDJ81 Land Cruiser legally imported, titled, and registered in California (Los Angeles) as a diesel vehicle, meaning NO SMOG TESTING EVER. It features the legendary 1HDFT 4.2L turbo-diesel engine with all the “fixes” since it’s the final year, factory triple lockers, heavy-duty A442F automatic transmission, and a factory Toyota winch bumper. All of this sits in a rust-free, excellent condition chassis. And unlike most JDM imports, this one includes both driver and passenger airbags, making it one of the few HDJ81s with modern safety features.

Specs and Highlights:

• 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ81 (JDM, right-hand drive)
• Factory 1HDFT 4.2L Turbo-Diesel inline-6 engine
○ 172,000 original miles (low mileage for this platform)
○ Runs beautifully, no rebuild necessary
• A442F 4-speed automatic transmission (heavy-duty diesel version)
• Triple factory differential locks
• Working A/C, power windows and locks
• Factory cloth HEATED seats in good condition
• California title, legally registered as a diesel, no smog required
• Never off-roaded, garage-kept, no rust
• Factory Toyota front winch bumper with winch (very rare JDM option), JDM rear spoiler

Upgrades and Add-Ons:

• Old Man Emu (OME) heavy-duty shocks and springs front and rear, with Dobinson stabilizer and panhard bar ($2,000 value)
• 35” BFGoodrich KO2 tires with very low miles ($1,200 value)
• Black steel wheels (OEM factory wheels also included)

Contact me for access to 2 comprehensive inspection reports I ran before I purchased the vehicle: the first is a Japanese VIN check that shows as much as can be found about the history of the vehicle while it was in Japan. The second is a LemonSquad vehicle pre-purchase inspection I had done before I bought the vehicle. Look at the pictures and you’ll see the inspector was very thorough and this is in excellent shape for an almost 30-year-old vehicle.

Why it’s special:

Let’s talk about price and rarity, since that’s what serious Land Cruiser owners actually care about.

You can find diesel 80s for less, but nearly all of those are early 1HDT models from 1990 to 1994. The 1HDFT, used only from 1995 to 1997, is the one enthusiasts hunt for because it has a 24-valve head, improved electronic controls, stronger internals, and a smoother, more reliable drive.

This 1997 HDJ81 is one of the few examples that also includes dual front airbags, a feature very few imported diesel 80s have, which makes it suitable for daily driving and family use.

What truly sets this one apart is its California registration. Anyone who has dealt with CARB knows that getting a 97 diesel HDJ81 titled in California is nearly impossible today. This truck is already through that process with a clean title in hand.

Importing a cheaper diesel from Japan might look like a shortcut, but once you add customs, duties, broker fees, and CARB costs, and then consider the uncertainty of California approval, the premium makes sense.

If someone can show another 1997 1HDFT with dual airbags, rust-free condition, and California registration for sale that compares, I’m open to seeing it. Until then, this is the needle in the haystack.

Asking Price: $59,500 OBO

IYKYK, so low ball offers will be ignored. No tire kickers, no trades, and I’m not here to help you figure out how to get a foreign vehicle registered. Serious inquiries only.