AWD Chevy Astro v. Toyota Hiace
- Thread starter sisyphus949
- Start date
Fishenough
Creeper
I understood you have an different stateside. These pics from 2002, multiple JDM's were common in my driveway. Some parts were off the shelf... Some were mailed in from Australia, arriving cheaper and faster than not in stock parts from a local shop. My favourite story is waiting for glow plugs for my 60 LC, being stuck on a Baja beach for an extra week, with kids. And we had a blast.
The Toyota 1KZ is a popular engine in Asia, though I'm a fan of the 1KD. But when I lived in Thailand one would see many a Hiace with some basic mods driving the opposite of slow!
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Fishenough
Creeper
sisyphus949
Member
@Fishenough: So I was going to go with the Astro. Unfortunately, there were some discrepancies in the add and the reality of the car I went and checked out. It was really hard to walk away. For what I was looking for and the price I was going to pay (a pristine astro cargo), it did not fit the bill in person as there was some door alignment problems; I wasn't willing to take on that project.
Super unfortunate as it looked like some of the doors had been opened too far. Maybe I'll go back to the Hiace, now.
But I did find this VW T4 (but its front wheel drive) the other day for not much more:
Super unfortunate as it looked like some of the doors had been opened too far. Maybe I'll go back to the Hiace, now.
But I did find this VW T4 (but its front wheel drive) the other day for not much more:
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Fenderfour
Active member
Is that an Astro? Whatever it is, it's a good looking ride.
Fishenough
Creeper
Kinda hoping you end up with a Toyota. Resale is on another level with the JDM.
Bid this past Thursday auction on an older than normal Toyota 4x4 for our student renter. Mistakenly bid too low, missed it by less than $1200 cdn. Sold for 740,000 yen.
Bid this past Thursday auction on an older than normal Toyota 4x4 for our student renter. Mistakenly bid too low, missed it by less than $1200 cdn. Sold for 740,000 yen.
casioqv
Dr. Diesel
That is a cool looking T4. I've heard of people buying the parts form Europe and converting these to AWD.
sisyphus949
Member
@Fishenough: Darn, that is a bummer. That thing looks killer. Jeez thats like $5.5k USD, no wonder these dealers are making loads on them.
Yeah, me too. It looks like I have the opportunity to move to Jackson Hole. Over passes, those might be little slow going without the turbo lol. I am still holding out for the one by me. Buyer has lowered add price my 2k since I last talked to him. Doesn't sound like he's gettin hits with the current market. If I can get it for a good price I'll buy it -- I'd be interested in the one by me for $14-15k (which seems to be roughly the going rate here for a CA licensed one). Considering I am in California I will not be importing one due to the complexities in licensing them here. I do not have the spare cash or time to risk it not being able to be licensed here.
@casioqv: Oooo, that makes it even more intriguing. With the V6 I suspect it will have more get-up than the Hiace. I am going to check out the T4 soon. In terms of my needs, snow is really what I am worried about, serious overloading less-so. I suspect front wheel might be fine.
Yeah, me too. It looks like I have the opportunity to move to Jackson Hole. Over passes, those might be little slow going without the turbo lol. I am still holding out for the one by me. Buyer has lowered add price my 2k since I last talked to him. Doesn't sound like he's gettin hits with the current market. If I can get it for a good price I'll buy it -- I'd be interested in the one by me for $14-15k (which seems to be roughly the going rate here for a CA licensed one). Considering I am in California I will not be importing one due to the complexities in licensing them here. I do not have the spare cash or time to risk it not being able to be licensed here.
@casioqv: Oooo, that makes it even more intriguing. With the V6 I suspect it will have more get-up than the Hiace. I am going to check out the T4 soon. In terms of my needs, snow is really what I am worried about, serious overloading less-so. I suspect front wheel might be fine.
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Fishenough
Creeper
I understand, I bought a motorcycle from north Dakota 12 years ago; such a complicated process and so demanding; far easier, in comparison, to import from Japan.
Happy shopping!
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casioqv
Dr. Diesel
Depending on the year, it might have, or be possible to retrofit VWs EDL traction control system, which works awesome. Retrofit is usually just swapping the ABS pump. VW FWD with EDL and a set of Spikes Spider traction aids will do awesome in the snow.
sisyphus949
Member
casioqv
Dr. Diesel
There is a market of importers that will source and ship Europe only parts to the USA. I have done it, to convert a VW Golf to a 6 speed manual, and it was cheaper than I expected. If you are interested, I would try to find someone online that has done it to figure out what parts are needed. Frans on TDIClub, is the person I have had source and ship VW parts to me from Europe. Note, if your budget allows, the 1980s VW Vanagon was also sold here in a 4x4 Syncro model, but they are rare and command a massive sale price in the USA - we're talking 40 grand plus for what is still an 80s minivan. There's a wrecked donor van on SF Bay Craigslist right now that has the Syncro 4x4 system: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/pts/d/fremont-vw-vanagon-syncro-1987/7599023282.html
sisyphus949
Member
@casioqv :: Thanks, I'll message that guy on the TDI forum. Yeah, those Syncros are awesome but at 40-50k it is way out of my budget. Not to mention the T4 is only like 17k and could probably bargain for less. Not to mention I don't know how to drive manual and am not looking to start (chastise me).