Which Land Cruiser Should I Get??

[mmbirtcher]

Caveat(s)- turbo-Diesel (I'll import). Automatic. Late 80's, early 90's (for obvious reasons). To buy in next 12 months. Currently considering HDJ81, HZJ77, and LJ78. It will be a Daily driver and perhaps much longer trips eventually.

What's good and bad about each of them? Which is the best?? I do have a particular importer in mind, landcruisersdirect.com, but I'm open to advice.

Thanks

 

[redthies]

If it were me, I'd get the HZJ. I love the 70 series. Super robust, super simple and super cool. What more could you want??

The LJ will have the 4 cyl diesel which is known to have head gasket issues, which usually lead to a warped head. They are also more "light duty". It will however likely give the best fuel economy.

The HDJ will have the most common parts available locally, but there are so many people buying imports now that there are many avenues for used parts for JDM Land Cruisers.

I've never heard anything but good reports on a Land Cruisers Direct.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

LJ78 is a light duty Land Cruiser, HZJ77 is non-turbo, HDJ81 sound like the winner

 

[mmbirtcher]

Are there other reputable importers? Is it worth the effort to import independently?

Thanks for the advice, and as much as I like the look of the LJ78, I'm thinking the HDJ81 might be the way to go for me. Just have to find the right one at the right price. I saw one sold by LCD that had a factory winch, built-in-cooler(?), lift and lockers. It seems like the pricing isn't that high either when compared to US models with similar options and mileage.

I guess I should have said I wouldn't rule out a 60 series, but I think the 81 would still be better for me.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Land Cruisers Direct, best in the business

 

[mmbirtcher]

That's what I hear. And I live in St Louis and my Daughter is at MO State in Springfield, so no reason not to drop in!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

That's what I hear. And I live in St Louis and my Daughter is at MO State in Springfield, so no reason not to drop in!

Absolutely, go visit Steve and tell him we (Cruiser Outfitters) sent you. We work with them daily on build and repair parts for their fleet and we have a dozen or more of them out this way too. I've got a HJ61 and BJ74 that came via LCD, great guys!