Diesel Land Cruiser 80 - 24 Valve HDT-FT on US Shores! in 4K 

Its a great engine. Such a pleasure to drive!

Ahhh, manual... thats the only thing missing on mine! Just got a Defender 90, RHD stick, so will get the shifts out of my system on that one.

Do you know difference between HDJ80 amd HDJ81?

@@CruisingTheLand 81 is JDM all the rest are 80 if I am correct..

Coming up soon!

G'Day John! I have had many 100s.. great rig! I actually bought some Sahara Stickers from a company in Australia... Was going to put them on the HJ61.. Now I am thinking to put on the Diesel 80. Trying to find pics where it exactly goes on the rear quarter panel... What makes it a Sahara? Was that an Aussie thing or Japan thing?

Yes, I know... a little J about that. May have to get a place in Whistler so I can get the 2014 anniversary 70 series.. in 2029 vs 2039

Which do you like better? Petrol or diesel?

@@CruisingTheLand the diesel for sure. As you mention when comparing the petrol to a diesel, yes the petrol has more hp but the diesel has great torque. Watching your videos I had a triple lock air system installed and now I see something in the path, I honk once and then climb over it lolzzz

Yes, you guys are lucky. How many total 80s did Australia get? Do you know? Has Australia started importing and JDM diesel 80s? In the US, we have to wait 25 years, so we just started importing the HDT-FT models. Until now, we could only dream amd watch videos from down under! Also here, a clean FZJ80 goes for same or more than a diesel... Americans just don't know yet... Just a few of us do.

@@CruisingTheLand I don't know exactly how many LC80s where sold in Australia, but I believe at the time, Australia was the biggest market outside Japan for the Land Cruiser. Now we're at 2nd spot, with the Middle-East buying more Land Cruisers than Australia. There are Aussie companies that import JDM Land Cruisers here too, even though our models came with the same 6cyl petrol & diesel engines offered in Japan . But generally imported JDM models have far less kms travelled than local Land Cruisers of the same age. Many JDM LC80s imported into Australia are generally all under 200k kms. Where as the local LC80s are mostly over 300-400k kms by now. Our vehicle import laws allows a vehicle to be imported into Australia in limited numbers if it's no longer sold (or have never been sold) by the manufacturer locally. But if its less than 30 years old, the vehicle must be in RHD. For instance I can import a 2021 Toyota Tundra into Australia as it is not sold here, but I have to convert it into RHD if I want to drive it on public roads. As for the biggest differences in Australian spec LC80s vs JDM models (both are made in Japan) are: 1) Aussie versions came with factory dual fuel tanks (95L + 50L). The engine only draws fuel from the main tank, but with a flick of a switch, you can transfer fuel from the auxillary tank into the main tank. 2) Other then the base model GX, all our models came with the sliding windows at the wagon area, and 3rd row fold down seats. The GX also came with barn doors, the rest came with the traditional split tailgate design (The GX was aimed at law enforcement, 1st responders and mine use). 3) The spare wheel was fitted under the car. We didn't get the optional OEM rear mounted tyre carrier that you see on some JDM models (which I think is very cool and would love to get a kit for my LC80 - Toyota has long stopped making them). 4) We got two headlight designs - the quad design, and the one-piece design for the top spec model (VX & Sahara) 5) All models came with central locking diff, but triple lockers only came in small numbers with special edition models 6) As an Australian Design Rule requirement, our models came with the front 3/4 blinker (just like you got), and the narrow rectangular lights under the headlights are coloured orange and are the front blinkers. I'm sure there are further suble difference, but these are the major ones I can think of.

Thank! That was informative! We have all split window rear side windows (sliders) in the US. I notuce JDM is solid and with the curtain bar. All US LC80s had the tinted rear windows (mirror reflective, not just smoke tint) I like the fact that my JDM is all clear. I will do a comparison side by side soon. So I know this much: Landcruisers are all built in Japan, to the highest automotive discipline. They built a total 547,800 Landcruisers. Japan kept 1 out of 5 (20% or 107,000) which most were diesel. Then the US got 75,000 and also 14,000 LX450s So a total of 89,000 Canada got only LXs and likely 1000 or so... So I imagine Australia got the most LCs... maybe 125k? Then the remaining would be split up in numerous markets (Venezuela, Middle East,, Europe etc...) I think the Diesels from Japan, which like you say are lower miles/kms will be gobbled up quickly, between US and Australia. There's only so many! The price will be dictated by our local markets, with supppy amd demand. The pandemic got alot of Americans doing 'Staycations' and what better way than explore the outdoors. So Overlanding has grown substantially here. It has now become commin to see mostly Jeeps, rolling around with Jerry cans, Hi lift Jacks and recovery boards draped on the outside. Thr community is growing, maybe one day catching up with you guys! I just went to a Toyota 4x4 event/ get together last night near DisneyLand in CA. Just posted that video...

I think I will just enjoy these for now... but... if a 5 speed manual comes up?

@@CruisingTheLand I'm working to convert mine and my 1FZ over to a 1HD as well.

There is one tonight in Anahiem. OCYota nights. (Jan 8th) I will be there with OTIS (Built FZJ80) and with ActuinTrax recovery boards. If you miss it, I will be posting a video.

Actually the 1996-1998 model years did have Black, for the FZJ80s. I am not sure for the JDM HDJ81s... Obviously a original paint Cruiser that is in excellent condition should.fetch top dollar. Also a repainted vehicle could be a 6000k professional job, or a $500 Maaco job, so not all repaints are equal. Mine for instance was done in Japan and the quality is top tier. But I also paid top dollar for mine... Before I bought mine, I was looking at a 2 tone 1992 HDJ81, and the paint was bad... so even at 16k for that one, it was priced lower because the paint was faded and beyond a simple detail job... Would have requires thousands to repaint. Which brings me to white... the best color since it's 1 stage, and not clear over a color... So it can be compounded back to its original state!

@@CruisingTheLand thank you for the prompt reply. Much appreciated

Nice! You in Socal? I occasionally fo to C&C in San Clam.

@@CruisingTheLand yes I'm from burbank area for sure will keep in touch good job 👍🏻👍🏻

How much did it cost to get that imported?

Shipping fees seem to be about 4-5k these days.

@@CruisingTheLand wow. I know a few dealers that have already gone through all that dirty work to import so I’ll probably buy from one of those. How are you liking the Cruiser?

I was there last Sat... Next week I may go with the FZJ80 (the one with the gaudy wheels) or the HD61 Diesel. Do you have a 80?

@@CruisingTheLand I had a FZJ80 in white triple locked. Sold it. Worst mistake I’ve made in my car buying/selling experiences. Looking into a Pajero SWB 5 speed manual right now to fill the void but your new HDJ is really quite something. Would love to see it in person.

It's like driving in front of a mirror.

Much more powerful. also 24 valve and turbo

Yes. California doesn't want these. I was lucky that one of my diesels was already registered, so simple transfer. But when you bring a new Diesel LC, DMV sends you to CHP, for visual (not same a Vin Verification that they do at the DMV) and then CHP will send you to CARB. Then CARB will tell you that it will cost 15k to convert the exhaust system to be CA compliant. But in AZ... $9 emissions cost and $25 registration. Just need a property there.

@@CruisingTheLand in other words, you did NOT register in CA unless you make 15K in compliant engine, Arizona free to go.

I have a 97' and 95' that are 3x, ome is Elockers, the other is ARB. The Diesel is only Center locker, but I would wheel it, I have other options (FJ40 on 40s with 80 axle rear and 60 front) and the 80s... so this one is weekender and anytime I need to load cargo. I too would like a manual...

@@CruisingTheLand driving a manual diesel is unreal.. I just sold one of my "keepers" super clean Fj62 to fund a 05 5.9 cummins 6 speed..Wanted a truck to put a cabover on thr bed.. Driving that thing is like driving a tractor... Your not going anywhere anytime soon, but my goodness is it a torque monster...

@@LANDCRUISERLIFE nice. I got this diesel bc my 17yr will be daily driving my HJ61 12HT. Thats a fun ine, and she loves it. She picked iit over a LX570.. Also have a HZJ73 with the 1HZ 4.2... both Auto though..

@@CruisingTheLand Smart gal! Cruise on...

The manuals have a shorter final drive, and though there are early HDJ81's with the 5spd, they are very very rare with the FT engine. You also don't really want the part time 4WD, it won't save fuel like it does on most vehicles. No point. 1HD drivetrain parts arent too bad. Big source in the UAE, as well as Japan, UK, Australia. Worst thing with JDM vehicles is large RHD stuff like the dash.

Yes, installed in Japan. 3"

Yes 100% CA doesn't want these JDM grey market Vins

Make friends with a foreign diginitary, and put the car in their name and register in California. Or just keep it in your name and register in any other state other than California

@@CruisingTheLand Thanks im gonna just register it in montana then pretty excited

smart move

low 20s

Good question. Locally I have options of Diesel and 20% biodiesel, and chose Diesel. Just prefer to use what the engine was made for, bio diesel burns differently and I have heard to many instances of motors having issues. Prefer to keep it OG.

cruisingtheland at gmail

yes

Where is it located. Is it still for sale .

It wasnt for sale. I have a FZJ80 for sale, in Southern California

the 80 series Land Cruisers are going up in value, vs a new 4runner may hold but will ultimately drop for the next decade... Besides a diesel LC will get you 2x the MPGs, and the 80 is the last of the full floating axles, so much better for rock crawling.

The 80, I meant... never came in black... the 100 and 200 did... but not 40s 60s and 80s.

@@CruisingTheLand my 1997 Collector's Edition is black. My friend's 1996 was black. 😳

Oh, yes.. you are right! They did black 450s (96,97) but in the US.. no black LCs.

Lol, im sure they came in black from the factory. And i had my 95 24v since last year.

Ok.. so 2006 and 2007 Black was available in the LC80 and the LX450 for 96/97 it was Black Onyx. This is for US Spec.