This is my “new” JDM Toyota Land Cruiser

I wanted a 2nd motor vehicle. I knew what I essential functionally but was not absolutely sure what I wished. Essentially, I preferred my Bronco, but my spouse wouldn’t relinquish it. So I started off searching for a thing else. I looked at so a lot of cars and trucks that I began to detest looking at autos. In the long run, I acquired anything I didn’t search for or count on to get.

On the lookout for… anything

Ideally, I’d have my Bronco but shopping for a further Bronco wouldn’t be wise it is expensive, and get moments are lengthy. But considering the fact that I like ragtop 4x4s, I seemed into Wranglers, which are similarly pricey. And it would be silly to have two functionally identical vehicles. Then I concluded that a pickup would be a good match for the Bronco. The Jeep Gladiator in shape that invoice and was a ragtop, but all those are equally pricey. I genuinely like the Ford Maverick, but people call for a distinctive get and a yearlong wait around.  

Seeking for… some thing aged

Owning no real selection or other wish for new automobiles, I turned to employed automobiles. I kept imagining about what cars I truly needed to individual around the many years. I concluded that I always needed a Assortment Rover. I commenced wanting close to and even put a number of bids on BaT and CarsAndBids. I researched them extra and then came to the noticeable summary that a employed Variety Rover is a awful, no very good, negative idea. And then it hit me… WK2 Grand Cherokee.

I reviewed the ’14-’20 Grand Cherokee on these internet pages right here a couple of times. I always loved them. They have been roomy, they drove great, and even the V6 models had been potent enough. Even more, upper trims are downright high-class. I always deemed them Variety Rovers for fifty percent the revenue (your opinion may fluctuate). And I found an great just one a 2015 Overland design, just one OCD owner/driver, garage retained, meticulously maintained. I place a deposit on it and was delighted as a clam.

Every little thing is a challenge

The situation was that the vendor was waiting for his new GMC Sierra Denali to get there. The arrival of that truck kept having postponed by his supplier due to production and element provide difficulties at Normal Motors. I was eager to wait around a minimal bit, but at some place, I basically necessary the car or truck. We agreed that I’d glimpse for another car or truck, and if I uncovered one thing he’d just refund my deposit. So off to Fb Market, Craig’sList, Cargurus, and other web-sites I went.

I was really obtaining fatigued of wanting when I identified this odd JDM Land Cruiser. It instantly lifted quite a few crimson flags, but I made a decision to inquire further. Turns out that it was imported by the seller for the goal of resale in the United States. But the seller was not an formal importer or a dealer. Alternatively, it was just an individual executing this on the aspect. It, as a result, was previously federalized and titled in the condition of Massachusetts.

Searching and Inspecting

I grabbed a pal, Tony Sestito of BangShift, and we went to glance at it. This is what we saw upon our inspection:

• Properly-optioned model: electric power sunroof, keyless entry, ability-folding mirrors, JDM radio with JDM navigation method, Television set tuner, cassette and CD players.
• Unquestionably rust-absolutely free chassis. The frame, the flooring, the skid plates, the axles – it looked brand new.
• Paint harm from the sunlight. It appeared like this Land Cruiser put in its lifetime in a warmer climate, outdoors. In lieu of the absence of rust, there was un-faded paint on the roof and the hood.
• No leaks. None. The motor looked quite thoroughly clean. The transmission, transfer scenario, and axles all had been dry. All fluids have been clean and at suitable concentrations. All rubber factors looked quite great. Tie-rods, bushings, and manage arms all appeared in fantastic problem.
• No incident damages. All physique panels appeared authentic and properly aligned, apart from for molding on the rear left door, which appeared to have arrive from an additional car or truck. Not a solitary dent, and nothing broken.
• The Inside was quite clean, but the at the time vibrant material was marginally pale. Almost everything labored, together with AC. All lights, inside, exterior, and sprint labored.

Tony and I appeared at every single other with that silent “bro, this appears to be truly good” search. We kept looking, taking individual turns, making compact talk with the seller. We resolved to go for a trip.

The Check Push

Modifying to driving with the steering wheel on the right-hand side wasn’t considerably of an difficulty for me. I was focused on the car’s mechanicals: appears, vibrations, and dynamics. A fast spin unveiled worn manufacturing facility shocks and not considerably else. The ability seemed fantastic, no dash lights, the transmission shifted effortlessly, and the brakes appeared great, far too.

When the travel was in excess of, I started out thinking, which is in no way excellent. On one particular hand, it is a 26-12 months-previous truck. On the other hand, it is a 26-yr-aged Toyota truck that’s been perfectly-maintained. On the other hand, it is a neat, obscure JDM RHD Land Cruiser. On the other hand, it’s a mixed bag of 3rd-technology 4Runner and 80-sequence Land Cruiser parts. On a person hand, this is really stupid. On the other hand, it is definitely awesome.  

In the end…

I built a spontaneous final decision. I built a honest give. Seller acknowledged. I remaining a deposit. To make a long story brief:

• I bought it.
• I insured and registered it. (Coverage was a little bit tough thanks to strange VIN)
• I drove it every day for two months.
• Nothing at all undesirable occurred.
• It essentially turned out much better than I predicted
• I created a lot of mods – extra on that afterwards.