new HJZ76 - comments anyone?
 

I am considering a new HJZ76, the kind sold in the UAE, for desert trips. Still to find a good review of it. They are non EURO-4 compliant and thus cannot be legally sold in Europe. A couple of outfitters convert them and sell in Europe, but the end cost is ridiculous.

Are they genuinely Japan-made and not sub-standard quality? Is there rust protection at all (for those periods between the trips I would have to keep in the snowy and rainy North? How much would have to be changed/upgraded before the vehicle could be used in the Sahara?

I also heard from someone that the steel parts of the body are significantly thinner than on the 60 and 80 series vehicles, 'like a tin can'. Is that true?

In Dubai a new 76 five-door diesel with a 4.2 engine (or a 79 pick-up technical) is under 20 thousand euros. Anyone has any experience in buying there and driving straight out to Saudi or anywhere else in the region? What are the customs formalities like? Any recent personal experience appreciated. Are they sold in any other countries in North Africa/Arab world at comparable prices?

Peter

They're also available in south africa. Maybe have a look at the southern africa landcruiser club to get some opinions, although plenty of people there aren't happy that toyota won't let them have the new v8.

Euro Compliant
 

I am in the same boat as you.

I the past I have driven two gulf spec vehicles from Dubai to UK(Pajaero and Colt) and got them both registered in the UK with just minor adaptions to headlights etc.

I would be very interested in the new HJZ76 gulf spec but simply cannot get definitive info on whether I could register it in Europe if I owned it and drove it back from Gulf to UK.

Like the OP says, you can make the 1HZ engine euro 4 compliant.

Apart from that you might need to add a fog light, change the speedo to mph, but I don't see why you can't register in the UK.

Footloose 4x4 have been mentioned on here before as good contacts for importing troopies into the UK with the same 1HZ 4.2 diesel, so maybe worth talking with them about paperwork.

There's a couple of people on the Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club forums who have imported through Footloose, so you could have a look there too.

Hi

For the HZJ 76 you don´t need to go so far. You can find then at Toyota Gibraltar. You can by one from Africa or any ONG. This year I bought one HZJ 80 (that´s right, HZ and 80) and the engine is very nice. You don´t need any turbo at all!

http://ecom.toyota-gib.com/images/Database/938.jpg

http://ecom.toyota-gib.com/images/Database/938.jpg

http://ecom.toyota-gib.com/images/Database/1347.jpg

http://ecom.toyota-gib.com/images/Database/941.jpg

Rui
Portugal

P.S. See this beautiful photogallery:

Product Variant

New Land Cruiser HZJ76
 

Hi all,

You can get a new Euro 4 compliant HZJ76 series through Footloose 4x4 in the UK. The cars are taxed and fully road legal with rear fog-light, mph speedometer, etc

These are new vehicles built in Japan. The quality is the usual high standard you would expect of Toyota but bear in mind that these vehicles are built for Africa so rust-proofing is minimal. For use in Russia, you'd need to thoroughly treat the chassis as well as all behind all the panels, doors, cavities etc on the body work.

Happy trails,

Jojo

76 series
 

Hi Peter,
I've just bought one independently - you are welcome to call and discuss.
Regards,
Barrie 01932 865768