Buying a Toyota Hilux

What does it look like buying a Hilux in the States? Any previous owners care to share their experience buying and maintaining a Hilux?

 

One for sale in Seattle, low miles
https://www.jdmcarandmotorcycle.com/details/used-1992-toyota-hilux-pick-up-truck/87330852

 

I'd have had something like that in a heartbeat when I bought my '90 SR5 in '91, had Toyota offered doublecab HiLuxes here, at the time.

 

It would be equivalent to marrying a British person in U.S. good luck with that!

 

Hi Geotachnical,
I just bought a '94 Hilux diesel (LN107) earlier this year from a JDM import guy here in the Northwest. It was super easy. He had already done the import, so it was essentially the same as buying a regular used car from a dealer. No hassle with the state or feds or anything. FYI I also have a '93 pickup with the 3VZE, extended cab, 4x4. It's been really interesting to compare the two side by side.
As far as maintaining it, it's a very low kilometer example: just turned 60k. (36k miles) so it's like a new truck in many ways. The interior is like new...even the floormats were pristine. Having said that, there have been issues...none of which are unexpected on a car this old. The front axle boots split. Grease f^%$ing everywhere. I replaced with remans from CVJ axle in Denver. New shocks of course. The steering stabilizer was shot/leaking. Direct OEM replacement from the US version. Upper n Lower ball joints, plus tie-rod ends...all were probably fine, but since I was in there anyway for the axles, what the heck. Again, replaced with OEM US spec parts. I did the timing belt...undoubtedly the original. New belts. The air intake in front of the air filter (behind the left headlight) was vibrating like crazy...really loud. Had to anchor that down. Brakes: the front disks were massively pitted, and the calipers partly seized. I guess just from sitting around for 30 years with little regular driving. Anyhow, I did go for aftermarket rotors and calipers from a Hilux specialist in London. Believe it or not, about the same cost to buy 2 rotors and 2 calipers, shipped from London to Seattle, as for ONE OEM caliper. So far no issues at all. Anyhow, it's been fun. Learning to drive on the wrong side, with the 5-speed, has been interesting!
Happy to answer more questions anytime.

 

@CricksHiLux How difficult is it to get genuine Japanese parts? You seem to be very resourceful, but does it take weeks to source replacements?
I might move to Japan this summer and was looking to buy a Hilux as my daily driver and bring it back whenever I return to the states.

 

Good morning! Thanks for reaching out. This is an excellent question, and the short answer is I don't know...yet. I haven't had it long enough for a real test. The good news is that a lot of it is identical to the US version. I have a US-spec '93 Extracab, 4x4 with the 3VZE engine (260k miles and going strong I may say). As best I can tell, pretty much everything but the motor itself (and I assume the transmission too) is the same! I get OEM parts usually from Olathe Toyota (in KS), which seems to have a good inventory and somewhat better pricing. I just replaced the front axles (boots were split): I got re-manufactured OEM axles from CVJ in Denver and OEM upper and lower ball-joints and tie-rod ends from Olathe. (new shocks from Bilstein). I got a new OEM steering damper from Olathe. OEM brakes and rotors are available but they are so $$ I cheaped out and got aftermarket. I am sure that the wheel bearings are the same, so OEM or high-quality aftermarket kits are available.
I found a place in London that specializes in these trucks. They are all aftermarket, but they have quite a few things like belt sets, filters, after-market brakes. Incredibly inexpensive. I think in another post I mentioned the complete brake set (rotors/pads/calipers) including the cost of shipping from London to Seattle was about the same as one OEM caliper from Olathe. The place is KS International. www.ks-international.com
But when it comes to major engine/transmission parts...which is hopefully a long ways away...I am not sure yet. KS has some stuff but would be nice to have OEM quality for key parts. I am concerned about the mechanical fuel pump, which is quite complex and seems like something that may be hard to find parts for. I am concerned about the power-steering pump, which is different than the US model. It's fine now, but eventually...
Anyhow. My feeling is that there were LOTS of these trucks and engines made, so somewhere out there, there are going to be parts. May have to plan ahead and do more research, (and pay some freight...) but that's part of the "fun" right?
-CG

 

Apparently not (see below). Perhaps you should have experience or data on your side before chiming in.

 

I got this 2022 2.4GD6 Hilux Raider. Not in the States though. Turbo diesel. 6 on the stick. Nudge bar in the front. Roll bar. Tow hitch. Tonneau cover. Nice entertainment system with USB, bluetooth and all the good stuff.. payload of 2200lb. Locking rear differential. Great AC( i am in the tropics). 35 to 40 mpg. Brand new when i bought it in 2022 for $28500. As good as it gets.

 

That’s a 4 banger?

 

Steves104x4 Yes that is a 4 banger with a turbo. At 110KW its got more than enough power.

 

God, I love that thing.

 

@batacoma

 

Had no idea exactly where to put this but this seems to be the closest place

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-toyota-pickup-13/

 

Nice find! That is one to put in the dream collection.