LJ71 / LJ78 Prado WARNING!!

[Jerry]

This is some info off another forum, the info is on the guys website http://www.luxuryimports.ca/index.php , I'm guessing the import situations listed here relate to NZ as well....

LJ71 / LJ78 Prado WARNING!!

The head issue concerning the 2LT/2LTE heads is a real concern for those that are considering purchasing a LJ71 or LJ78. Just in the last few months there have been a record number of units that have had head problems. DO NOT BE DECIEVED this is a serious and expensive concern. On average the cost to replace a head on the engine is $3000+ (plus a week minimum down time and any tow bills).

There are ways to circumvent the problem but even these are not cheap. If the dealer you are buying from does not inform you of this issue then our advice is to walk away.
Here is my take on the situation in Japan. When I first started importing the auctions seemed very strict when it came to grading the interiors and exteriors, a '4' was actually a '4' and a "B" was a "B" interior.

This seemed to be the case for about 3 years then I watched as the grading fell dramatically and the attitude at the auctions visibly changed for the worse. I started hearing complaints from the exporters that money wasn't being transferred in a timely manor.

Scam artists were surfacing in Canada. One such example of this is one importer here in Canada pulled a serious scam by using an ordered "low grade" HJ61 as an example of the "poor product" coming out of Japan. So he contacted a gent in Japan, who was desiring to expand his export business, but refused to pay for the HDJ81 till after it arrived in Canada so he could examine it in person. The agreement was it would be at this time it would be paid for in full. Once the truck arrived the Canadian didn't pay for the unit but said he would at time of sale to a customer. The truck is still not paid for but is advertised as a "high end unit". This truck has been in the works for nearly a year.

What is the problem with this situation? It affects all of us

The Japanese exporters talk amongst themselves. The good importers in Canada are respected and the shady ones are noted. If a Canadian importer buys a unit where the mileage is questionable (say the mileage is reading 55,000 km but it has been noted that the speedometer cluster was changed out at one time) and posts it up for sale with the mileage “confirmedâ€

[wjw]

Fortuantely mine was bought direct from Japan by someone with a history of importing good trucks, he's been to japan numerous times to make sure the quality stays high.

It's worth noting the pricing I'm seeing now is higher than it would be to purchase trucks here...