Problem is, to get a S. American diesel model, I'd have to go to S. America, buy it, and drive it over the US-Mexico border at Tiajuana to have any hope of registering it (easier to do w/ Mexican plates...customs might look twice if I have Colombian plates and sagging rear springs! :-) ). It seems to me that if one imports a right-hand drive model that has a comparable brethren in the US (like a late series 80 turbo diesel 5 spd), it's easier to do the steering conversion doing the complete engine/tranny/driveline swap. Anyways, if I ever imported a cruiser, it has to be diesel (besides the obvious benefits) since in CA, diesel cars are smog test exempt. :-) This gets around the problem of meeting CA smog regs for gas engines (would need a USA ECU for that). Next (and most importantly), I have relatives in Japan who have some leverage with Toyota and can negotiate a nice price for me on a new JDM Toyota (that's the real motivation! :-) )

Here's a press release I found on it:
http://www.4x44u.com/pub/k2/am4x44u/truck_tech/4x_trucks/aro.htm

It is an ARO (a Romanian 4x4 that I am very familiar with since i grew up there driving these things), at least in terms of the body. Yes, it is an IFS.

http://homepages.nyu.edu/~am14/G4x4/4x4aro.html

I will look for the link to the factory in Romania. it is a tough car but not with the original engines, either petrol or diesel.

The previous version of a 4x4 was even better. I wish they never discontinued that one!

http://homepages.nyu.edu/~am14/G4x4/4x4ims.html

I have lots of pics somewhere and its entire history. i will look for it.

perosnal opinion: with this new engine it's a good buy for die hard 4x4 fans.

more ARO links:

the best one to understand the car's history is here:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/4582/aro.htm

then surveys here:

http://www.carsurvey.org/countrymodel_ARO_Romania_244.html

w.

yet one more site about ARO:

http://www.retromobil.ro/sectii/aro/aro.htm

Guys I just looked at the specs and its 355 nanometers of torque, not lb/ft. I don't know what that figures out to, but I my guess is less <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" />

Bad news about importing a LC 75/78...According to the NHTSA, vehicles made on Sept 1, 1993 or later must have both driver's side and passenger's side front air bags. Between 1989-93, just the driver's airbag is required. The LC 70 series doens't have airbags, even the 2002 model (at least in Japan), whereas the LC 100 comes w/ front airbags and optional side ones. So somehow, one would have to add airbag capabilities to have any hope of getting it approved for importation.

Kind of funny looking at the Japanese landcruiser website. They offer 3 models (100, 70, prado). You can tell by the website that the LC 70 series wasn't designed by marketing people. It's a purely engineered machine. The website even shows photos of the diff-lock switch, diagrams of the coil/leaf spring suspension w/ discussion, 1HZ engine, gear ratios, torque curves, etc. Nowhere is there mention of fluff like leather seats. :-)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by James Chow:
<strong>Bad news about importing a LC 75/78...According to the NHTSA, vehicles made on Sept 1, 1993 or later must have both driver's side and passenger's side front air bags. Between 1989-93, just the driver's airbag is required. The LC 70 series doens't have airbags, even the 2002 model (at least in Japan), whereas the LC 100 comes w/ front airbags and optional side ones. So somehow, one would have to add airbag capabilities to have any hope of getting it approved for importation.

Kind of funny looking at the Japanese landcruiser website. They offer 3 models (100, 70, prado). You can tell by the website that the LC 70 series wasn't designed by marketing people. It's a purely engineered machine. The website even shows photos of the diff-lock switch, diagrams of the coil/leaf spring suspension w/ discussion, 1HZ engine, gear ratios, torque curves, etc. Nowhere is there mention of fluff like leather seats. :-)</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I got a ton of info on my LC70 page as well, if anyone is interested:

Foreign Landcruiser 70 series page

<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by James Chow:
[qb]Bad news about importing a LC 75/78...According to the NHTSA, vehicles made on Sept 1, 1993 or later must have both driver's side and passenger's side front air bags. Between 1989-93, just the driver's airbag is required. The LC 70 series doens't have airbags, even the 2002 model (at least in Japan), whereas the LC 100 comes w/ front airbags and optional side ones. So somehow, one would have to add airbag capabilities to have any hope of getting it approved for importation.

Kind of funny looking at the Japanese landcruiser website. They offer 3 models (100, 70, prado). You can tell by the website that the LC 70 series wasn't designed by marketing people. It's a purely engineered machine. The website even shows photos of the diff-lock switch, diagrams of the coil/leaf spring suspension w/ discussion, 1HZ engine, gear ratios, torque curves, etc. Nowhere is there mention of fluff like leather seats. :-)</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Yep, the 70 series was a pure work and off road vehicle from the beginning. Designed to be a direct replacement of the 40 series, while retaining and improving upon all of the off road strengths of the 40 series. But, the 70 series is not without fluff. There were versions made to satify wimpier buyers. After all, it was the 70 series light duty that introduced coil springs all around.

I got a ton of info on my LC70 page as well, if anyone is interested:

Foreign Landcruiser 70 series page

<small>[ December 11, 2002, 02:15 AM: Message edited by: Brian894X4 ]</small>

Yeah, the 2-door short wheelbase version w/ fiberglass back top and roll cage would make FJ40 owner's drool. :-) Modern conveniences like power steering, A/C, 4-wheel disc brakes, diesel engine, factory lockers, and NO IFS.