MuruCycles My first point is that you need to stand back and take stock of what you currently have. First up, you have a 105 LandCruiser, by that it is the last of the solid axles (and IMO, the last of the real LandCruisers). Everything after that has independent suspension. While being a bit more comfortabe, maybe tracking a little bit better, comes with a much more complicated suspension with more bits to maintain, (CV, CV boots, ball joints and the need for wheel alignment etc).
Now look at the humble HZ.. A nuts and bolts engine which gives years of faithful service, (you just said it has done 450000 Km, what better example do you need??).. So what is your alternative?? .. A V8 diesel, vast amount of additional associated electronics..A much more expensive maintenance schedule, (just ring a Toyota dealer and get a quote for an injector change.. (no rebuilding injectors), and while your at it, get a quote for replacing the starter motor, (that will be a surprise
)...
You say that you have made additions and altered your truck to suit your needs.. Do you want to start that exercise all over again??
So, basically, you currently have a truck that suits your needs, just a bit tired in the power department, as one would expect at 450K..
Not only look at the change over cost, but also included all the additional accessory costs as well as probably nothing would fit anyway... You can do a lot of rebuilding and modifications to suit for a hell of a lot less..
Alternatively, what else would you replace it with.. Nissan Patrol??. Unless Nissan goes with the Cummins engines, I don't believe that the marque will be around in it's present form for much longer.. And again, you are looking at common rail type of engines.. High tech, not user friendly, expensive maintenance..
So, in conclusion, IMO you have the best Toyota made, every thing after that has hairs attached to it in some way.. So, rebuild your tired HZ, ( they are relatively cheap to rebuild, (don't forget a new oil pump)), update the cooling system, fit a correct turbo system, don't over boost the engine and your good for another 450k.. The turbo with a good intercooler will make so much difference you'll think your driving a later model..
Or alternatively, look at the option of fitting the later factory turbo diesel engine.. I believe a drive in drive out figure is about $12k
Either way, if your near Brisbane, I can give you contact details for a workshop that will do the whole job, drive in drive out..
We had the same decision issues when we wanted to build a truck just to tow the camper, primarily out west.. The KISS principle tends to rule if your stuck a couple of hundred kilometers in the middle of no where.. In our case, instead of using our Jeep, we totally rebuilt an old Hilux for the job. Probably cost up to around $30k. Runs on nothing, and can be fixed with a twitch of fence wire, (so to speak
)..
Just my two bobs worth..
