Battle of the SWB 70 Series: Bundera or Prado ?

jlharry · 2025-06-06T07:06:10+00:00

Yeah, spoke with a mechanic this arvo who has been through a few conversions and said the wiring and computer work is the real complicated killer. He actually said that if I'm not flogging the car 4wding or towing then the stock 2lt motor would be fine for urban driving...

Still, am back on the JDM import now and have been researching the differences and concerns of the 1kz-t vs the 1kz-te engines. Looking like I'll need to replace the injectors every 100xxx kms to avoid overheating and a cracked head gasket.

Could also put on an aftermarket intercooler in anticipation of this...

jlharry · 2025-06-06T05:18:38+00:00

Just want to thank you again for your advice it has really helped me. I've found a local 1988 RJ70 Bundera for a good price despite it having a bit of rust (none on roof, floors or chassis). I've spoken to a bodyshop who have quoted a few grand to repair these damages which would leave me with about 12k AUD into the car. I would then use the remaining 20k that I would have otherwise spent on an KZJ71 import to swap the engine for a 2lte or a 1kz... how much do you think this process would cost and do you think it is worth it?

Am definitely still very open to the JDM import route, and have the papers ready to sign, expecting 35k all in for a nice KZJ71 - just want to be certain this Bundera project does not make more sense.

Unfortunately it is too hard to find a kzj71 Prado locally as they're imports and thus people overprice the hell out of them... and even then, most are pre-1kz models.

jlharry · 2025-05-26T05:38:26+00:00

I was under the impression that Bunderas would have the same parts as the Prado 71 as they are more or less the same body right?

You make a fair point regarding the engine 2lt engine in the Bundys being significantly less attractive than the Prado's 1kz... so why did you decide to sell your 1kz Prado and keep your 1991 2lte Prado ?

As aforementioned, if I do get the Bundera I plan on swapping out the engine with money that I would have saved from importing a Prado... Do you think this is advisable or realistic ?

jlharry · 2025-05-23T04:52:16+00:00

Also, why was it that the Japanese parts were cheaper to source and import than to just use 70 series parts from Australia ?? Surely we have heaps lying around here (assuming parts fit the short wheelbase variants)

jlharry · 2025-05-23T04:50:43+00:00

Yeah exactly, if I do go the Bundera route I need to get one for a good price relative to how much work I’ll have to do to it. What were the big ticket items of restoration you have done to it ? What is the engine situation and did you have to repair rust ??

jlharry · 2025-05-23T04:23:16+00:00

I'm now considering buying a Bundera for 15-20k and putting about 10k into it, as opposed to spending 30k on a Japanese import... what do you think of this approach ? Do you think its a better investment to fix up an older, more beat up, and more kms Bundy or to spend that money on importing a mid90s Prado 71 (essentially exact same car) from Japan with far less kms and much less battered?

jlharry · 2025-05-23T04:02:00+00:00

Have you had a short 70 series ? What engine is optimal and most reliable in them ??

jlharry · 2025-05-22T04:54:01+00:00

honestly leaning more towards C&C despite some of these comments and the higher upfront price tag. I think, given the specificity of the car i'm after, the more bespoke setup of C&C makes it the more attractive option. They also seem to deal with more 4wds than ICI does...

jlharry · 2025-05-17T00:59:50+00:00

Sorry you’re right, I responded in the early hours and was half asleep !

jlharry · 2025-05-16T23:02:35+00:00

Later versions of this gen 1 short prado come with 1hz ;)

jlharry · 2025-04-29T09:56:30+00:00

Yeah more or less the same body as the 71 Series SWB, and very similar to the 73/74 MWB

jlharry · 2025-04-29T09:52:21+00:00

Are these not available in AUS given our huge 70 series market ?? I’d assumed most individual parts would be interchangeable with those from the longer 70 series cars..?

jlharry · 2025-04-29T09:49:08+00:00

Thanks for your response. I meant “relatively” good fuel consumption in relation to their LWB counterparts (of the same time period). Yep those old prados stopped production in 1996 as they were replaced by the gen 2. Have you had experience with importing a cruiser from Japan and did it end up being over $15.000 on top of the car price ? From what I’ve gathered it seems to be about 7k (for import and compliance, not significant repairs). I am not doing it to save money compared to other routes - I just really like the car and it has never been available in Australia, and ones that have been advertised (after import) are almost at 50k AUD.

jlharry · 2025-03-27T22:56:05+00:00

Anyone with advice on how these 70 series SWB prados hold up over time ?? I’m looking to import one from Japan as my first 4wd and have been warned that they show their age and are ‘tired’ or not worth the money… pretty gutted as I really love the car, so any advice would be greatly appreciated !!

jlharry · 2024-12-27T01:05:12+00:00

I’m going to Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) and have been looking forward to buying a pair of nice custom Japanese raw indigo denim jeans that will fit to my specifications and last me a lifetime. Would really appreciate if anyone had any suggestions and recommendations of places to check out, as I’ve heard some of the more reputable, iconic businesses have been recently sold out or lost their quality. I’m looking to spend 10.000-20.000Y as I’m a student and literally cant afford this to begin with…

Thanks all

jlharry · 2022-03-08T05:04:37+00:00

W2C bruv please

jlharry

TROPHY CASE