Many visitors have asked me how and where they can buy one of the cars featured on my page. So I promised them I would put together a "How to get hold of a TLC 75" guide. This guide is only meant to give the reader an idea of the availability of the LWB J7 range.

As most readers have figured out, the chances of getting a brand new LC 75 are small,- non-existent to be precice. These days (August 2001) it's two years since the production of the 75 stopped. So the only LC 75 you'll ever get will be a second hand one. I'll come back to where and how.

So, if you want a shining new HeavyDuty LWB LC J7. you can go for the hardtop (the LC 78) or/and you can go for the pickup, the LC 79. But can you walk to any Toyota-dealership in the world and order one of these cars?? The answers is NO!
In most countries in the southern hemisphere, in Asia, in the middle-east and in several countries in Europe you can order it from a Toyota dealer, but no dealer (correct me if I'm wrong) that I've heard of in Canada or in the US will sell you a LC 78/79. I know that some mining companies in Canada have used some LC 75 pickups, but those where not used on public roads.
The only option I see for american and canadian die-hard fans of the J7 range is to privately import a car by themselves from abroad.

This way of getting a car that isn't available in your home country is normal procedure in several countries in Europe (Germany,Norway,Sweden,Switzerland + +). But if this can be done to the US or to Canada is way beyond my knowledge. And I believe even if it's easy to import a car by yourself into the US, cars like the LandCruisers with no airbags and with an engine that never heard of emission regulations, would have trouble facing the safety- and emission regulations of today.
Yes, we have regulations in Europe too (even if we are allowed to drive new cars without airbags), but for example in Germany the LC78/79 is, until January 1. 2002 because of its weight, facing other emission regulations than normal cars and light soft-roaders. After January 1. 2002 also these heavy weights have to fulfill the Euro2 class :-(
Probably a 1FZ (petrol) engined TLC J78/79 is more enviromental than the 1HZ (diesel), but for expedition use most people agree that there isn't any option to diesel. And even with the 1FZ you could have trouble facing safety regualtions. Not to mention its petrol consumption (that's mileage to the yanks ;-) And that's also the reason why a petrol engined LC 75/78/79 is about the rarest car in Europe.

I've already mentioned the regulations a new LC is facing. What sort of regulations a second hand car is facing in YOUR country, I don't know. Check it out, because that might be your only chance to get a heavy duty LC.
Another option, but you should check if it's legal, is to drive a LC that is registered in a country abroad. Insurance could turn out to be very expensive and the insurance company could even refuse to insure your car. But it's worth a check if you really want a LC J7.

Okay, so it's possible to import a second hand LC to YOUR country. But where to import it from?
Check if some neighbouring countries are selling the LC 78/79, because that would indicate that it's possible to find second hand vehicles. Even a LC 75 should be possible to find in that case. If your neighbour don't sell the car of your dreams, you have to look in more distant countries. Then you would have to solve the shipping problem as well. On the own four wheels, by air,rail or by sea?
As you imagine, importing a car isn't a walk in the park. Just to find a good vehicle isn't easy, even in countries like Australia. You could very easily spend a fortune looking for a car abroad without finding anything that is just even close to good. You'll have to figure out by yourself if you're up to it!

GOOD LUCK!!