Importing an L400

[BushRatt]

Hi. I am fairly new to the forum. I have owned a L300 for some time and am considering importing a L400. I would like to know if anyone has an opinion on the electronic climate control. I was told by a local mechanic that they are prone to failure. After searching the technical forum I can find only a few threads on this subject and most seem be about problems with the air conditioning.
Any thoughts?

Thanks. BushRatt.

[Big-Bird]

Most of the recent issues were related to burned out wires, damaged connectors, relay failures, fried blower motor resistor pack, fuses, blower motor failure and heater core leaks.

I can only recall one failed dash controller that was in a full load L400. For the guys that thought their controllers were blown actually turned out to be something else from the list above.

[BushRatt]

Most of the recent issues were related to burned out wires, damaged connectors, relay failures, fried blower motor resistor pack, fuses, blower motor failure and heater core leaks.

I can only recall one failed dash controller that was in a full load L400. For the guys that thought their controllers were blown actually turned out to be something else from the list above.

Ok ...whew that makes it easier. At least half of them have the electronic control. Thanks very much for your help. Uhh I see quite a few models out there...Any particular one you would recommend? I will use it off road but nothing serious( I hope) and I live on Vancouver island so it does not get extremely cold.

BushRatt

[Feds]

I would avoid the Royal Exceed. Since you have to upgrade the radio anyway, you're better off to start with one that has the double din space. To do my royal was a lot of wiring and brackets, and a new centre console trim. Added expense for no reason.

Admittedly, the ECS is nice (Electric shocks), but makes lifting, etc. a little harder.

[Mr. Flibble]

I would avoid the Royal Exceed. Since you have to upgrade the radio anyway, you're better off to start with one that has the double din space. To do my royal was a lot of wiring and brackets, and a new centre console trim. Added expense for no reason.

Admittedly, the ECS is nice (Electric shocks), but makes lifting, etc. a little harder.

ECS Sucks for finding shocks at a reasonable price.

[Big-Bird]

I would avoid the Royal Exceed. Since you have to upgrade the radio anyway, you're better off to start with one that has the double din space. To do my royal was a lot of wiring and brackets, and a new centre console trim. Added expense for no reason.

Admittedly, the ECS is nice (Electric shocks), but makes lifting, etc. a little harder.

Fed's: I didn't know you had trouble with your stereo. Mine is a double din and I just swapped out a BOSE system from a newer Nissan Pathfinder. All I had to do was splice in the nissan connector to the mitsu harness. Even the mitsubishi side plates fit the Nissan Double din CD unit.

No modification to the center console was needed because the nissan deck mounted flush inside/behind the mitsu console. Looks factory too. My only gripe is it needs an input jack for MP3 players.

[BushRatt]

I would avoid the Royal Exceed. Since you have to upgrade the radio anyway, you're better off to start with one that has the double din space. To do my royal was a lot of wiring and brackets, and a new centre console trim. Added expense for no reason.

Admittedly, the ECS is nice (Electric shocks), but makes lifting, etc. a little harder.

Ok thanks. I will be avoiding that one. i see sun roof models are available. Anyone have problems with theirs leaking? Also any problems with the sky light roofs?

Thanks everyone. BushRatt.

[Mr. Flibble]

Ok thanks. I will be avoiding that one. i see sun roof models are available. Anyone have problems with theirs leaking? Also any problems with the sky light roofs?

Thanks everyone. BushRatt.

A common problem with the sunroofs is that they jam open. Never use them at high speeds - always pull over to make adjustments unless you are going under 40 km/h. The small metal gear in them frequently wears out. Otherwise the crystal lite roofs are fine.

[Feds]

It wasn't so much the stereo as the MMCS (Touch screen HVAC/Navi business). Eats up a lot of dash real estate, and is a PITA to change out (do-able though). Thankfully my radio had been changed in Japan, so I already had an ISO harness installed. I say thankfully because on the MMCS cars the radio hookups are all orange. Some poor Japanese guy tested and labeled each wire while installing the stereo. I was able to piggyback off of that.

As for the sunroof: I echo what has been said: It won't leak, but it will jam. Consider taking it apart, flipping the gear, and lubricating before you drive it anywhere.

[BushRatt]

It wasn't so much the stereo as the MMCS (Touch screen HVAC/Navi business). Eats up a lot of dash real estate, and is a PITA to change out (do-able though). Thankfully my radio had been changed in Japan, so I already had an ISO harness installed. I say thankfully because on the MMCS cars the radio hookups are all orange. Some poor Japanese guy tested and labeled each wire while installing the stereo. I was able to piggyback off of that.

As for the sunroof: I echo what has been said: It won't leak, but it will jam. Consider taking it apart, flipping the gear, and lubricating before you drive it anywhere.

Thanks again for the help. I have been thinking of going the auction route but is there anyone else besides JDM imports?

Cheers. BushRatt.