2012-09-27

Just arrived Mozambique. Plenty of old JDM diesel cars here. There is no old-school engine for the Hilux, but the 70-series Land Cruiser still relies on the 1HZ engine. Australian-standards 70-series Land Cruisers with the V8 diesel are not so common but can often be found around Maputo.

Brand new diesel small cars are usually sourced from South Africa.

2012-09-14

I'm in Angola right now, and back here it's still possible to buy a Hilux with the nearly indestructible 5L-E engine, reported to be more suitable to dirtier diesel fuels and even better to use vegetable oil as a fuel alternative due to the low-tech indirect injection. A cheaper engine, easier to perform PMS. Only downside it lacks a turbo. Diesel Corollas are not officially available thru Toyota dealers, but can be sourced from Morocco either with the same 1.4 D4-D it spots in Europe or the good ole 2C used in Philippine Corollas before the Altis.