Camry Japanese Version
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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hey guys, so I noticed that US-made Camrys have been coming up a lot lately, and thought I'd start a thread where we could collect a list of differences between J-VIN cars manufactured by TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation) and 4-VIN cars manufactured by TMMK (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky).
I don't have too much experience with the US-made models, as they're uncommon where I live. A lot more at the junkyard than on the road (what's that saying, lol). To start, I noticed that the US-made Camrys (gen4 CE models) at my junkyard have metal engine under covers as opposed to plastic, a rear transmission-to-block stiffener (with a slightly shorter intake manifold stay), a front stiffener that's held with two bolts (J-VIN front stiffeners are held with a nut and stud, plus a bolt), and an exhaust clamp mounted to the flexplate cover.
It started raining and I didn't get a chance to verify past the cars I saw, so please let me know if I'm wrong about anything above by checking your own vehicles. I'll collect more data each time I hit the Pick-n-pull.
Please post if you know of a difference, and I'll add it to the list (until I leave TN or get tired of it :grin
. I'll mark unconfirmed entries with a question mark. To avoid double-posts, I'll add it if it's FOUND on a car (e.g., rear trans-to-block stiffener is only on US cars, so is not on Japan car list).
"3" is for gen3, "4" is for gen4, and "i" means interchangeable between 4-VIN and J-VIN.
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Discussion Starter · #2 · (Edited)
List
US-built cars
Chassis
4 - ? metal center engine under cover (vs plastic)
4 - ? rear transmission-to-block stiffener plate (intake manifold stay is shorter)
4 - ? front trans-to-block stiffener is held by two bolts (bolt+nut and stud on J-VIN)
4 - ? exhaust pipe clamp mounted to flexplate cover
4 - license plate lamp covers held by clips (screws on J-VIN)
Engine
- coolant reservoir is different (4-cyl models)
4i - ? plastic thermostat housing (aluminum on J-VIN)
Brakes/Traction Control
3 - ABS pump
Body/Exterior
3 - side-view mirrors (power) are the same shape, but have different connectors
3 - trunk hinges
3i - doors
Interior
3 - seat fabric pattern
3 - trunk scuff plate (trim around the latch hook)
3 - airbags
3 - steering wheel
3 - airbag clock spring
3 - sun visors
3 - door panel inserts (fake leather on US-built)
4 - power window connectors
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I believe for the 4 Cylinder models, the coolant reservoir is a different design between the 4-Vin and J-Vin.
I believe the rear license plate clip design (holds the bulb is) is also different.
In Hawaii, a Gen4 4-Vin Camry is extremely rare. I've only found the 4-vin Camry as a CE trim only. CE trim here are extremely rare. Almost every LE or XLE trim here in Hawaii are all Japan manufactured. The 4-Vin i've seen are usually cars shipped to Hawaii from the owners.
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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
I believe for the 4 Cylinder models, the coolant reservoir is a different design between the 4-Vin and J-Vin.
I believe the rear license plate clip design (holds the bulb is) is also different.
In Hawaii, a Gen4 4-Vin Camry is extremely rare. I've only found the 4-vin Camry as a CE trim only. CE trim here are extremely rare. Almost every LE or XLE trim here in Hawaii are all Japan manufactured. The 4-Vin i've seen are usually cars shipped to Hawaii from the owners.
Thanks, added!
I think only the CE was manufactured in US, and the LE and XLE were from Japan. I know my earlier DX trim is a J-VIN
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Gen3 -
seat fabric pattern
outside mirrors, same shape different connectors
Trunk scuff plate (bottom opening) differs
airbags
steering wheel
ABS pump/actuator
visors
door panels with leather inserts Japan built is real leather U.S. built not
trunk hinges
doors
glass
A whole bunch of other stuff I forgot about. Most of the above is interchangeable but is different for example the door stampings are different but the doors will bolt up. I bet most other body panels are also different but interchangeable.
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Thanks, added!
I think only the CE was manufactured in US, and the LE and XLE were from Japan. I know my earlier DX trim is a J-VIN
For the Gen3, almost every Camry in Hawaii is J-Vin regardless of trim line up. Not sure about the Gen3 SE trim though. Gen4 saw the CE being a 4-Vin. Gen5 was mostly a J-Vin, but I see a few 4-Vin here and there. Gen6 was interesting. All SE trims were 4-Vin, LE was a mix, and the XLE/Hybrid was all J-Vin. J-Vin got less as it went to the end of the Gen6 cycle (near 2012).
Gen3 -
seat fabric pattern
outside mirrors, same shape different connectors
Trunk scuff plate (bottom opening) differs
airbags
steering wheel
ABS pump/actuator
visors
door panels with leather inserts Japan built is real leather U.S. built not
trunk hinges
doors
glassA whole bunch of other stuff I forgot about. Most of the above is interchangeable but is different for example the door stampings are different but the doors will bolt up. I bet most other body panels are also different but interchangeable.
Thats quite a lot of difference....yikes!
I also want to mention (probably already known) is the clock spring for the Gen3 is different. Believe one of our members had to swap out the steering wheel controls (stalks for wiper blade/headlight) and it was different between J-Vin and 4-Vin.
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US made seems to love plastic thermostat housing.
JP made has aluminium thermostat housing: I do this swap at the easiest opportunity I get.
Power window connectors are different and not interchangeable without splicing.
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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
US made seems to love plastic thermostat housing.
JP made has aluminium thermostat housing: I do this swap at the easiest opportunity I get.
Power window connectors are different and not interchangeable without splicing.
Hm, I just looked at my 2000 J-VIN and it has a plastic thermostat housing. Wondering if it was swapped at some point.
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Hm, I just looked at my 2000 J-VIN and it has a plastic thermostat housing. Wondering if it was swapped at some point.
IIRC my dad's 2000 I4 J-Vin has a plastic one as well. I can check my mom 2001 I4.
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IIRC my dad's 2000 I4 J-Vin has a plastic one as well. I can check my mom 2001 I4.
I got one too. I tend to think it is 97-99 vs. 00-01.
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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
IIRC my dad's 2000 I4 J-Vin has a plastic one as well. I can check my mom 2001 I4.
I got one too. I tend to think it is 97-99 vs. 00-01.
Cool, let's get some datapoints!
I've owned two gen4 J-VINs, both with the premium sound system. Noticed that their doors are more solid (I expect more damping material in the doors?) than on my gen3's. I have no gen4 with the regular sound system to compare it to, so yeah. Come to think of it, I don't know how we'd compare a "solidly thunking door" over the internet!
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I've owned both a J-VIN and Kentucky gen3 I thought the interior materials of the J-VIN were better, not necessarily better quality but more pleasing to the touch and to look at. Another obvious difference is the U.S. made gen3 has no DRLs. Another thing I think is different is the headlights, different supplier. Probably the same for all the other lamps.
What often happens is if you go to order OEM parts now a lot of them will be from Japan made models unless that specific part is not cross compatible.
Dunno how I forgot this, coil springs are not the same although the form factor is. 4T coils are inferior they rust and break more readily, you can use Japan made coils but don't replace just one.
What about the speakers? I bet the Japan models are Fujitsu U.S. made Delphi or some other brand. Also to my eye the carpet texture is different.
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As a general rule, Toyota cheaped out from 1992 to 2001 year after year. So whenever a cheaper parts replaced a more expensive part, I tend to think it is time-related. But I could be wrong. I actually might make a thread giving concrete examples, such as this one:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...ried-upgrade-valve-cover-intake-manifold.html
Cool, let's get some datapoints!
I've owned two gen4 J-VINs, both with the premium sound system. Noticed that their doors are more solid (I expect more damping material in the doors?) than on my gen3's. I have no gen4 with the regular sound system to compare it to, so yeah. Come to think of it, I don't know how we'd compare a "solidly thunking door" over the internet!
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Mine's a '97 LE 2.2 built in KY, it has a metal engine under cover. Also has an aluminium thermostat housing. May be this was changed at some point, I can't tell. That's all I can confirm for now, more later as I discover .... more.
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What is a metal engine under cover.? Any pictures would help.
There is a similar discussion before. Maybe insightbrewer can compile it as well?
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...6-1997-2001/434889-japanese-vs-usa-built.html
Mine's a '97 LE 2.2 built in KY, it has a metal engine under cover. Also has an aluminium thermostat housing. May be this was changed at some point, I can't tell. That's all I can confirm for now, more later as I discover .... more.
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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
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On the J-Vin or 4-Vin? And which splash shield?
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Discussion Starter · #18 · (Edited)
On the J-Vin or 4-Vin? And which splash shield?
The official literature references two, but every car I've encountered only has one, in the center. Metal on gen4 4-VIN's I see, and gen3 (J-VINs at least) have a plastic one.
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The official literature references two, but every car I've encountered only has one, in the center. Metal on 4-VIN's I see, and gen3 (J-VINs at least) have a plastic one.
Ohhh for the Gen3. Plastic one for J-vin and metal for 4-vin.
I know for the Gen4, I think the splash shield (piece underneath radiator/front of noise, right?) is metal regardless of manufacture location. Not to be confused with the plastic underneath cover for the front bumper...which ALL gen4 lose eventually.
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Discussion Starter · #20 ·
Ohhh for the Gen3. Plastic one for J-vin and metal for 4-vin.
I know for the Gen4, I think the splash shield (piece underneath radiator/front of noise, right?) is metal regardless of manufacture location. Not to be confused with the plastic underneath cover for the front bumper...which ALL gen4 lose eventually.
Lol, sorry, I meant metal on the 4-VIN gen4...I haven't looked underneath a J-VIN gen4 yet or a 4-VIN gen3. Will do so soon.
So many data holes to fill...need to organize a TN junkyard army o7.
Source: https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/differences-between-japan-made-and-us-made-camrys-list.1440250/
