Wholesale cylinder head?

Hey everyone

I’m needing to buy a new 1KZ cylinder head, for my 1996 turbo diesel automatic. I’ve been quoted $2000 from a person my mechanic has spoken to.
Which is bit much without the added labour yet..

So I’ve looked online at Alibaba.com (China made selling for wholesale)
There’s a few 1KZ but not 100% sure if it means they are suitable.
Does anyone have any advice or experience with this ?
I’m living in Australia.
I know everything we buy as consumers are ^^^Inflated so if I can find a genuine cylinder head and buy it myself, I’d be sooo glad!

Thanks

Have you tried https://www.allfourx4.com.au/ in Newcastle, NSW? I see they list a Hilux with the 1KZ engine. Easier to discuss it with them than with China.

Chinese heads can be a total crap-shoot - as in it could be ok, it could be shite. I would not buy one via Ali-Baba or Express. If you want to purchae a new head, go genuine Toyots, yes will be more, byt here in NZ it was only $500 morr than a locally sold Chinese made one.

Having said thst, if I was doing it again I'd go straight to a mechanic/shop thst does these engines and can quote on a head replacement or engine swap. Hilux Surf, Landcruiser Prado, 4-Runner all had this engine so there will be plenty of support out there.

As noted, join the 4x4 forums with discussions about 1kz engines as they've done it all before in far greater numbers than Hiace owners - because there's a lot more of them!

Where’s the 4x4 forum at? Do you have a link?

And a any suggestion for a genuine Toyota seller?
I’m trying to cut the middle man and get the cheapest price, obviously.
I’m not attached to alibaba but I’m aware that wholesale happens and I’d like to buy wholesale as it’s way to expensive otherwise!

Thanks

Hi! I found them when searching for the 1kz cooling issues, this search turns up some 4x4 forums for the Hilux.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=1kz-te+engine+replacement+head&t=ffab&ia=web

I'd just tend to search for forum posts like yours and lots of 4x4 websites should pop up. For instance when I modified my cooling I found most info about that and the heads on 4x4 sites.

I wouldn't hold my breath for anything out of China for a while, you'll have to look for local stock in your country or a new engine, perhaps of a different type. Toyota swapped out common engine types around it's various vehicles so quite a lot fits. Also look at used heads from 1kz-te engines that have been scrapped or crashed, there were quite a number exported to your country.

Suggestions for a genuine Toyota seller? Try your local Toyota dealership parts department. Then try another. If it's the same as here in NZ, dealerships have exclusive buying from Toyota NZ. If you go in and chat it's very likely you can get a wholesale/mechanics' price. Dealerships have monthly sales targets (purchasing targets from Toyota NZ) to meet as a requirement of that exclusivity so any sale is a sale. The whole "Stealership markup" is total bollocks for all my dealings with Toyota. Many, many parts bought new have been cheaper than used! Especially body parts.

I too have found Toyota to be very helpful and friendly, and many second-hand parts places have high expectations of the value of parts which can't be assured to be in good condition.