Landcruiser 1997

Maritimer

Maritimer

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1997 Toyota Land Cruiser

I have the possibility of buying a 1997 Land Cruiser with the same mileage as my 2001 Runner.

It has a few mods, an OEM lookalike ABS off button, a rear e-locker added and a center diff lock added. It's an import from the US and is rust-free. RUST FREE. It's in beautiful shape, and a little above average for a private sale at $10,000 (they're Edmunds listed at 8900 dealer, Canada listed at $8200), but this condition vehicle for rust is UNAVAILABLE in Canada.

My Runner may sell for $8000 if I'm lucky.

I'm torn totally as I love Land Cruisers, am not worried about the age difference, and am impressed with the condition of this.

But, I put new tires on recently, did a lot of sweat work myself with rocker panel painting that a new buyer may not appreciate as much as I do the work and protection, and put new front calipers, new shocks ($$$) and springs and a windshield in since I've had it.

My heart says yes, but my other heart (my wife) says NO.
 
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Yep, I love them too. I've spent a lot of time around them as my buddy has bought and built 3 of them in the last 5 years.

I think the best part is that they come with front and rear e-lockers. The ones without lockers are definitely not as desirable. The price sounds about right though, if its in good shape... but you may be able to get it down some because besides offroader's, Im not too sure why anyone would want one.

Have you test drove a LC? They are not nearly as peppy and not as great on the road. Are you going to use it for a weekend warrior/wheeler type or a DD? Remember they get like 12 MPG if your lucky. ;)

If it were me, I'd keep the 4Runner. You know its a solid truck, and won't get any suprises. The LC is a great vehicle, but you know its going to cost you a lot more down the line, and most people seem to miss their 4Runner after a few months! I've owned 3 3rd gen's, so I am biased though.
 
Baja Runner said:
Have you test drove a LC? They are not nearly as peppy and not as great on the road. Are you going to use it for a weekend warrior/wheeler type or a DD? Remember they get like 12 MPG if your lucky. ;)

If it were me, I'd keep the 4Runner. You know its a solid truck, and won't get any suprises. The LC is a great vehicle, but you know its going to cost you a lot more down the line, and most people seem to miss their 4Runner after a few months! I've owned 3 3rd gen's, so I am biased though.
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I drove it this morning and it feels exactly how I like--strong, heavy, and solid. I'm a DD who doesn't commute far at all--nearly walking distance, and the rest is low-key backroads and secondary roads day trips.

The worry is the price being right or wrong, and the mechanical problems potential. This guy knows his car stuff, though, and has even gotten rid of a P0440 code by his own repair, so I'm not worried about something hidden, just things that go wrong with these unexpectedly. The NO RUST is making me horny.
 
I had a 91 LC and would still have it today if I hadn't been hit in the drivers side door by someone running a red light. Totaled the truck but I still drove it 5 miles home and crawled out the passengers side door. Those things are tanks! When I don't need my runner as a DD I'll probally go back to a LC. The gas was just killing me. If you have a chance to get a rust free LC with front and rear lockers I say go for it. Especially if fuel economy is not a concern. Let us know what you decide but put me down for making the switch.
 
I think it comes down to a personal choice really. I love those LC's, but the smaller size of the 3rd gens is one of the things I like the most about it.
 
Awww…see. I love the LC because it's so big. If I could get 17-20 mpg like I do in my runner, I'd switch back in a heartbeat. Don't get me wrong, I love my runner and think it's badass, but it's no Land Cruiser.
 
Hepar said:
I think it comes down to a personal choice really. I love those LC's, but the smaller size of the 3rd gens is one of the things I like the most about it.
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LC's are BA. Simple, robust, and effective. I wish I could run 37" tires with a 4" lift and minimal trimming!
But, like Hepar said, I've been on several trails with several LC's and they sometimes run into difficulties in tight terrain. There is also a lot of mass on top of those axles that can make them difficult to tame in some conditions like snow. I love the size of the 3rd gen T4R and it gets decent mileage compared to the LC.

+1 for the 4Runner.
 
rickashay said:
LC's are BA. Simple, robust, and effective. I wish I could run 37" tires with a 4" lift and minimal trimming!
But, like Hepar said, I've been on several trails with several LC's and they sometimes run into difficulties in tight terrain. There is also a lot of mass on top of those axles that can make them difficult to tame in some conditions like snow. I love the size of the 3rd gen T4R and it gets decent mileage compared to the LC.

+1 for the 4Runner.
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I couldn't have said that better myself.
 
I had an earlier '90's model LC (giveaway price from a relative)

It had an inline 6, way too small for the weight of the truck.

Would go anywhere off road within reason but ate front brakes...
 
Rust free, in good condition, I don't know that I could pass it up. Considering the way they hold their value, you could drive it for awhile and then sell it if you decided to go back to 4Runners. Clean 4runner's are easy to find compared to a clean LC. Get it while you can, live the dream. If you don't like it, you'll be able to take your pick of 4runners in trade for it! :)
 
I really want it. But, I think it doesn't make sense at the moment. What I really want is an old BJ or FJ and to put the wife in a Corolla. Or, at least get a post 2006 V8.

I think even though the LC is in awesome condition, I think a lot of things will have to be replaced soon just because of age. It never had new springs, shocks, brakes, etc., and my finances are a bit too tight to deal with stuff in a new vehicle after I did most of it to my current wheels.

I'm sure I'll find something similar in a few years (and the Runner will last till then and more) and be able to start building it in earnest instead of barely holding on to it and trying to keep it from rusting.
 
There was a 97 LC that popped up for sale here with only 45k mi and was in pristine condition. Sticker was $6500! I test drove it, loved it, went home to get the wife's approval. I sat on it for a day and it was gone. :sobbing: Maybe one day.
 
honestly am glad I am not having to make that choice. it would be tough for sure.

but remember repair cost go up with LC parts.

the gas mileage is what got me my 4r

good luck
 
X2 on the gas mileage being the deciding factor. I got my LC from a relative with 212 k miles. It had 360 on it when it got totaled and the only thing I ever had to do was an O2 sensor. Costs may be more but reliability is extraordinary too so you have minimal repairs.
 
Just a heads up. The head gaskets tend to fail on the 1fzfe...93-97's. Besides that and the front knuckles needing to be rebuilt you shouldn't have other major repairs if it was moderately taken care of.
 
cj80cruiser said:
Just a heads up. The head gaskets tend to fail on the 1fzfe...93-97's. Besides that and the front knuckles needing to be rebuilt you shouldn't have other major repairs if it was moderately taken care of.
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I originally was looking at 93-97 LCs, but a few items made me a little leary:
Headgasket issues, weight vs power, mpg (as my buddy would say it will out climb a lot of stuff with the exception of a gas station), availability of suspension/engine mods vs 3rd gens.
just my .02:hiding:
 
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