Land Cruiser 70/80/100 series
Discussion
Hi PistonHeads,
Are there many LC owners on here? I've long had a strong interest in all LC models and more recently I've developed a bit more of a hankering for one. I'm particularly interested in the 70/80/100 series. My current "weekend" car isn't really practical for family days out with my young children, so barely gets used. I love the idea of having a "go anywhere" family bus. We enjoy walking, the country side and drive to ROI often to see family where we also enjoy going slightly off the beaten track sometimes. I have ambitions to do some continental Europe driving and one day perhaps driving to north Africa e.g. Morocco. My youngest keeps going on about going camping and having a trusty LC to do this with sounds appealing.
Any owners on here happy to share their ownership experiences/photos/advice etc? I appreciate there's some big differences between 70/80/100 series.
I've been looking in to importing a vehicle from Japan (not my first rodeo doing this) - in order to find a good example. Good examples do seem thin on the ground.
Thanks.
Are there many LC owners on here? I've long had a strong interest in all LC models and more recently I've developed a bit more of a hankering for one. I'm particularly interested in the 70/80/100 series. My current "weekend" car isn't really practical for family days out with my young children, so barely gets used. I love the idea of having a "go anywhere" family bus. We enjoy walking, the country side and drive to ROI often to see family where we also enjoy going slightly off the beaten track sometimes. I have ambitions to do some continental Europe driving and one day perhaps driving to north Africa e.g. Morocco. My youngest keeps going on about going camping and having a trusty LC to do this with sounds appealing.
Any owners on here happy to share their ownership experiences/photos/advice etc? I appreciate there's some big differences between 70/80/100 series.
I've been looking in to importing a vehicle from Japan (not my first rodeo doing this) - in order to find a good example. Good examples do seem thin on the ground.
Thanks.
hidetheelephants said:
You can still buy a new 70 series, importing one will cost you a fortune though between shipping costs and getting it through emissions tests.
I have been looking in to this. I'm leaning more towards an 80/100 series. The 80 especially appeals to me a lot. I like the 90s era styling. The 100 seems to be the more sensible choice with more modern comfort and safety etc...
Finding a good 100 that hasn't rotted is going to take some doing, i gave up, look closely underneath and shudder.
80s are getting very old now, unless you have considerable mechanical skills will cost a lot to keep them up to scratch, overpriced too via scene tax.
70 series is nostalgia really, imagine a properly bolted together Defender but with a reliable engine.
Best overall model in my humble was the 120 series or early 150 series still with the 3.0 litre lump but the 150 gains a DPF, 120 can be had with 3 petrol engines in Japan, the 2.7 you wouldn't want, the 4.0 litre V6 was also supplied in UK versions but they also came with the 3.4 V6 as found in 90 series UK Colorados, the 3.4 is a gem for petrol, but the 3.0 litre 1KD turbo Diesel is the best of the lot IMHO, simple enough very reliable, cambelt driven but the belt is a 1 hour DIY job with basic tools.
I've had 3 Lcs with the 3.0 litre turboDiesel, a 70 series, Hilux and the 120 i recently sold on, and a Collie with the 3.4 petrol, none ever let me down, the only mechanical failure of any was the alternator packed up on the 120 when it was 17 years old, still didn't break down cost me £120ish for a recon and a couple of hours to fit.
120 with auto box is a lovely drive, faster than you might think, Tardis like inside yet not overwide like so many other vehicles, rear jump seats unclip in seconds which leaves it as a 5 seater with a boot as big as a van.
Easy DIY maintenance too.
Importing your own whichever model you go for is a very good start, its only really rust that kills Cruisers, so if you get a good one get rustproofing.
80s are getting very old now, unless you have considerable mechanical skills will cost a lot to keep them up to scratch, overpriced too via scene tax.
70 series is nostalgia really, imagine a properly bolted together Defender but with a reliable engine.
Best overall model in my humble was the 120 series or early 150 series still with the 3.0 litre lump but the 150 gains a DPF, 120 can be had with 3 petrol engines in Japan, the 2.7 you wouldn't want, the 4.0 litre V6 was also supplied in UK versions but they also came with the 3.4 V6 as found in 90 series UK Colorados, the 3.4 is a gem for petrol, but the 3.0 litre 1KD turbo Diesel is the best of the lot IMHO, simple enough very reliable, cambelt driven but the belt is a 1 hour DIY job with basic tools.
I've had 3 Lcs with the 3.0 litre turboDiesel, a 70 series, Hilux and the 120 i recently sold on, and a Collie with the 3.4 petrol, none ever let me down, the only mechanical failure of any was the alternator packed up on the 120 when it was 17 years old, still didn't break down cost me £120ish for a recon and a couple of hours to fit.
120 with auto box is a lovely drive, faster than you might think, Tardis like inside yet not overwide like so many other vehicles, rear jump seats unclip in seconds which leaves it as a 5 seater with a boot as big as a van.
Easy DIY maintenance too.
Importing your own whichever model you go for is a very good start, its only really rust that kills Cruisers, so if you get a good one get rustproofing.
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