479k mile Glutton? (1 Viewer)

[Ocho77]

Call me a glutton for punishment, potentially. I found this 2002 for sale locally and was intrigued. It was being sold by the original owner (who is now 77). She was from SoCal and moved here about 10 years ago. Had a stack of maintenance records about 3 inches thick. The body has some rust, but the frame is very clean, and the odometer has just over 479k miles on it. The price was dirt cheap for a running/driving Land Cruiser, so I couldn't pass it up.

I asked the owner if she would hop in tomorrow and drive it across the state, and she said 'In a heartbeat. She only sold it because her children convinced her that she needed something new and with fewer miles. She bought a Subaru and said she hates it. She did ask what the newest version of this would be - she said she's not interested in the 250 hybrid.

I ordered a plethora of parts to get started. My goal is to drive it daily and see how many miles I can get out of it.

The lady I purchased it from was super sweet and very sentimental about the truck. She shared a few stories of driving it across the U.S. multiple times and her memories. I promised her that when I get it close to 500k I would come see her and let her drive it over the 500k mile mark. She was ecstatic about that. A few pictures.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Stories like that are why we love these Cruisers. There aren't many enthusiast crowds as fervent or loyal. (Or happy)
Maybe point her towards an LX700h or LX600, or a Sequoia for that matter.

 

[TexLXCRZR]

The lady I purchased it from was super sweet and very sentimental about the truck. She shared a few stories of driving it across the U.S. multiple times and her memories. I promised her that when I get it close to 500k, I would come see her and let her drive it over the 500k mile mark. She was ecstatic about that. A few pictures.

this is so awesome

 

[89BIGBLUE]

This is great!
Careful, the 100 series is very seductive, and your other cruisers might start acting up in jealousy…

 

[Mike NXP]

Don't make me guess.....how much $$$$

Trying to make sense of the 100 series market as the years pass and miles increase. I suspect prices will continue to rise and they will become the most desired series as they grow older.

 

[Ocho77]

Don't make me guess.....how much $$$$

Trying to make sense of the 100 series market as the years pass and miles increase. I suspect prices will continue to rise and they will become the most desired series as they grow older.

I don't know about the 100 series becoming the most desired...the 80 will be pretty competitive for that spot. The 100 rides much nicer though!!!

I paid $3k for it.

 

[Mike NXP]

I don't know about the 100 series becoming the most desired...the 80 will be pretty competitive for that spot. The 100 rides much nicer though!!!

I paid $3k for it.

Nice, that's a good fine for sure. A set of tires and rims almost cost that much nowadays.

Yeah I hear you, the 80 series has a better off road reputation and world wide heritage but I'm still fighting for the 100 series to hold higher values for longer...

enjoy it, keep us posted when you hit the 500k

 

[BullElk]

Yes, $3000 is good if rust doesn't change that. I wouldn't take $15k for my 2000 with 478k miles.

I don't know about the 100 series becoming the most desired...the 80 will be pretty competitive for that spot. The 100 rides much nicer though!!!

Although my favorite Land Cruiser with largest cool factor is a stock 80 series, the 100 series is a much more refined and better daily driver over many miles and years.

 

[excessive]

with Landcruisers , its not the miles, its how they were maintained. i think that's an amazing deal for $3k and I have zero doubts that will make it to 500k

 

[Sandroad]

Amazing find. The number of people who keep a vehicle for 23 years and 479k miles is almost nil. And with maintenance records too. You’re lucky you found it before I did

 

[Ocho77]

Amazing find. The number of people who keep a vehicle for 23 years and 479k miles is almost nil. And with maintenance records too. You’re lucky you found it before I did

Indeed. It was on FB marketplace for a couple weeks, so glad you didn’t see it

 

[tincan45]

Similar story with my 100. He bought it to shuttle his kids to the family cabin in Breckenridge. Family grew up, kids moved out, but the cruiser remained. His kids bought him a new car because they thought the cruiser was too old. Sadly, he died suddenly three weeks after I bought it from him.

 

[SteveH]

Let's see if I'm first on this..........replace the heater tees

Is that 'old lady gold', instead of 'old man gold'? (I'm not making fun of you - I have 3 gold vehicles). Congrats on a nice find!

 

[BullElk]

Granny Gold

 

[Ocho77]

Let's see if I'm first on this..........replace the heater tees

Is that 'old lady gold', instead of 'old man gold'? (I'm not making fun of you - I have 3 gold vehicles). Congrats on a nice find!

It’s interesting, the color code on the tag shows 1D2 (Thunder Cloud Metallic). However, from a distance and in pictures it looks beige. My wife also thinks it’s not gray.

 

[Exiled]

What a tribute to the quality of these vehicles from the factory, there aren't many vehicles out there that could boast of that mileage and still look like that. ~21K miles a year for almost a quarter century... wow!

 

[Ocho77]

My goal with this truck is simply to minimize any future corrosion (I will not be doing body work - just lots of fluid film and rust prevention to slow it down) and drive it to see how many miles I can get out of it...more of an experiment, really.

Parts are rolling in and I should have them all by tomorrow. Below is my plan and will hopefully be done this week. Please let me know if you think of something else that I should look at/replace.

Oil pressure sender (gauge doesn’t work – hoping this is the culprit)
Timing Belt
Serpentine belt
Tensioners and pulleys
Water pump
Thermostat
Heater T’s
Upper/Lower radiator hoses w/new clamps
Fan Bracket
Fan clutch
PCV valve and hoses
Coil packs (all 8)
Spark plugs/wires
Valve cover gaskets
O2 sensors (all 4 – CEL is currently on for right bank, both sensors)
Grease/lube everything as needed (u-joints, TRE’s etc)
All fluids replacement/flush:

• Oil
• front/rear diff
• transfer case
• transmission
• brake
• Pwr steering
• Coolant

Inspection:
Exhaust I believe has a leak (could be due to the O2 sensor)
Can smell gear oil in rear after driving (clogged diff breather, or axle oil seal?)
Brake lines
Suspension components/all bushings

I'm trying to get this to where I feel comfortable using it as the family hauler and cross-country trip vehicle. I'll try and document this truck over the years as this takes place. My hope is to see at least 750k miles out of it with no major issues. As difficult as it is, I'm leaving it completely stock. I want to lift it and put a front bumper on it, but I can't go down that rabbit hole...I'll probably order some new grandma tires soon to prevent the temptation.

 

[89BIGBLUE]

How old is current radiator?
Evap canister?


Run it STOCK and let it triumph!