Advice for purchasing a HZJ75RP

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expat

expat

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Joined
Feb 24, 2005
Threads
17
Messages
312
Location
Powell River, BC
Hello all,

A friend of mine has recently moved to Namibia and is looking at a (claimed) 1997 HZJ75RP with a 1HZ in it. He will be using it for work and is looking for a reliable work truck.

Condition looks like I would expect of a 16 year old work truck in Africa. I'm a 40 and 60 series guy, so don't have much to offer him.

He does have access to a shop at work, with some machining ability and a welder. He's also a mechanical engineer, so that could come in handy as well.

Any weak points he should check?

Do the serial numbers match the claimed year?

Here are the only pictures he's sent me so far.

Be gentle with him, he's not a Cruiserhead (yet).

LC.webp


LC2.webp


LC3.webp
 
Is that rear bed cage designed to keep something in or something out? :)
 
My main concern would be whats lurking under the new paint job.
The grill shows it as being a post 95 model.

IMO ,the actual year is not as important as the overall condition ,from 1990-99 there is barely any difference in the model
 
Worst places for rust is the seam on the firewall and the seam under the body where the sides meet the floor. Its hard to hide and if they have rust there ,it will mean there is other rust.
Rust can also destroy doors when it close to the hinges as its difficult to fix in that location.
Pull up the vinyl floor and inspect the floor.Rust there will indicate a long leaking windscreen frame seal.

Gearbox may feel clunky and tight when cold ,this is normal,but it should come good as it warms up.
IHZ diesels should ALWAYS start quickly except in arctic conditions.
If it doesn't its usually a glow plug/fuel/compression problem in that order.

Look for flattened out leaves in the spring packs.

When everything is good they feel tight and precise without a load on.

Old landcruisers can easily suck up $4000+ in brakes ,front axle servicing and steering if you can not do it yourself.
 
to add to the rust list have a really good look at the windshield frame they rust out from the inside and the A Pillars also rot out you need to have a good look around the seam where the top door hinges are and around the floor pan at the bottom of the A pillars where the water collects and pools
 
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