Buying a Very high mileage land cruiser?

[Antonio Velez]

Not sure if this has been asked before but all of these damn land cruisers have over 200k miles on them and people are asking $5,000 or more for those things. Is it worth it or should i just get a tacoma or a 4 runner lol

 

[B Point]

Yes....and that's my final answer.

 

[120mm]

200,000 is not "very high mileage" for a Land Cruiser.

If they are too expensive for you, don't buy one.

If you do just a tiny bit of research, you will understand there is a reason they have over 200,000, and why they demand the price they do. But since you haven't, I doubt a Land Cruiser is for you.

 

[Antonio Velez]

meowwwwwwww catty arent you? the cheapest one i found has a ticking sound in the engine im just worried about how much longer theyll last me lol. Im a broke college student that just wants to have fun exploring the desert around my state/city. i've been researching them the past few days im just in love with the look.

Didn't mean to offend you with my question not a lot of people have a s*** ton of money lol.

Isn't it what the blocks are made of/less stress on the engine because of the inline 6 design. (read it on a thread on here)

 

[LINUS]

How is this tech?

You either want one & need specific tech concerns addressed, or need to go to general tech/chat & ask there - not being snide, this really may not be the sub-forum / body series for you. You may like the 100's better, or a 200 - or a sweet 40 (they all are).

Read some more, decide for yourself. You know your needs/finances/time constraints best.

 

[Antonio Velez]

I wanted an opinion on the ticking what are normal engine noises in an 80 with a 1fz

 

[Antonio Velez]

and how many miles do these usually go up to if well maintained

 

[slow95z]

no idea, i have one at 295K and another at 208K and both run just fine. have yet to kill one so i cant tell you how long mine will last but that is with me taking great care of them.

 

[jfz80]

Ticking is not normal. Could be a few things, and no real info to begin the less than reliable method of Internet diagnostics. But it's not a normal engine noise and would prompt me to look for another. Patience is a virtue that will serve you well in your search as well as looking outside you're local market if possible.

Normal noises are roar on startup (if youve got a good fan clutch) and sound of gas pump at local station

By design the blocks are good for 3 rebuilds at the 300k mile interval. Rebuilds aren't cheap but neither are new cars or payments.

I suggest reading:
FAQ sticky at top of page
Slee off road newbie guide to cruisers
CDan thread on 80 cost of ownership

To help make your decision
They are cool trucks but depending on your definition of broke college student a Subaru wagon/tacoma/4runner may be a better explorer on a budget

 

[Teddy]

Also, I would plan on spending an additional $1000-$2000 over purchase cost on base lining everything/PM, if you do the work yourself. Much more if you pay someone else to do it.
My cousin is just starting college and is dead set on an 80. He has been around me for a while though and knows what he's getting into. Also, I won't be far from him to help him work on it. As a side note, I have tried to talk him out of this decision.
That being said, if I were you I would look for a well priced first gen Tacoma (1995-2004) with a 3.4 and a 5 speed in it.

 

[Stuckinthe80s]

^x2 on what he said. That or a 1st gen 4runner. The 86 I had was in great shape and I picked it up for $2k. I drove it for almost 3 years, didn't do a thing to it (other than maintenance) and sold it for $2k. But it took a while to find and like previously said, patience is a virtue.

 

[Gabriel 71]

my 97 has 326000 and runs fine p.m. and you can give it to your kids

 

[Mixelplix]

Ticking isn't unusual if it's a 3fe. Mine, very well maintained, sounds like an industrial sewing machine.

 

[Hoodooman]

I'm just around 250K on my 80 - and there's still a bit of PM stuff I still need to do. You said you were looking at one that was making a "ticking" noise? Anyway to tell if it perhaps an exhaust leak? I'd be willing to deal with that, if the rig was sound other than that. If it's something inside the engine though - it's likely going to be more work and/or expense than what you are probably prepared to invest in. They are great trucks though... Good luck in your hunt for the right one.


Just my humble opinion...

 

[Hoodooman]

Ticking isn't unusual if it's a 3fe. Mine, very well maintained, sounds like an industrial sewing machine.

Mixel - have you done the valve adjustment on your 3FE yet? That's on my "to do" PM list I'm putting together on mine. BTW - I like to think of mine as more of a "Tractor" than a sewing machine.

 

[Toyotaoh]

Im a broke college student

If that is the case, this is probably not the vehicle for you. You will have to spend a lot on maintenance and even more on gas. I paid about 5000 for mine about 3 years ago. Thankfully not replaced anything major, but things like exhaust, fan clutch, LSPV and even basic stuff like brake pads...they can all add up to thousands. Added to that, you need to have some mechanical inclination, tools, and a place to work on it otherwise with even basic maintenance you are going to pay big bucks. I think it was here I read it, but just remember when you are buying a used vehicle, you are also buying the problems that the PO did not want to take care of, which is why they got rid of it. So as stated above, be ready to invest an additional $1000 or more over the purchase price on fixes.

 

[danthman114]

ticking as in fuel injectors or ticking as in crank shaft? if its a high speed ticking most likely is the injectors...

EDIT* i asked a similar question when i was looking for one and received the same answers. just stick with it. youll find one eventually. these arent rare and theyre on craigslist all the time. but beware, make sure you verify the mileage on carfax. many, i mean many people run back the odo to make it look like low mileage. also don be afraid to crawl under and look at the frame for welds and or damage and rust. pay attention to the radiator support. you are almost guarenteed to find damage there if its been in a wreck (in the front). look for bondo cracks. and carfax doesnt always show an accident so you have to look for yourself. drive it. push all the buttons, smell the oil, look under the oil cap. is the dipstick burnt, is the tranny fluid red or brown? your best bet is get on the slee website and read. then read it again...

 

[Antonio Velez]

Well i have my own tools and i work on my cars all the time doing simple things. the only thing i havent done is a clutch wont have to worry about that on a LC though haha regardless looks like i have to save up about 5000 for a good one depending on all their maintenance history. What does a burnt dip stick indicate?

 

[danthman114]

overheating and or not maintained. its not litterally burnt but very discolored like it has been oil stained. you can smell burnt oil. if you smell gas it could mean a couple different things. you can go to an auto parts store and rent a tool to check for a blown head gasket by checking to see if combustion gasses are getting into the radiator.

 

[Antonio Velez]

by broke i mean i live with my parents and make about 500 every two weeks and after i pay all my bills i have about 2-300 left so about 400 a month i can spend on gas/repairs/pm