Checklist

[Ghostrider I]

A co-worker of mine wants a 100 series Cruiser. He found one, in rather great shape for its year. However, he asked me to look it over and give my opinion.
The issue is, I don't know what to look for, as I am more familiar with the 80 series.
Cheers!!

 

[UZJ105]

Not sure if this is helpful

100 Series Newbie Guide - Slee Off Road

Our Newbie Guide for the 80 Series Land Cruiser proven very popular, so we decided to compile one for the 100 series as well.

sleeoffroad.com

 

[open country]

I've had two, one was a basket case (neglectful ownership history) and one was pretty great (impeccable ownership history). Maintenance and care means a lot more than miles.

Things that go now that they're around 20 years old:

• Radiator
• Steering rack and bushings
• Electronic brake booster
• Drive hub flanges (clunk when shifting from R to D)
• Rear heat and AC (separate system from front, refrigerant lines to rear of truck start to leak)
• Charcoal canister leak (EVAP CEL, 98-02 I believe is under the hood and easier to fix, later trucks it sits on top of the gas tank and is a pain to fix)
• Starter - can spin without engaging flywheel or grind flywheel after start
• Exhaust manifold leaks
• Control arm bushings, usually front lower and rear lower
• Windshield leaks if glass replaced by someone without specific care

 

[lt1fire]

Parts that are expensive to replace in a 100 series is the steering rack and cv axles. Really only oem is a good replacement and the cost of all three is

Seriously that is the s*** that kept me up at night when I had my hundo.

Go into the 100 section of this board there are great posts about the differences in the years and what to look out for.

Another consideration if he is going to wheel it is the 98-00 or 98-99 front diff, can't remember which is right, is very weak. I got lucky that I didn't bust mine but I had boutght a TJM locker which replaces the weaker compenents.

100% what @open country said. Maintenance and care go much farther than miles in this case. The mechanical parts, engine and trans, should easily last 500k without much effort. Mine supposedly got the T-belt job done right before I bought it but when I sold it the waterpump gave up on the new owner as he was driving it back across the US.

 

[uzj100]

I have had 7 and still own 3. 2000 and newer have a 4 pinion front diff. If wheeling get a front locker no matter which year.

Rust. Maintenance records. Vin stickers (to tell if the body panels are original). There should be 10 total. If removed, supposedly the vin is etched under the sticker. If missing, the body panel has been replaced.

The slee check list is really good.

And they sold about 3 lx470s for every lc. The lexi are usually better maintained and the interiors are nicer.

Also, depending on budget, 1998’s are now legal to import. Turbo diesel 100. Or 105s with solid front axle.