Elite Land Cruiser Struggles

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E

ERC

Joined
Sep 25, 2025
Threads
2
Messages
9
Location
USA
Hi everyone, I just want to share my experience with the company Elite Land Cruisers. I’m working on an HJ60 for a buddy of mine who spent over 100k on this complete resto from Elite Land Cruisers, and while from 10 feet she’s a beauty, it’s got a whole slew of issues. He shipped it to me to replace the head gasket. It’s only got 490 miles since the resto and already needed a head gasket. Upon looking it over, I found a whole laundry list of problems. Power steering leaking, ripped engine mounts, paint cracking, loose driveshaft, etc. When I began tearing into the engine, I was starting to notice how many of the components were original, something I hadn’t expected on a 100k resto. Beat up fittings, mismatched bolts, etc. Once I got it down to the long block I yanked the valve cover and valve train off only to find reused and mismatched head bolts, along with loose rocker arms and even bent pushrods. I’m amazed at how horribly this cruiser was put together. I’m don’t know a ton about these old Cruisers, but I do know that a 100k resto on an old American muscle car would get you a pretty perfect car!
I just want to put my experience and the headache my buddy has gotten into with this car. I’m also curious to know if anyone else has had as bad of an experience? I’ve read a little but I’d be curious to know of anyone else.
Also the owner or whatever of Elite Land Cruisers has COMPLETELY ignored my buddy. Goes to show what kind of business they are. Here’s a link of the cruiser
 
Did he buy this from the builder directly or through an auction? If directly and they are ghosting him on motor issues that would be a very , very bad look. Obviously need more details. 100k build should have a fresh motor.
 
Casey E said:
Did he buy this from the builder directly or through an auction? If directly and they are ghosting him on motor issues that would be a very , very bad look. Obviously need more details. 100k build should have a fresh motor.
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Directly from them. I also would’ve assumed the motor would’ve been new or at least refreshed. The head bolts appeared to be used/mismatched, rocker arms were not properly lashed, and as a result one of the pushrods was bent. I can upload a few pictures within the next day or two
 
I will sometimes assess a vehicle for sale if a potential purchaser asks for opinions here on ih8mud. Only done through pictures provided by the sellers. My experience is spending several years tearing down my own LX450 and mechanically rebuilding it, using OEM parts if available. I also swapped in a L96 V8 and a 6L90e.

The last time I did this, it was for a "restored" LS swapped 80 series selling well above $100K. The number of things wrong, or missing, was astounding. I mean, non triple locked 80 series with non factory steel wheels for over $100K.....The LS engine was swapped in such a way that the vehicle couldn't be driven off road (oil pan/diff clearance).

The vehicle for sale was listed by the original restoration company but it was an older restoration from them.

The owner of that company found out about my assessment and privately messaged me here. He first offered to fly me out to check out his current operation to show they have improved since that vehicle was built.

His excuses were 1) The current owner has made changes since their restoration, 2) They have gotten better. I mean, none of that was noted on the website...

He couldn't point out any issues with my assessment. Ultimately, he wanted to distance his company from his own restoration. Soon after, the vehicle was removed from his own website.

He wanted me to remove the VIN from my post. I always ask for, and post the VIN in the thread for future google searches for the next potential owner. I let him know he could sue me if wanted the VIN removed....he backed off... I don't think he is paying for my flight to see his operation now...:)

Anyway, my advice would be to document, with pictures, everything you see. Otherwise, it's your word vs Elite Land Cruise's word.

After you document everything, post the VIN of that FJ60 here. It will become a permanent record of their work.
 
NeverFinis said:
I will sometimes assess a vehicle for sale if a potential purchaser asks for opinions here on ih8mud. Only done through pictures provided by the sellers. My experience is spending several years tearing down my own LX450 and mechanically rebuilding it, using OEM parts if available. I also swapped in a L96 V8 and a 6L90e.

The last time I did this, it was for a "restored" LS swapped 80 series selling well above $100K. The number of things wrong, or missing, was astounding. I mean, non triple locked 80 series with non factory steel wheels for over $100K.....The LS engine was swapped in such a way that the vehicle couldn't be driven off road (oil pan/diff clearance).

The vehicle for sale was listed by the original restoration company but it was an older restoration from them.

The owner of that company found out about my assessment and privately messaged me here. He first offered to fly me out to check out his current operation to show they have improved since that vehicle was built.

His excuses were 1) The current owner has made changes since their restoration, 2) They have gotten better. I mean, none of that was noted on the website...

He couldn't point out any issues with my assessment. Ultimately, he wanted to distance his company from his own restoration. Soon after, the vehicle was removed from his own website.

He wanted me to remove the VIN from my post. I always ask for, and post the VIN in the thread for future google searches for the next potential owner. I let him know he could sue me if wanted the VIN removed....he backed off... I don't think he is paying for my flight to see his operation now...:)

Anyway, my advice would be to document, with pictures, everything you see. Otherwise, it's your word vs Elite Land Cruise's word.

After you document everything, post the VIN of that FJ60 here. It will become a permanent record of their work.
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I have a whole folder from the owner of all the issues. I’ll take some of my own pictures and upload them all here.
 
“Restored”

The most abused/misused word to describe automobiles being sold or its condition.
 
Willis said:
I have worked on a couple of Elite cruisers restorations. I cannot emphasize enough how bad they were. Engine spray painted "restored". The entire chassis had no solder on any of the wires, simply twisted together and electrical tape (sometimes). Missing half the body mounts, almost all aftermarket parts (door handles, filters, belts, hardware etc all not Toyota), every bolt hand tight, drivelines fell off on the test drive. That sort of thing. This was all for a guy that spent over $100K on one of their Troopy restorations. For such bold claims on their website, the quality of work was egregious.
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This says it all to me about Elite
 
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ERC said:
I don’t think that is him. The owner of the cruiser I’m working on is from NY
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The owner of Elite is a ih8mud member.

I feel for your client, as others have said document everything, and hopefully you get it all sorted out.
 
svsisu said:
The owner of Elite is a ih8mud member.

I feel for your client, as others have said document everything, and hopefully you get it all sorted out.
Click to expand...
Ah I see. I have a whole folder of pictures with everything wrong with it. I’ll have to upload it along with some more pictures I’ll take.
I don’t mind the work, keeps me busy! ;)
 
Yup, that about sums up @BTUMAN and Elite Land Cruisers. Putting together all my photo's of their nut and bolt frame off restoration so everyone can see the hack job they do. Stay tuned as we continue De-stenching the stench of Elite's work—because nothing says 'custom' like a truck that reeks of regret. Grey mismatches? Gone. @BTUMAN touch? Evicted. Fresh start incoming.
 
Sadly these days 100K Doesn't buy you a fully 100% restored land cruiser done right . I would be nervous by anyone who said they can do that cheap. There's a reason Proffitts and TLC and Icon are north of 250K. It does suck that people do shoddy work and are more worried about profit than quality. But that is a truth in any trade these days. I know nothing about this company . But if I had a customer that brought in a body off restored 60 and said they spent 100K I wouldn't expect to see a new engine. I see Land cruisers on a weekly basis that are bought from people who resell Land cruisers Most of the work falls into what is being said here. This is where taking your new big investment and paying a Reputable Land cruiser shop for a full inspection . That 500 bucks could save you 100k
 
Thats a crazy price for something in such poor shape. But this is classic CHECK THE VEHICLE OVER with a FINE toothed comb before purchasing. Like actually crawl under it. Poke things that look suspect of bondo. Use a magnet. Drive it look for leaks. Take an expert with you if you can. Just dont purchase a vehicle sight un seen. ESPECIALLY when its 100 grand! Maybe a new vehicle but I dont even think I would do that with a new one. I have quite a few experinces with my dad and I going to check a vehicle out from a dealer and it was garbage. hell even one time we test drove a used silverado to use as a work truck at the surf shop and it blew a soft line while on the test drive. The dealer stated that the whole brake system had been redone. I looked under it after that and nothing had been touched. the soft lines were dry rotted, rotors had deep grooves and the passenger pads were almost gone. Needless to say we did not buy it. but we went into the test drive thinking we were going to.

I feel for the guy that bought this truck. It is Gross that somebody is selling this as a 100k resto with all these problems. thats a tough pill to swallow. Also goes to show you that you cant trust someones word sometimes which sucks!
 
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