Took delivery of my first LC this past Friday, a 2006 in Black Garnet Pearl. I'm a Toyota fanboy after driving 4runners for years - I've gone from a 2013 Trail 4runner -> 2002 SR5 4runner -> 2016 Trail Premium 4runner (currently for sale) -> 06 Landcruiser. I am pretty pumped about this LC but my best score may still be the 02 4runner, I drove down to South Bend to purchase from a Notre Dame graduate student before moving back to China. I gave him $2,500 cash w/ 110k miles and sold it for $7,500, 50k miles and 5 years later. I loved that truck but it was an original Chicago-land vehicle and the rust on the underside didn't make sense for me to hang on to it (although I kind of wish I did now so I could drive that in the winter and not my rust free cruiser!).
Now to my new LC. The good:
- Original owner, shipped it to Michigan from California. There is no rust anywhere on the vehicle
- I have most maintenance records on the vehicle including detailed records for the last 3 years in which the owner spent $21k alone on front/rear shocks, A/C condenser, steering rack and pinion (seems like this was done twice according to the invoices I have, would appreciate someone's feedback on this if I could share), rear upper & lower control arms, front upper ball joints, transmission pan gasket, radiator and rear heater T's
- Never missed an oil change at 5k miles and all flushes and additional periodic maintenance was done when the dealer recommended including flushes of the AHC system. There isn't a single 'deferred maintenance' record I can find
- No rips or tears in leather
- No issues w/ clear coat or paint overall, always stored in doors
Flaws/Question areas:
- I can't find that the starter has been replaced
- Perhaps I am being picky but it almost feels a little 'clunky' when I come to stop light and then hit the gas again to go. Not from a stop but more from a rolling slow down to engaging again, is this signs of a potential transmission issue or normal?
- Timing belt / water pump is coming due, last was at 285k
- Don't see that any globes or pumps were ever done on the AHC system. Many times it was 'serviced' and 'flushed' etc. but can't see anything around replacing those parts
- A few pretty deep scratches and dings that need addressing not that it is in the rustbelt
- There is a lot of smoke that comes out of the exhaust when I cold-start it. I don't think I can count the number of times I see that spark plugs and other various small engine related components have been changed in these records, perhaps this is normal?
- I ordered replacement rear hatch struts, rear land cruiser emblem (peeling) and front chrome grille peace (peeling)
Plan of action:
1) Install all parts I've ordered to address the cosmetics and rear hatch support. Paint touch up kit to seal off rust prone scratches/dings
2) RUST PROOF - As of now I haven't been driving unless it's a dry day. I've been researching a lot on best course of action to delay the undercarriage destruction that living in west Michigan causes. Once my 4runner sells this will really be a priority but I listed it pretty high for a reason. I wouldn't mind hanging on to it for another month!
3) Starter - I show no signs of it going but not sure if signs present themself before it just doesn't start. It is supposed to be cold again later this week, perhaps that will be a good test
4) Timing belt / water pump @ 375k
5) Looking into grom for CarPlay
6) Globes/Accumulators?
7) Upgrade to LED headlights?
8) Recommendations?
This community has been awesome, so I appreciate any advice / tips / good luck(s) / etc. on keeping this thing running for the next 365k miles! Historically, I don't work on my own vehicles but looking forward to challenging myself to get better at maintaining this thing.
Pictures to follow!
Now to my new LC. The good:
- Original owner, shipped it to Michigan from California. There is no rust anywhere on the vehicle
- I have most maintenance records on the vehicle including detailed records for the last 3 years in which the owner spent $21k alone on front/rear shocks, A/C condenser, steering rack and pinion (seems like this was done twice according to the invoices I have, would appreciate someone's feedback on this if I could share), rear upper & lower control arms, front upper ball joints, transmission pan gasket, radiator and rear heater T's
- Never missed an oil change at 5k miles and all flushes and additional periodic maintenance was done when the dealer recommended including flushes of the AHC system. There isn't a single 'deferred maintenance' record I can find
- No rips or tears in leather
- No issues w/ clear coat or paint overall, always stored in doors
Flaws/Question areas:
- I can't find that the starter has been replaced
- Perhaps I am being picky but it almost feels a little 'clunky' when I come to stop light and then hit the gas again to go. Not from a stop but more from a rolling slow down to engaging again, is this signs of a potential transmission issue or normal?
- Timing belt / water pump is coming due, last was at 285k
- Don't see that any globes or pumps were ever done on the AHC system. Many times it was 'serviced' and 'flushed' etc. but can't see anything around replacing those parts
- A few pretty deep scratches and dings that need addressing not that it is in the rustbelt
- There is a lot of smoke that comes out of the exhaust when I cold-start it. I don't think I can count the number of times I see that spark plugs and other various small engine related components have been changed in these records, perhaps this is normal?
- I ordered replacement rear hatch struts, rear land cruiser emblem (peeling) and front chrome grille peace (peeling)
Plan of action:
1) Install all parts I've ordered to address the cosmetics and rear hatch support. Paint touch up kit to seal off rust prone scratches/dings
2) RUST PROOF - As of now I haven't been driving unless it's a dry day. I've been researching a lot on best course of action to delay the undercarriage destruction that living in west Michigan causes. Once my 4runner sells this will really be a priority but I listed it pretty high for a reason. I wouldn't mind hanging on to it for another month!
3) Starter - I show no signs of it going but not sure if signs present themself before it just doesn't start. It is supposed to be cold again later this week, perhaps that will be a good test
4) Timing belt / water pump @ 375k
5) Looking into grom for CarPlay
6) Globes/Accumulators?
7) Upgrade to LED headlights?
8) Recommendations?
This community has been awesome, so I appreciate any advice / tips / good luck(s) / etc. on keeping this thing running for the next 365k miles! Historically, I don't work on my own vehicles but looking forward to challenging myself to get better at maintaining this thing.
Pictures to follow!
