Long-term, which 70-series do I want?

[Pulgasari]

I wouldn't discount a 77/78 Prado (light duty) model. Admittedly the engine options aren't spectacular, especially the 2L-TE, but the 1KZ-T is a pretty decent power plant from all reports. From what I understand of your expected uses there is no benefit to the beefier axles and suspension in a heavy duty 70, and the ride quality of the coil sprung Prado will be much nicer to live with on a daily basis. Granted, there are no 'modern' safety features, and one's driving style definitely has to be adjusted to suit the vehicle, but I really can't complain about the on road handling and braking of my Prado. The KZJ77 was available with LHD in South America and some European markets I believe, as evidenced by this example: SOLD - $29,900 Oregon - 1994 KZJ77 Factory 1KZT 3.0 Turbo Diesel Left Hand Drive - 5 Speed - Locked - 2 Owner -108K Miles - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/29-900-oregon-1994-kzj77-factory-1kzt-3-0-turbo-diesel-left-hand-drive-5-speed-locked-2-owner-108k-miles.1254353/

I find that the 77/78 size is perfect for an all-rounder. The addition of the rear doors gives it an edge in practicality over a 73 or 74, and with the rear seats folded up it has a lot more cargo space too. In addition, the longer wheelbase makes for a more comfortable ride.

I can totally understand the desire for a 70-series over other, newer LandCruisers. I briefly had a fully specced HDJ81 and still consider the 80-series to be the best combination of modern-ish daily driver and extremely capable off roader, but I'm just drawn to the 70's in a different way.

Thank you so much for the link, that Canary Islands KZJ77 is immaculate and exactly what I'm looking for in a LC 70 (and a lot more). I have a special weakness for T O Y O T A spelled out on the front bumper, which makes it even better. I'm assuming the coil spring front axle Prados drive similarly to the post 1999 LCs with coil axles as well?

The price does seem on the higher end, I'm assuming most of that cost is related to the excellent condition, relatively low mileage, and US location. Option-wise, if I wanted to get a cheaper 77, what options (or more specifically, missing options) should I look for? Worse engine, non-turbo, anything else?

 

[flx]

Sure you may have to replace the cylinder head at some point, but they're good for 200,000km plus as long as the vehicle is maintained. For most that will be many years of driving.

In Europe where there are a lot of high speed highway the head has very often been already replaced in any high mileage one. Other than that you see some with well over 300000km running good.

I'm assuming the coil spring front axle Prados drive similarly to the post 1999 LCs with coil axles as well?

No, the 70 light duty was replaced in 1996 by the 90 (3 doors) and 95 (5 doors). The 90 series is AWD and has an IFS, it drives a lot closer to a modern passenger car than a 70, even with coils. The interior is also a lot more similar to a Toyota car of the same era.
They look less apart and probably less "cool" but the 90 are also excellent vehicles designed from the ground up with a purpose and probably make more sense in reality than a 70 light duty which is a utility vehicle that was hacked to try to make it a little more road worthy.
In phase2 the 90 also got the 1KD as an upgrade from the 1KZ to end all the head issues (and more power). Also available with the sweet petrol V6 5vz while on the 70LD the only petrol available was the small 22R.

 

[SaturnAscends]

You'll find mostly 2L-Ts, VMs, 1KZ/1KDs in the 70s in Europe.
Not that I'd recommend them.

What about the Spanish/southern EU? models with the diesel 5-cylinder? Seems like those might be a decent bet given the Mediterranean climate etc..

 

[Pulgasari]

No, the 70 light duty was replaced in 1996 by the 90 (3 doors) and 95 (5 doors). The 90 series is AWD and has an IFS, it drives a lot closer to a modern passenger car than a 70, even with coils. The interior is also a lot more similar to a Toyota car of the same era.

Hmm, I think I phrased my question poorly - I was advised earlier in this thread to wait until 2024 so that I could import a 1999 heavy duty non-Prado LC with coil springs, which should be much smoother on roads than the non-coil spring 70 series heavy duty LCs made before 1999. Should a 1995 (or earlier) LC 77 light duty Prado with coil springs be comparable to a 1999 (or later) LC 70 heavy duty with coil springs?

The 90 series seems close enough to the US 80 series, so I'm not sure if a 90 Prado would be worth importing.

 

[SaturnAscends]

Hmm, I think I phrased my question poorly - I was advised earlier in this thread to wait until 2024 so that I could import a 1999 heavy duty non-Prado LC with coil springs, which should be much smoother on roads than the non-coil spring 70 series heavy duty LCs made before 1999. Should a 1995 (or earlier) LC 77 light duty Prado with coil springs be comparable to a 1999 (or later) LC 70 heavy duty with coil springs?

The 90 series seems close enough to the US 80 series, so I'm not sure if a 90 Prado would be worth importing.

How I understand it the lighter duty 70 series was called the Prado or Bundera, and the drivetrain was very similar to a Hilux/minitruck at the time.

The 90 series is basically the overseas equivalent to the 4runner (I think it might've had the same chassis and suspension as the 3rd gen 4runner). The main difference was that the 96 and up Prados had full time 4wd.

 

[AirheadNut]

Hmm, I think I phrased my question poorly - I was advised earlier in this thread to wait until 2024 so that I could import a 1999 heavy duty non-Prado LC with coil springs, which should be much smoother on roads than the non-coil spring 70 series heavy duty LCs made before 1999. Should a 1995 (or earlier) LC 77 light duty Prado with coil springs be comparable to a 1999 (or later) LC 70 heavy duty with coil springs?

The 90 series seems close enough to the US 80 series, so I'm not sure if a 90 Prado would be worth importing.

Having not driven a 1999+ 70-series, I can't really comment on how similar it would feel except to say that it will still have heavy duty leaf springs in the rear as opposed to the coil sprung rear of a 70-series Prado. As a result, I imagine it will ride better than a pre '99 but not quite as good as a Prado. It will probably handle heavy loads much better though.

How I understand it the lighter duty 70 series was called the Prado or Bundera, and the drivetrain was very similar to a Hilux/minitruck at the time.

The 90 series is basically the overseas equivalent to the 4runner (I think it might've had the same chassis and suspension as the 3rd gen 4runner). The main difference was that the 96 and up Prados had full time 4wd.

The pre-1990 light duty Bundera and LandCruiser II had drivetrains much more akin to the Hilux and minitruck than 1990+ models. With the exception of the engine, rear axle and suspension, 1990+ Prados have much more in common with the HD 70-series. Even the transmission is the same as on 1999 and newer 1HZ powered models.

 

[FJBen]

What about the Spanish/southern EU? models with the diesel 5-cylinder? Seems like those might be a decent bet given the Mediterranean climate etc..

Only buy one of those if you plan on swapping that crappy 5 cylinder VM motorri engine out. YOu can get a nice LHD rig than might be in good shape, but that engine is bad, underpowered and unreliable.



This will help you get started.

 

[SaturnAscends]

Only buy one of those if you plan on swapping that crappy 5 cylinder VM motorri engine out. YOu can get a nice LHD rig than might be in good shape, but that engine is bad, underpowered and unreliable.



This will help you get started.
View attachment 2787961

I don't plan on owning a 70 anytime soon lol, I've got an fzj80 to nurse back to full health on a very limited budget.

But my ultimate dream rig would be a SWB 70 with coil springs and manual everything, with a 1fz, 2uz or 1KD. I'm not sure if they ever made them with those specs though..

 

[PDXadvokat]

If you're looking in Europe, this thread has some great contact suggestions: Experience with Canary Island Rover? (seeking BJ73) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/experience-with-canary-island-rover-seeking-bj73.1219176/. It might be difficult to source a 99+ 70 series from Europe as they stopped importing into the EU at some point due to emissions restrictions. The cost of either a 1HZ or 1KZ LC has gone up, and will likely continue, over the last year or so if you're buying from an importer directly, so going to the source may help set expectations.

I have a RHD KZJ78 and enthusiastically endorse that direction, although there is always an eye on what to fix/maintain/upgrade next!

As for the safety concerns, it does make me a more aware driver. You can also get this little reminder sticker for the dash:

 

[flx]

It might be difficult to source a 99+ 70 series from Europe as they stopped importing into the EU at some point due to emissions restrictions. The cost of either a 1HZ or 1KZ LC has gone up, and will likely continue, over the last year or so if you're buying from an importer directly, so going to the source may help set expectations.

2001 last year of official import by Toyota of the 70 series in Europe.
By this time it was already a special order vehicle you would not see waiting in a dealership floor. Mostly sold to professional in very utilitarian spec (so mostly LWB, HZJ74 are extremely rare).
The used price for the HZJ78 and HZJ79 of those 2 lasts years is just crazy... Easy 50k€ for a truck that has 200000+km. In Europe you are better off importing a grey market brand new 70series for around ~70k€.

 

[Pulgasari]

If you're looking in Europe, this thread has some great contact suggestions: Experience with Canary Island Rover? (seeking BJ73) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/experience-with-canary-island-rover-seeking-bj73.1219176/. It might be difficult to source a 99+ 70 series from Europe as they stopped importing into the EU at some point due to emissions restrictions. The cost of either a 1HZ or 1KZ LC has gone up, and will likely continue, over the last year or so if you're buying from an importer directly, so going to the source may help set expectations.

I've looked into Canary Island imports somewhat, seems like that's where lots of the really nice LCs in the US came from, and no/little rust is a huge plus. I would likely have to install AC, however. A diesel would be nice for fuel economy, but I don't want/need the best engine as long as I can get 60/70mph on the highway.

 

[PDXadvokat]

I've looked into Canary Island imports somewhat, seems like that's where lots of the really nice LCs in the US came from, and no/little rust is a huge plus. I would likely have to install AC, however. A diesel would be nice for fuel economy, but I don't want/need the best engine as long as I can get 60/70mph on the highway.

I believe the gas engines only came in the short wheelbase 70/73 models, at least in LHD?

An LJ78 is probably the cheapest option, since the motor is less powerful and less reliable. But as others have shown, you can certainly get it to perform.

 

[JuanJ]

I don't plan on owning a 70 anytime soon lol, I've got an fzj80 to nurse back to full health on a very limited budget.

But my ultimate dream rig would be a SWB 70 with coil springs and manual everything, with a 1fz, 2uz or 1KD. I'm not sure if they ever made them with those specs though..

Hello,

The 71 Series had the 1FZ engine, manual transmission and front coil springs between 1999 and 2009. Same for the 74 Series from 1999 to 2004/2006 depending on the market.

Both the 71 and 74 will be old enough to import to the US in 2024. They are old enough to import to Canada already.






Juan

 

[TonyP]

What about the Spanish/southern EU? models with the diesel 5-cylinder? Seems like those might be a decent bet given the Mediterranean climate etc..

The VM engine?
By all accounts it's trash though I have no experience with them.

 

[TonyP]

I don't plan on owning a 70 anytime soon lol, I've got an fzj80 to nurse back to full health on a very limited budget.

But my ultimate dream rig would be a SWB 70 with coil springs and manual everything, with a 1fz, 2uz or 1KD. I'm not sure if they ever made them with those specs though..

There are plenty of 1KD/1KZ 2-Door Prados around.
The problem is they aren't cheap for a good example. Think double to triple the price of a comparable 3rd Gen 4Runner in the US. The 5VZ is a more powerful and arguably more reliable engine anyways. A 5VZ, 2-Door, EU/LHD Prado exists but they're hen's teeth in good condition.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I don't plan on owning a 70 anytime soon lol, I've got an fzj80 to nurse back to full health on a very limited budget.

But my ultimate dream rig would be a SWB 70 with coil springs and manual everything, with a 1fz, 2uz or 1KD. I'm not sure if they ever made them with those specs though..

I'm also attracted to the SWB with FZ engine but will never own one. They certainly do exist. Toyota Land Cruiser Macho - Carros y Camionetas | TuCarro - https://carros.tucarro.com.co/toyota-land-cruiser-macho Also found in Middle East, I believe.

 

[SaturnAscends]

I'm also attracted to the SWB with FZ engine but will never own one. They certainly do exist. Toyota Land Cruiser Macho - Carros y Camionetas | TuCarro - https://carros.tucarro.com.co/toyota-land-cruiser-macho Also found in Middle East, I believe.

Why do you say you'd never own one?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I'm also attracted to the SWB with FZ engine but will never own one. They certainly do exist. Toyota Land Cruiser Macho - Carros y Camionetas | TuCarro - https://carros.tucarro.com.co/toyota-land-cruiser-macho Also found in Middle East, I believe.

All over Saudi. But good luck finding a good 25yo example.

 

[SaturnAscends]

All over Saudi. But good luck finding a good 25yo example.

Colombia seems like a good bet. There are listings on that link for the equivalent of 15-25k USD. I know importing them is a whole other matter, but if i was Daddy Warbucks, I'd make it so.

I wonder if anyone's bought one down there, then driven it up through Central America..

 

[FJBen]

South American cruisers are usually beat to crap and repaired with whatever they could find. Personally I wouldn't go for a SA cruiser unless I could personally inspect it or had a lot of provenance on it.