Long Time Lurker - First Time Buyer - Help Needed (1 Viewer)

[RobbenStereo]

Hello everyone,

Tired of waiting, seeing rotten Land Cruisers or ultimately missing out to another buyer. I took the plunge this week and bought a 1999 Land Cruiser Amazon 100 4.2. 141,000 miles, good service history (though done and noted privately rather than at a dealer)

Assured of the previous owners care in looking after it (with underseal + oil) every year, ultimately I checked underneath and assumed some surface rust, not the worst.

However I need your guys second opinon, frame to me seems solid, and cared for. But the steering and suspension components seem suspect and slightly worrying. But I am not a mechanical expert.

Would like to know, the standard question in the LC community, is this too much rust?

In addition;

1) The AHC doesn't work, stuck in normal height. This isn't a problem for me really, but would you look at getting this fixed? Or would you fit aftermarket suspension?

It's my intention to spend a bit of time/money on the car, to drive across Europe with my family, but I need to know before I get into this, if it's worth salvaging or do I go back to market to try and find a better rust free example? I am not afraid of a bit of rust and trying to restore somewhat, however I don't need a money pit, especially with a long drives and some challenging terrain planned.

Thanks in advance, can take more pictures if needed.

 

[RobbenStereo]

Think I'll be going back to the Land Rover Owners Forum when I next need an opinon or help...

 

[scubadoober]

It’s a holiday weekend here in the states. Probably not a ton of people on the board. The rust looks fine outside of the suspension bits. Start replacing consumables and enjoy the car. Hopefully you will be doing the work and not at a shop.

 

[delz05]

Surface oxidation... very common. No visible corrosion in the images you hve posted. A few hours of clean up (sand blast, wire wheel, grind, needle gun etc) ill give you a nice surface to hit with a rust kill primer, a coat of paint and then some form of external coating to reduce the likelyhood of further degradation. Cleaning out the internal frame would be a good idea as well, followed up with some type of internal coating that is available in your area.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Some of those rust areas don't look to great, esp. around the suspension. I'd be concerned about the bushings, ball joints, etc. I'd also be concerned about the random fluids/stains around the underside, where's all that coming from. But, bet it's running better than a Rover.

 

[gil12]

smack the rusted parts with a ball peen hammer. If hunks fall off - not good. If it pings like a submarine sonar - good sailing!

 

[RobbenStereo]

It’s a holiday weekend here in the states. Probably not a ton of people on the board. The rust looks fine outside of the suspension bits. Start replacing consumables and enjoy the car. Hopefully you will be doing the work and not at a shop.

Cheers for the response, agree with that. To my eye, frame and underside mostly looks okay, some surface rust. Suspension definitely needs addressing, going to be taking out the AHC and replacing with an aftermarket suspension kit, likely Old Man EMU. Will be doing as much of this myself as possible!

Surface oxidation... very common. No visible corrosion in the images you hve posted. A few hours of clean up (sand blast, wire wheel, grind, needle gun etc) ill give you a nice surface to hit with a rust kill primer, a coat of paint and then some form of external coating to reduce the likelyhood of further degradation. Cleaning out the internal frame would be a good idea as well, followed up with some type of internal coating that is available in your area.

Thanks for the detailed response, this is definitely the course of action. Been researching sand blasting in the local area, seems to be a few options. Also had a look at ice blasting. Will definitely look at cleaning out the internal frame as well. Appreciate it Delz!

Some of those rust areas don't look to great, esp. around the suspension. I'd be concerned about the bushings, ball joints, etc. I'd also be concerned about the random fluids/stains around the underside, where's all that coming from. But, bet it's running better than a Rover.

Yeah this was my diagnosis honestly, the suspension doesn't look great. As long as the frame and main body is okay, I can then deal with spending a couple of thousand on replacing the suspension for an aftermarket kit. Currently the AHC is stuck in normal height (no surprise) so it will have needed doing anyway.

The previous owner sprayed oil and rust protection each year so I think that's the reason for the fluids undernearth. It's been well serviced over it's time and I would be surprised if they were any leaks.

smack the rusted parts with a ball peen hammer. If hunks fall off - not good. If it pings like a submarine sonar - good sailing!

Thankfully no hunks and chunks coming off, just old rust protection flaking off a bit!

 

[OEMGUY0720]

I’ll pass on this one, the rust in the front IFS area is just too much. And if it a lot in that area you can only imagine in the areas that you don’t have direct line of sight to verify.

 

[2000UZJ]

Did they drive through a tar pit right after driving it into the ocean?

 

[Sethro60]

I would look into repairing/replacing the AHC for safety reasons. If I understand the system correctly it not only changes the ride hight and stiffness, but also controls diving under hard braking and side roll in corners. I really like it when its working.

 

[RobbenStereo]

I would look into repairing/replacing the AHC for safety reasons. If I understand the system correctly it not only changes the ride hight and stiffness, but also controls diving under hard braking and side roll in corners. I really like it when its working.

Yes, this is high on the list to be honest. Going to remove AHC and replace with Old Man Emu suspension, as well as replace all other suspension components. sway bars, bushings, tie rod ends, steering linkage, ball joints etc.

 

[RobbenStereo]

Did they drive through a tar pit right after driving it into the ocean?

Haha, the previous owner that had it 14 years and was meticulous to spray it with engine oil + underseal after servicing every year. Should be a fun one to clean up anyway

 

[RobbenStereo]

I’ll pass on this one, the rust in the front IFS area is just too much. And if it a lot in that area you can only imagine in the areas that you don’t have direct line of sight to verify.

I completely agree, IFS area is a concern, however it shouldn't be too costly or difficult to replace all these parts. I planned to replace AHC with Old Man Emu suspension anyway, so whilst there will replace all tie rod ends, sway bar linkages, bushings, ball joints etc. Most important to me was that the chassis and underside was solid, which it on the most part appears to be.

 

[GerLC100]

Ordered all my stuff for the first "overhaul" here: https://partsouq.com/
put in your VIN and get OEM parts. They have overviews for each subassembly/ area so you don't forget a washer, gasket, ... whatever. click, add, order.

 

[hoser]

@RobbenStereo Have you considered a JDM import?

 

[NE Snowman]

Honestly, even being in the NE I wouldn’t have picked this one. Some parts look fine, others look like they tried to cover the rust with paint and now it’s peeling off. If that’s what they did it will accelerate the problem because moisture is trapped.

Yes, this is high on the list to be honest. Going to remove AHC and replace with Old Man Emu suspension, as well as replace all other suspension components. sway bars, bushings, tie rod ends, steering linkage, ball joints etc.

Do not forget to replace torsions bars as well. AHCs torsions are smaller then regular suspension.

Think I'll be going back to the Land Rover Owners Forum when I next need an opinon or help...

Don’t take this too hard, there is more information in this forum then you realize. (Wizards here fixed things dealers couldn’t figure out) There are buyers guides to the 100 with exactly what to look for and stay away from. When your looking to purchase something that’s harder to find in good condition, yes you have to be ready with cash in hand and be ready to take your time for the right purchase. Even if it rusts out I’d still bet it rolled further then a Rover.

 

[RobbenStereo]

@RobbenStereo Have you considered a JDM import?

I did look at Japanese imports, the best I could find was over double the price of this one, after all taxes, fees, shipping and registration stuff. If you know of any reputable websites, would gladly keep an eye on should anything interesting come up...

 

[RobbenStereo]

Ordered all my stuff for the first "overhaul" here: https://partsouq.com/
put in your VIN and get OEM parts. They have overviews for each subassembly/ area so you don't forget a washer, gasket, ... whatever. click, add, order.

Appreciate that very much, will definitely take a look at this! Very useful to simply enter the VIN and find the appropriate parts.

 

[RobbenStereo]

Honestly, even being in the NE I wouldn’t have picked this one. Some parts look fine, others look like they tried to cover the rust with paint and now it’s peeling off. If that’s what they did it will accelerate the problem because moisture is trapped.


Do not forget to replace torsions bars as well. AHCs torsions are smaller then regular suspension.



Don’t take this too hard, there is more information in this forum then you realize. (Wizards here fixed things dealers couldn’t figure out) There are buyers guides to the 100 with exactly what to look for and stay away from. When your looking to purchase something that’s harder to find in good condition, yes you have to be ready with cash in hand and be ready to take your time for the right purchase. Even if it rusts out I’d still bet it rolled further then a Rover.

I am not sure about NE, but in the UK, it's really difficult to find a Land Cruiser without rust, infact I am yet to see one without any. I viewed a few before this, and they were absolutely rotten underneath. I probably rushed into this one a little bit, but the frame looked good and the price was tempting enough (though not as low as I would have perhaps hoped knowing what I know now).

Correct, had them on my list and forgot to mention them. Will get those replaced too.

It's all good, you're absolutely right, this forum is a wealth of knowledge, I'm glad to be here and see a lot of help and support for people. You're right, the main reason I moved from RR to LC.

 

[NE Snowman]

I am not sure about NE, but in the UK, it's really difficult to find a Land Cruiser without rust

Same here, so I found one that lived in Cali sun for 19 years that got closer to me and shipped it here. Paid a Mud member give it a once over and his opinion on it. Would have did a private mechanic if no members were willing. I walked from around 6-8 100s over the course of 1.5 years.

My sacrifice was I didn’t really care about paint condition(faded clear on hood and high sun areas) or leather condition(pretty rough and heat soaked).

I’ve had to replace lots of rubber seals and such but I know I won’t scrap it like my 4R due to rust.

Welcome to the addiction, yours is 100% fixable it’s just going to be lots of elbow grease.