Looking To Buy Land Cruiser - Undercarriage Rust Question

[shige]

Hello everyone. Recent lurker and new member here. I am looking for a 2000 to 2003 Land Cruiser to take my young family camping. Really interested in the 2003 with the 5 speed tranny but can save quite a bit going with an older 100.

Found a 2000 with 160k on it but not sure if the undercarriage is ok. I live in California and the LC is also a California vehicle. Can you take a look at the attached pics and let me know if I should steer clear of this vehicle or if the rust is more surface-based and treatable. It is 15 years old so perhaps this is normal. Just looking for some expertise.

Thank you.

 

[Supra88]

What rust? That looks pristine to me.

 

[Ermagerd]

I don't see any issues from those pics- that looks excellent.

 

[RND1]

About as clean as you'll find on a 15 year old rig! Go for it!

 

[Number6]

Wash it and it's clean enough to eat off of! But rust is a very real thing. I saw a Tacoma 4x4 lifted a little a few days ago. Had a pretty large hole in the side of the frame channel. First time I'd seen anything like that on a running vehicle, surprising.

 

[Sandroad]

Shoot, they rolled off the assembly line with that much rust. Base your decision on other things for that one.

 

[TXLX100]

Not much rust there.

 

[Ermagerd]

Wash it and it's clean enough to eat off of! But rust is a very real thing. I saw a Tacoma 4x4 lifted a little a few days ago. Had a pretty large hole in the side of the frame channel. First time I'd seen anything like that on a running vehicle, surprising.

I looked at a sequoia that had the same issue. Apparently the guy couldn't register it without the frame getting fixed, so he was reselling it.

 

[Dog]

Very minor...nothing to worry about.

 

[SmoothLC]

Go for it!

 

[jhanley]

I'd do a frame-off restoration, although, it might be too far gone...

 

[jemsec]

Compared to one on here recently, that one has no rust to be concerned about. The small amount can be cured easily. The other was the worst seen so far. Held together with a prayer.

 

[ogsuv]

That's one winters worth in wisconsin. Buy it.

 

[Ganndolf]

I believe I can spot some grease splattered around the CV's and also the oil on the rear diff looks kindof odd, maybe a leak from the fill hole. If you're looking for something to knock the price of with I would use these, these aren't actually big problems they are just good BS items. The rust is absolutely non-existant, 0 worries there. looks like a very clean rig though. Most reliable vehicle on the road! good choice with the landcruiser! look at this if you're having any second thoughts http://tradeinqualityindex.com/QualityIndexRating.html

 

[WiscoProud]

Hello everyone. Recent lurker and new member here. I am looking for a 2000 to 2003 Land Cruiser to take my young family camping. Really interested in the 2003 with the 5 speed tranny but can save quite a bit going with an older 100.

Found a 2000 with 160k on it but not sure if the undercarriage is ok. I live in California and the LC is also a California vehicle. Can you take a look at the attached pics and let me know if I should steer clear of this vehicle or if the rust is more surface-based and treatable. It is 15 years old so perhaps this is normal. Just looking for some expertise.

Thank you.View attachment 1074157View attachment 1074158View attachment 1074159View attachment 1074160View attachment 1074157View attachment 1074158View attachment 1074159View attachment 1074160

I would have killed to have that clean of an underbody after then afternoon i had.

 

[elk]

Wash it and it's clean enough to eat off of! But rust is a very real thing. I saw a Tacoma 4x4 lifted a little a few days ago. Had a pretty large hole in the side of the frame channel. First time I'd seen anything like that on a running vehicle, surprising.

Undercarriage rust was the reason I sold my '07 Tacoma. I had a hole in the left side frame rail by the catalytic converter. There was a 10 month wait for a new frame at my local dealer, and so here I am with a new to me '06 LC.

That amount of frame rust on a 15 year old vehicle in the Mid Atlantic is unheard of. You have a beautiful find. I was looking at a 2 year old 5th gen 4Runner Trail that was already more brown than black in PA.