Looking to get this 1996 Prado TX, good deal? (1 Viewer)

[landcruiserprado]

For $29k. Saw it in person and it's in great shape from what I can tell. This will be my first land cruiser so all the things to look out for, that I learned from YT, checked out. Though I'm hoping to get some second opinions before I make the big purchase. To know what I'm getting beyond a shiny new Prado.

* Grade 4.5 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado TX
* 53,628 Original Miles
* Intercooled
* Automatic Transmission
* Standard 2-speed high/low transfer case
* Independent Front Suspension
* Touch Screen Stereo
* 2 pairs of Offroad Foglights
* Rear Ladder
* Factory Bullbar
* Clock and navigation cluster

I've learned that the 1KZ engines do crack and need to have the cooling system maintained. With that, is this a good deal? What else should I look out for?

 

[kgrove]

First, impossible to comment on pricing based on one picture + mileage and a couple details. You also didnt include useful info in the details to help figure out how it should be valued... e.g., is the touch screen stereo US spec or the japanese variant as it came from auction? At 53K miles, it's awfully close to 100K km when the timing belt should be replaced (even ignoring the 25 yr old nature of the timing belt), so has the timing belt recently been replaced? Or is that of immediate need? Second, I'd want proof that was a grade 4.5, so ask for a copy of the auction report. I've purchased 8-10 cars from Japanese auction houses and I have never seen a grade 4.5 on a 25 yr old car, and grade 4s are rare specimens. Maybe they exist if this one is in even better condition than the best I've seen - certainly possible - I'm just saying I've never even seen one cross my radar screen to be an option. That said, I don't have that version of the Prado on my search list as I only look at KZJ78 and HDJ81 cars. Third, I'd be careful with the price. The limited information presented certainly sounds appealing, but that version of the Prado doesn't get much love in the US. I'm guessing it's because it looks exactly like the Lexus GX available in the US, so many people would prefer a LHD version with complete parts commonality to what's already here. It looks great, just check around and see what else is there.

 

[Bad Mojo]

I agree with @kgrove, hard to say with a single photo and no service records. I would say what is listed out is more an options list not a history service of the vehicle. It has some cool/neat options on it and from the one photo it looks clean.

If possible I would try to get a shop to look at it. Best case they confirm it is super clean, worse case you spent some money and walked away from a basket case. If the seller isn't down with a shop looking at it I would consider walking away. The other thing is even if the truck is super clean it is old by many standards. You are going to be facing service based on age not use most likely. We bought the cleanest KZJ78 we could find and a measurable amount of work we have done on it is because stuff is just old and tired not broken. Rubber cracks, hinges sag, plastic becomes brittle, etc. I would say at the 3 to 4 month of daily driving it was when we really knew what needed work because it took some time that stuff to crop up. I set aside a year of tweaking and servicing that truck before considering it a vehicle I would be fine with driving out of state. I get that might sound really conservative, but if that trucks needs service while traveling I can't just go to any mechanic I have to find a very specific mechanic and parts are generally 10-14 days away minimum.

This vehicle could be really great, but I would be deep diving into it's mechanical history. If that can't be found that doesn't mean the vehicle shouldn't be purchased it just means there is more risk or some maintainence needs to be planned upon purchase.

 

[coldtaco]

If you really want one of these I would get one from Europe-LHD

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Watch very, very closely before you buy.

As mentioned above, check auction documents and service records as thoroughly as you can.

This truck may have full time 4WD with a center differential lock. Some previous owners hack the transfer case to make it part time 4WD and fuel mileage improvement.

At 25 years, some components start to fail, namely axle bearings, axle seals, tie rod ends, front axle joints and shock absorbers. The list goes on.

If the truck is in good shape, it is worth acquiring and baselining. Otherwise, it is not.

Do not spend money you cannot afford to lose.





Juan

 

[Combat Wombat]

I had the same model here in Aus. (JDM import, not local market)
The lower ball joints are prone to critical failure (especially if lifted), and also the lower control arm bushes get sloppy too.
Due to the rough nature of removing the bushes, it is easier to get whole lower control arms with new ball joints pressed in.

The ECU can have leaking capacitors (the component that controls the Auto trans.)
I actually ran a small business that repaired ECU's and probably did 1 or 2 a month (for Hiace, Surf, Prado)

For a nearly $30k vehicle, are you intending on avoiding offroad and gravel? Or will it be a cool retroesque cruise machine?

I spent $10k on mine here in Aus, bought it off senior law enforcement in a semi-remote area.
It was a total bush machine... I miss it dearly.
Unfortunately (?) had ahead on collision with some criminals (firearm stealing) during an evade. The ARB steel bullbar made a huge mess of everything on impact.