Opinion about this 200-series (undercarriage images) (2 Viewers)

[nkbitsch]

Hi everyone,

I'm still searching for a solid 200-series, with decent mileage on it (150-180k).

Dave Gitman has one for sale, and from the images, it looks spotless (and so does the undercarriage): Pardon Our Interruption... - https://www.ebay.com/itm/197609722200

However, despite his 100% positive feedback on eBay, all comments about him and his company are negative here.

I am not a mechanic, and not an expert at examining images of the undercarriage, so I would be grateful if any of you could give your honest opinion. In his own words "There are no issues with this Land Cruiser - it looks and drives beautifully. It has been very well maintained, with no noticeable scratches, and the interior is in excellent condition."

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

I’m not a mechanic or expert by any means but that undercarriage looks super clean to me! Wait for others to chime in though!

 

[nkbitsch]

It turns out that the car was recently sold by a company called Twin City Motors: 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD | Stock No: 544 - https://twincitiesmotors.net/423236/2008-Toyota-Land-Cruiser

Here are a few images from their original post. It seems like something is "loose/missing" at the front wheel, and that a cut has been made into the wheel arches:

 

[linuxgod]

It turns out that the car was recently sold by a company called Twin City Motors: 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD | Stock No: 544 - https://twincitiesmotors.net/423236/2008-Toyota-Land-Cruiser

Here are a few images from their original post. It seems like something is "loose/missing" at the front wheel, and that a cut has been made into the wheel arches:

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My guess is they were running 34 or 35” tires and swapped back to a stock size when selling/trading in. I made the same little cut when I had 34s and +25 offset wheels

 

[gaijin]

Hi everyone,

I'm still searching for a solid 200-series, with decent mileage on it (150-180k).

Dave Gitman has one for sale, and from the images, it looks spotless (and so does the undercarriage): Pardon Our Interruption... - https://www.ebay.com/itm/197609722200

However, despite his 100% positive feedback on eBay, all comments about him and his company are negative here.

I am not a mechanic, and not an expert at examining images of the undercarriage, so I would be grateful if any of you could give your honest opinion. In his own words "There are no issues with this Land Cruiser - it looks and drives beautifully. It has been very well maintained, with no noticeable scratches, and the interior is in excellent condition."

View attachment 3970015
View attachment 3970016View attachment 3970017View attachment 3970018

Thanks in advance!

With the exception of the fuel tank, there don't appear to be any of the underbody protective panels installed. Maybe the previous owner had aftermarket skid plates installed, removed them, and did not re-install the OEM plates.

HTH

 

[Sandroad]

There’s rust under all that black coverup. You can see flaky areas if you look close. Not a factory frame color.

 

[nkbitsch]

Based on all this helpful feedback, I’ve decided to pass on this car. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m hopeful I’ll find an honest seller and the right LC200 in the near future.

 

[efjayatee]

@nkbitsch
I've always find buying unseen to be risky to me. If you are set on purchasing it unseen, I would perform a pre purchase inspection (PPI). Good luck with finding your next vehicle.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

There’s rust under all that black coverup. You can see flaky areas if you look close. Not a factory frame color.

Agreed

 

[stonepa]

Unless it’s just a normal Lanolin product that has picked up some dust. Looks like the underside of my 200 and I have zero rust under years of Fluid Film.

If it is a rubberized or paint like coating, like the famous Z, then all bets are off and it could be a rusted out mess.

But I would never buy an LC I couldn’t inspect first hand. Even in that beautiful color.

 

[Mingus Dew]

Unless it’s just a normal Lanolin product that has picked up some dust. Looks like the underside of my 200 and I have zero rust under years of Fluid Film.

But I would never buy an LC I couldn’t inspect first hand. Even in that beautiful color.

Hard to tell from pictures but it doesn't look like lanolin to me. No sheen/wetness whatsoever.

Looking at the frame welds I'm of the opinion that this is a quick rattle can job to cover up surface rust but I could be wrong.

 

[MRego]

Hard to tell from pictures but it doesn't look like lanolin to me. No sheen/wetness whatsoever.

Looking at the frame welds I'm of the opinion that this is a quick rattle can job to cover up surface rust but I could be wrong.

Yep... agree. It also LOOKS like - from afar - as someone used one of those rubbering products/things to cover the rust or "protect" from it, which we know is even worse since it encapsulates the rust and let it grows silently.

 

[AZLX570]

Definitely an undercoating job on it, for better or worse. Would absolutely not take a chance on shipping it around the world unless I could inspect it in person.

Chances are if you're buying from a dealer and there is an undercoat, it's hiding something.

There's a ton of rust (whether it be surface or not) visible through the coating here:

 

[nkbitsch]

I spoke with a previous owner of the car who told me that the body is clean, but unfortunately frame is rusted.

Just in case anybody is considering buying it.