Should I restore? 1994 KZ77, LHD, Manual, 220K KM

[texas77series]

I recently acquired 1994 KJ77 that had been sitting for a few years in storage. Imported in from South America back in 2022. LHD, Manual and one of my favorite 90s Land Cruiser colors - Emerald Green.
From my research, these are pretty rare as a LHD since most of these were the RHD Prado KJ78.
The truck as it sits, start, runs and drives fine. It'll need to be properly gone through since its been sitting, but a new battery and she fired right up.
Really love the suspension seats in these!

I am trying to decide what to do with the truck. I have no frame of reference for what one that is sorted and restored would be worth. There is a handful of comps for LJ77 I have found, but not a single one for a KJ rig. Seems like a nice LJ77 will bring $30-40K if they have been sorted and restored. Safe to assume a KJ should be worth that or more or am I crazy to think that?

 

[Dprio34]

@texas77series , 30-40k is seems to be on the high end of things. If you bought it to flip it, hope you didn't pay more than 15-18k. Generally, LHD commands more than RHD, and the KZ engine seems to be more reliable than L series. Hope you decide to keep it and enjoy it as an off-road / camping rig. You'll find lots of help here on this site if you decide to "go though it" yourself. Otherwise, good luck with flipping it.

 

[OGBeno]

KZ family is almost just as shïtty as the L family of engines.

I have 4 KZ engine overhauls lined up for the summer.

If you are in it to flip it, this is the wrong crowd.

 

[FJBen]

It all really depends on a lot….

Original purchase price: how deep are you in this?

Work to be done: full mechanical refresh? Partial, minimum, suspension, cooling (absolutely) tires, body work?

How much can you do yourself?


I think if it’s sorted pretty good and you make it sound, and get some really good pictures (pro) you could pull that higher end of the deal with the right buyer (BAT and make it flashy to find some people in a bidding war)

Nice 80 series have a hard time hitting that (outside of really clean low mileage) and they are a much better more desirable rig.

 

[texas77series]

Just to make it clear, the plan was to not flip it. I bought it to restore and keep myself, but also dont want to be to deep into it after it's done, where I will never get my money out of it when I do decide to sell down the road. Just not sure if I have the time or bandwidth to take on the project anytime soon. May have to put it back in storage for the time being, or find a new home for it.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Yes, the 1KZ engine can be problematic. But it is important to remember that it is a rather small engine moving a rather big truck. There are ways to face this situation, and a few threads about it on this forum. It is not cheap, though.

If body and interior are rust-free and in good condition, then there is less work to be done.

As mentioned above, perhaps 30k - 40k is in the high end. Some work is going to cost, other less so, especially if you want to do it yourself. Expect for the best but prepare for the worst. Keep in mind that 70 Series systems are built to be repaired, one at a time if need be.







Juan

EDIT: It is often assumed that 77/78/79 Series Prados are JDM trucks. LHD/General Markets Prados had more reliable variants of the 2L/1KZ engine, namely without EGR and electronics. Your truck seems to be one of these. It means that less work is necessary to baseline engine and drive train.

 

[FJBen]

Just to make it clear, the plan was to not flip it. I bought it to restore and keep myself, but also dont want to be to deep into it after it's done, where I will never get my money out of it when I do decide to sell down the road. Just not sure if I have the time or bandwidth to take on the project anytime soon. May have to put it back in storage for the time being, or find a new home for it.

If it’s for you to keep, just baseline it mechanically, especially the cooling and enjoy it. Make it safe, detail it up and drive it.

You absolutely don’t have to go full hog on a restore. Mine has so much more to work on, mainly the body but I just push it off and enjoy it

 

[joekatana]

KZ family is almost just as shïtty as the L family of engines.

I have 4 KZ engine overhauls lined up for the summer.

If you are in it to flip it, this is the wrong crowd.

All rhd ex JDM I assume ? In Europe the 1KZT has been a fabulous engine and most these days have + 300 k km . For some reason I see way more engine troubles on the rhd 70 series then the lhd .

 

[Jern]

1KZ-T with manual transmission and probably mechanical fuel pump then? sounds like a rare but sweet set up with a few cooling mods

 

[texas77series]

Correct. LHD, 1KZ-T (so not Electric fuel parts, EGR, etc) and a manual transmission. Very rare indeed.

 

[SNLC]

Hello,

Yes, the 1KZ engine can be problematic. But it is important to remember that it is a rather small engine moving a rather big truck. There are ways to face this situation, and a few threads about it on this forum. It is not cheap, though.

If body and interior are rust-free and in good condition, then there is less work to be done.

As mentioned above, perhaps 30k - 40k is in the high end. Some work is going to cost, other less so, especially if you want to do it yourself. Expect for the best but prepare for the worst. Keep in mind that 70 Series systems are built to be repaired, one at a time if need be.







Juan

EDIT: It is often assumed that 77/78/79 Series Prados are JDM trucks. LHD/General Markets Prados had more reliable variants of the 2L/1KZ engine, namely without EGR and electronics. Your truck seems to be one of these. It means that less work is necessary to baseline engine and drive train.

They also came with the 3L which is a great engine but another with no power.

Cheers