[Closed] Toyota Land Cruiser? (Chelsea Tractor content)

One of the least Chelsea tractorish 4x4s

Generally very reliable and bombproof, but watch for off road damage on used ones.

Budget?

They are supposed to be bomb proof, but appear to be pretty pricey. If you don't need 7 seats, have a look at the VW Touareg as well. If you want proper off road, get the escape version which has the diff locks.

In all off road cars, really, really look out for the tires. Most have simmer rubber fitted which is pants. Get some winters fitted which are normally Mud and Snow - it's an astonishing difference. I've got BF Goodrich urban terrain fitted to my non escape Touareg and it'll tow 2 tons out of a muddy field that before it couldn't get across. The same'll be true for most off roaders.

I have one a 2005 3.0l diesel LC5 lwb. I've had it for a few years now, it's been faultless apart from needing the 2 batteries replacing this last winter (they were old).

Cruises along at 70 - 80 all day long without stressing the engine, fuel economy is fine for such a big vehicle. It has 8 seats, massively practical, very comfortable and reliable.

I would have another but not yet this has got years of life left in it.

It's basically a Japanese range rover but reliable!

Mate had one, 55 plate I think, for many years.  It got used well including towing horses, occasionally in a box, and he lived in the sticks.  Comfy inside, drove like a supertanker though.  He got rid when it started getting very spendy - think it was a 2-3k bill for a suspension failure that was the nail in the coffin - air suspension perhaps?

His had the two extra seats in the boot which were next to useless.

Buy-it-outright budget up to about £12k - so second hand. Could do finance (but you end up paying through the nose?). Although, that said, the new ones are very smart looking.

Agree about tyres. I'd probably keep a set of winter wheels to swap on for when it gets grungy. Most of my 'off-road' stuff is summer access for shows and demonstrations (the amount of times i've been stuck on a wet grass festy field).

Also re. finance:  Anybody had a good experience of buying new or nearly new/ex-demo? I like the idea of owning a vehicle from new, so that there's no nasty surprises around the corner, but is it worth it? I also find 2nd hand car buying massively stressful.

#teamnissan

I miss my Pathfinder 🙁

Much more Tractor than it was Chelsea.

https://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/vehicle/559/toyota-fj

£30k

Just get M&S rated tyres year round, too much faff keeping another set of wheels.

I would expect a Landcruiser to have M&S rated tyres anyway, its just the 'bling' SUVS with big wheels that you see running summer tyres only, and car derived ones like VWs etc.

I went around the houses before buying the Land Cruiser, (I came out of Shogun ownership) Land Cruisers are by far the best option out here. I looked at a Pathfinder, small inside, cheap interior (even the leather spec) and the chassis snap in half on the navara version! Not a good option at all. Discoveries are obviously very unreliable and often cost thousands a year to keep on the road, Audi Q7 nice but not really an off roader, Volvo XC90 has known issues, VW Touareg? meh.   Land Cruisers are expensive, there's a good reason for that, they are very robust beasts, built like tanks capable of very high milages. Depreciation is low. The 4x4 system is also very, very good with all the low/high ratio, diff locks, hill descent gizmos etc etc you'd expect from a serious luxury off road vehicle. Basicaly the best out there.

Mine is an 8 seater and the 3rd row of seats do get used, very practical, they aren't at all useless as some bloke up theres mate might of said once lol  The ride is also very good, not 'supertankerish' at all. Very assured and high up for good visibility.

It's a bit up to you mate, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another second hand example, also if I had the spare capital I could also be tempted with a new one but the ved tax implications are £2k for the 1st year and so on! That would kill it for me.

Good luck with your search.

Point to note M +S tires are not automatically winter tires.

M+S designation is based on. Tread pattern only- generally it will get you moving

Winter designation takes into account the rubber compound - this is what helps you stop on cold wet/snow/ice.

You need the snowflake and mountain versions ---- M+S versions of 4*4 tyres are found cheaper.

Nice one, Mitsu. Top post. Thanks.

I’d look at imports too. I have an imported Hilux Surf. The Japanese don’t use salt on their roads and it makes a phenomenal difference to the underside of the vehicles.

There’s a lot of books and crannies under a LC as well as the various moving parts, particularly if you get the locking diffs. An import will be like new. I’ve seen diffs almost rotted through and the lockers written off through corrosion. Definitely budget for a thorough clean and seal whatever you end up with.

if you’re anywhere near Hampshire there’s a fantastic mechanic I can recommend, actually, people travel nationwide to use him.

a Proper full blooded Land Cruiser is truly a thing of wonder, I’ll take a LC80 please.

I've got an import 80 series Landcruiser Prado 3 door. (the smaller bodied one)

3.0ltr lump with an auto gear box.  It's a thing of joy.  Off the lights it's rather startling, at 85-90mph it's way too comfortable.  Towing is a pure joy, especially with the auto box.

I've got a specialist mechanic in Sussex that looks after mine.  He's a Jap 4x4 specialist.

Tim

Who is that Tim? I normally use Tony Nichols but someone closer could be useful.

The Japanese don’t use salt on their roads

Oh yes they do, never seen MCM's?

LAR 4x4 in Uckfield.  Chap called Adam Laraway.  He started me on Fourtraks and when I got needy enough he moved me onto a Cruiser.  He's got a collection himself which seems to evolve weekly.  Do a Facebook search as I think he moderates on Pure Japanese 4x4 (think STW geekiness and stupidity but for 4x4's)

He's been known to ride bikes as well once in a while.....

Cheers, I’ll get on that.

I dont think they use rock salt, maybe I’m wrong, anyway, you’re much more likely to find a clean import than a UK car.

The ride is also very good, not ‘supertankerish’ at all

I didn't make the comment, but 'Supertankerish' more likely refers to the steering rather than the ride?  If you are considering buying one of these, you probably don't care though.

Land Cruiser crusin the land

Thanks angeldust - someone can read.  I said its comfy mitsu but it turns corners like a supertanker - that matters to some.

Your reat seats sound different to the ones in my mate's former LC.  I did say two seats didn't I...

His faced across the car not forward, they were tiny and you ended up with legs in each others laps...pretty useless! Heavy to remove as well, might be worth the OP checking the options if he needs extra seats.

Said my mate...once.  Fool.

Absolutely massive out here in the Middle East.  They are the vehicle to have.

Everyone has the 5.7l VXR, but that's probably a function of fuel prices more than anything.... I've got a 3.8l v6 and it's considered pokey!  It's standard for locals to have at least one and they are ubiquitous.  You regularly see them racking up >400,000km before being sold, but most people keep them for life.

Not Chelsea tractor at all, they are more workhorsey, but have the utilitarian classiness that comes with a Land Rover, etc.  See also Nissan Patrols for the same kind of thing, or the Toyota Fortuna/Prado versions of the Land Cruiser.  The FJ Cruiser is also quite fun, but is getting away from a  LC a bit.

@pictonroad - my mechanic advised me against the hilux surf as they have had problems with cracked head-blocks? Is this something you've heard of?

And thanks for the recommendations. :o)

Get 3.0L above version like Landcruiser Prado, anything less is underpowered.

LC80 is amongst the favourite in the far east.  A true workhorse and very fast too.

bodgy

@pictonroad – my mechanic advised me against the hilux surf as they have had problems with cracked head-blocks? Is this something you’ve heard of?

It's an issue that affected the 2.4td and 3.0td second gen Surfs so roughly 89 - 95. It may have been an issue in the gen3 (95-02) but they are pretty rare anyway. You do find the same engine in a lot of Toyota products, ie the Landcruiser Colorado/Prado, Hiace etc.

I had one on hire for a few days in the US last year, I hated it. Incredibly thirsty, slow, poor handling, some very complicated controls (switching from low to high range for example), not as much room as you'd imagine with the seats folded down. I can't think of good word to say about it.

Yeh, the 2.4s crack heads, but there’s a good argument to say that any 25 yr old engine that is onwned by people who always thrash it and rarely service it will fare badly. I have the 3.0, it’s slightly less worse.

This thread is missing something, post your cruisers (or Toyota) people!

Nice, pict.  Black rims, massive tyres . . . looks more like a Tonka than a Toyota!

What sort of cargo-bike is that?

cb calling me a fool (lol) for apparently disapproving of him giving out his 'my mate owned one sketchy advice'. I own one mate, first hand advice given as asked for (Toyotaists), not second hand tales, read the op there's a good lad.

Fool indeed . . .

Now, now, ladies. Play nicely.

;o)

Scuttler - is that shot from a safari or outback trip?

As the Aussies say "If you want to drive into the Outback take a Land Rover. If you want to drive back again . . . take a Toyota."

The new Land Cruiser in £31k steel wheel/stripped out interior has me tempted - and has definitely filled a gap in the market that Landrover have lost (no Disco commercial or Defender)

I would love a 70series 'Troopy' - will have to get my brother in Australia to ship me one at some point!

To be fair 24 year old doesn't cut it with surf's. The engines ---like  those in bongos were a bad design and have been failing in the same way since the dawn of time.

And who ever suggested a fortuner instead of a land cruiser needs shooting.

We have an original 70 series land cruiser at work. It's better than the 4 year old fortuners in every way and the new shape land cruiser i

trail_rat

To be fair 24 year old doesn’t cut it with surf’s. The engines —like those in bongos were a bad design and have been failing in the same way since the dawn of time.

And who ever suggested a fortuner instead of a land cruiser needs shooting.

We have an original 70 series land cruiser at work. It’s better than the 4 year old fortuners in every way and the new shape land cruiser i

I'm curious as to exactly which spec 70 series you have and if you don't mind could you explain exactly why you have this opinion (get as technical as you like)?

Original 70? You work somewhere nice and sunny? Lovely, have to have on the imaginary lottery win country estate. 😍

You'll miss the van 🙂 . Any reason you are not going for something like a Transit AWD?

I pull a 3 ton trailer with an 2wd Iveco, and with General Tyre Grabber ATs (the 50:50 road:off-road) it does well getting off fields

Work in Angola

It's white ,5 door wagon  has 7 seats with room andapayload for 7 people ,air con , tan interior and  a lovely lumbering straight six diesel engine , handles the heavy rains without complaint and does decent mpg

Our fortuners. Are Petrol V6 need the tits revved off them have 7 seats but has neither space nor payload for 7 and ends up riding the bump stops which is horrific , they don't like deep water and are falling apart.

My post posted early last time but the new shape land cruiser Prado us as good at its job as the 70 almost as if it was built for work in luxury like range rovers 🙂 fortuners just seem built to a budget and suffer for it

We have an original 70 series land cruiser at work. It’s better than the 4 year old fortuners in every way and the new shape land cruiser i

'Better' in the same way that some people on here think that Berlingos are the best thing on 4 wheels?

Nope your comprehension skills need work.

🙂

Work in Angola

It’s white ,5 door wagon has 7 seats with room andapayload for 7 people ,air con , tan interior and a lovely lumbering straight six diesel engine , handles the heavy rains without complaint and does decent mpg

So ladder frame chassis, leaf springs all round and manual locking hubs?

Looking at it simplistically yes..... But it's the package that works rather than any of those individual things.

trail_rat

Looking at it simplistically yes….

Ok then educate us please, using as much detail or technical information you want.

Well individually each of those things is shit. See --similar age hilux. Has all those things....still a shit place to be.

70 series has all those things but not designed in a  carry big loads capacity and they work as it's been designed to be a nice place to be .

So ladder frame chassis, leaf springs all round and manual locking hubs?

Clearly the motor industry has wasted its time improving these things over the last 40+ years, and should have concentrated on keeping the tan interior.

Clearly your sarcasm function has not been transported in a Toyota fortuner -not sure it has the payload mind you.

trail_rat

70 series has all those things but not designed in a carry big loads capacity and they work as it’s been designed to be a nice place to be .

Except those that are designed to carry big loads. Must have a different colour interior.

trail_rat

Well individually each of those things is shit. See –similar age hilux. Has all those things….still a shit place to be.

Yes yes, you mentioned the tan interior. It seems as though your entire opinion can be summarised by the fact you prefer the interior comfort of one over the other. I was hoping you might actually have something informative to say.

Clearly your sarcasm function has not been transported in a Toyota fortuner -not sure it has the payload mind you.

Right, 'sarcasm'.

Why bother with this then?

Looking at it simplistically yes….. But it’s the package that works rather than any of those individual things.

Not sure what your point is.

Can I get it in more technical terms please ?

Why has a potentially good thread been turned into thin pointless bickering?

Why has a potentially good thread been turned into thin pointless bickering?

Because everything of interest that can be said has been said, but some people won't leave it at that. Threads are like pop groups - quit once your best work is done.

because angeldust turned up - as often happens when he does 😉  I'm sure its GW/Gary/what ever other banned names he has had .  Its only purpose in life is to trolllolololo

Landcruisers are ace - and thats from a land rover fan.

I’m sure its GW/Gary/what ever other banned names he has had .

I don't recall GW/Gary, but I can tell you it wasn't me.  I can only think you are confusing me with someone else who called you out for spouting nonsense :-).  It's not just me though:

It seems as though your entire opinion can be summarised by the fact you prefer the interior comfort of one over the other. I was hoping you might actually have something informative to say.

He's not called Gary either btw.  You've been given the opportunity above to backup your statements, but have been unable to do so, and resorted to calling troll instead.  Well done.

Ok then educate us please, using as much detail or technical information you want.

I like Landcruisers too.  Less keen on people who talk rubbish and don't like being called out on it (far too common on STW these days, unfortunately).

Not at all. I have given my opinion on why I think one vehicle is better than the other vehicle based on traveling in them both regularly.

Given they have one job and that's to transport occupants safely and reliably - I'd say occupant comfort and reliability were well covered in what I said. The fact it has old technology is moot if it works and doesn't need repairing all the time

You you focus on the fact that I describe it as a white car with tan interior ---- that's because it's a white land cruiser with a tan interior - shoot me for having eyes.

But you seem to enjoy being forum opinion police. Carry on.

And on another note -this forums getting unusable..... It's posting without me even pressing the post button while I'm typing now. Ffs

But you seem to enjoy being forum opinion police. Carry on.

I will, thanks.  But it's not policing, part of a discussion (which is what the forum should be) is calling out/asking for clarification (delete as appropriate) when something is unclear, or clearly nonsense, or just a different opinion from your own.  This is especially important when a user appears to offer their opinion as fact, when they have nothing to back that up, and are then resistant to any form of criticism or further discussion.

Watch out. Had a Landcruiser. Good on the Farm and not bad on road. Auto gearbox oil is fed through radiator. When radiator fails it is bye bye auto box. I would not buy another.

trail_rat

I have given my opinion on why I think one vehicle is better than the other vehicle based on traveling in them both regularly.

A couple of things to point out. First off, you are comparing an FJ70 Landcruiser with a Fortuner and claiming that whoever suggested it should be shot. No one did. The fj70 you are talking about has nothing in common with the "Landcruisers" for sale in the UK. Absolutely nothing. The Fortuner is also not available for sale in the UK. So you're comparing two vehicles that aren't available to the op, which no one asked about.

Given they have one job and that’s to transport occupants safely and reliably – I’d say occupant comfort and reliability were well covered in what I said. The fact it has old technology is moot if it works and doesn’t need repairing all the time

You're claiming that the leaf sprung ladder frame vehicle is both more comfortable and more reliable. You've previously stated that pickups with IFS were superior to fully leaf sprung variants because they "didn't have a ride like a seasick dolphin". You also claimed that you would rather "crawl over broken glass" than have a Hilux (ladder frame, leaf sprung). Given that the Fortruner has independent multi link suspension front and rear and you're so sensitive to ride quality I'd have to take that with a pinch of salt.

You you focus on the fact that I describe it as a white car with tan interior —- that’s because it’s a white land cruiser with a tan interior – shoot me for having eyes.

The reason we both focused on that is because it's the least important, least relevant, least informative aspect of it. I was genuinely hoping that you might actually be able to impart some information as to why the FJ70 was so great despite it's incredibly basic, rudimentary and agricultural design but the only detail you mentioned was the colour, and yet you had the cheek to say that I was "looking at it simplistically" when I pushed you on the mechanical aspects.

This is relevant to the OP because the reputation for reliability enjoyed by the Landcruiser name is based largely on the FJ70 which is still popular in Africa, Australia and the middle East. Although the j60 and 80 had a good reputation the 70 is a much more basic, design with an engine that gets terrible mpg and wouldn't pass emission regs in the developed world. So you really didn't add anything to the thread other than misinformation and your opinion which ..... I think you also said something about a Berlingo with winter tyres being better off-road than a Hilux? .......yeah I think the OP should go to a dedicated Toyota forum.

2015 Prado Kakadu driver here - but I live in Perth, WA where this is just a normal car.

Couldn’t be happier. Done a few decent road trips with lots of road / bit of off road and it’s done what I’ve asked of it. Not had any big bills yet, though I’m looking at new tyres so that’ll cost - AU$400-500 per corner. I went petrol and obviously it uses a lot, though it’s not so bad once you’re out of town. Stick it in low range and hit the sand and it gets into single figure mpg though. Good job it’s got a 137l tank.

Drives fine for what it is. You know it’s a heavy thing so you drive accordingly - but coming from a van you’ll know that. Worth paying more to get the air / KDSS if that’s an option. Improves the ride on road and gets more articulation off road.

Seems well put together but I’ve not had mine long. Loads here on many 100k kilometres and still holding their value. Bills will be big when they happen.

Running a 2002 3.0 auto. Would recommend.  Now done over 210k miles. Keep it under 55mph and mpg is very good  for the size. Great acceleration, cornering not so good but a great cruiser.

I've got a Kia Borrego  which is a ladder chassis, and it's great off road and towing, but bounces a bit on it. Great car though.

I'd go for  one of the more modern monocoque efforts now. You don't lose much in terms of ruggedness and capability (except towing maybe ) but you gain an awful lot in refinement.

(The thin bickering is amusingly feeble and easy to ignore)

About the only major plus I can see for ladder frames these days over monocoques is the relative ease by which their suspension can be modified e.g. to lift the vehicle. It’s for this reason our next vehicle will likely have one, but living in Australia I’ve found the limits of 220 mm clearance a few too many times, and I can’t afford a Disco. Our next car is likely to be a 200 series Land Cruiser.

Well my 22yr old ladder framed horse is still providing smiles, shifted a family’s worth of kit bikes and sleeping children on holiday, then converted to mud plaything when it’s just too grim to get out on the bikes. Technically, it’s probably awful but it’s part of the family now.

Watch out. Had a Landcruiser. Good on the Farm and not bad on road. Auto gearbox oil is fed through radiator. When radiator fails it is bye bye auto box. I would not buy another.

It’s a £40  one hour job to fit a trans cooler and eliminate this ever happening in case the OP is wondering.