The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

komondor · Newbie Joined: 13 Oct 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Cheshire

Hi,

I have a Toyota Colorado Landcruiser (1994 reg) which has been a loyal, practical, farm vehicle... 2 years ago it developed a gear box problem (from memory, 1 and 3 wouldn't work)... we left it on the yard and, for two years, just used the landrover.... which has been a rubbish vehicle in comparison..

We decided to get the Colorado fixed...since at the point it broke down with gear problems we were told by the garage that the gears were the only problem (we have over time replaced most other working parts, including brakes; wheel assembly; clutch...) predictably, the brakes had seized in the two years of non-use, so we had it towed... but, the key wouldn't go into the ignition anymore (we understand the problems there)... so tow-guy dismantled the steering 'area' to free the steering lock and get it on the tow truck.... sigh....

Upshot is, now its at the gearbox specialist, he says given the two years off-road plus the dismantled steering stuff, he doesn't see the point in fixing the gear box as he says its 'dead in the water' and we should just move on and buy another vehicle...

Basic question then is..... is it worth resurrecting a Colorado of this age ... and, if so, what else could have been affected by two years sitting outside not moving? Am I just being stupid wanting to repair it... and if I am willing to be stupid, what sort of ballpark figures am I looking at to get the steering surround re-assembled and the gearbox repaired or replaced..

Alternative question - are there specialist repairers of these vehicles who love old-style Colorados and aren't a rip-off?!

Thank you - I love this Colorado, but I am definately not mechanically-minded ....

Confused

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Vagabond · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:17 Post subject:

Colorados were only available from 1996 (on a "P" plate) in the UK. Are you sure your's is a Colorado and/or a 1994?

Unless you have a particular connection with this LC, you may find that it becomes a money pit very quickly. I would cut my losses and suggest that you pick up a (90 series) Colorado in better condition - they are relatively cheap now and decent ones can be had for around £3k. You may still have to spend some money on TLC as these trucks are getting on for 20 years old. However you should end up with a decent truck at the end of it.
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'97 VZJ95 - Colorado 3.4V6 with LPG, 40mm Ironman SL, full SS exhaust, 265/75R16 Hankook Dynapro RF10s on 80 alloys and 195k+

Vagabond · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:19 Post subject:

Forgot to add that if it is a 1994 - you may have a 70 series LC (which were badged Landcruiser in the UK and Prado elsewhere) and not a 90 series LC (which were all badged Landcruiser Colorado in the UK and Prado elsewhere - confusing I know!)
_________________
'97 VZJ95 - Colorado 3.4V6 with LPG, 40mm Ironman SL, full SS exhaust, 265/75R16 Hankook Dynapro RF10s on 80 alloys and 195k+

komondor · Newbie Joined: 13 Oct 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Cheshire

Hi,

Thanks for your reply about the 1994 potential repair-job (yes it is the one branded Prado elsewhere)... having had a nightmare of constant repairs with the landrover, which we bought following the same thinking you suggest (why not just get a replacement...) the main issue is just that, if we had to pay £3,000 (cost of a replacment as you say) we would probaly rather put that into the current colorado as we know its history and what has already been replaced...

I guess this is a bit of a 'Concorde Fallacy'... when do we stop investing in a second-hand vehicle... and is it any better to invest in a second hand vehicle one doesn't know than one which is a potnetial disaster but one does know....

any other thoughts on what might tip the balance?

Vagabond · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 13:41 Post subject:

The 70, 90, 120 and current 150 series Landcruisers were/are all badged "Prado" in many countries. So that is not really a clue in this regard.

If yours in a 70 series - which is sounding more and more likely if it is a 1994, then they are getting rarer to find these days in good condition (plus they are older to start with). If you are looking for a Colorado (90 series) to replace it, then you will not be replacing like-for-like.

Whilst the 70 series is a really great utility vehicle, the 90 series can do all of that plus has some more creature comforts too. IMHO the 90 series is a more versatile vehicle - but I might be biased as I have had one for over 10 years!

This is a pic of a LWB 70 series from around the mid 1990s;

....and this is a pic of a LWB 90 series (Colorado in the UK) from the late 1990s/early 2000s;

_________________
'97 VZJ95 - Colorado 3.4V6 with LPG, 40mm Ironman SL, full SS exhaust, 265/75R16 Hankook Dynapro RF10s on 80 alloys and 195k+

komondor · Newbie Joined: 13 Oct 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Cheshire

Hi,

Thanks again. That was really helpful, mine is a 'P' plate, so I am guessing must be 1996 (I have confused it with a 1994 vehicle we also had in the past..)

Does that make any difference in terms of deciding whether its worth a refurbish or not?

Thank you for posting the 'photos...

Vagabond · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 18:14 Post subject:

Arhhh....thanks for the confirmation. So you have a 1996 Landcruiser Colorado. Can you confirm whether it is a LWB or SWB and I'm assuming it is a 3.0TD.

It's a difficult one - a bit like how long is a piece of string. How is the underside/chassis, rear axle case and suspension mount points etc. for the old tin worm on yours? You might want to make sure yours is sound before you decide to spend loads on any mechanical repairs.

Whichever way you go, I think this is going to give your wallet a bit of a hammering........ Sad

Personally, I would start with a good condition vehicle and work from there but you may already have an (emotional) attachment to your Collie and that may sway things for you.

Good luck, whatever you decide.
_________________
'97 VZJ95 - Colorado 3.4V6 with LPG, 40mm Ironman SL, full SS exhaust, 265/75R16 Hankook Dynapro RF10s on 80 alloys and 195k+

komondor · Newbie Joined: 13 Oct 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Cheshire

Hi,

Many thanks again for a further helpful reply! My Colorado is a long wheel base.... your comments on the chassis etc. are very useful.. this is the bit I was hoping the garage would clarify, but they are not being particularly helpful, as far as I can tell they want me to make a decision on fixing the gearbox without anuy further infor on the state of the rest of the car! Maybe I should try another garage... but as it currently has to be towed that can get expensive too.... sigh!

Edward · *** Joined: 09 Sep 2014 Posts: 180 Location: Cirencester

To me the main decision point would be: How much is the gearbox repair going to cost? Like Vagabond mentioned a Collie of that age can be picked up for around 3K, so you got to keep that in mind before giving the OK for the repair.

komondor · Newbie Joined: 13 Oct 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Cheshire

Hi Edward,

Thanks for your reply too. The problem is, that although a colorado could be picked up for £3K I wouldn't know its history or hidden problems, whereas I do know this one.... by way of example, when the colorado gear box went, we decided to 'cut our losses' and picked up a landrover for around 3K (going price for supposed condition and age)... it then cost us 9K to keep on the road due to all the problems no-one had told us about (and yes - we did have it looked over by an independent garage!) I just don't want to be in the same situation again, any 2nd hand car, as far as I can see, is a pig in a poke....

joinerman · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 18:25 Post subject:

You have answered your own question. Throw more money at the one you've got then.