The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

[parsons104]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to buy a 3door Colorado to replace my Suzuki Jimny, I'm going to be doing some miles over the next year or so, so need something better on the road, towing etc would be usefull too. Can anyone tell me anything particular I need to look out for? i.e. common problems, issues etc. I'm hoping to get something pre march 1st 2001 to get the cheaper tax band.

Cheers

Henry

[Google]

[jvoelcker]

A friend down the road from you in Newport has one for sale that might fit the bill.  PM me your email address and I'll pass it on.

As for what to look for, keep an eye on rust and also budget for getting the injectors checked, there is a history of head problems due to poor spray patterns on those engines.
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Cheers,

Julian
1994 HDJ80, with loads of mods without looking too obscene
1997 KZJ95 - Gilly's - plain black and muddy on BFG ATs.

[BigSi]

Sometimes the sunroofs can be prone to leaks.  

[Landcrusher]

Hi Henry, I see that you've not had many responses here. Firstly, you'd have been better to place his on the Colorado / 90 section as you are asking specifically about that model and secondly, there have been quite a few of the regular contributors away in Wales at the weekend getting muddy.

We're a friendly and helpful lot, but this is a very regular question which we end up answering again and again which gets a bit tiring. We have asked for a sticky for each model so that we can run a post for new members to see the total picture for each vehicle. Can I suggest that you flick through with the search function or at least read the post titles for the last 12 months and pick out what you want. If you've some specifics then come back. I have a three door diesel so I can give you some help. As the 3 door only comes in (UK anyway) as a manual, you won't have the issue with the radiator leaking into the auto box.

Here's a link to get you going and a quote from it covering the main issues.

http://www.tlocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4005&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=


I had an early (P) which cracked. My current 98 reg seems fine. I asked Toymotaman about this and he said that the IKZ-TE's that cracked were the early ones and that R reg on were fine. It does seem to be the earlier models. D4D from memory came in around 2002, W reg I reckon. Roughly folks - that's not a fact. They're easy to tell apart.

I've had LWB and SWB manual and auto in the 90 series. The LWB is probably a better vehicle - there I said it, but then I only tow a quad bike and I don't want to lug anything but my dog and a load of shooting stuff around. I have two seats only - and an Avensis for the family.

Really anything around the R, S and T mark is getting pretty old now and whilst they can run forever, there are bits and pieces starting to show through here and there. I have asked for a sticky for each model so that we can log regular faults on all vehicles to act as a buying guide to newbies. Your mechanicals are really solid on these, they don't really wear out that easily. Some of the ancillaries need replacing, like radiators and the like. But if you're buying a car for sub £3000 you have to get real. They were £27k new. OK, what would I look for - here we go again. gosh that sticky would be useful. You shouldn't get this on EVERY car Rosie, but best to know what COULD go wrong

Some of these aren't actually visible by the way. But knowledge is everything. I'm sure the team will add

Rear diff loks rot inside and stop working - red light on dash won't go solid when in low ratio. If you're pulling a box, this could be useful in a wet field Toyota £720. Scrappy £300
Cooling system can go, leaking coolant into the autobox. Not terminal, but costly and a right pain if you're not handy. £Don't know
Rust can appear around sunroof or front top of windscreen. Should penetrate but looks untidy £?
Hand brakes (due to bodge maintenance) can be  jiggered. People just wind the fine adjustment up. Look for a hole in the hand brake lever gaiter between the seats where it has been tightened up too much £difficult to say. depends on amount of neglect. Service history should have looked after this
Headlight connectors can become carbonised - sometime due to too higher wattage lamps. Increased resistance leads to dim lights £ couple of quid to fix
Steering rack mountings can get sloppy. When parked turn the steering whilst looking underneath. The rack body should just flex. If it slides back and forth it needs rebushing. £50
Rear light clusters in the bumper collect all the crud and can rot away. £43 per side to replace
Sunroof electrics pack up  - open a window
Rear door hinges can sag. Push a bit harder when you close the door
Center console drinks lid WILL be broken. Live with it. If it's not, first time anyone gets in, they will break it for you.
Air filter lid catches can wear so that lid isn't held down properly. Fix with bungee cord. 80p
Rear slide joint in propshaft can be over greased leading to limited movement and wear. Again, if Toyota serviced, should have been looked after

Can't think of anything else at present. It looks a pretty black list, but honestly, I've had 3 Landcruisers and I'd have another tomorrow. Even with just about ALL of those faults, one of these would cross a desert with not much more than an oil change and a top up of the radiator.

Get a decent example and use it for pottering around, it will serve you for years. I've just done 600 miles in mine this weekend. Went fine.

LC

LC
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HDJ 80 but still a 90 owner at heart (yeah right!)