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Diesel Powered: 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 75 Series

The Toyota Land Cruiser dates back to the early ’50s when the four-wheel-drive was introduced as their version of a Jeep-type vehicle, and it holds the company’s title as its longest-running model.  After a successful 25-year run, the 70 series family replaced the off-road 40 series models in 1984, and the 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser being offered for sale here on Craigslist is actually a 75 Series.  It’s located in La Crescenta, California, with an asking price of $44,000, and if you’ve been in the market for a versatile type 4X4 offering this one may be worth a look.  Barn Finds would like to thank reader Rocco B. for the tip on this one!

Although we don’t know how long he’s actually owned it, the seller says he’s been driving this Land Cruiser for about three and a half months, and he has plenty of high praise regarding the vehicle.  The body is stated to be solid, with no signs of rust anywhere, including the bottom area of the doors.  There’s a new factory windshield frame and weatherstrip, and that PTO winch upfront is said to be a factory item.  The B.F. Goodrich mud terrain tires have plenty of treads left, and a double gas tank is in place underneath so the cruising range should be good.  The chassis is also said to be solid, with no signs of accidents or welds and no rusted-through areas.

Under the hood is the Toyota 1HZ six-cylinder diesel engine, with a reported 77,000 kilometers, or 47,000 U.S. miles.  No word on whether or not it’s ever had a rebuild, but with this low mileage it’s probably nowhere near the point of needing an overhaul, and the seller reports that there are no leaks from the drivetrain.  Quite a few external components have been replaced recently, including the water pump, thermostat, hoses, and all the fluids.  The seller says there’s plenty of torque and power and that it gets good fuel mileage, and I’m sure that 5-Speed manual transmission helps things out in the economy department.

Things inside are looking pretty decent for a driver, and those are the factory seats but there are some tears on the driver’s side.  The heater has been canceled, but the unit and hoses are still intact, and an aftermarket A/C and blower have also been added.  All gauges and lights are said to work fine, and the seller throws out the offer to take the 4X4 to a Toyota specialist and have them check it out for a potential buyer, so it sounds like he’s confident everything’s in overall good working order.  What are your thoughts on this 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 75 Series?  Is $44k in the ballpark for what you’re getting here?

Comments

  1. Avatar alphasud Member

    Looks to be a little rough around the edges for what they are asking. Maybe if it was listed at 1/2 the price I would take interest. I looked up the 1HZ engine and it looks to be a reliable unit made by Toyota unlike the LandCruisers found in Spain which use a more fragile design from Italy.

    Like 3
  2. Avatar SirRaoulDuke

    I want to live in an alternate universe where I could buy this for $10k. I’d daily drive it until the wheels fell off.

    Like 7
  3. Avatar Comet

    I drove an identical one while stationed in Japan. Built like a tank, but MUCH slower.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar 433jeff

    Well i dont get that Yota makes a corolla 4wd diesel wagon, we cant get it here. The Subaru diesel???? How long ? And this rig! 40 k? Its a Yota im sure with those kinda miles its perfect. Way out of reach for me too

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Howie

    The seller says no cancer four times, Montana plates.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar RalphP

    Even in today’s market, $44K for a 26 year-old daily driver like this one is a bit too high.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar suprarossa

    I had one when I was working in Saudi Arabia about 10 years ago. You would see them on the highways every day – often with a couple of camels in the back. Completely indestructible and got me to my camping area deep in the desert every winter but no A/C was brutal in the summer. I wanted to import it when my contract was over, but it was too new to qualify. Sadly, I couldn’t find one 25+ years old that I liked before I left

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    Beautiful truck. I don’t get why Toyota refused to offer this in the USA. I think Land Cruiser pickup trucks would’ve made an awesome addition to the Land Cruiser line-up, particularly if it could’ve been offered with a turbo diesel engine. I would’ve bought one.

    Like 1

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