These days, it is not uncommon for late-model Porsches built in limited quantities to sell for high six figures or even low seven figures, in extreme cases. It’s amazing, really, to see the price placed on vehicles that will undoubtedly see shockingly little use. On the flip side, vintage SUVs are still more or less affordable despite offering a whole range of utility along with mechanical bits that can be serviced in your backyard. The seller’s 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser listed here on eBay is a running project, but even so, it just passed California’s stringent smog test.
Recently, I have been grappling with selling some vehicles, and the first car I considered letting go is my 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E. I believe I’m going to give that one a bit of a stay, for now, and move my 1989 Isuzu Trooper RS along. Why? Well, because for as much as it’s the better vehicle in terms of reliability, I can’t really use it as intended – which is on a dusty trail or a mountain switchback. It hurts me to admit that I won’t ever see it live up to its full potential, but until we reside somewhere that a rugged 4WD is required, it’s hard watching it sit for weeks on end. The seller’s FJ62 is certainly a bit of a project, but the fact that it still runs and drives despite not getting much attention mechanically shows you how stout these rigs are.
Under the hood is a 4.0L inline-six, part of a legacy of unkillable engines stuffed under the hood of Toyota’s top truck. It produces a reasonable 155 horsepower and healthy 220 lb.-ft. of torque, in this case channeled to the ground via a 4-speed automatic transmission. The seller recently addressed a few service items to prep it for the tough smog test, including an oil change, tune-up (spark plugs, fuel and air filters), coolant-temperature sensor/connector work, and a new O2 sensor. It sounds like there is still plenty more to do, but likely the type of work you can perform while driving the truck every day.
Truth be told, cosmetic issues look to be more of a challenge with this truck owing to the large dent in the driver’s side quarter panel. The paint is also heavily faded in places, along with an assortment of dents and rust. The rot doesn’t appear to be the kind I’m used to in the northeast but more the purely cosmetic type that you can live with if you so choose. With just over 221,000 miles, the Land Cruiser isn’t terribly long in the tooth by the standards of the brand, so this California truck is likely worth the opening bid price given there is no reserve to clear.
Leave A Comment