Buyer's checklist: 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser 1991–1997

What to look for on this generation, worst first. Tick each line as you check it.

Free while the site is being tested. Every line comes from the dossier and keeps its source, and the dossier itself stays free.

Inspection sheet Mark up every panel, what is underneath and how it drives.

Look for 4

Known problems, and how to check for each.

Head gasket leakAll yearsWatch for coolant that drops with no leak on the ground, and wet coolant on the outside of the engine. Ask whether the head gasket has been done.^1,2
Leaking front knuckles and worn wheel bearingsAll yearsLook for grease or oil weeping from the front axle knuckles.¹
Cracked frame at the steering boxAll yearsLook for cracks in the frame around the steering box mounts.¹
Rust in the floors and around the rear windowsAll yearsLook at the front footwell floors, under the truck and around the rear windows, above all on trucks from salted roads.¹

What owners and the press say to steer clear of.

The 4.0L for towingAll yearsIn one IH8MUD thread on a 1992 against a 1993, nine of thirteen members favor the 1993 and later trucks with the 4.5L, most of them for towing power. Two prefer the 4.0L, one as much easier to work on, though that one agrees it is not the engine for heavy towing. A third member says the 4.0L has head gasket and ECU relay problems.³

The boxes are for you: nothing you tick is sent or kept.