REDLINE ALLEYToyota Land Cruiser 70 Series buying guide
1984 to now. A 70 suits a buyer who needs a simple, heavy duty work truck and does not mind a firm, noisy ride.
Big jobs
- Manual gearbox synchros. Synchro wear, mainly 2nd to 3rd, comes from high km, towing or the wrong oil; GL-5 oil attacks the synchro brass.
- Rust in A pillars, door frames and chassis. Rust is reported in the A pillars and door frames on coastal trucks and on chassis of mine spec trucks.
- DPF blockage (late 2016 on V8). Later V8s with a DPF can block on short trips, with limp mode and engine lights.
- Airbox dust ingress (V8). Dust routinely gets past the airbox seal on the 1VD, causing airflow sensor and turbo problems.
Workshop jobs
- Rear spring hanger cracks. Overloaded trucks crack at the weld between the rear spring hanger and the chassis.
- Front wheel bearings. Heavy loads and off road use wear the front wheel bearings: a hum that becomes a growl, then a howl.
- Clutch on tuned V8s. The stock clutch is not built for extra power, so tuned V8s wear clutches.
- Rear leaf sag. Overloading makes the rear leaf springs sag prematurely.
Questions for the seller
- Which engine is it: 1HZ, 1PZ, 1HD-FTE or the V8?
- What oil has been used in the gearbox?
- Has it been tuned, and has the clutch been upgraded?
- Has it carried heavy loads, and has it had a GVM upgrade?
- Has it been used near the coast?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-01. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.