1998 Toyota Prado 2.7l

The 90 series Land Cruiser is the ideal Japanese Classic for the modern age. It’s similar in size and stature to newer crossovers and SUV’s, which makes it a prime candidate for daily commutes, weekend road trips, and occasional errand-running. Compared to the 4Runner it’s based on, prospective purchasers should love the increased head, shoulder, and legroom inside, and abundant ground clearance offered by the body-on-frame chassis. Finished in Pepper White (850), this 1998 Prado is set off by OEM rainguards, a factory rear lollipop mirror, and refinished factory tri-spokes. Save for a few cosmetic imperfections, the exterior condition is in good shape overall. Savvy shoppers will value the 98k verified and documented miles on the clock over all else, however, and this lovely Landy is fresh off a comprehensive recent service here at the shop. With enough space and comfort options to make any 4Runner owner jealous, we can’t believe these Japanese Classics were never offered to us in the States!

This eight-seater is ideal for families on the go and adventurous types. ABS and dual SRS front airbags are standard equipment, which should give your passengers a fair amount of peace of mind. The dashboard lacks any cracking or fading, and is utilitarian in design. Pilots of all sizes can find the ideal driving position thanks to a tilt-adjustable steering column, and the low-lying dashboard promotes top-tier visibility. For those who plan to enjoy this rig year-round, an automatic climate system is within arm’s reach. Rear occupants have their own controls, and the optional rear heat works properly. If you prefer more natural ventilation, the windows all power down with the press of a button and the rear quarter glass butterflies outward to supplement natural airflow. Other electric niceties include power folding side mirrors and power locks. The period-correct Pioneer audio plays crisp and clear throughout the cabin, although the adjacent Panasonic DVD screen no longer plays audio. The patterned grey upholstery is in good shape and lacks any major rips, stains, or tears. The matching material can be found in the door cards. The second row can split fold, and slide forward to accommodate larger cargo, and the third row can be completely removed or stowed up against the d-pillars. The carpets are in good shape, and aside from some blemishes to the door cards and headliner, it’s hard to complain about this well-kept cabin.

While the Prado does bear the Land Cruiser nameplate, most of the running gear is shared with the 3rd generation 4Runner, making servicing these righteous rigs a walk in the park. The same goes for the 3RZ-FE powerplant under the bonnet, which is a mainstay here in our US market. We did some work on the 2.7l to get it up to snuff for the road ahead. We shored up a few pesky oil leaks, and installed a brand new valve cover gasket, oil pump gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and distributor o-ring. While we were in there, the ignition system was rehabbed with a new distributor cap and rotor, and four new spark plugs. The four-banger has enough get up and go to propel this SUV to highway speeds, and an automatic gearbox performs gear changes predictably. A selective transfercase allows the full time 4wd system to switch between high and low gear, with a locking center diff option for any off road emergencies. For a rugged SUV, the ride quality is surprisingly plush, and the factory suspension allows for plenty of ground clearance to clear road imperfections large and small. To help this Prado ace the VA state safety inspection, both front lower control arms were replaced, as were the front lower ball joints. The power steering rack benefits from new bushings to eliminate slop in the steering, and this mid-sized SUV is easy to pilot overall. The ABS brakes grab with force, and we even installed four new 31″ Falken tires to make the journey ahead comfortable and carefree for tens of thousands of miles to come. Finally, a fresh alignment was performed on our rack so you can make the most of all our good maintenance!