Stock #6374
Exterior Overview
Trucks like this 70 series Land Cruiser are almost too good to be true. They’re reliable, easy to drive daily, and simple to service with their unstoppable turbodiesel drivetrains. Our 1996 Prado SX is the enthusiast’s pick, with its 5-speed manual gearbox, body-on-frame construction, and tidy interior that hardly looks like it belongs in a 30-year-old truck. Most of this can be attributed to the 97k miles on the clock, which do a lot to help this rig retain value too. The cosmetics are easy on the eyes, and this Prado is finished in a one-off Butler Black and set off by OEM rainguards, LED tail lamps, handsome silver 16″ alloys, and aggressive Falken all-terrain rubber. Ideal as a neo-classic, daily driver, or off-road champion, the 70 series does it all and does it well. It’s a handsome, standout SUV, and one of Toyota’s most resilient platforms to date. It’s obvious why we would deem it a Japanese Classic!
Interior Overview
This Prado’s interior has got the good stuff. It’s trimmed in comfortable materials, is packed with power amenities, and is in excellent shape, indicating it was clearly cared for in a prior life. Boasting three rows of spacious seating, the factory cloth upholstery has been protected by aftermarket leather seat covers, giving the cabin an upmarket feel. There’s a small separation on the rear bench cover but other than that, the materials are in far above-average shape overall. Even the dash cover has resisted the hairline cracking and sun fading we typically see on these models! Replacing some chunky factory equipment, a Nardi woodgrain steering wheel and shift knob are in good shape and really class things up. Upon entry, it may come as a surprise how accessible the amenities are, and how poised the chassis is for daily driving. The climate control knobs are within arms reach and cold A/C and hot heat can be pumped in on command. There’s also an adjacent Pioneer audio system that modernizes the cabin, and adds Bluetooth functionality. Power windows, locks, and electric side mirrors work at the push of a button and assist daily use, with remote keyless entry making access to the cabin seamless. To maximize the cargo hold, the middle bench can easily flip flat and forward, and if the whole family decides to tag along to cars and coffee, third-row seating can deploy from the D-pillars. The cloth headliner is stitched tightly to the roof, and the factory carpets are free of excessive stains or unwanted tears. Save for a saggy sun visor, this 70 series is far above average inside.
Mechanical Overview
The exterior is stylish, the interior is tidy, but real enthusiasts know the drivetrain is where the money is at on this 70! Fresh off a recent service and ready for the road ahead, we’ve bolstered this body-on-frame beast with loads of good maintenance, including 2 new 12v batteries that were installed to help this diesel crank over the first time, every time. The 1KZ-TE fires right up and a new valve cover gasket was installed to keep the lubricant from a fresh oil and filter service internal. As part of our standard service procedure, the fuel filter was replaced as well. This 3.0 is no slouch, and a 5-speed manual gearbox makes the most of the diesel’s low-end torque. It sends power to a selective transfercase, allowing the driver to select between 2WD, 4WD, or 4-low for when the going gets tough. Getting the drivetrain up to snuff on safety, we rebuilt both front hubs with new bearings and seals, and pressed in new front and rear trailing arm bushings as well. The suspension excels over road imperfections large and small and aced its state safety inspection with flying colors with the help of freshly installed swaybar bushings in the rear. To improve handling and control, an aftermarket steering stabilizer was installed to assist the suspension and steering systems at higher speeds. The Falken all terrains are brand new and look the part on the freshly refinished alloys. Fresh off an alignment and ready to tackle tarmac, dirt, sand, or snow, they’ll last for a good while and take you anywhere you desire to go!
*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.
