Body Color

Emerald Green/Oyster Pearl (26Z)

Engine

3.0TD 1KZ-TE I4

Transmission

A/T

1996 Toyota Prado KZJ78

Available for: $22,995

Body Color

Emerald Green/Oyster Pearl (26Z)

Engine

3.0TD 1KZ-TE I4

Transmission

A/T

Stock #6514

Forget an FJ Cruiser or any drab Heritage edition, this 70 series is a real-deal Land Cruiser, based on a true old-school body on frame light-duty chassis.

Exterior Overview

Keen Toyota enthusiasts are catching on, the J78 Prado is a heck of a buy, and is proving time and time again to be the go-to choice for retro daily drivability. Forget an FJ Cruiser or any drab Heritage edition, this 70 series is the real deal, based on a true old-school body on frame light-duty chassis. Our 1996 Prado SX is a great unit, finished in Dark Emerald Pearl/Oyster Pearl (26Z) and set off by a factory rear tire mount, factory front rainguards and refinished OEM 16″ Hilux Surf wheels. The 129k verified and documented miles on the clock are also a welcome sight, as any Toyota nut knows this Cruiser is barely broken in! Fresh off a recent service, these long wheelbase Prados are a continuous favorite, as they’re easy to putt around and break plenty of necks at the local Cars & Coffee. You can call it a dependable truck, a formidable off-roader, or your next overland rig, as long as you call it a Japanese Classic!

1996 Toyota Prado KZJ78
1996 Toyota Prado KZJ78

Interior Overview

The interior looks a whole lot better than most 1996 SUV’s you’ll find plodding around our domestic highways, and it’s packed with all the power equipment you’d need to make daily duty a walk in the park. This includes functioning power windows, locks, and side mirrors, and an intuitive climate control system that serves up rear heat to keep your passengers warm in the winter. The A/C blows ice cold too, and can be toggled on and off on command. Adjacent to the HVAC, OEM audio is functional and works well for its nearly 40-year-old design. The accessories and power equipment are all tucked beneath a grey vinyl dash cover, which shows well save for a few hairline cracks that the 70 series is notorious for. The driver can get comfortable behind a tilt-adjustable steering column, and power lumbar adjustment is on hand to aid comfort on long drives. Typically removed in Japan to make room for extra cargo, the factory third row is still intact, and can deploy from the D-pillars to accommodate a few more passengers. The cloth headliner is free of unwanted stains or sagging, and the carpets beneath are in good nick, just like the multicolor cloth seating which shows no major rips, stains, or tears. It’s hard to over scrutinize a 28 year old cockpit, but for our more discerning buyers we did want to note a spot on the dash from an accessory removal, and some wear on the steering wheel. Other than that, this spacious cabin really impresses!
1996 Toyota Prado KZJ78
1996 Toyota Prado KZJ78

Mechanical Overview

The 1KZ-TE under the bonnet steals the show, and is far peppier and easier to service than most 70 series drivetrains. Ours also has loads of good service done, and churns over swiftly. From there, the accessories needed a bit of attention, and a brand new A/C compressor was installed alongside a freshly rebuilt power steering pump. A new valve cover gasket and half-moon seal were installed for good measure, to keep the lubricant from our oil and filter service internal. Lastly, we tended to a new fuel filter and intake air filter, to keep contaminants out of your combustion chamber. From there, it was ready to tackle its first road test, and the 3.0TD performed like a champ! To keep the automatic gearbox healthy, we performed a fluid service and it goes through the tree smoothly and predictably. The transmission shoots power rearward, and selective 4WD is on hand to aid off-road escapades, with a new front output seal installed on the transfer case for good measure. To further shore up the driveline, we rebuilt both front hubs with new bearings and seals, and bolstered the suspension with all new trailing arm bushings, and new bushings in the front panhard bar to keep handling predictable. A fresh alignment capped off the laundry list of service, and we wanted to note the power steering is on point, and the brakes grab hard too! We wrapped the freshly refinished alloys in brand new Falken 31″ rubber to really seal the deal. Stylish and full of traction, you’ll be set for tens of thousands of miles of old-school cruising to come!

1996 Toyota Prado KZJ78
1996 Toyota Prado KZJ78

*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.