1998 Land Cruiser Turbodiesel

The 100 series Land Cruiser is a near perfect SUV. It’s indestructable, easy to live with, and parts are abundant. While American Toyota enthusiasts have nearly three decades of ownership experience here in the USA, very few know of the chassis’ best engine option, the 1HD-FTE. This 24 valve, intercooled turbodiesel engine makes it all make sense, with supreme fuel economy, simple mechanicals, and enough torque to spice up your daily commute. Our 1998 leads the pack in overall condition and mileage too, with a shocking 41k verified and documented clicks on the odometer. Finished in Champagne metallic, this lovely rig is set off by a rare OEM optional tire carrier, a factory rear spoiler, and sleek OEM rainguards. Save for a few chips, dings, and loss of gloss in the clear, it’s hard to find fault with the factory fresh cosmetics, and the same can be said for the condition of the undercarriage. Take it to the trailhead, or traverse through town. A diesel Land Cruiser is a true swiss army knife of an SUV, that gets mileage like a 90’s Camry! The market for these Japanese Classics are hot, and this cherry example is turn-key and not even close to being broken in!

As we’re well into the 21st century, it’s surprising a cockpit designed in the late 90’s would hold up so well. With durable cloth upholstery, easy to use amenities, and plenty of power niceties to assist daily use, it’s easy to see how Toyota was at the top of their game when designing this truck. The cloth seats are in good shape and mimic the pattern in the door cards and factory floormats. They’ve also resisted major stains, rips, or punctures, and complement the woodgrain trim on the dashboard nicely. For safety-conscious occupants, dual SRS airbags are standard, and the driver can get comfortable behind a tilt-adjustable steering column. There’s also power-adjustable lumbar support to assist on longer hauls. The center stack is simple and spartan, and is the perfect command center for this utilitarian rig. Ripe with dual-zone heat and A/C, the cabin temps can be dialed in accordingly. If you prefer a natural breeze, an expansive power moonroof can slide fore and aft, and all four power windows work like a charm, too. OEM audio plays clear throughout the cabin and is easy to upgrade if you want to modernize the infotainment. Power locks and side mirrors assist daily use, with the latter electronically folding if you need squeeze into a tight parking spot. All in all, the interior condition is impressive, and even the most discerning Land Cruiser enthusiasts will have a hard time picking this one apart!

The drivetrain of this Cruiser is as good as gold, and the 1HD-FTE under the bonnet is highly desired by enthusiasts. These tough turbodiesels are not only reliable and powerful, but they’re frugal to operate as a whole. We’ve done the legwork of fully servicing this J100, and she cranks over with haste, care of 2 new 12v batteries. We also preemptively replaced the fuel filter, and a new engine air filter keeps pesky contaminants from entering the 4.2L. A fresh oil and filter service was performed, and we installed a new thermostat and performed a fresh coolant flush. With the maintenance performed, this 1HD runs like a champ, and an automatic gearbox sends power to all four wheels via a selective transfer case. For true off-road escapades and beach outings, a low range and center locker improve grip tenfold on loose surfaces. For a bit of drivetrain rehab, we regreased the front hubs, and we also installed a new set of front lower ball joints. New front swaybar endlinks keep handling predictable, and the ABS brakes bite hard, thanks to new pads up front. Additional grip comes from four new 33″ Falken tires, which look great on the aftermarket alloys. Last but not least, we chucked it on the rack for a fresh four wheel alignment. With the maintenance performed, this truck will track straight as an arrow, and get you to your next destination with miles to go on the tank!