Toyota : Land Cruiser VX

Why I am selling the car

I love this truck and there are several people in my household who are a state of disbelief. It took me a long time to find it. get it into the U. S. from southern Italy where I found it. and take care of the few items that I thought needed attention. But since then I am facing two realities. The first is knee surgery and the second is reassignment to Geneva where we were living when I acquired it. My wife and I are volunteers at the Human Rights Council. Despite the fact that the Swiss are making visa acquisition difficult. our deployment will eventually happen. I am not prepared to store this car for two or more years.

Prior maintenance

From what I was told by the dealer from whom I purchased the LJ70 in Siderno. Italy. I am the second owner. not counting the dealer. His advertisement described the truck in the AutoScout24 advertisement as being in “perfect condition. ” It wasn't and isn't. But that is how the dealer perceived it and it isn't hard to figure out why. It was obsessively maintained. as Italians are known to do. It was obviously driven a fair amount. The combination of the ideal climate of southern Italy and an owner who believed in maintenance makes this mostly original truck an extraordinary example. I have always used Shell Rotella oil 5w – 40w formulated for diesel engines.

    Issues that might need fixing

In my efforts to pre-empt any possible failure of a fatigued part. I replaced most electrical items. When it came to the starter motor. I had it rebuilt. That was last summer. 2014. Sometime after my favorite local mechanic installed a rebuilt starter motor. Soon thereafter I noticed the first instance of a split second grinding as the starter motor gear engaged the flywheel teeth. I took it back to the mechanic. He took the starter out and tested it. Everything was perfect. The flywheel was perfect. A new clutch was installed at this time. But very brief grinding noise happened again. Still sounded to me like an issue with the starter. I thought the mechanic might have over-tightened the mounting bolts. I loosened them a wee bit and the problem went away for a couple of months but recently reappeared with the onset of winter cold. Some tell me the problem is common and merely the result of the new starter gears being a little too fresh. As they begin to wear your grinding noise should become less frequent and then cease. I am told. But if it doesn't. I am not sure what to do.

There is one scratch on the lower front fender that I will show in a photo. Not bad in that it isn't deep but visible. That scratch came with the car when I bought it.

What is the LandCruiser LJ70 or 70 series?

https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=hH-7GDhwicA.    This video is good if you want to see a LandCruiser turbo diesel perform in a muddy. off road situation. Mine has never been put in this type of context but the video is instructive. Or this video (in Italian) for a side-by-side uphill run comparison between a LandRover and a LandCruiser. https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=ROQ4t7UcTf0  For another look at a recently imported RHD variant you can go to this link: http://autoweek. com/article/car-life/found-ebay-1988-toyota-land-cruiser-prado-lj70-vx.   You will pretty quickly understand why the 70 series LandCruisers have such an intense. loyal following around the world. They have never been sold new in the U. S. but now that some are reaching the 25-year-old mark they are allowed to enter the U. S.

Description

Let me be brutally frank here—Toyota people don't believe that the American Jeep is in the same quality of engineering excellence or build quality as the LJ70. That doesn't make it true or false but it is a widely held and openly shared perception. This started new as a great car and it has been well maintained. You can look at the photos and ask questions. All hoses and belts have been replaced. coolant is new as of last month.

The VX designation is for the top of the line or most luxurious trim class with top of the line accessories and trim items even in a tough working truck. It has to do with power windows. moon roof or sunroof. quality of upholstery. carpeting. sound deadener. headlight washers. paint quality.

I have a lot of photos on my flickr site which you should consult. Please see: https://www. flickr. com/photos/100030091@N02/  Additional photos can be sent on request.

This LandCruiser was legally imported by me with the assistance of World Class Shipping. All DOT papers are available. The truck was recognized by the U. S. State of Utah as a 1987 Toyota LJ70 and issued a clear Utah title in my possessions. The square headlights have caused some American aficionados to claim that this Toyota must be a 1991 model. But the reputable dealer in Siderno. Italy provided me with the original Italian title which also identifies it as 1987. Apparently Toyota sold different body styles of the 70 series in different parts of the world.

 Fuel Economy

The speedometer and odometer are both delineated in kilometers rather than miles. Estimated highway mileage is over 30 mpg and in-town just a little bit less. Diesel fuel is dropping in price and rising in quality. I use a diesel additive in the winter although some claim that “winterized diesel” makes the additive redundant.

Modifications

I didn't buy this car to make it into a rock crawler. The driving I have done is 99 percent on pavement and the little bit offroad is the trip I made this summer to Red Rock canyon country in southern Utah when I took it to see some sites that required a bit of dirt/gravel travel. There are actually quite a few modifications but that is simply to improve reliability. The list includes: a new ball bearing turbo. good gauges in the dashboard pod to replace the inclinometer that I never used; water to air intercooler; AEM methanol injector. four core aluminum radiator and shroud utilizing a good aluminum mechanical fan; 4. 11:1 ring and pinion final drive to make the truck capable of modern highway speeds without stressing the engine; new custom zero offset wheels (17X7. 5 6X5. 5 bolt pattern) by Marsh Racing  that I ordered custom made in order to avoid using a spacer;  the tires (5) are the same 17” used on new Jeep Rubicon (BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM tires. size 255/75/R17); AEM water/methanol injection system that cools the incoming charge and improves power and efficiency at very low cost (the system was pricey but the methanol mixture is cheap); two Optima red top batteries using heavy zero gauge wiring; water and oil heater mechanism for easy winter starting; and a complete stainless steel exhaust system in 3” tubing that begins with the downpipe and continues all the way back. The truck is quiet for having so little backpressure.

Warranty information

There is no warranty of any kind on this vehicle which is sold as is where is. Inspection is advised. I am not a mechanic nor mechanical engineer nor any kind of expert but merely a lover of fine vehicles. All wording is mine and subject to error. Descriptions are thought to be accurate but verification is always preferable. Bidding is final and return is not an option. Shipping is the full responsibility of the buyer with all necessary support supplied happily by me.

Negotiating terms

This is an auction and the start price is low. the reserve price reasonable and well below the replacement cost and approximately half of my personal investment in it. When the winning bid is accepted. negotiating is over. You do not bid to earn the right to subsequent negotiation. There is a best offer option and if you want to be sure to avoid disappointment I strongly urge you to consider using it. I don't have to sell--just prefer to sell.

Acceptable forms of payment

I will not accept foreign money orders but personal checks are fine so long as it is understood that the truck will not leave my premises until the check has cleared every hurdle. I will also verify certified checks or money orders with the financial institution where they were issued. I will also verify cash with my own bank.

Shipping

The winning bidder will pay for and make all required shipping arrangements from 84604. I will provide all the support necessary from my end.

The VIN number is:  JT1VOLJ70009025707

A non-refundable deposit of U. S. $1. 00 must be made within 48 hours of auction end.  

On Dec-10-14 at 21:22:14 PST. seller added the following information:

32chev5 Store

On Dec-12-14 at 14:35:53 PST. seller added the following information:

The VIN in the description above contains one extra digit. The correct VIN on the Utah title is:
JT1VOLJ7000902570

On Dec-14-14 at 09:20:42 PST. seller added the following information:

Let's get this done by Christmas--what a great gift for you. a loved one or dear friend this fine LandCruiser would be. For the bidder who selects the "Buy It Now" option. I will pay the price of enclosed transport up to the maximum of $2. 00. 00.  
Be happy to speak to anyone who has questions.  

Also published at eBay.ca

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