What do you think about a land cruiser 90-97

hurt4x4

hurt4x4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2012
Location
Greensboro
I'm looking at buying a land cruiser in the 1990-1997 year range, Or a 4runner in the same year range. Both vehicles fit what I am looking for so I am open to both. budget is $7000. How do y'all think the land cruisers compare to the 4 runner in reliability? I am somewhat familiar with 4 runners but not landcruisers. What do you think of the inline 6 in the land cruiser?, is there anything in particular I should look out for? Any help/opinions are appreciated
 
Last edited:
They are different vehicles entirely. What will the purpose of the vehicle be? Don't get a Runner with a 3.0 so that leaves you with a 4 banger. Cruisers are heavy and worse fuel economy, more room, more towing capacity, and with E-Lockers a pretty slick ride IMHO. The E-Locker Cruisers are more desirable, and thus folks want more coin for 'em.
 
frankenyoter said:
They are different vehicles entirely. What will the purpose of the vehicle be? Don't get a Runner with a 3.0 so that leaves you with a 4 banger. Cruisers are heavy and worse fuel economy, more room, more towing capacity, and with E-Lockers a pretty slick ride IMHO. The E-Locker Cruisers are more desirable, and thus folks want more coin for 'em.
Click to expand...

I'm looking for a reliable 4x4 suv as a DD. In Boone 4x4 is a must for me because of snow and I wouldn't mind to hit some trails every now and then. 4 runners with a 4banger seem harder to come by and from what I have seen people want more for their 4 runners than land cruisers
 
sorry the budget is around $7000. I have found a 92 cruiser for $5500 with 198k seems to be in pretty good condition. Compared to similar year 4runners with similar mileage the price seems a little higher yes. I just want to see what people thought about them and get some opinions
 
If you get a 96+ 4runner, that is the 3rd generation, it could have the newer 2.7L 4cyl or the 3.4L V6, both are much better than the 3.0.
 
I had a 91 Land Cruiser and loved it. The inline 6 was reliable and never gave me any problems. It had 3 rows of comfy leather seats, towed my trailer fine, and was still pretty good offroad. It's the only yota I've ever had so I can't compare with the 4runner, but I'd definitely buy another one.
 
I have a friend selling a 91 land Cruiser for somewhere in the $5,000 range. Woman driver, never offroad, new battery and new tires, bone stock. They are by no means the most powerful thing ever man but they have a reputation for being tanks, they can take quite a bit of abuse and run for a very long time.

Ill PM you her info
 
I'm in Boone and have a 98 4runner I'd consider selling. Haven't really thought about it much until I read your post.
 
thanks for the info guys. It seems like nothing but good things to say about them(witch is what I was hoping for and somewhat expecting). I'm going to try to check a few out this weekend and Alex I will be giving your friend a call this evening also.
 
91 will have a 3fe engine. Pretty darn good. 92 thru 97 will have a 1fz engine. 93-94 transmissions are known as bus transmissions. Starting in 95 they came with obd2. Not all 95's had it though. 95 thru 97 is the most sought after from my dealings with them for the past few years upon years. Best catch right now is a cloth interior with the lockers. Can very easily find them in your price range in NC.
 
krzyabncanuck said:
91 will have a 3fe engine. Pretty darn good. 92 thru 97 will have a 1fz engine. 93-94 transmissions are known as bus transmissions. Starting in 95 they came with obd2. Not all 95's had it though. 95 thru 97 is the most sought after from my dealings with them for the past few years upon years. Best catch right now is a cloth interior with the lockers. Can very easily find them in your price range in NC.
Click to expand...

that's good info thanks! I will also check out that site. I just need to get out and start checking a few out.
 
I second the 95-97 mainly because you get ff rear with disc and the 4.5 I6 which is a whole lot more powerful than the 3fe. My buddy has a 97 and the only thing that sucks about it is the fuel mileage.
 
Redneck92 said:
I second the 95-97 mainly because you get ff rear with disc and the 4.5 I6 which is a whole lot more powerful than the 3fe. My buddy has a 97 and the only thing that sucks about it is the fuel mileage.
Click to expand...
what kind of mileage is your buddy getting out of his?
 
Back
Top