1996 Toyota Land Cruiser, TX

after. This 1996 happens to be powered by one of the most legendary Japanese turbodiesel engines, the 1KZ-TE. Intercooled for better performance and longevity, this 4×4 boasts surprisingly good fuel economy for its size. It is also handsomely styled, and set off by OEM raingaurds, chrome mirror caps, chrome door handles, and a set of refinished, color-matched, 16′′ OEM alloy wheels. Aside from a few light dings, chips, and scuffs, the Desert Dune Metallic over Gray (K03) paint is in good shape, and this eight-seater is fresh off a recent service. Touting only 133k verified and documented miles on the clock, this TX is barely broken in. Smooth, reliable, and safe, you can feel good about shuttling the family around in this SUV, and these make for wonderful year-round daily drivers. Able to persevere over rough terrain, this Prado also coddles those riding within the friendly confines of the cockpit. Determined, collectible, and affordable sport utilities are what we are all about, and that’s why this terrific Toyota is a bona fide Japanese Classic! The cabin is in above-average condition and comes well-equipped from the factory. Dual SRS airbags are standard, and the dashboard is in fine shape and lacks any cracking, fading, or distortion. Cabin access is made more seamless thanks to functional keyless entry. The driver benefits from a tilt-adjustable steering column to find the ideal seating position. Power folding mirrors, power locks, and power windows all work in typical Toyota fashion, which makes daily use much more enjoyable. The center stack is close by and within arm’s reach of both front occupants. The automatic climate control system is intuitive to operate and blasts cold air conditioning and piping hot heat depending on your preference. Above, an optional OEM TV/Radio pipes tunes into the cabin and can sufficiently drown out your kids screaming. Mounted directly in the center of the dash, a large OEM backlit Field Monitor delivers information about the outside conditions should you lose cell service. The gray and blue seats are in good nick and lack any major rips, stains, or tears. The middle row can tumble forward and slide to create a larger cargo area, and the rear seats can be stowed against the D-pillar to save room. The same material can be found in the door cards, which have escaped major abuse over the years. The headliner is in good shape, and aside from some light carpet soiling, it’s hard to complain about the cabin. Body on frame and built to last, this Prado is an old-school SUV in the best sense. It’s not over burdened computers and sensors, which is why it’s likely lasted as long as it has. The 1KZ-TE is also an absolute workhorse and is fresh off an oil and filter service. It cranks to life with haste, courtesy of a new 12V battery. To keep the 3.0L running tip top, we changed out the engine air cleaner and fuel filter with new units. New accessory belts were installed so that all the electronics remain properly powered, and one of our trained techs resealed the valve cover gasket, which had developed a leak. We also performed a coolant flush, which won’t be required for the next four years! The 1K pulls hard to redline, and the automatic transmission shifts just as it should. We have performed a transmission fluid service so things stay that way, and we have also rehabbed the transfer case with a new front output seal. The Full-Time 4WD system is surefooted and for any type of motoring on loose surfaces like mud or sand, and a low range and center locking differential can be utilized. It gets up to highway merging speeds with ease, and when you need to slow down, ABS brakes are standard equipment. New front brake lines and a brake fluid flush improve pedal feel, and grip is handled by four new 31′′ Falken all-terrain tires that were mounted and balanced here at the shop. The power steering is light and easy to articulate, and new shocks all around deliver a premium ride. This tough truck is ready to roll, and is a practical and performance-oriented import that everyone seems to love owning!