GoRV - Digital Magazine Issue #56 | Page 43

BUYING USED
A 2001 turbodiesel LC100 .
September 2005 saw a minor facelift to the range and minor changes to equipment . In April 2006 , traction and stability control were available for the first time on the diesel ( 1HD-FTE only ), and was standard on the new VX grade and the Sahara . It was a $ 1200 option on the GXL .
All Land Cruiser wagons except the Standard came with full-time 4WD and eight-seats .
LC100 1HD-FTE diesel engine .
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Not much goes wrong with the Land Cruiser with easy on-road use . Hard-working vehicles used offroad a lot can have problems , though . The underbody should be checked for damage and caked-on dirt – sure indications of offroad work .
Like any vehicle , a comprehensive , up-to-date , documented service history is important .
The main problems are cracking of the chassis at the lower A-arm and torsion bar anchor plate , as well as front differential failure on independent front suspension models .
Front wheel bearings can also fail , the underbody sound deadening material can drop down on vehicles taken for a regular dip in water , and the plastic under engine plate cracks at its mounting points easily .
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