At Japanese Classics, we've been known to live in the past, and believe Toyota mastered the full sized SUV segment over 25 years ago, when this 100 series Land Cruiser was introduced.
Exterior Overview
When did purchasing a new SUV become more about prioritizing bells and whistles over reliability and determination? At Japanese Classics, we’ve been known to live in the past, and believe Toyota mastered this segment over 25 years ago, when this 100 series Land Cruiser was introduced. Durable, handsome, and capable, stateside highways and byways are still littered with these super SUV’s, and our 2000 VX Limited is a great example of the chassis. Finished in White Pearl (057), the cosmetics are downright cool, and this mean Cruiser is set off by LED tail lamps, a factory optional rear spoiler, and 17″ Mozzer SFWII wheels. Save for a few minor mperfections, including a couple of minor chips, dings, and a missing rear wiper, the aesthetic is period-correct and unapologetically cool, with a custom graphics package classing up the exterior. Better yet, the 76k miles on the clock are verified and documented, too. Crawl into a campsite, haul your homies on the highway, or survey the strip, this Cruiser will do it all, and it goes without saying that nothing gets it done quite like this Japanese Classic!
Interior Overview
The interior is plush, comfortable, and features a slew of power amenities and luxury appointments to satisfy you and your passengers. It boasts premium cloth upholstery, easy to use infotainment, and convenience features that all work well in true Toyota fashion. The tan cloth seats are soft to the touch and show no discernible damage, and both driver and passenger benefit from heated buckets up front. The dash is in equally good shape, and for safety conscious passengers, dual SRS airbags are present. The driver can tilt the steering column at will to get comfortable, and a factory touchscreen headunit integrates controls for audio and climate. Cold A/C and hot heat can be funneled throughout the cabin, and rear occupants can also adjust the output of heat and air conditioning at their discretion. Also tied into the HVAC is a functional OEM coolbox center console to keep your beverages chilled. For a more open-air driving experience, a power moonroof can slide open to let in natural sunlight. The remaining interior materials are in good shape, including the rear bench, which can flip forward to expand the cargo hold. Even the prized third row seating is on hand to increase carrying capacity to eight. The headliner is tight and tidy, and the door cards wear cloth inserts that match the factory upholstery. With so much good to say about the cabin condition, the only notable defect seems to be a lightly bent antenna and an indented center console lid. Power windows, locks, and power folding side mirrors work like a charm, and the remaining materials are all in good shape, from the headliner to the carpets beneath, which have been protected by factory floormats. We’ve even retained the owner’s manuals and factory maintenance booklet, and an optional OEM trash receptacle to house your receipts and wrappers!
Mechanical Overview
The 2UZ-FE under the hood is a tank, and is the perfect pairing for this heavy duty hauler. This sizable 4.7l V8 is chock full of smooth power and responsive torque, and is fresh off a recent service here at the shop. It cranks over swiftly, and we installed a new 12v battery to turn it over the first time, every time. This Cruiser is also fresh off an oil and filter service, and jets up to highway speeds with ease. The air filter and fuel filter were replaced here in the shop, and we also dropped in eight new spark plugs. A Ganador exhaust helps amplify some of the V8’s killer tone, and the automatic transmission is smooth, and throws power to a fulltime 4WD system. For really sticky situations, 4WD low and a center locking differential are handy and make propulsion on loose surfaces easier. A new 2.5″ lift helps the next owner clear any obstacle in their path, and the ride quality on the new Eibach shocks is close to stock, which is really impressive. We also installed new rear upper and lower control arms, and new rear swaybar links so it would pass its state inspection with flying colors. We bolstered the power steering system with new rack bushings, and all new inner and outer tie rods, and after a fresh alignment, this truck tracks straight as an arrow. The ABS brakes are firm and slow this rig to a screeching halt, and the aftermarket alloys are wrapped in fresh 33″ Falken tires, which should offer plenty of grip and comfort to go off the beaten path. With form, function, and comfort wrapped into one, this Cruiser is about as turnkey as you can get!
*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.