My Cars: 1992 Toyota Landcruiser HDJ80 VX

This Toyota Landcruiser was first registered in August 1992. I bought it in November 2008 from a friend of a friend who was emigrating to Australia and knew I already had a couple of Landcruisers. Having owned some 4runners and SWB 70-series Cruisers, an 80-series was my dream car and I was delighted to get it.
My Landcruiser is a 15″ wheel model with the smaller brakes, cloth seats and no air con. Most importantly it is a 4.2-litre diesel with manual transmission and three diff locks: front, rear and centre.
Issues with the truck at purchase included a massive bull bar that I oculd barely lift and peeling paint on the bonnet – I weighed in the bull bar and had the bonnet painted. The wheels were corroded and needed refurbishment. The transmission had some play and there was a delay in clutch engagement. The steering had a lot of play. There was an oil leak and the brakes were not great. The tyres were low, but passed an MOT.
I fitted some 33-inch tyres, used the vehicle over winter for several years and it was just amazing in the snow – one memorable winter, I dragged a BMW 525 out of a snow-filled ditch and up a hill I couldn’t even stand up on. I commuted in it to Glass’s Guide in Weybridge every winter and it was often the only vehicle in the fast lane in snowy weather. it passed its MOT most years but failed in 2011 due to leaking brakes and power steering, leaking front shock absorbers, play in one hub, an oil leak, a rusty exhaust, and emissions issues. This took quite a bit of work, with some parts coming in from Australia!
By 2014, the power steering had developed an issue with ceasing to work when the car was pointing downhill. I fitted a new £700 steering pump and a mechanic friend rebuilt the steering box, which has since had a bit of a leak. The steering issue has not yet been resolved and the main power steering fluid pipes have since rusted, so it needs these repaired to go back on the road. One day! Old Landcruiser parts are more expensive than Porsche parts and the trucks are hard to work on due to their size. But of all my cars, this is potentially my favourite – it is a tough call with this vs the 911.
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