5k: Rando Kurūzā: 1983 Toyota Land Cruiser w/ Chevy V8 Swap
The Toyota Land Cruiser (Japanese トヨタ ランドクルーザー Rando-kurūzā) is a four wheel drive SUV built originally for military use as a Japanese style Jeep, but enlarged over the years into the monstrosity it is today. The 60 series Land Cruiser is an affordable piece of Japanese steel powered by a number of inline six engines and makes for a great, but slow, off-road experience. Find this 1983 Toyota Land Cruiser powered by a Chevy V8 for sale near Portland, OR for $5750. Tip from Frederic D.
This Land Crusher is powered by a 350 cubic inch (5.7 liter) Chevy small block V8, and shifted with a 4-speed manual gearbox. The car looks in decent shape for the asking price and, if all is as described, it is a great deal.
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Gargantuan as the Land Cruiser currently is, it certainly hasn't lost any capability. My UN team was issued the up-armored V8 Diesel version for our escapades across Iraq a few years ago… colour me impressed.
Twin turbo DOHC 32v Common Rail diesel? Check.
260+ bhp? Check.
450+ torques? Check.
25+ mpgs? Check.
So yes, it's a fat bastard, but this fat bastard can climb mountains like Sir Edmund.
Unfortunately here in the US (where this blog is based) the only current Land Cruiser we get is the 200-series with the 5.7L petrol V8 and automatic trans, in full luxo trim with very few options. They are great, comfortable, capable and powerful vehicles but a new one is $78,000 starting MSRP. The 5.7L makes 381 hp / 401 lb-ft but only gets 13/18 mpg.
So you have to be wealthy or incredibly dedicated to own a newer 200 here, really.
If the 70-series with the twin turbo diesel V8 was offered here, a very rabid and dedicated fan base would buy it but it seems that is not in the cards. We never got the 70 officially. We do get the 120 and 150 series Prado, but sold as the Lexus GX470/GX460 and again only in full luxe trim with gas guzzling V8s and auto transmissions.
The 4Runner is related to the Prado now, and can be had with more options, but again no diesel and no base trim.
Sigh…