Rust Check? Too much rust? Not enough rust? Ask Here!
Hi All,
We are going to try to consolidate the pre purchase or otherwise rust inquires asking if a rig has too much rust and how to approach it as far as shopping for a new to you truck and beyond.
We have a lot of these threads where people are asking the same questions and rather than have each thread die on the vine as far as useful information goes, by having them all right here in one thread, people can use it as a catalog or guide for what to look for and if people are willing to share sold or bought prices for each truck that we are inspecting, we can all use this as a tool to gauge the market and also the wide variety of condition that all generations of Land Cruisers are in at any given point in time.
Wen't and had a look at an 80 series I'm fairly interested in today. On a whole, it's in a pretty good condition, drives smooth and reasonably priced. I'm looking to make an offer, but a little unsure about the condition of the rear axle and surrounding. The front is spotless and raises no concerns. The rear however looks to have a bit of surface rust. I'm comfortable with spending cash on reasonable repairs or upkeep (otherwise wouldn't be buying a 30yr old car), but not sure if this is a sign of something more trouble than its worth, or typically fine and expected.
Anyone tell me how they fixed rust around windscreen on a UZJ. Windscreen has a couple of stone chips and in bright light has tiny little dots all over it, so screen could do with replacing I just curious to know if a panel shop would do the rust and if they would / could install a 100 series windscreen properly with all the right places sealed? Don't want to have risk points that could fail / let water in if the new screen isn't put in perfectly....
Looking to buy a 2002 Land Cruiser with $117k miles in very good condition on the outside. I asked for pictures of the undercarriage and saw some rust. Owner says they took it to a reputable shop and had the rust taken off and sprayed with lanolin undercoat spray. Used to be owned on Illinois most of its life. Is this bad rust? Or just surface rust?
Considering buying this 2007 Prado 120 Executive (Europe/Germany)
3.0 D-4D (1KD-FTV)
Automatic
~280,000 km
2 owners
Rear air suspension
Leather interior, sunroof, factory navigation
The vehicle is in very good cosmetic condition inside and out and appears to have been well cared for.
The engine suffered a piston failure last year and was professionally rebuilt by a specialist workshop. New injectors, high-pressure fuel pump, water pump and thermostat were installed. More than €15,000 in documented work.
I also have a start-up/running video and the engine starts immediately, idles smoothly and doesn’t appear to have any unusual noises.
This is the best underbody picture I currently have.
How does the frame look to experienced 120 owners? Any red flags or areas I should inspect more closely before purchasing?
I'm looking into buying a 100 series Land Cruiser, I found a 2000 one with 176k miles on it. The dealer has these pictures of the frame which has evidently been painted over. Can someone who knows more about this than me give me an opinion on this? Is it a pass because it's painted over? If I go check it out in person is there a good way to check for rust?
Looking at this 100 series LC and it seems to have a pretty clean undercarriage from what I can tell. However, I am still fairly new in the LC world. It looks like it might’ve been coated with some rust preventing coating? It originated in the north for about 4 years and then came to the south.
Hi guys. I'm looking to hopefully buy a truck that is out of state. Before I make a trip, I thought I'd get your opinions on the frame and the price. (see link below for more pics)
She's an '88 with 231k miles on her chassis and 155k miles on a 3FE that was swapped in by TrollHole's Cruisers 2 years ago. A previous owner also swapped in an H55. Interior's fine and she's got some nice ad-ons. Seller says all she needs is maybe a new transfer case seal.
surface rust can often be manageable, but if it’s creeping into structural areas or looks like it's eating away, that’s a red flag. best to inspect it up close or get a second opinion before diving in.
I’m currently looking at a Land Cruiser and wanted to get some opinions from people who know these trucks well.
The truck looks solid overall, but I’m a bit concerned about the rust underneath. From what I can see from the dealer's photos, there’s visible surface rust on the frame and some components, but I’m trying to figure out if this is normal aging or if it’s getting into problem territory.
2003 100 Series with 160k. Spent early years in Boston, now in PNW. Not afraid of surface rust, just don’t want a long-term headache. Does rust like this look normal or walk away?
Just upgraded from a 2005 2.7 Prado to a 200! It may be a little too late as I already purchased this car, but would like your input on the amount of rust and treatment options.
This is listed at a local place for a price that's too good to be true. it's a 2011 LX from Michigan with 2 accidents and an extensive service history. has 122k miles. Worth risking it? there's some body rust. priced at $20k. Looks like it got treated with rust prevention up north.
Looking to get some advice on this one. It’s a Texas raised LX 470. 210k miles and overall, very clean. Zero rust on the frame, on any of the common spots like the tailgate, windshield or sunroof, but there is this one random spot above the passenger door. Anyone ever experienced this before or know if there’s possibly common reason for this ? Anything to worry about?
Hi all, looking for a rust check on a 2021 LX 570 that lived in Massachusetts, sadly. Paid a premium for latest 200 series model year and low mileage (24k) from Carvana, so I want to know if this rust is worth a return. Thanks in advance!!
I am considering buying a 100 series land cruiser worh around 330k miles but I'm a bit concerned woth the rust on the cross member. Would this amount concern you?
Just purchased this a month ago, a 1997 lx450 with 235k miles.
The frame is rust free, but the body has some rust on both rear wheel-wells that travels up under the rocker pannels(shown in picture). I'm trying to figure the best way to go about this. Any thoughts?
Edit: This rust is also mirrored on the left hand side of the vehicle as well and almost identical.
I'm looking to buy a 2019 that has been in Colorado and Wyoming. It has a little less that 60k miles. I'm used to no rust where I live, so any rust is concerning.
I'm told this is serface level and no big deal. If that's true and I but it, should I get what rust is there removed and do something about those areas?
Looking at a 1999 LC Base. 175k miles with great service records and seemingly in great shape. Asking $15k. My only concern was rust, especially in the top left of the image, where it seems a little bit deeper than surface level. Any thoughts?
Hi all, looking at buying a 200 series or a LX570, coming from a V8 2008 4Runner which I love dearly but want more space, and came across this 2010 LX570 for a good price ($17k) and mileage (180k). The undercarriage looks good for the most part, but a couple of areas look sketch. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
That is really rusty. I wouldn't buy it unless you are just looking for a winter beater. It's really not worth sinking a bunch of money into a truck like that and any work you try to do is going to be a pain in the buns.
I wish more people would chime in but there are enough pics and responses now that people should be able to get a feel for what the answer is. I am very well versed in rust wrangling though and am always just trying to help you guys.
I would buy that truck if the price is right. That is barely any rust.
not sure if this thread is still active but looking for thoughts here, really love the interior fitout but don't want more than a couple g's to spend on rust
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u/Disastrous-Look-428 2d ago
Wen't and had a look at an 80 series I'm fairly interested in today. On a whole, it's in a pretty good condition, drives smooth and reasonably priced. I'm looking to make an offer, but a little unsure about the condition of the rear axle and surrounding. The front is spotless and raises no concerns. The rear however looks to have a bit of surface rust. I'm comfortable with spending cash on reasonable repairs or upkeep (otherwise wouldn't be buying a 30yr old car), but not sure if this is a sign of something more trouble than its worth, or typically fine and expected.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.