There's nothing like a short-wheelbase 4x4 – compact, great off-road and easy on the eyes
And of all the shorties, it's the 70-series Land Cruiser that's held in high regard
Not all short-wheelbase 4×4s are made the same.
Like all things in life, there is a natural pecking order and hierarchy amongst tragics and casual enthusiasts alike.
However, it is Toyota’s 70-series Land Cruiser that all groups can unite over as one of the best. Sold as the ‘Land Cruiser Prado’ in Japan, this model features coil suspension all-round and a body-on-frame construction.
It amalgamates old tech with more sophisticated suspension that creates a car that is both durable off-road and more pleasant on. We try our best to find excellent examples of the short-wheelbase 70-series Prado, and most are either totalled or wildly too expensive.
We acquired this one at a fair price, which has undergone a high-quality repaint in Sandy Taupe alongside some subtle modifications aimed at improving it for today’s day and age.
Original and rust-free examples, such as this one, are extremely uncommon now in Japan, so get in while it’s hot.
The car pictured – 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SX (LJ71)
This Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was built in July 1992 and is an ‘SX’ trim level with a turbo diesel engine.
That means it’s powered by a 2.4-litre ‘2LT’ four-cylinder turbo diesel. It features 4×4 with a five-speed manual transmission and low-range transfer case.
Factory equipment on the SX model includes hub locks, cloth trim with ‘turbo’ emblem, digital altimeter and thermometer, air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, and more.
This vehicle was purchased from a Japanese vehicle auction and has undergone a recent minor restoration. The underbody has been refinished, the vehicle repainted in Sandy Taupe and its suspension replaced with new springs and shocks. The engine is in excellent working order and its odometer has been verified as genuine.
It’s exterior paint is in excellent condition. The interior is in good shape and there are no stains or marks on its fabric trim.
Quick facts
- 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SX (LJ71)
- Rare five-speed manual
- 139,964 km
- 2.4-litre ‘2LT’ turbo diesel four cylinder
- 4×4 with low-range transfer case
- Hub locks
- Minor restoration in Japan
- Repainted in Sandy Taupe, underbody refinished
- New suspension fitted
- 33″ all-terrains
- Factory equipment: power windows, power mirrors, air conditioning, ‘turbo’ specific interior trim, altimeter and thermometer
- Will be serviced upon arriving in Australia
- Japanese de-registration paperwork and auction paperwork available
- Vehicle comes with vehicle compliance
- Vehicle comes with three months NSW registration
- Vehicle comes with a NSW roadworthy
From the sweltering heat of infinite deserts and the depths of majestic rainforests to the traffic chaos of today's mega-cities, one four-wheel drive vehicle is capable and reliable enough to tackle the worst road nightmares... the Toyota Landcruiser.Toyota Japan, new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Debut
