Help needed - 94 Cruiser

Submitted: Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:19

ThreadID: 7778 Views:1730 Replies:3 FollowUps:4

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P.C.

I am currently looking to purchase a '94 GXL Cruiser 4.2 diesel wagon (non turbo) and would like opinions/answers to some questions.The vehicle I am looking at is local to my area,It has been extremly well maintained I have veiwed the service records and spoke to the two mechanics that have maintaned this vehicle and general opinion is that it is a gem.It has K235km's on it all highway (except for the track up to his farm house).My main concern is does the non turbo suffer the same big end dramas of it's turbo counterpart? Are there any other quirks/faults that are common to this particular model? I will be towing a 1.5 tonne boat with this vehicle,should this be done in 4th gear or is the cruiser capable of towing this in 5th? Any comments or feed back would be greatly appreciated.
Regards Pat

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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:36

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:36

Have a look at www.lcool.org and then the Technical section.

AnswerID: 33575

Follow Up By: P.C. - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 22:34

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 22:34

Thanks for that Truckster,some good info there.

FollowupID: 24186

Reply By: Darryn - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:46

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:46

Hi Pat, sounds like a good truck. If it has been regulary serviced then it will be nicely ran in. Non turbo 1HZ engines don't seem to have the bearing problems and a lot of the problems with the turbo engines seem to be their owners/drivers. Don't tow in 5th gear stay in 4th as this is the strongest gear in the box. Get a 4WD specialist to check it out, some of the constant 4WD cruisers have worn out the front diff. Accesories and aftermarket parts are everywhere for these trucks so repairs etc shouldn't get too expensive especially if your handy with the spanners yourself and can do your own services. Enjoy it, it will give you good service for years.
Regd's Darryn

AnswerID: 33577

Follow Up By: P.C. - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 22:52

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 22:52

Hi Darryn,Thanks for the towing advice, sounds like it will be the same deal as my old Hilux(4th gear)but hopefully it will do it a lot easier.

FollowupID: 24190

Follow Up By: cruiser - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 15:16

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 15:16

I beg to differ on the fact that the "non turbo" don't suffer the same problems with the bearings as the factory turbo's.

I have a 94 GXL "non turbo" and have had a problem of the bearings, to the point of total failure. When I approached Toyota they initially claimed that there was NOT a problem. I then went away and did some research on the net and the went back to them. They then admitted that there was a small batch of vehicles that suffered from this problem and the agreed to supply all parts (new crankshaft, new oil pump and housing, new bottom end bearings, new crankshaft bearings and all seals etc) to my dealer and I then had to share the repair bill with my dealer 50:50.

This was only in May last year on a vehicle that was then 8 years old with 166K on the clock and had been services regularly by the dealer until 80K and then by an MTA mechanic for the next 86K and all according to the maintenance schedule (ie oil and filters every 5K and timing belt replaced at 103K)

End result was Toyota $5k, dealer $750 and me $750

If there isn't a problem, why did they agree to supply parts and 50% of the labour.

I would get the bearings checked if I was buying the vehicle.

FollowupID: 24232

Reply By: mrdesmo - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:10

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:10

G'Day PC,
Sounds like a gem if you know the history...how much?
Only thing I can think of, is check the hinge mounts for the tailgate for cracks on the bodywork, when I was looking for an 80# I found a couple with cracks in this area, I believe its caused from lots of corrugated roads, but if this one has had an easy life, I doubt it'll be cracked. Nevertheless...get an NRMA inspection (or equivalent) done, it may save you dramas later on. They're a good haggling tool as well.
Cheers

AnswerID: 33605

Follow Up By: P.C. - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 23:11

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 23:11

G'day mrdesmo,he has given me first option on it at $22K that is a bit more than he was offered as trade for a new one.As older vehicles have sold for more around here I don't think there is much room to manuver price wise.This wagon presents very well he has just had it detailed and the paint is imaculate,but as has been sugested I will have it inspected first.

FollowupID: 24193