1998 Toyota Land Cruiser

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Timing belt with no proof it was changed All years

  What to check: Look for the replacement sticker under the hood and ask for the receipt. Do not take the seller's word.

  Three owners in an Expedition Portal thread say the V8 runs a timing belt that has to be replaced on schedule, and one tells buyers to check it was done. In an IH8MUD thread, the buyer made a documented belt change part of the purchase.

  Sources ^5,9

• Underbody rust on salt-belt trucks All years

  What to check: Look under the truck for corrosion, above all on trucks from salted roads.

  Two owners, in two separate threads, name rust as a key thing to check. One says trucks from salt-belt states sell for less because of it.

  Sources ^5,9

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

• Rare Rear locking differential Package

  Offered for 1998 and 1999 only^1,5

Recalls

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: Factory rear locker All years One source so far

  In one Expedition Portal thread, two owners point buyers to 1998 and 1999 trucks for the factory rear locker, and two others say US trucks had no factory front locker.⁵

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.