Classic trucks are seeing a bit of a renaissance as we round off the first quarter of the new millennium. Boxy, back-to-basics styling is as popular as ever, but nothing does it quite as well as this authentic Japanese Classic. Our 1994 Land Cruiser Prado fits the bill and this KZJ78 is packing all the options you’d need to make this one a staple in any 21st century driveway. Finished in Emerald Green Metallic (6M1) and set off by some choice period-inspired graphics, OEM rainguards, and a sleek set of refinished 16″ alloys, this 70 series is a looker through and through and the 108k verified and documented miles do a lot to drive that statement home. Save for a few paint chips and dings, the exterior shows well overall and the beefy Falken all-terrains finish off the look. For a neo-classic hauler, Toyota meet standout, or even a bonafide off-road superstar, the 70 series does it all and then some, and is just about the coolest truck we never got here in the states!

The exterior is boxy, brutish and utilitarian overall, so prospective buyers should appreciate that. The interior is chock full of premium materials, power amenities, and comfortable options, including a desirable third row! The seats are upholstered in a durable grey cloth, which has resisted the better part of 30 years on the road without too much wear and tear. The headliner is still taut against the roof, and the vinyl dash has avoided any of the typical cracks or distortion commonly seen on these models as well. Mounted centrally, a manual climate control unit is easy to navigate and supplies cold A/C and hot heat on command. Adjacent to the HVAC, Pioneer audio works like a charm although the next owner will likely benefit from a speaker upgrade down the line. Power windows, locks, and mirrors are on hand, and all work in tandem to aid daily use. The rear cargo area is spacious enough as-is, but for transporting larger loads the rear bench can tumble forward as well. For a 30 year old cockpit, we’d typically have a number of concerns but all equipment is operable and this interior should be well suited for whoever occupies it next.

The exterior gets the looks, the interior keeps your passengers happy, but it’s the drivetrain that really sells this lovely truck! The 1KZ-TE is mated to a slick shifting manual gearbox, and with an optional rear locker it’s hard to get much better! Two new 12v batteries were thrown in to aid ignition, and an oil and filter service was performed to get this truck up to date on maintenance schedules. We threw in a new engine air filter and a diesel fuel filter, and with a bit of a tune up she runs right as rain! The 5 speed gearbox is easy to command and power is thrown rearward, unless additional traction is needed. In that case, 4WD can be engaged, and an optional rear locker is helpful for the die-hards who hope to take this thing overlanding. We replaced the shocks all the way around with new ones, rebuilt both front hubs with new bearings and seals, and replaced all four outer tie rod ends for good measure. With the drivetrain in compliance, we installed new swaybar links up front and finished things off with a fresh alignment to boot. The Falken tires are brand new, look great, and should help this retro cruiser grip the pavement or dirt for tens of thousands of miles to come!

View the full listing on japaneseclassics.com