The owner drives this off-road giant in the heart of Amsterdam.
Purchasing a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 is not an obvious choice if you live in the heart of Amsterdam. But Jef Keijzer fell in love with the Japanese terrain giant. With some overdue maintenance, but the price reflected that. Basically this tank is indestructible, right?
World car
Over the decades, the Toyota Land Cruiser evolved from a somewhat Spartan workhorse to a luxury horse with still excellent off-road qualities. Although the British continue to claim that they make the best ‘4X4 by far’, if you want a 4WD that is practically indestructible, then you will end up at Toyota. The Land Cruiser can be found in all its manifestations in all corners of our world, parts are available almost everywhere. “About ten years ago I decided to change course and started importing cars from France,” says Jeff. “To transport it to the Netherlands, I needed a good tractor for the trailer. I found a nice Land Cruiser 60 and for fun I also put that car on Marktplaats. The next morning I woke up and checked my mailbox: more than two hundred responses! I did not know what I saw.” Due to the year of manufacture, that type of Land Cruiser was exempt from road tax. In the years that followed, Jef brought countless of them to the Netherlands, until the tax authorities changed the rules of the game. But his love for the Land Cruiser was born and he switched from the car trade to real estate. “A spacious, sturdy car seemed useful to me, but not a van. After a long search I found this blue V8, which was not in the best condition, but the feeling was immediately good.”
Four grand bill
Jef bought a Land Cruiser 100, the model built from 1998 to 2007. As is the case with Toyota, this is an evolution of its predecessor. The biggest difference is the chassis, with independent front suspension and electronically controlled shock absorbers. For rougher countries there is the 105 with conventional suspension and a rigid front axle. In addition to those shock absorbers, this system (TEMS, Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension) also has four spring balls, as we know from Citroën. No matter how good the Land Cruiser is, these components do not last forever. “Immediately after purchasing it, I took it to the Toyota dealer for maintenance. The timing belt, a drive shaft, the radiator and the air conditioning condenser were then replaced. All together good for a bill of more than four grand. With the message that the front right shock absorber was leaking and the advice to have them both replaced. Cash register, again €1,555. I then left it that way. Let’s get to work first, that’s what he’s there for.” With the benches flat, the cargo hold is enormous. Jef has already transported everything in it. Plasterboard, beams, toilet bowls, eleven large bathroom mirrors; you name it. “The nice thing about a Land Cruiser is the sympathy it receives from many people. It may be a large SUV, but apparently it doesn’t come across that way.”
Increased in value
About six years ago we also had a 100 as a guest, a diesel with almost a million on the clock. Jef’s Land Cruiser is not yet halfway done and it may not be diesel, but you shouldn’t expect any trouble from that V8. He’s just a little thirsty. “That has its advantages. My sons hardly ever drive it because they have to pay for the fuel themselves. I have now driven it almost 60,000 kilometers and indeed, it enjoys a good drink, especially in the city.” But don’t worry: Jef drives it for business purposes, the costs are deductible and the additional tax is low. In 2021 he went to a 4×4 specialist in Ermelo with a laundry list of repairs, including another steering rack. This resulted in 36 hours of labor and many parts, all in all a bill of €6,655. On the other hand, the value has only increased over the years. “So it is not only as big as a house, but just as financially lucrative,” he says cheerfully. After those two major interventions, maintenance was limited to normal maintenance and the annual inspection. “A few weeks ago, the left front hydraulics leaked, which the Toyota dealer already warned about in 2020. The specialist in Ermelo resolved that.” For a moment Jef was about to buy a new RAV4 Hybrid. “A nice car, but when I got back into the Land Cruiser, I was immediately cured. Refuel more often, but enjoy more.”
Owner of Toyota Land Cruiser
Name Jef Keijzer
Year of construction of yourself 1965
residence Amsterdam
Profession Entrepreneur
First car Mercedes-Benz 280 SE from 1969
Previous car Porsche 991.2 GTS Targa
What would you like to change about your car? “Consumption and associated emissions.”
What is your longest trip with this car? “South-West Portugal.”
Maintenance history
Immediately after purchase, the Land Cruiser went to the Toyota dealer for the necessary repairs of overdue maintenance. A selection from that list: air conditioning maintenance, new condenser, new radiator, new timing belt, stabilizer bars, drive shaft: €4,072.55.
The second session followed in 2021, at a 4X4 specialist in Ermelo, including: spark plugs, exhaust manifold gaskets, ball joints, wheel bearings, brake discs and pads, brake calipers, steering ball joints, steering rack, alignment: €6,655.
What’s wrong with it?
- Interior rattles a lot
- Heater fan makes noise
- Damping of the front axle is less good than that of the rear axle, the car is leaning forward and slightly crooked
- Car shakes a little when braking
- When you let off the gas between 80 and 100 km/h, a slight hum can be heard
- The multi-ribbed belt runs crookedly over the tensioner pulley
- There is some play in the splines of the propeller shaft
- The rear shock absorbers are quite rusted
The opinion of Carrec Technocenter
“There are some comments here and there, but in principle it is a very strong car. Moreover, it is still in good condition after almost a quarter of a century. One thumbs up for this bludger!”