Before i bought the present 120 i looked at several different 100's, travelled some 150 miles to see a pristine 'waxoyled' 04 plate V8 running on gas.
Didn't even open the door or bonnet or look inside, simple slipped under the back and stuck me mitt straight through a rear cross member of some sort...oh and the 'waxoyling' consisted of one recent single pass with an aerosol can across the front cross member and the two lower control arms, not behind said member/wishbones you understand, someone simply leaned under the front bumper and gave a single swipe with the can.
Within 5 mins i was back in my W plate 95 which was in better condition on my way home.
That experience put the top hat on me looking and i'd decided to keep the 95, but the present 120 came up on the 'net, and it stood out from all the others and i bought it same morning it went online, again first place i looked was underneath...it seems to surprise people but its the first place to look with any Cruiser/Hilux, if its good underneath its worth looking further, if its not don't waste yours and everyone else's time.
Too much uncared for neglected garbage out there in Cruisers, and i think its the change in type of owners since the models became more mainstream, soft in other words, fashionable even, with more goodies.
Most people who bought a 70/80 series in Britain needed it for a reason or were enthusiasts of the type or simply liked old school reliability/quality, they were hardly fashion buys in ones wildest dreams, maybe those who bought the old models were also more mechanically minded/sympathetic and realised that all vehicles need the salt washing off at times during the season and a good clean up or splash of paint once winter has gone and some general TLC.
Car owners these days don't even check the oil level, what hope some proper preventative long term maintenance?