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1988 Toyota Land Cruiser — footwell gets wet only after heavy rain

TirePilot735Community StarterMay 9, 20261988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62Pennsylvania
The car stays dry in normal rain but after a long storm one front footwell gets damp. Door seal looks okay. What drain/seam tests would you do before tearing the interior apart? Interested in real owner experience more than guesses.
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12 replies

TirePilot735Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 9, 2026permalink
I went back under the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser and it only happens after a heat soak, not on a cold start. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
BatteryMechanicish308Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 10, 2026permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. Loaded-suspension checks on the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. On “footwell gets wet only after heavy rain,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. Cold start is when I can actually reproduce it.
RoadNerdCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 10, 2026permalink
Quick add on that: A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser is losing coolant with no puddle. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
CanyonDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 10, 2026permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Loaded-suspension checks on the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. That's the branch I'd chase this week. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
TirePilot735Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 10, 2026permalink
It did footwell gets wet only after heavy rain twice this week, both times after sitting. No change in mileage feel. If that fails I'll eat the diagnostic fee.
TirePilot735Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 12, 2026permalink
I went back under the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser and it only happens after a heat soak, not on a cold start. I already checked the easy fluid levels.
BatteryMechanicish308Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 10, 2026permalink
Ask what changed right before it started. Loaded-suspension checks on the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. Save the big job until that test fails. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
RoadNerdCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 12, 2026permalink
Yes, with one caveat: Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser does it — then decide on parts. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. I'll update if anything new shows up.
NoMarkupGarage716Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 10, 2026permalink
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser does it — then decide on parts. Save the big job until that test fails. Any freeze-frame data saved? I'll update if anything new shows up.
TirePilot735Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 10, 2026permalink
OP update: scanned the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser again and still only have the one pending code, no new lights. No warning lights, which is why I'm documenting it.
CleanGarageCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 12, 2026permalink
Asking because it changes the advice: Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser and see if the fault moves. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. This is from a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser in Pennsylvania. No need to make it theatrical. If it repeats twice more I'll book time.
UsedCarGuy283Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 11, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Two 1988 Toyota Land Cruisers can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. This is from a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser in Pennsylvania. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
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