[ncduckman]

I know that some of you hate these threads and for that I apologize. However, this is the place to go to seek the advice of the gurus.

Here is the deal. It is halfway across the country. I have found a locked 40th with a 2.5 OME, Sliders, and ARB winch bull bar, fancy stainless exhaust, center lock mod. 295 BFG ATs at 50%

160,000 on the rig. Current owner has had it for 2 years, since 130,000.

It originally was a Northeast vehicle, it is now a South truck.

Engine was replaced at the dealership at 100,000. We do not know why. Have not confirmed this at dealership where it was done.

Previous owner had a snorkel, but took it, leaving a hole in the fender. Has new fender. Current owner had all of the dings, scratches, surface rust fixed (near sunroof) and touched up, then re-clearcoated the entire truck. He had the wheels brushed/polished and clearcoated too. The exterior is in fantastic condition. I have the contact info for the body shop and will be checking up on it.

The current owner has spent a lot of coin getting it up to speed. I think it is solid. I have talked to his mechanic, and he has taken very anal care of it.

Everything works, including lockers.

Interior is in good, not great, shape. Driver's seat is holding up well. Rest of the seats are good. A few scratches on the console/glovebox door. PO had added trailer brake controller and screwed it to the dash under the steering wheel (what did he tow?), a 12V plug in the center console above the rear heater controls, and 110 somewhere in the back (waiting on cargo area pics yet).

The bad:
3rd row seats gone (not a big deal to me)
Rear headrests are lost (took out for kid seats, may still have them...is looking)
Fake wood has been removed as it looked bad and was coming loose.
No original floor mats.
General scuffs in the interior. Dash, headliner, and seats are good.

He wants $8000 and is firm. I think he will get it. I know I want it. I have dibs, for now. I spent an hour on the phone with him today and we have been emailing back and forth all night. He is a Cruiserhead for sure that wants to upgrade to a certain bad ass 100.

I am just a bit concerned about its Northeast heritage. I have attached a pic below of the underside. Nothing too daunting. It will remain a southern truck.

[ncduckman]

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[ncduckman]

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[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Doesn't look bad at all! The interior is fine minus the rear seats missing but I've seen them on Craig's list for $300. Headrest you can get from a juncker. Nice mods. Need to clean up the rust on the rear crossmember though.

[ncduckman]

Originally Posted by S.CarolinaFZJ80

Doesn't look bad at all! The interior is fine minus the rear seats missing but I've seen them on Craig's list for $300. Headrest you can get from a juncker. Nice mods. Need to clean up the rust on the rear crossmember though.

So how are we price wise? I have been looking/lurking for quite a while. I think it is a good price and, frankly, was surprised that he still had it. He has had a lot of inquiries, so I will need to move fast.

I do not think I will miss the 3rd row seats. They would likely just get in the way. Is the tan color leather of the non 40th the same as the 40th as far as the headrests are concerned?

Oh, one MAJOR thing I forgot. Will likely need at least one birfield. It is clicking when the wheel is turned, just started, not too bad yet. I am mechanically inclined and not afraid to tackle it myself. What would parts run for a front axle rebuild?

[bpassmore]

Originally Posted by ncduckman

So how are we price wise? I have been looking/lurking for quite a while. I think it is a good price and, frankly, was surprised that he still had it. He has had a lot of inquiries, so I will need to move fast.

I do not think I will miss the 3rd row seats. They would likely just get in the way. Is the tan color leather of the non 40th the same as the 40th as far as the headrests are concerned?

Oh, one MAJOR thing I forgot. Will likely need at least one birfield. It is clicking when the wheel is turned, just started, not too bad yet. I am mechanically inclined and not afraid to tackle it myself. What would parts run for a front axle rebuild?

OEM parts for a birfield replacement will run $1000+ for both side. OEM Birfs are very expensive. 3rd party birfs can be had for ~250 per side.

you can swap sides and get several thousand more miles out of a clicking birf.

There is a lot of labor involved, but with Mud backing you up, you will be ok.


good luck!

[vladi80]

thats a nice set-up but 8k seems a bit high. Here in Cali I picked up a 93 locked spotless with 112k miles for $4700 but then again it does have the ARB, sliders and lift.

[calstyl2]

Thats a 5000 to 6000 dollar truck, with 40th stuff gone like the wood and floor mats, its not worth 8000.
I have a 40th with all that and still would be reaching for 8000 with lift, tires and work I have had done.

[calstyl2]

Wait you have the elusive cup holder, maybe 5500$

[bpassmore]

Originally Posted by calstyl2

Thats a 5000 to 6000 dollar truck, with 40th stuff gone like the wood and floor mats, its not worth 8000.
I have a 40th with all that and still would be reaching for 8000 with lift, tires and work I have had done.

especially when considering an imminent birfield job on the horizon.

The engine has 60k miles, that is not bad.

[calstyl2]

Originally Posted by bpassmore

especially when considering an imminent birfield job on the horizon.

The engine has 60k miles, that is not bad.

Just cause its clicking does not mean it needs replacing, just a repack and service, maybe a 250$ job if you do it yourself. A dealer will rip you off and in all likleyhood not do it right.

[bpassmore]

hum. he has trailer brakes, but no hitch. wonder what he was pulling, and how often.
check to see if it has the factory tranny cooler. just a thought. (possible all 40th's had that option, i dont know.) - if it did, it should have a valley hitch on it.

[WarDamnEagle]

You only show one shot of the undercarriage but there's enough visible rust there to turn me off. Rust was my number 1 criteria when I bought mine (or lack thereof). I would personally look for one that has never been in the rust belt.

[ncduckman]

The previous owner must have been the one who towed with it. The current owner has removed the hitch. I will have the current owner check to see if there is a tranny cooler there.

He is going to take more interior pics and send them to me today. I will have him get under it and take more underside shots to get a better idea of the rust.

I am of the opinion that body rust is the worst culprit. I would not think that undercarriage rust would be an issue on these, especially now that it is out of the rust belt and into the safe haven of the south. Am I wrong?

It is a bummer that some of the unique 40th items are gone, and it is somewhat of a concern, if I am looking for a "collector" truck. My line of thinking, though, after looking at a lot of 95-97 80s listed here and elsewhere, was that a built locked 80 is going to start in this range and only go up from there. I add a bit of a premium for the fact that it is a 40th, as they are my personal favorite.

Now, if I am out of line on the price, please tell me. I am a bit obsessive/compulsive and need to have a reality check, if warranted. I couldn't get to sleep last night as I am so psyched. But if this is fair, or close to it, I want to know, as I will be booking a flight for next weekend.

Keep 'em coming, I appreciate your wisdom.

Robert

[malottki]

Looks like a sharp truck. I would say go for it if thats the the 1...Love at first site happens with 80s too. It has all the goodies and no body rust. As long as the PO took care of it then go for it.

Good luck.
I got mine for 4000 in the Stl area. This is before I found this awsome forum.
Baselined the truck and Am so happy with its performance. Just stock, it will do anything.

[arndog123]

I'd have to agree that the price is a little steep and the rust would scare me away.

[ncduckman]

Originally Posted by bpassmore

check to see if it has the factory tranny cooler. just a thought. (possible all 40th's had that option, i dont know.)

Here is the tranny cooler:

I will be feeding y'all more pics as they come in.

[gisham]

yikes, by the looks of that engine i would say it has seen quite a bit of mud... be careful man...

[gisham]

after thinking for a second, im gonna say thats just too much for the truck. I would find a mall cruiser that has not been wheeled to death and add the accessories as you can.

[Silicon 70]

Take it for a test drive and see if it can go 70mph with no effort.

Before I bought mine I test drove about 3 cruisers and 2 of them were struggling to reach 70mph. Those guys were asking for way too much.

[ncduckman]

I can only go on what the current owner has told me, in that it is his commuter truck that he also takes hunting and some light wheeling. I do think that the owner previous to him had wheeled it. It used to have a snorkel and a J-spring lift. It was returned to stock before the current owner bought it, and he has added the OME and ARB. I do not think that the current owner has wheeled it too hard as I had to explain to him how to verify if the lockers work.

More porn:

[ncduckman]

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[calstyl2]

4000$, that rust tell tales...........

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by ncduckman

Here is the tranny cooler

All US spec trucks have that tranny cooler.

That looks like Junk's truck before he sold it. If it is, it used to have a SC. Check elmariachi's 40th registry thread and see if Junk posted the s/n there or just send him a PM and ask if that was his truck.

-B-

[KurtKuhn]

If you are planning on keeping the truck for +10 years, pass on this one and look for a mall cruiser LX from the sun belt. There will be no rust, likely no abuse, and you'll have the same comforts as the 40th. Then you can mod until your heart's content or your bank account is empty...whichever comes 1st.

My $0.02.

-KK

[romey]

my 2 cents..
- blind sale
- cost of flight over then driving it back a long distance (that's at least, what, another 5 bills?)
- good history of the rig only goes as far back as the current PO, only 2 years
- it's the previous-PO's history of use on that truck is the iffy part and it's this history that'll dictate the long term stuff (and it's what's concerning everyone), no?
- some of the goodies came off b/c they were sold separately? or did it go to another 80? if so why? it's already the 40th edition
- looks like it did have a hitch? goin by the rust/use marks on the bumper connection?
- engine was replaced by a NEW one, or a used one?
- what would happen if this deal was missed? couldn't another 40th ed/locked come up again between that side of the US and closer to you, chances are good, no? is there a rush to get the rig now?

- or are these 97's really that rare??

btw, i'm OCD myself so i can appreciate what you're goin through!

...again, my .02...and i'm no expert. g'luck on the decision!

[WarDamnEagle]

I've already posted once but what the hell. I looked for 4 months before I finally bought an absolutely rust free 97 with lockers. I also wanted no factory roof rack and no running boards and was only interested in 3 possible colors so it took a while. When I did buy it was all the way across the country and I shipped it across. I was not disappointed.

The rust on this one would totally turn me off. There is even rust up around the engine compartment (some is mud but much of it is rust).

I wish Beno would chime in here as he seems to be the resident expert on renovating a rust-belt 80 (and it hasn't been trivial from what I've seen from his posts).

I don't think you'll be happy if you buy this one.

[ncduckman]

Originally Posted by romey

my 2 cents..
- blind sale
- cost of flight over then driving it back a long distance (that's at least, what, another 5 bills?)
- good history of the rig only goes as far back as the current PO, only 2 years
- it's the previous-PO's history of use on that truck is the iffy part and it's this history that'll dictate the long term stuff (and it's what's concerning everyone), no?
- some of the goodies came off b/c they were sold separately? or did it go to another 80? if so why? it's already the 40th edition
- looks like it did have a hitch? goin by the rust/use marks on the bumper connection?
- engine was replaced by a NEW one, or a used one?
- what would happen if this deal was missed? couldn't another 40th ed/locked come up again between that side of the US and closer to you, chances are good, no? is there a rush to get the rig now?

- or are these 97's really that rare??

btw, i'm OCD myself so i can appreciate what you're goin through!

...again, my .02...and i'm no expert. g'luck on the decision!

You bring up some excellent points and really helped to put it into perspective for me. I will try to answer as best I can.

Not really a blind sale. I would book a round trip ticket (with frequent flier miles) so I can opt out if it is a no go. So I would be out the miles and the better part of a day to fly there and back.

The drive back would be about 1300 miles at 13 mpg at $1.75 or so a gallon = roughly $150-$200.

You are right about the PO, I cannot answer that.

Don't know why the goodies came off.

Yes, it had a hitch, it was removed.

Engine was replaced at the dealer, whether new or rebuilt, I will find out. Very unlikely used.

If this deal was missed, I would continue to obsess about and hunt for the best 95-97 locked, hopefully somewhat built that I can get. My work, marriage, and children would continue to suffer.

[romey]

i see... last line...the fam would suffer cuz you're out of a vehicle, or cuz dad's goin nuts with LC's?!

just had another thought, there's a good reason why the engine was replaced, PO prolly wheeled the crap out of it, or towed lots and it cooked/head gasket...? kay, so it get's replaced, but you're at the mercy of the quality/history of whatever engine was put in after (and that after 60K looks kinda ruff with rust/mud remains, maybe the dude heard/knows about the HG issue and is wanting to part before it goes...? btw, maybe i missed it, what was his reason for selling?)...then maybe you gotta think about the tranny, if the engine was taxed and had to be replaced, safe to assume that the tranny's been put through some work too/esp, w/ towing...how long will that last? how much for a rebuid?

just bein devils advocate.

like everything in life, it's a calculated risk....

yeah, you're obsessing now, wait till you get one in the driveway...Lol! i'm sure everyone's lookin forward to welcome you with your new rig! hope the process is fun and rewarding.

[VCCruzr]

I had my heart set on a locked 40th anniv. LC and after a couple of months of looking, I found one only 100 miles away. After a few coversations with the seller, I arranged a meeting with him prepared with cash to purchase the LC. Called him the night before to confirm the meeting, but no call back. Drove there anyway to meet the seller at the prearranged time. Someone from out of state had called him and wired him money to hold it.
With cash in hand, I tried to persuade the seller to let it go but to no avail- even upped the offer. I was totally bummed but continued my search. I then decided to start looking at LX450's w/lockers and after a month, found one 450 miles away. Gambled and drove all the way to look at the car...looked and drove great, so I bought it - $1000 less than the 40th anniv LC. With patience, you will find the right deal...they are out there. My opinion, I would pass on this one at this price. Good Luck!