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- #21
From my experience with these trucks, I'd say forget that vehicle ever existed. With an old diesel cruiser, usually the purchase price is just the beginning of a long list of expenditures. Example, I paid $3500 CAD for mine. Within the first three years I'd put another $10,000 into it. I'm impulsive with my vehicle purchases too, and a few time's I've regretted my decisions. Wish I'd just been less cheap and bought something better. I know it's tough when you get that diesel itch. It's like finding a wife, you gotta get the right one. Don't compromise unless you can afford heart ache and financial loss.
Probably the best advice you'll receive all day.
Thanks to your very generous sharing of your knowledge and opinion, in addition to others, I have decided not to do the deal and will hang onto my 80 for the time being. You're right, I do have the diesel itch right now, but I need to be smart and wait for the right one to come along.
Thanks to everyone that commented and shared advice. I feel like I dodged a major bullet. If his pulley hadn't gone out on the way to meeting me, I'd have this vehicle.
**Also**
I was able to get in touch with the seller from the original seller ( This Guy For Sale - 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado LJ78 4x4 RHD) and he was AWESOME. He called me from Canada and spoke with me for 20+ minutes about the LJ when he owned it and gave me great advice about LJ's in general. He told me many things mentioned above in terms of advice as well and further solidified that it's good to stay away. He said that he had major electrical problems with it and even tried replacing the ECU harness and that didn't fix it. He said that he's almost certain it's probably having the same issues still and that's why it's crossed so many hands. He said that it probably needs a completely new ECU and motor at this point due to all of the abuse the electrical issues did to it.