Always liked the looks of the 80 series LC's. Never had the $$ when they ran 35-40K, but finally we both got older and I could get one. Really didn't have any idea what I was doing, and didn't spend enough time reading up on it before I jumped in with both feet. Wanted a black LC, ended up getting a white LX (how'd THAT happen?).
Bought my '97 LX from a guy up near St. Paul recently. Literally threw up a last minute bid on fleabay based on what they were selling for around here, and somehow won the thing. Night of the Superbowl, and I think I was as surprised at what I'd bought as my wife was.
Never heard of this "rust belt" notion, so imagine my surprise when I get it in and the underside has significant rust.
I'm not so worried about that underside stuff, but I found rust in 3 places on the body so far:
1) on the bottom of the frame where you open the DS door (spots),
2) center top of the front windshield (50 cent piece size that is seen), and
3) on the rear window just left of center (same size as #2).
Both 2 and 3 are the "bubbling up" look, but I've seen enough threads that I have a healthy fear of what might be hiding on me.
Today I took it to a friend who owns a local body shop, and he says what I already know from reading on mud: prone to rust in those spots, front windshield likely to break when taking it out, PITA to seal so it doesn't leak on putting in front glass, and based on his experience I may end up replacing the back hatch entirely. He never gave me a $$ amount, but I got the distinct feeling this was gonna hurt.
The truck seems to be in good shape other than this. Paint is excellent, leather still good, interior clean and no water leaks. Engine seems solid at 160K, did the hydrocarbons test on the radiator to check for leaks and none showed. Had a dizzy o-ring leak but fixed it. All I've done is baseline fluids otherwise. Just got my silicone PHH in yesterday, sitting on my desk right now.
Question is, do I just put it up for sale and sell it, then take those funds and find a native Southern or SW truck with lockers and no rust, or do I bite the bullet and spend $$ on fixing the LX (which has no lockers and is stock)? I think I can sell it for what I paid for it, maybe even post a bit of a profit toward that elusive ARB bumper... I'm definitely not afraid to work on them, but I know without a doubt I don't have the skill set to fix this issue correctly. Hate to think of selling it right away, just don't want to spend a ton on an ongoing issue. What would y'all do?
Options? Opinions?
Bought my '97 LX from a guy up near St. Paul recently. Literally threw up a last minute bid on fleabay based on what they were selling for around here, and somehow won the thing. Night of the Superbowl, and I think I was as surprised at what I'd bought as my wife was.
Never heard of this "rust belt" notion, so imagine my surprise when I get it in and the underside has significant rust.
I'm not so worried about that underside stuff, but I found rust in 3 places on the body so far:
1) on the bottom of the frame where you open the DS door (spots),
2) center top of the front windshield (50 cent piece size that is seen), and
3) on the rear window just left of center (same size as #2).
Both 2 and 3 are the "bubbling up" look, but I've seen enough threads that I have a healthy fear of what might be hiding on me.
Today I took it to a friend who owns a local body shop, and he says what I already know from reading on mud: prone to rust in those spots, front windshield likely to break when taking it out, PITA to seal so it doesn't leak on putting in front glass, and based on his experience I may end up replacing the back hatch entirely. He never gave me a $$ amount, but I got the distinct feeling this was gonna hurt.
The truck seems to be in good shape other than this. Paint is excellent, leather still good, interior clean and no water leaks. Engine seems solid at 160K, did the hydrocarbons test on the radiator to check for leaks and none showed. Had a dizzy o-ring leak but fixed it. All I've done is baseline fluids otherwise. Just got my silicone PHH in yesterday, sitting on my desk right now.
Question is, do I just put it up for sale and sell it, then take those funds and find a native Southern or SW truck with lockers and no rust, or do I bite the bullet and spend $$ on fixing the LX (which has no lockers and is stock)? I think I can sell it for what I paid for it, maybe even post a bit of a profit toward that elusive ARB bumper... I'm definitely not afraid to work on them, but I know without a doubt I don't have the skill set to fix this issue correctly. Hate to think of selling it right away, just don't want to spend a ton on an ongoing issue. What would y'all do?
Options? Opinions?