Hi all, I have been lurking for awhile, but new to posting. I have been shopping for an FJ62 for some time and finally came across one I wanted to move forward with. The catch is there is some interior frame rust on the rear end. I have taken it to a few shops in our area, and the responses I have received range from "don't buy it" to "no big deal." I wanted to see what others thoughts on the rust are since I have received such a range of responses. Pictures attached
1988 FJ62 Buying/Rust Advice
- Thread starter stanton1275
- Start date
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That looks like delamination of the inner c channel reinforcing. The outer frame c channel looks to be in good shape. This is typical on these old cruisers. I think Trail Tailor sells replacements. If this is the only rust issue and the rest is fine, you should be ok. How is the shock tower support?
Gretsch
SILVER Star
Agreed on both above. I personally find tackling rust like this a beat down, and honestly beyond my skills and set of tools to do properly. You will surely have plenty of other ways to spend money on a cruiser without having to fix rust issues. As @ceylonfj40nut points out, very common on these rigs and parts to fix are available. I'll second that the rust you can see could pale in comparison to the rust you can't.
I have always thought there are enough rust free examples of these rigs available (at least around my area) as to not bother myself with rust issues. But if the price is right, it might be a steal for you, especially if doing the work yourself. You would be doing the world a service by saving another 60 series and would have my gratitude. Of the possible rust related problems on these, I think this is one I would be the least worried about. I wouldn't underestimate the strength of that steel if cutting that old stuff out yourself though. Its stout back there. Burned up three drill bits trying to drill a single hole when installing a hitch. To me this really comes down to asking price.
Trail Tailor C-Channel Kit:
HTH.
I have always thought there are enough rust free examples of these rigs available (at least around my area) as to not bother myself with rust issues. But if the price is right, it might be a steal for you, especially if doing the work yourself. You would be doing the world a service by saving another 60 series and would have my gratitude. Of the possible rust related problems on these, I think this is one I would be the least worried about. I wouldn't underestimate the strength of that steel if cutting that old stuff out yourself though. Its stout back there. Burned up three drill bits trying to drill a single hole when installing a hitch. To me this really comes down to asking price.
Trail Tailor C-Channel Kit:
C-Channel Kit 60 Series
Toyota Land Cruiser 60 series rear C-Channel Kit Strengthen up that rusty rear frame 3/16" channel reinforcement rails with Grade 8 hardware These are bare metal and shipped with a 1/2" step bit to assist in the install
www.trail-tailor.com
HTH.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks! Asking price is $12.5K (obviously negotiable). The rest of the truck is in really good shape. There is some rust on the rear quarter panel, but that seemed like a more straight forward fix. Shock tower looks pretty good, but I will post a picture shortly. I have had it checked by a few shops. The frame rust seems to be the biggest issue at the moment.
Gretsch
SILVER Star
Just for comparison, I had to give $11K two years ago for mine with a frame that looks like this throughout:
RodrigzCrzr
SILVER Star
I think $12k is to much for rust on that frame like that. And it’s there is rust in the frame there is more rust lurking in other places. Check it well before you get yourself into a deeper rust project.
agreed. $12K is too high for that kind of rust repair...assuming as you said there's more lurking. it'd have to be seriously otherwise perfect to make that a fair price.
You have to assume you're gonna be into that truck another $5K real quick with baselining, rust repair, etc...
Take a look on bring a trailer for what other 60/62's are fetching and see how your example measures up (and maybe keep shopping?)
Land Cruiser 60-Series
Browse and bid online for the chance to own a Toyota Land Cruiser 60-Series at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online.
bringatrailer.com
12K is considerably too much for that in my opinion. You can find much better options for less. In VT take a short trip down to the MA NH or CT area. Good luck!
$12.5 is too much.
Buy a truck like that if you, personally, are capable of properly carrying out the repairs.
Do not buy it if you will be paying for someone else or a shop to undertake the work.
While you could drive that around as is, not repairing it isn’t a realistic option. Right now that is a c channel replacement job. Wait on it, and it will turn into frame rail repairs as well.
Buy a truck like that if you, personally, are capable of properly carrying out the repairs.
Do not buy it if you will be paying for someone else or a shop to undertake the work.
While you could drive that around as is, not repairing it isn’t a realistic option. Right now that is a c channel replacement job. Wait on it, and it will turn into frame rail repairs as well.
The only way $12k might be a good price is if the interior is perfect, the paint is original and in great shape, there is no rust anywhere else on the body and it has a lot of things done to it like lift kit, bumpers, lights etc. But for a stock truck with this kind of corrosion $12k is too much. Seeing rust free trucks for sale in the $7k to $9k range....they have other issues but rust is not one.
- Thread starter
- #12
Thanks for the feedback. I agree $12K is to much. I was planning on offering something between $7K-8K. Not afraid to walk away from it.
