1988 fj62 Purchace Advice (1 Viewer)

[LCCrewChief]

So I'm finally in a position to buy my first LC!

Being new to the LC world I wanted some extra input as I'm not familiar with all the ins and out of LC yet. I'm currently looking at a 88 fj62 with 311K on her. The body is a amazing shape with no rust that I can see and the interior is a great shape as well. However, the only concerning part is the engine, the engine was resealed 5/8/23 and the head had a valve job and resurfaced on 8/8/23. Then on 8/13/24 the head was sent out to a machine shop for a #2 missfire and repaired (workorder doesnt specify what work was done, assumming a resurface might have taken place again).

My question is when does the 3FE normaly reach her rebuild time and does anyone know what might be causing them to have the head redone twice over the lat two years? The seller is asking a decent prices for the vehicle and I want to give respectable offer but at the same time I do not want to pay top dollar for a LC that looks like she might need a engine rebuild in the next year.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ace10]

No rust would be quite a thing.
Is it original paint?

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Head sent out for a misfire? "Resealed" is essentially meaningless unless you have specifics on the work done.
Yeah, who knows. If the head gasket blew and wasn't repaired well then it could happen again I guess.
I'd have it evaluated by a pro, preferably someone with Land Cruiser experience.

 

[zeeklafreek]

Here are some LC shops in FL.

Florida

Dixie Auto Service Inc
6360 South Dixie Highway,
South Miami,
FL 33143-4952
(305) 667-5096‎
Andre or Bob.

Tim Moye Transmission Incorporated
17414 Us Highway 41 N
Lutz, FL 33549
(813) 909-8337

Dave Mays Automotive
2905 NE 19th Drive, Gainesville, FL 32609
(352) 372-7617
Review: Excellent, affordable, honest, fixes problems other mechanics fail to.

 

[3_puppies]

I'd be more "worried" about the trans than the engine at 311,000 miles
proceed with caution

 

[toy_tek]

At 311k you’re not going to dodge the engine and transmission bullet. Plan for it and it’ll be a happier ownership experience.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Here are some LC shops in FL.

Florida

Dixie Auto Service Inc
6360 South Dixie Highway,
South Miami,
FL 33143-4952
(305) 667-5096‎
Andre or Bob.

Tim Moye Transmission Incorporated
17414 Us Highway 41 N
Lutz, FL 33549
(813) 909-8337

Dave Mays Automotive
2905 NE 19th Drive, Gainesville, FL 32609
(352) 372-7617
Review: Excellent, affordable, honest, fixes problems other mechanics fail to.

@ CruiserMatt is great!

CruiserMatt's Off-Road & Performance

cruisermatts

cruisermatts.com

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

I'd be more "worried" about the trans than the engine at 311,000 miles
proceed with caution

^^^ this!. Do not do a transmission flush or a “ Rodney flush”. Drain and fill only.

 

[RevISK]

I'd be more "worried" about the trans than the engine at 311,000 miles
proceed with caution

This.
Just dive straight into a manual swap.

Let’s see some pics of this rust free specimen!

 

[LCCrewChief]

Update time:

So the vehicle has no rust because the seller thinks it was repainted, at least thats what he told me. Also the transmission was rebuilt at 241K but in 2007 so she about 18 yrs old and has about 70K on her. Here are a fews pics of her. I was looking over the engine reseal and its is literlly every engine gasket/seal (see the work order). My ultimate goal is a LS swap and a 80 chassis swap as well. This is one vehicle I have been wanting for a very long time. I just didn't want to jump right into a LS swap very soon after I get her.

If I can make a deal, my plan to a change every fuild in the vehicle, plugs, wire, dis cap, fuel injectors (saw issues in the repair orders), all filters, and any other serivceable item I can think of, this way I know when they were changed and in hopes to extend as much life as I can before I try the swaps.

Thank you for the LC shops info, unfortunately the closes one to me is Gainsville at 5 hrs away and the vehicle is 10 hrs away from me which make it harder to look at. Just want to make sure I'm asking all the right questions and looking for the right things before I jump in.

Thanks Everyone!

 

[Arlo89]

That one is a lot of money, not saying it's too high but I'd want to bee 100 percent on everything like you. Seller may be on here and you may find more about it such as when he 1st bought it and any issues along the way

 

[LCCrewChief]

That one is a lot of money, not saying it's too high but I'd want to bee 100 percent on everything like you. Seller may be on here and you may find more about it such as when he 1st bought it and any issues along the way

Yea she is definitely on the high side and that's kind of why I'm asking all these questions. I just finished restore a 1982 jeep CJ7 Jamboree and I really don't want to have to go through the body work fun again which is why this one is so appealing because it seem like I won't have to. The seller has bee really responsive and great at sending over old work orders, there was just a handful of things in the service records that makes me feel like this engine might be on her way out beside the mileage.

Since this would be my first LC just wanted to get in insight on things that I maybe over looking.

 

[RevISK]

Did we miss the price being posted somewhere?

 

[LCCrewChief]

Did we miss the price being posted somewhere?

seller wants $37K

 

[zeeklafreek]

seller wants $37K

Dang.

 

[3_puppies]

seller wants $37K

for a 1988 with 317,000 miles
I wouldn't buy it, but that is me.

the driver seat bottom has been redone with the close to stock fabric.
1988 does not have rear 3 point seatbelts

 

[LCCrewChief]

Just wondering, what do yall think she is worth?

 

[onemanarmy]

in the used car world, its worth what someone will pay

Have you driven it?
Does it run and drive well now? any smoke? hesitation in the trans? does it feel strong with tight shifts? at idle, is it quiet? is it full of clean oil and coolant and trans fluid? and drips of those? is the trans/underside clean (from the oil pan and rear main seal work)?, are the front knuckles clean? temp and oil pressure gauge work? when in Drive at a stop, any noises or vibrations?

any warranty left on any of that previous work done?

are you wanting to buy a turn key DD or ok with a project?

Lots of variables!

 

[Arlo89]

Did we miss the price being posted somewhere?

No,I've just seen it on my Facebook landcruiser groups

 

[zeeklafreek]

Take a look on Bring a trailer:

Search for "1988 fj62"

Bring a Trailer Auctions is the best place to buy and sell vintage and classic vehicles - Porsche, BMW, Land Rover, and more.

bringatrailer.com

As you can see, there is a wide range of prices depending on condition of the truck.