1993 FZJ80 purchase...
- Thread starter stevek
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I nearly flew to Florida for a 40th Anniversary model with low miles billed as pristine. At least a dozen hi res pictures. Then a list member got wind of it and drove an hour with his tools to give it a good once over. He called me to tell me it was extensively damaged and the interior was a mess - repainted seats (?), broken bits and a chain smoker owner with bad aim (burns). Also did not have lockers as billed. What's incredible is that the salesman made a big deal of taking my list of things to check out and went out to the warehouse to go over them on the vehicle. Then called me back and blithely lied through his teeth. Guys here are willing to help you on that stuff, do don't hesitate.
IdahoDoug
IdahoDoug
I've mentioned in the past that there are a lot of 80s up here in MA and for cheaper money. But have been told by people on this forum that they are rust buckets 
. Actually here around Boston everything is pretty much garaged it's entire life and very little rust at all. I've just started to see a little on the rear lift gate which seems to be common and have been told by a local LC shop that it is all that he has seen also. I've often thought about posting some of these trucks I see but after the WARM welcome I got before I haven't bothered.
. Actually here around Boston everything is pretty much garaged it's entire life and very little rust at all. I've just started to see a little on the rear lift gate which seems to be common and have been told by a local LC shop that it is all that he has seen also. I've often thought about posting some of these trucks I see but after the WARM welcome I got before I haven't bothered.
Steve,
There are a lot of 91-92 FJ80's below $9K. Read up on the model differences between the FJ80 and the FZJ80 so you are a well informed buyer.
-B-
There are a lot of 91-92 FJ80's below $9K. Read up on the model differences between the FJ80 and the FZJ80 so you are a well informed buyer.
-B-
- Thread starter
- #26
I have a pretty good grasp of the differences between in the FJ and the FZJ. For the most part this truck is going to be a daily driver for ~1.5yrs or so and then will slowly turn into a nice offroad rig. As long as it is mechanically decent and has minimal rust then I am not too concerned with model year 8)
Found 2 1994 models one with 119k on the odometer for $8,950 the other was 8,800 no odometer but didn't look close.
Actually just over in RI. Did a search on autotrader.com Zip code 01834 (mine) search 100 miles. 1991~1997 all prices. They're there as of when I posted.
A better source for locally to Boston vehicles is the WWW.thewantad.com site. This is a local publication that comes out once a week. You can view the publication on line however you need to subscribe to it.
A better source for locally to Boston vehicles is the WWW.thewantad.com site. This is a local publication that comes out once a week. You can view the publication on line however you need to subscribe to it.
A friend bought a 95 that had started out in Chicago for 2 years and then went to So. CA. I helped him do some work, and we were breaking bolts, his muffler was rusting off the clamps etc.
I am spoiled - I grew up in the NE, went to school in WI, but after moving to the west coast, I swear I don't ever want to own or wrench on a car from teh salt belt again.
BTW - A lot of the cars for sale in FL have been brought down by dealer from the NE - they go much cheaper at auction in NY, MA, ME etc. MOST ( we are all too smart right?) folks won't check the VIN through CarFax.....
Jim
I am spoiled - I grew up in the NE, went to school in WI, but after moving to the west coast, I swear I don't ever want to own or wrench on a car from teh salt belt again.
BTW - A lot of the cars for sale in FL have been brought down by dealer from the NE - they go much cheaper at auction in NY, MA, ME etc. MOST ( we are all too smart right?) folks won't check the VIN through CarFax.....
Jim
Well my muffler went just a couple of months ago, no biggy, bolts came right out. And I've had no trouble with breaking bolts with my other mods either. Only two years in Chicago and all those problems, you might want to evaluate your wrenching technique or lack of 
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.[quote author=landtank link=board=2;threadid=5673;start=msg45887#msg45887 date=1064859098]
Well my muffler went just a couple of months ago, no biggy, bolts came right out. And I've had no trouble with breaking bolts with my other mods either. Only two years in Chicago and all those problems, you might want to evaluate your wrenching technique or lack of.
[/quote]
Never broken, stripped or cross threaded any fastners on my 93 that has been out West all its life.
I was amazed at how much rust was on the vehicle compared to mine after having spent just the first couple of years in the salt belt.
Jim
Well my muffler went just a couple of months ago, no biggy, bolts came right out. And I've had no trouble with breaking bolts with my other mods either. Only two years in Chicago and all those problems, you might want to evaluate your wrenching technique or lack of
.[/quote]
Never broken, stripped or cross threaded any fastners on my 93 that has been out West all its life.
I was amazed at how much rust was on the vehicle compared to mine after having spent just the first couple of years in the salt belt.
Jim
Yeah people from "outside" the west coast, don't understand that when we say no rust, we don't mean "just a little surface rust on the frame", or "just a little bubble at the bottom corner of one door", we mean no rust . That's one of the good things about the west coast, another is I just climbed Mt. Adams, 12,276 ft (7000ft elevation gain during the climb), last week, I left home at 0400 was home by 2100 for a good nights sleep 
*disclaimer-as cdan would point out ALL cruisers with roof racks will have some amount of rust under the roof rack feet
*disclaimer-as cdan would point out ALL cruisers with roof racks will have some amount of rust under the roof rack feet
Yep, west coast SoCal single owner cruiser and when I stripped all the wax off the beast, clayed her and put on Zaino's show car polish, I took off the roof rack and runners in the middle. There is 'some' rust around the screw inserts in the roof. Unavoidable.
Well my FJ60 got lighter with every bump :'(, and the FJ62s seem to be pretty much the same. However Toyota/Araco has done something with the 80. Couple that with the fact that the more affluent people bought these rigs and garaged them all their life, well if I was looking for an inexpesive one especially where it would spend the rest of it's life in a warm climate I'd save a few and get it here.
A few months ago my 10 year old son asked me why only women drive LandCruisers. Good question... and it goes to the fact that women bought these trucks for there reliability and safety and trust me, mommy isn't driving when the roads are wet never mind snow covered!
These trucks are truly Babied! Well not all of them
A few months ago my 10 year old son asked me why only women drive LandCruisers. Good question... and it goes to the fact that women bought these trucks for there reliability and safety and trust me, mommy isn't driving when the roads are wet never mind snow covered!
These trucks are truly Babied! Well not all of them
One of our club members just picked up a 93 that was a NM truck all it's life. A couple small dents, 145k on the clock, some repainted areas, no rust (but the POS rack) and difflocks OME 851/860 and shocks. He paid under 8K.
Dan would that be considered the norm or a good deal?
Rick,
I'd say "good deal" The only thing I didn't care for was the front seats have been re-done in some pretend leather. The vehicle is a leather interior. The second and third row seats were original and in good condition. The vehicle appears sound overall, it could use a paint job to be a puff but then a guy would be afraid to take it out and pound on it. At this point all the guy "needs" is a better set of trail shoes and he's brand new.
D-
I'd say "good deal" The only thing I didn't care for was the front seats have been re-done in some pretend leather. The vehicle is a leather interior. The second and third row seats were original and in good condition. The vehicle appears sound overall, it could use a paint job to be a puff but then a guy would be afraid to take it out and pound on it. At this point all the guy "needs" is a better set of trail shoes and he's brand new.
D-
patience and a little luck.
Sean
Sean