86 fj60: fight or flight?

[thegreatgazoo]

A friend's parents are trying to sell their family fj60. Good part: original owner, about 100k milleage, mostly original parts, never lifted. Bad part: it's been sitting (mostly indoor) 10+ years. Main issues are:
- The guy who fixed the carb to make it run, put some kind of Ford carb on it. But he also totally got rid of the smog unit. So I'm not sure how I can make it pass the emission tests here in CO (required even for 80s cars with collector plates). It drives up to 40mph no problem, but not smooth.
- While the body looks clean and almost rust free, there's some rust on the frame, worst part near the spare tire well. See pictures attached. I have no idea if it's too bad or not.
- The bolts under the front axle knuckles were covered by sludge and had what looked like gear oil on them. This seemed normal for fj60s.
- Other less mechanical issues: AC not working, cracked windshield.
I have a 100 series that's a family daily drive. I'm interested in this fj60 as a fun car, but don't want to get trapped into a money/time pit. So what do you guys think?

 

[cruisermatt]

what is your budget for overall ownership? Were you already in the market for a FJ60 before this was presented to you or is it the first time you have considered owning one? In my opinion mileage and number of owners become pretty irrelevant in if it is in rough shape.

 

[mongoose2231]

That frame actually looks solid, seeing as the inner channels are still intact. Up here, in the north east, I'd get right to work saving that!!

 

[thegreatgazoo]

what is your budget for overall ownership? Were you already in the market for a FJ60 before this was presented to you or is it the first time you have considered owning one? In my opinion mileage and number of owners become pretty irrelevant in if it is in rough shape.

I have about $6-7K to have it fixed if/after I buy it. I always wanted one of these analog trucks, i.e. ones you don't need a computer to work on. But I never seriously looked for one. This one came to me through a friend.

My main concern is emission and rust. If I can have it registered and the rust is not beyond repairable, I can slowly work on other small things, e.g. AC is really not a concern here in CO.

 

[Spike Strip]

From the Rust pix, it's not too bad. I've seen a lot worse. But you're right about the smog equipment. If you don't have it, you'll have to purchase whatever is missing, install or have installed, that includes the stock Aisan carburetor to get it all to work, and then dial it all in. It's daunting unless you're VERY VERY familiar with how Toyota addressed smog in the 80s.

But the parts are out there, and if you're lucky, you can get everything from someone desmogging for a reasonable price (maybe $500 ish, including carburetor).

Is the removed equipment available ? Pix of engine bay will help.

 

[thegreatgazoo]

From the Rust pix, it's not too bad. I've seen a lot worse. But you're right about the smog equipment. If you don't have it, you'll have to purchase whatever is missing, install or have installed, that includes the stock Aisan carburetor to get it all to work, and then dial it all in. It's daunting unless you're VERY VERY familiar with how Toyota addressed smog in the 80s.

But the parts are out there, and if you're lucky, you can get everything from someone desmogging for a reasonable price (maybe $500 ish, including carburetor).

Is the removed equipment available ? Pix of engine bay will help.

The owner tried to make it run before trying to sell it. So he found this carb guy who I'd guess knew a lot about carbs but not much about fj60. The guy did make it run but he removed all the smog and air cleaner stuff - the removed parts are all gone. Here's an engine bay picture.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I’m curious what an “almost rust free”body means. If it’s real minor and the price was a great deal I would probably buy it in Alaska or Hawaii, where there is no smog testing.
In your situation, probably not due to the emissions control difficulties. Passing smog could be tough even with all the equipment put back on. Why the hell would someone junk the smog stuff while it’s living in Colorado? Or did it come from another state…

 

[Spike Strip]

I know CO has some strict smog laws. Don't know how they compare to Kalifornia. Have no idea about Boulder. If they're close, you're gonna have a rough go of it getting that to pass smog, if you can't find someone who is familiar with FJ60s. If you can get into the truck very cheap ($1500 ish), then it might be worth it, because mileage is low.

I would ask in the regional forums to see if someone can direct you to a knowledgeable mechanic. There's always @3_puppies who's a day's drive in Montana. He probably even has all the bits you will need.

CO- Colorado Land Cruisers

forum.ih8mud.com

Based in CO, somewhere Rising Sun 4WD Club Forum - https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/

 

[thegreatgazoo]

I’m curious what an “almost rust free”body means. If it’s real minor and the price was a great deal I would probably buy it in Alaska or Hawaii, where there is no smog testing.
In your situation, probably not due to the emissions control difficulties. Passing smog could be tough even with all the equipment put back on. Why the hell would someone junk the smog stuff while it’s living in Colorado? Or did it come from another state…

Only minor rust near the mud slaps - very clean. It had out-of-state plate then it sat for 10+ years. Then the owner decided to make it run before trying to sell. Then the guy he found did all that essentially de-smog work. It broke my heart when I saw the engine bay.

 

[CardinalFJ60]

I know CO has some strict smog laws. Don't know how they compare to Kalifornia. Have no idea about Boulder. If they're close, you're gonna have a rough go of it getting that to pass smog, if you can't find someone who is familiar with FJ60s. If you can get into the truck very cheap ($1500 ish), then it might be worth it, because mileage is low.

I would ask in the regional forums to see if someone can direct you to a knowledgeable mechanic. There's always @3_puppies who's a day's drive in Montana. He probably even has all the bits you will need.

CO- Colorado Land Cruisers

forum.ih8mud.com

Based in CO, somewhere Rising Sun 4WD Club Forum - https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/

I’m a member of this club and can attest to the awesomeness and caliber of support. See you over there! Good emission threads.

I love 60’s, so biased opinion. Save her!!!! emissions stuff can be found. There’s also a highly recommended under carriage dry-ice blasting/coating company in the area

 

[timexlost]

I have about $6-7K to have it fixed if/after I buy it. I always wanted one of these analog trucks, i.e. ones you don't need a computer to work on. But I never seriously looked for one. This one came to me through a friend.

My main concern is emission and rust. If I can have it registered and the rust is not beyond repairable, I can slowly work on other small things, e.g. AC is really not a concern here in CO.

Are you going to be doing the work or are you going to take it to a shop to repair? $6-7K can go a long way if you're doing the work yourself, not so much at a shop though.

Like others said, the rust is more superficial than it appears in the photos. To me. that frame looks solid, those C Channels look fantastic compared to some that I've seen. All the missing emissions pieces can be sourced on here from someone doing a part out or a decarb, grab a used carb and have it rebuilt by one of the forum members here, the vacuum lines are going to be the biggest pain in the ass.

If the price is right, and the body isn't totally thrashed then I'd day go for it. If you can, inspect the normal spots for body rot. Rain gutters, door drains, pull the tail lights and look inside the rear rockers...ect

 

[Spike Strip]

If your County requires a visual inspection to verify stock config, you're going to need a Carburetor, a Distributor and Coil/Igniter assy, plus all the missing smog components. You're looking at $1000 there for used parts.

Still, these trucks if not too rusty are definitely worth saving, even if you have to have $10K into it to get her legal. What other 4x4 with this utility and off-road capability could you buy for $10K ?

Is there any way to contact the guy who did the work and see if the removed bits are on a shelf ? Hard to believe someone would just throw that stuff away or sell without owner's consent.

If this truck were close and price was low to reasonable, I'd buy it as is.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.