86FJ60 good deal?

[AfricanToy]

Thank you for letting me look at you cruiser today...

I have own over a dozen land cruisers and I know what $ it takes to fix them

If the other buyer doesn't come through i can offer you $1500

If you decide to keep it and make it run as good as it should:

Work needed:

1) Rebuild the carburetor/ check vacuum lines $300
2) trouble shoot the vibration in the drive train $150
3) rebalance wheels/ front end alignment $100
4) if vibration is in the output flange or u-joints $500
5) repair leak in exhaust manifold $600
6) repair front leaf springs $300
7) change all fluids in diff, tranny, T-case, engine $250

NOT to mention the many gaskets and seals that are leaking and need replacing.

Total cost to make vehicle drive normal----$2200

Paint and body work $1800

Total cost $4000
+ purchase price $1500 = $5500

Good deal?

 

[Tvaldriz]

Good Deal

This is essentially what I did when I purchased my latest FJ60.

I crawled underneath and around the truck making notes on what I
saw, then called local shops to see what the various shop charges would be for each repair I noted.

If you are a total neophyte, bring a knowledgeable mechanic or Cruiserhead, and tell him/her that you will be negotiating based on
what you find.

Don't get emotionally attached to the truck you are looking at.
Try to be level-headed and factual. Don't exaggerate the problems
or minimize those that are found.

Honestly telling the seller what you are looking at and what it would cost to make it roadworthy can go a long way in buying a truck that you can be proud to call your own.

Bottom line: Like most vehicles, unless you can do the work yourself
or are willing to learn to do it yourself, you are better off buying a
truck and spending a little more for one that is already in good shape
that has been cared for and not abused.


This is an expensive addiction...


Tom

 

[bigDcruiser]

it all depends...

...on what you're comparing it too. i bought my '84 fj60 last feb and immediately took it to a mechanic who works primarily on old toyota's (he used to work for CCOT). i gave $1700 for her, spent $900 on the tune-up and a few months later another $900 on clutch/pressure plate. also spent about $100 on a new starter and a few dollars here and there on small stuff. she is my DD and has cost me roughly $3600 for a year of driving. my wife drives an '04 touareg which aside from carrying a healthy monthly note cost me additionally $1500 for a front brake job, $1200 for a set of tires and $220 for an F'ing headlight (no-that's not a typo). all-in-all, if i don't have any additional heavy maintenance expenses the cost of driving her over the next year will be even less. granted the mods can become costly but those are optional. if you're can find a solid old fj and take care of her the cost is much better than a new car.

 

[Navcruiser]

I agree on pricing. Lots of Cruiser Folks think they can drive a truck for free. Go buy something new and find out what it REALLY costs to have transportation. I have a HJ-60 that runs great and gets 25 mpg. I recently thought about selling it and folks all called me to tell me about "blue book", etc, and so on making it not worth the $14,750 I was asking. I went out and saw 4 wheeler Club Cars (golf carts) yesterday for $13,500. Why in the world would I sell a GREAT vehicle that's so cheap to drive compared to what new stuff costs. I'll keep it and enjoy it. It costs money to drive something that quality. Look at the price per mile, that's what counts. Fix an old cruiser and do it right and you'll have something. $5,500 won't even buy a Honda 4 wheeler!!!!