91 3fe potential purchase

[Spruce]

I've been bugging you guys for the last two weeks, so apologies in advance here. After recently whiffing on a triple locked 94 that the guy ended up unloading for 2300 bucks I've decided to broaden my search. The vehicle I'm currently looking at is a 91 3fe with 94,000 miles. The interior is in excellent condition, and the exterior is as well (minus a rust bubble below the rear window). The owner states that it runs very well except that it will occasionally not crank at all. I asked some specifics about it, and it seems that it happens after he drives it and stops for fuel or what have you. After digging around on here I'd guess it's probably a starter or a fuse-able link that's no good, but I've had the exact same issue with a bad ecu on two other vehicles I've driven. I've also asked the gent to take me some shots of the underside as it's grown up in some pretty cold climates.

My questions to you guys are:

1. Should I just sit tight and wait for an 1fz-fe to come along?
2. Is the astonishingly low mileage on this actually something that I should view as a negative? I know a lot of you guys drive yours over 300k.
3. Should the no-crank problem scare me off?

I have no idea of service records, but I can attest that the vehicle was family owned for a very long time, and purchased by the current seller 2 years ago.

 

[jonheld]

No crank has nothing to do with the ECU.
Most likely the starter contacts are shot.

 

[rex in bama]

Got back into a low mileage 3fe mid last year - I love it (sold my 91 when gas prices were high, and quickly regretted it). That said, it’s a 27 year old vehicle so count on a heavy baselining effort/expense if it does not have the paperwork. The no crank sounds like just a connection issue, but something you can use to your advantage in your price negotiation. Biggest concern would be rust - are you sure that bubble is all there is?

 

[BILT4ME]

I've been bugging you guys for the last two weeks, so apologies in advance here. After recently whiffing on a triple locked 94 that the guy ended up unloading for 2300 bucks I've decided to broaden my search. The vehicle I'm currently looking at is a 91 3fe with 94,000 miles. The interior is in excellent condition, and the exterior is as well (minus a rust bubble below the rear window). The owner states that it runs very well except that it will occasionally not crank at all. I asked some specifics about it, and it seems that it happens after he drives it and stops for fuel or what have you. After digging around on here I'd guess it's probably a starter or a fuse-able link that's no good, but I've had the exact same issue with a bad ecu on two other vehicles I've driven. I've also asked the gent to take me some shots of the underside as it's grown up in some pretty cold climates.

My questions to you guys are:

1. Should I just sit tight and wait for an 1fz-fe to come along?
2. Is the astonishingly low mileage on this actually something that I should view as a negative? I know a lot of you guys drive yours over 300k.
3. Should the no-crank problem scare me off?

I have no idea of service records, but I can attest that the vehicle was family owned for a very long time, and purchased by the current seller 2 years ago.

Also, the rear axle on the 91 has drum brakes and semi-float axle shafts. The brakes on the front axle are not as large as the brakes on the later models (93+)

But, less possibility of a head gasket issue.

 

[RKTINC]

I love my FJ80 so much I keep a spare.

 

[Spruce]

Thanks guys. The seller already told me that someone else is getting up there to buy it this afternoon, so my heavy work schedule has likely stopped me again, but maybe the guy will bail. As for the ECU problem...it happened on a 91 and 92 wrangler I had. Same exact symptoms, so i thought that maybe the problem transcended the manufacturer line.

Anyway here are some pictures of the frame and rails....pretty nice for a Michigan truck from 1991.

 

[Marco Lau]

Here are my answers:
1. Should I just sit tight and wait for an 1fz-fe to come along? I wouldn't..LOVE my 3FE, and would I do it all over again? HELLZ YES.
2. Is the astonishingly low mileage on this actually something that I should view as a negative? I know a lot of you guys drive yours over 300k. NOT AT ALL
3. Should the no-crank problem scare me off HELL NO

 

[Spruce]

Here are my answers:
1. Should I just sit tight and wait for an 1fz-fe to come along? I wouldn't..LOVE my 3FE, and would I do it all over again? HELLZ YES.
2. Is the astonishingly low mileage on this actually something that I should view as a negative? I know a lot of you guys drive yours over 300k. NOT AT ALL
3. Should the no-crank problem scare me off HELL NO

Lol...Yeah, it's a motivated seller, and if he's still got it when I have time this weekend I'm gonna go pick it up. That seems unlikely, though.

 

[D21FJ60]

See if he'll take a deposit?

 

[Spruce]

I've got the cash, I just don't have the time. The guy needed cash for a down payment on a new vehicle (didn't like the starter issue that was going on), and needs cash in hand to go buy something asap. I would also like to at least drive it around, feel how it shifts, and listen to the engine before I committed to buying.

 

[TWILLY]

Occasional failure to crank is probably an easily-fixed starter problem. With so few miles, barring any major (unlikely) problems and hyper severe neglect, it's got a lot of life left.

I'm an original owner at 240K, have been stranded once in 27 years, and still tour many days by dirt into rural MX each year.

This thread will soon devolve into a debate about the relative merits of the FJ80 and FZJ80. Before that happens, know that the 3FE 80 Series on its own volition is capable, dead reliable, inefficient, and endearing--one foot planted squarely in the past. For dirt touring, with a second fuel tank for range, it's perfect. Wouldn't trade mine.

 

[Marco Lau]

Rebuild the starter, or better yet, install a FORD starter solenoid (do the search)....I carry a long pry bar and once in a blue moon, the starter decide to act up, and i give it a nice wack with my 4' long pry bar and it never fails to crank right after..

 

[Spruce]

I texted the guy back just to see what was up, and it seems that the other potential buyer backed out because the truck won't start at all. I was under the impression that it just acted up once in a while, but it seems that it's inoperable at the moment. Any insight from you folks about what I can try out if I go take a look? (or i suppose have the seller do as I think he's done with this truck and would sell it even if it ran).

So far I've got - wail on the starter with a crowbar

 

[mingles]

Do you have AAA Plus (or similar)?

My thought is that you are better off not getting it running. Use the no-start condition REALLY to your advantage. If the rest of the truck looks acceptable, offer the seller half of his asking price in cash on the spot. Tell him you will make the truck disappear within a few hours and it will no longer be his problem. Stress to him you are taking a HUGE gamble and are helping him out of a tough spot .

Call AAA and have it flatbed towed back to your house.

I have used the above procedure to move dead vehicle purchases several times over the years and always tip the tow driver well for his efforts. During the initial call I be sure to tell the AAA operator that the vehicle I'm in won't start because of (insert your mechanical ailment of choice that can't be fixed on the side of the road) and I need it towed back to my residence (it is 4WD so you NEED a flatbed).

Enjoy your new 80. There is no problem that it may have that has not already been solved and well documented on MUD.

 

[Marco Lau]

I texted the guy back just to see what was up, and it seems that the other potential buyer backed out because the truck won't start at all. I was under the impression that it just acted up once in a while, but it seems that it's inoperable at the moment. Any insight from you folks about what I can try out if I go take a look? (or i suppose have the seller do as I think he's done with this truck and would sell it even if it ran).

So far I've got - wail on the starter with a crowbar

bring a long crow bar, pop the hood, the starter is located directly on the pass. side below the firewall, adjacent to the charcoal canister. give it a few stab and crank away. Good luck...if it starts, you might have potentially use that as your bargaining tool....

 

[RKTINC]

Well it is a little crusty, but I think that is really not too bad for a northern rig. The gas tank cover would be crispy thin if it was really bad. Not exactly a rig I would want to do a lot of suspension work on but the shops up there have there ways of dealing with it if needed. He has lost one sale to a no start so I would not try to start it and just buy it as a no start and get a discount. I would really want to buy it cheap in that situation just in case you need to source a trans or engine. Really depends on how handy you are and the purchase price. Without photos it is hard to say.

 

[Spruce]

Lol I like that AAA idea, but don't think I have it. I'll ask my insurance about their roadside tomorrow.
As for the rust I've done suspension work on MUCH worse... Honestly that amount is trivial compared to my TJ. I'm not really interested in swapping the engine even if it were free, however.

The asking price was 2900 but the guy said he'd take anything over 2,000 so I'm not sure how much lower it'd go. Around here anything that's not triple locked usually sits on the shelf forever though.

 

[chbrow10]

That is a great price for around here (Southeast). non-locked 250k mile trucks are selling for 10k.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, A used 4 wheeler costs more than that. Mike

 

[MickeyB]

Do you have AAA Plus (or similar)?

My thought is that you are better off not getting it running. Use the no-start condition REALLY to your advantage. If the rest of the truck looks acceptable, offer the seller half of his asking price in cash on the spot. Tell him you will make the truck disappear within a few hours and it will no longer be his problem. Stress to him you are taking a HUGE gamble and are helping him out of a tough spot .

Call AAA and have it flatbed towed back to your house.

I have used the above procedure to move dead vehicle purchases several times over the years and always tip the tow driver well for his efforts. During the initial call I be sure to tell the AAA operator that the vehicle I'm in won't start because of (insert your mechanical ailment of choice that can't be fixed on the side of the road) and I need it towed back to my residence (it is 4WD so you NEED a flatbed).

Enjoy your new 80. There is no problem that it may have that has not already been solved and well documented on MUD.

So yeah just looked at AAA on the premium membership you get one tow up to 200 miles per year. So you could be good if it’s close.