UPDATE + Advice to would be buyers: I've Been in the "tractor shop" at the family's fig farm going through everything, much has come to light, mainly after shipping the rig to get looked at in Boise. Basically, there was an intake leak undiagnosed at high elevation where I live, and lower compression than I would have hoped. Tee machine shop did a sub par job, just like a bad dentist, there's bad machinists. Is what it is. Looking like I can drive it.
I have the farm mechanic helping me some, just to verify im doing it right and to speed things up. Its mainly work on the steering gearbox/tie rods/alignment I know in theory, but its been SUPER NICE to have someone who gives a s*** lend a hand. It really does take a village.
The Boise cruiserhead gave me loads of good advice and found things on the rig i wasn't aware of, along with added context. Big thanks to him. He's the real deal, and there's not a lot of guys that know a ton on the forums. Can be a total echo chamber in here at times. I wish I would have paid the cash to have him look at it sooner. Its a real academic endeavor knowing these things, he showed me that with how he approached it and explained things, and Ive started to try to take on the same "critical thinking" + "genuine academic level interest" mentality the last few months.
ADVICE TO WOULD BE BUYERS:
More recently, I've been talking through a newbie and realizing all I've learned in doing so, brings some perspective full circle. Since this thread is titled "Advice on whether I should buy a Land Cruiser" I figure this is the first branch in answering that question 5 years later.
Or perhaps a way better, more answerable question is: If I'm going to buy a Land Cruiser what should I look for" Bottom line: Takes time, timing, and cash to find "good" rigs, inspections, experienced mechanics or friends to help.... Know what you're getting yourself into EVEN with the good ones. Its a 40 year old vehicle. You have to pay your dues no matter which way you spin it with these steel beasts, some more than others. Spend the necessary time and research in the buying process or pay some serious bonus time and $$$ to obscene levels later on, especially for a young 27 year old like me:
Good buyers advice on this thread, I begin to answer the question of "should I buy a land cruiser":
Real time help wanted - Looking at an FJ62 - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/real-time-help-wanted-looking-at-an-fj62.1362300/page-2#post-15959126
This video captures the realities of buying process + maintenance costs, with even a seasoned cruiserhead doing some of the actual no-no's:
Book Recommendation: Truck by John Jerome . A fun, cool read, that helped me conceptualize the project a little before I started on my engine rebuild process.
It's pretty incredible reflecting on all the time spent and all that has happened, especially now that I'm the grouchy grease covered gorilla giving reality checks to excited buyers.... LOL. At the end of the day if you love it you love it, and the wasted time and money will blend into the process. Don't bank on getting lucky, reality will slap you in the face with the objectivity of mechanical reality.
Still fighting!
Dan
forum.ih8mud.com
