Am I unreasonably optimistic? (1 Viewer)

[stead63]

Buddy said he had a vehicle for me if I was looking for a project. I think I found a heck of a project indeed.

Engine has had lots of work recently. New hoses, gaskets, alternator, etc. New(ish) suspension, tires. The interior is shot. Glass busted out and upholstery…damn.

I see only potential but am I too optimistic?

 

[tampacruiser95]

Depends on the price, but those items are important part of the baseline.

 

[CharlieS]

Depends on how much you like spending money. Could be a fun project, but it won't be a cheap project.

Is it a '93?

 

[Kernal]

Find a better 80 to work on, keep the heap for a parts truck.

 

[Fj80oregon]

I would buy that just for the sweet shifter!

 

[Marvelicious]

Well, there's nowhere to go but up. It depends on what your end goal is... if you want it to be "nice", you'd be money ahead starting with one in better condition. I know a couple of guys who run shops that do restorations, and I've heard them both say that: it's cheaper to buy better than to pay the shop or even buy the parts and DIY.

Now, as a wheeler, I see tons of potential if you can get it for the right price.

 

[ace10]

How much is your buddy paying you to take it off his hands?

 

[stead63]

How much is your buddy paying you to take it off his hands?

Depends on how much you like spending money. Could be a fun project, but it won't be a cheap project.

Is it a '93?

It is a ‘93. I don’t ever mean for it to be anything but a daily driver. Something fun and a constant work in progress.

 

[stead63]

Depends on the price, but those items are important part of the baseline.

His starting is $2,500.

 

[stead63]

Well, there's nowhere to go but up. It depends on what your end goal is... if you want it to be "nice", you'd be money ahead starting with one in better condition. I know a couple of guys who run shops that do restorations, and I've heard them both say that: it's cheaper to buy better than to pay the shop or even buy the parts and DIY.

Now, as a wheeler, I see tons of potential if you can get it for the right price.

My plan is to do 95% of the restoration myself but I don’t disagree with their logic.

 

[Rifleman]

Looking at your photos of the interior, it looks like it's been through a flood, so to me that would make it nothing but a parts truck,

 

[stead63]

Looking at your photos of the interior, it looks like it's been through a flood, so to me that would make it nothing but a parts truck,

It was exposed to the elements bc someone broke out the passenger front and back glass.

 

[stead63]

I would buy that just for the sweet shifter!

Ha! I had to go back and look at the pictures to see what you were referring to. Someone just stuck a screwdriver in the console. The gear shifts are both intact and functional but I can make you a sweet deal on that “shifter”…

 

[Rifleman]

It was exposed to the elements bc someone broke out the passenger front and back glass.

The amount of mud and stains on the drivers side carpet looks like way more then just a little exposure from a missing passengers side window

 

[stead63]

The amount of mud and stains on the drivers side carpet looks like way more then just a little exposure from a missing passengers side window

That’s a fair point. From my understanding, it’s been exposed to the elements for quite some time. I’ll make sure it’s not flood but it’s going to be a huge undertaking to bring it back to life.

 

[Rifleman]

Even if it has flood damage 2500 bucks may be a fair price for a parts truck, that is if it's a Texas truck with no rust, But if it was in a flood, and you plan on bringing it back, all the wiring, electronics, and electrical items will be toast and need to be replaced, and that will cost you a TON of time and money to restore,

 

[jpoole]

I'd say that if you don't know the cost/benefit analysis on this that you should steer clear.

In a stage of life where you have time to kill, the tools/space to do the work and the extra cash to cover the parts this thing will need then I'm sure it would be doable. I don't see how it could ever be "worth" the time/$$ to turn that 80 into a nice-ish daily driver though.

If you got it for free, had a line on some used parts to cover the missing bits and the skill to get it going again it could be fun to turn it into trail rig of sorts. You'll still spend at least a few thousand on it (likely much more) in this scenario and plenty of hours (I'd guess a few hundred minimum). These cost guesses are assuming that major drivetrain components are serviceable but that will be hard to determine with it in it's current state.

In any case, if you have to ask I'd advise you save up and buy a more suitable daily driver. If your budget is on the lower end don't buy a LandCruiser, there are lower cost vehicles that will be a better fit and yield much more return on investment / freedom.

 

[Kabanstva]

is it rust free?

 

[cartercd]

I think it would be far cheaper in the long run to buy a truck in much better initial condition. Everything on these trucks is expensive to repair/replace and parts availability is limited. The vehicle you are looking at would be a frustrating money-pit.

 

[smorkington]

How much do you value your time?