Any advice purchasing my first FZJ80?

[jatree]

One just popped up in Tacoma (1994). Used car lot called Sunset Auto or something. I went and looked at it. Don't waste your time. It's trashed - literally and figuratively!

LX450 just popped up in Bellingham, might be up your alley? Looks like it has potential...

 

[LINUS]

A certain sage 40th w/ e-lockers will be at a Seattle dealer come tomorrow.

It has 360K but Slee did a HG in it ~30K ago. It's a solid runner.
All stock aside from slightly oversized BFG KO2 AT'S.

Keeping my black 80, but faced facts - I need a truck for towing the boat & they have a Tundra I'm buying.

 

[Heckraiser]

Don't get hung up on mileage. You'll pay more for lower miles, but you wont get more. Just did a compression test on my 315k miler, 150-160 across the board

 

[LINUS]

As an update for all PNW people out for a 80 - my old '97 40th sage w/ e-lockers is now "on the market".

I did the 'lookback' when picking up the new vehicle, it was that solid.

You'll get a "preferred price" if it goes by the guy who took it in, so I was told.

PM me, it was a kicka$$ 80 for stock.

 

[jatree]

Think I've found one worth looking at in the Bay Area, what's the best place to post to ask if anyone local can take a look? I can't tell which Clubhouse covers the Bay Area and is still active...

edit: It is in Los Gatos and I'd appreciate a look-over from a local, experienced Cruiser-head before getting on a plane down there! If you have the time, please pm me to discuss the details.

 

[drzhivago]

I too was recently in your boat (owned an XJ before too, but long ago). Had a '12 Raptor that I grew tired of and fell in love with 80's. Sold the Raptor and was vehicleless except for the fiance's Escape for a few months. At first I HAD to have lockers. But the more and more that I thought about it, and the more and more it narrowed my already narrow search, so I forwent that requirement. That only left the desire be a 93 or 94 (less electronics, liked the dash better, etc). Which quickly was followed by a cloth interior! All the leather I came across was hideous and I really did not like the door panels.

With that said, I finally found a '93 with 173k at time of purchase down in San Antonio. Clean interior, ARB front bumper, clean overall, no rust, etc. More than I wanted to pay, but it checked all of the boxes. Picked up a couple of one-way tickets (in case it was a turd-pile in person), flew down Sunday morning, left SAT at 3pm and pulled into my driveway 6am Monday. Took about 100 miles to get used to driving an older vehicle again, but after that it was smooth sailing. Laundry list of things that I want to do to it, but for the time being just doing PM's and enjoying it.

Good luck!

Congratulations and enjoy!

 

[shocktower]

A FJ80 is the E30 of the SUV world, I have owned E30 and E36's, I now owned a fj for 8 years, I am getting ready to do a 6bt Cummins swap,. as soon as life settles down, I had a flood in my machine shop and have to move as soon as they find out if it does or does not have asbestos

 

[Seth_O]

To the op's original question: focus on things that cant be or are very difficult/expensive to change.

1. Rust - while its fixable it can be crazy expensive!
2. Neglect - this will bite you over and over in ways you likely cant even guess right now. Check any "upgrades" or work done by a PO carefully to ensure it was done right
3. Major mechanical issues - run a compression test, listen for clicking birfs, check for a stored CEL (if OBDII), look under the radiator and oil caps, look closely at the frame
4. Angst from a significant other - if the timing / cost / condition are going to land you on the couch, let it go!

The reality is pretty much anything else can be dealt with. Its not THAT hard/expensive to add aftermarket lockers, change the color, switch to cloth seats, etc. And be honest with yourself, youre going to be working on it regardless.

Lots of folks get burned buying the one 'right now' but not the 'right one'. Its also tempting to buy one that doesnt pass the first 4 bullets because its close, its cheap, or its immediately available. In the long run those are poor compensators for major items to address down the road.

I believe 80's are (by and large) fully depreciated, so now is a good time to buy. Be aware though that due to their age OEM parts are starting to disappear.

Whatever you choose to do, buy something youll love and enjoy your time with it, hopefully there will be lots, and it will create opportunities for you and your loved ones.

My $.02, ymmv, etc....

 

[drzhivago]

A FJ80 is the E30 of the SUV world, I have owned E30 and E36's, I now owned a fj for 8 years, I am getting ready to do a 6bt Cummins swap,. as soon as life settles down, I had a flood in my machine shop and have to move as soon as they find out if it does or does not have asbestos

That must be the reason I'm drawn to them. It was destiny!

 

[drzhivago]

To the op's original question: focus on things that cant be or are very difficult/expensive to change.

1. Rust - while its fixable it can be crazy expensive!
2. Neglect - this will bite you over and over in ways you likely cant even guess right now. Check any "upgrades" or work done by a PO carefully to ensure it was done right
3. Major mechanical issues - run a compression test, listen for clicking birfs, check for a stored CEL (if OBDII), look under the radiator and oil caps, look closely at the frame
4. Angst from a significant other - if the timing / cost / condition are going to land you on the couch, let it go!

The reality is pretty much anything else can be dealt with. Its not THAT hard/expensive to add aftermarket lockers, change the color, switch to cloth seats, etc. And be honest with yourself, youre going to be working on it regardless.

Lots of folks get burned buying the one 'right now' but not the 'right one'. Its also tempting to buy one that doesnt pass the first 4 bullets because its close, its cheap, or its immediately available. In the long run those are poor compensators for major items to address down the road.

I believe 80's are (by and large) fully depreciated, so now is a good time to buy. Be aware though that due to their age OEM parts are starting to disappear.

Whatever you choose to do, buy something youll love and enjoy your time with it, hopefully there will be lots, and it will create opportunities for you and your loved ones.

My $.02, ymmv, etc....

Great advice. Thanks!

 

[drzhivago]

As an update for all PNW people out for a 80 - my old '97 40th sage w/ e-lockers is now "on the market".

I did the 'lookback' when picking up the new vehicle, it was that solid.

You'll get a "preferred price" if it goes by the guy who took it in, so I was told.

PM me, it was a kicka$$ 80 for stock.

PM sent.

 

[drzhivago]

Don't get hung up on mileage. You'll pay more for lower miles, but you wont get more. Just did a compression test on my 315k miler, 150-160 across the board

Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[drzhivago]

A certain sage 40th w/ e-lockers will be at a Seattle dealer come tomorrow.

It has 360K but Slee did a HG in it ~30K ago. It's a solid runner.
All stock aside from slightly oversized BFG KO2 AT'S.

Keeping my black 80, but faced facts - I need a truck for towing the boat & they have a Tundra I'm buying.

Which dealer? Also, PM sent. Thanks.