BJ74 body question

[jblueridge]

I am thinking of buying an '86 BJ74; never owned one before. I was sent some photos and there are one or two where I can't tell if it's just rust or if there was previous body work/filler that's now rusting and coming apart.

Anyone care to make a call?

 

[VanSyncro]

Yes

It looks like filler with rust, the best you can do is look inside the rear fenders. Apparently a notorious spot for rust. The second picture filler is clear both by the bubble below and in the scrape. However these are so rare you might be hard pressed or budget constrained to find a rust free example.

 

[Chester]

Agree with above, concourse on a budget is more rare than the truck. "A little bit of rust in the usual places" and "normal rust on Land Cruisers" is the common description.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Agree with above, concourse on a budget is more rare than the truck. "A little bit of rust in the usual places" and "normal rust on Land Cruisers" is the common description.

Along with the phrase "a little bit of rust in the usual places" you will often see a follow up phrase "easily repaired".
One phrase is forthcoming, the other is not.

 

[jblueridge]

Thanks guys! I'm glad you confirm I can still spot these things.
I'm trying to decide if I should fly to Florida to check this vehicle out.

 

[jblueridge]

The rig had fender flares at one time. They left their mark.

Are the diamond plate running boards just for show?

 

[Chester]

OK, that might be a "little more" than a little "bit" of rusty, but the orange paint is a an appropriate color to hold it together.

 

[Shes Mad]

OK, that might be a "little more" than a little "bit" of rusty, but the orange paint is a an appropriate color to hold it together.

Since tearing mine down for a full restoration, I learned that 70% of the rust mine had was not visible until it was apart. Mine was still pretty clean though.

There is some serious bondo in the wheel wells and rear bottom corner in your pics. If it is already coming through, then I would assume no metal was replaced--just filled the holes with Bondo.