Buying tips

[rloaderro]

Been driving a 79 BJ40 for 15 years but the kids are getting bigger and it's feeling cramped for long trips so been eyeing a 60. Just want to know what to look for when shopping around - common pitfalls etc. This is in Costa Rica. If there's already a good thread for this pls share. Attaching 60's porn

 

[DrRock]

Not sure what the market is like in Costa Rica but here are some pointers that I follow when looking at a used vehicle like a 60.
1. Body rust or frame corrosion issues-this is a huge issue here in the US, some regions are worse than others.
2. Mechanical health engine: Engine compression and leak down test, leaks (coolant, oil and power steering), receipts for maintenance.
3. Mechanical health driveline: Driveshaft health, transmission shifting, clutch age, transfer case operation
4. Brakes: rotors/drums in spec, hard and soft lines in good, serviceable shape, brake master cylinder/booster in good shape

Big red flags for me are non OEM items in engine bay( besides a possible engine swap, as long as it was executed well), non brand name suspension and brake upgrades, light bars and major undercarriage damage from off road use. Some minor scratches are fine but bigger damage is worrisome and demonstrates poor driving technique which could impact other systems. I'm sure others with chime in.

Good luck!

 

[kevin in okinawa]

on a 60 series look for rust along the roof drip edge and the usual spots in rear quarters. You state you've been driving a 40 series for 15 years, so I assume you have a mechanics eye for general type of things on these older vehicles. If it has an automatic transmission, you just never know; they have a tendency to mysteriously stop transmissioning—check the AT fluid at the very least.