Can Buy/Build Expedition FJ60 for $10K?

[pint]

This may be a stretch, but can I find a clean FJ60, get it up to date and reliable on all PM, and build into a mild expedition rig for $10K? I want to be able to drive it across country without worrying about a breakdown every 30 miles if I choose! Also want as rust free as possible. Don't mind going to NM, AZ, TX, etc to find. Would be used in the winter on road, and to hit trails in CO like the Sand Dunes, Engineer Pass, Imogene, Black Bear, and basic loaded overland travel and camping vehicle. No 6" lift 37" tire rock crawling! Would love for it to evolve into a diesel with an H55, but not for $10k...maybe down the road! I just love the look, simple layout, simple interior, etc of the FJ60. I've seen a few trucks online that looked decent for $3-$4K. Any thoughts and examples would be great?

 

[Heartworm]

That's a very comprehensive question and would depend upon your expectations and your DYI skills. I have tried to do just what you are asking over the past 3 years and have spent more than $10 K. And, I started with a rust free rig with a blown piston for $250.
I guess a lot of advice would have to await your definition of an expedition rig.
Lockers? Rear, Front, Both?
Lift? Add a leaf
Larger tires? (if you do, plan on regearing, even 33s)
Bumpers? You can spend a lot, stay stock, or build something basic.
Engine: I would not even trust mine after TWO rebuilds, but it would probably make it across country
Mundane stuff: Brakes, exhaust, desmog or make smog compliant, front axle seals, clutch stuff, radiator, hoses,
Fun Stuff: better console, more comfortable seating, roof rack, sleeping and storage arrangements, repaint, tint, bedlining rockers, brighter headlights, etc.

One way to jump start the process is to buy something that already has the OME lift, ARB bumper, and a lot of other stuff that you want anyway from someone who is making a lifestyle change and can no longer afford or justify this disease. Upgrades and improvements do add very little to the selling price, which is in your favor as a buyer. IF your start with a basic, stock cruiser (even with 120K miles) you will have a long way to go to get where you want (IMHO). Good luck.

 

[Tofudebeest]

Yes, if you have time and do all your own wrenching and are good at finding and salvaging parts...

 

[slcfj62]

Providing you don't have to do any major overhauls like engine or transmission or paint, I would think you could buy one and get it reliable for 5 to 6 thousand. That leaves you 4 to 5 thousand for trail gear. OME suspension is about 1500. Locker 3 to 4 hundred. Tires somewhere around a thousand for five if you stay 31 inch so you don't have to regear. ARB front bumper 8 hundred. You would probably be around 10 thousand about here. Sliders and rear bumper/tire carrier might push you over your budget. I'll be into my fj62 about 7 thousand before I start on the trail gear part. Hey, this is an expensive hobby. I don't know how some guys go out on the trail and beat up their rig after they spend thousands building it. I'm afraid I am going to be a real weenie by the time I actually get my rig out on the trail, but it is going to run good!

 

[pint]

For $10K just looking for a rust free reliable pretty stock machine. Solid engine and tranny, clean interior,etc. OME and 31" - 33" tires. Down the road probably diesel, 5 speed, bumpers, winch, lockers, dual batteries, etc. I know the sickness never ends! I can do most PM stuff, axles, brakes, fluids, plugs and wires, etc...

 

[PortFJ62]

There is a 60 for sale here in portland that I have driven and met the owner. Its at Landcruiser NW and is a pretty nice truck. The owner bought it built and used it to travel and live in south america. It does have lockers, vortec v8, bumpers, sliders, and is sua not soa with a shackle reversal , small body lift and 37's. Its white with tan interior if I remember correctly. I know you dont want 37's but you could sell them and go to 35 or 33's. I think he is selling it for around 11,000. Oh and its an auto as well with gm tranny. Maybe worth looking in to. Pm me if I can help.
Matt

 

[Marc311]

I would buy spend most of that 10K up front on a nice, clean, and already built 60. Then, with any money left over, adapt it to what you want.

All the mods cost money. Let the previous owner pay retail and sell it to you for pennies on the dollar.

Example: An owner has a clean FJ60 with no lift that he could sell for $5000. add a $1500 OME lift to that same FJ60 and sell it for how much?? Not $6500 - maybe not even more than $5000.

Look hard on the front end to buy a nice cruiser to start.

 

[esh]

If I were to do it again, I'm not sure how I'd approach it. The truck with addons approach seems reasonable, but there is value in buying a rough base and building it exactly how you like it.. and learning from the building of it. Knowledge is a precious commodity.

While a cheap/solid base is attractive, there is also something to be said about a clean base truck, where every bolt comes out cleanly and everything works.

I am still not completely sold on the diesel conversion (now that I have one and completely love it). There is something to having all-Toyota components that in harsh environments all over the world are considered to be the best (or the only) option by locals. Anyways, expect to pay for that conversion down the road- to the tune of 8k-15k depending on how you do it and who does it. Lots of fine details get lost in estimations of cost. I saved for a year to do it, and I am single.


Having put a lot of thought into long trips, I have found there are many parts to the puzzle. You should think about the components that make up an enjoyable trip, prioritize and put money into the areas you feel most important. Is a lift what you need for 33s? Not if you're only driving gravel roads. Do you even need 33s then? Or a bullbar, or a winch? If mechanical reliability is high on the list, you should learn how to go through all the major systems and rebuild as needed, put your money and energy into time to learning (and failing, and learning more) and tools/environment to do the work yourself. You will see huge gains in confidence and the ability to fix issues in the field- land cruisers were specifically designed to be field maintained for a reason. There are other things that add to a long trip- road noise wears you out quicker, quality sleep lets you recover faster, security gives piece of mind, communications, entertainment, on and on.

Really no end to potential money spending, just depends on expectations/requirements/goals!

 

[Spike Strip]

Your best bet is to find a truck that's already had most of the work done to it that you want to do... We all know you never get out of it what you put in, so your best bang for the buck is a built/restored truck. Spend $10-12K up front and you can get a killer ride that's prolly got $17K - 20 into it. Shizzle. Mine does.

 

[wyomingben]

x2... buy one set up the way you want, way cheaper then doing what the rest of us did by buying a clean stocker and building it. Of course that's part of it, knowing every inch of YOUR rig. There is value in that, but not sure I would start over knowing what I know now.

 

[pint]

Spike, any pics of your rig?

I realize buying an already built truck will probably be the least costly. I just want to make sure the mods were done "correctly" and it doesn't have a bunch of stuff I don't need. I've seen some pretty clean mildly built rigs for $8-$12K. Nothing will happen until this fall, just starting to get ideas.

 

[Tofudebeest]

There is a 60 for sale here in portland that I have driven and met the owner. Its at Landcruiser NW and is a pretty nice truck. The owner bought it built and used it to travel and live in south america. It does have lockers, vortec v8, bumpers, sliders, and is sua not soa with a shackle reversal , small body lift and 37's. Its white with tan interior if I remember correctly. I know you dont want 37's but you could sell them and go to 35 or 33's. I think he is selling it for around 11,000. Oh and its an auto as well with gm tranny. Maybe worth looking in to. Pm me if I can help.
Matt

How the hell do you get 37s under a SUA rig? What kind of freakish lift must you have to do that with no rubbing? I have a 2" lift and will squeeze 33's in there.

 

[esh]

How the hell do you get 37s under a SUA rig? What kind of freakish lift must you have to do that with no rubbing? I have a 2" lift and will squeeze 33's in there.

Try a search for The Money Pit. Kind of a legendary truck in the community.

Here's one page- Adam Tolman

 

[Cruisified]

I've seen said rig as well, long shackles, 5" lift springs, an a little BL. Or do it like 72Rockcruiser with a sawzall

 

[Tofudebeest]

Shackle lifts...meh. Body lifts...meh.

I can understand trimming, and I sure understand lift springs, but...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Getting back to the topic of the conversation, you can do an expedition rig for 10k pretty easily. I agree with Tofu that to do that, you must take your time and find the right parts for the right prices, but it can be done ( can be done for cheaper). If you don't mind a little rust, buy an 87 60 for 2000-2500 or so, throw bumpers and OME on it and you're at the 6k mark with all of your exterior mods done. Desmog the engine, rebuild the carb and the engine's done for $500 or so and you've got $3500 to spend on whatever else you want.

 

[mwalls54]

well I bought my 87 back in august and it was a very very good deal with no rust and 158k miles. I have built it up pretty good in the short time I have had it and I have gone over almost everything on it and replaced 90% of the gaskets on the motor. I put a OME lift on it with front and rear aussie lockers with a h55f tranny. I also built my own bumpers and tested them at moab so i know what the truck is capible of doing. I would say i have spent close to a extra 8k on top of the purchase of the 60. I am still not done with it. I want to take a cross country trip in it maybe at the end of 2010 but i will want to put gears in it and put arb lockers in so its easier to drive on the pavement. which will be another 3k because i will want to build a on board air system to run air tools or anything else i would want or need. I would say its very doable with time and finding deals on parts. If you have any mechanical skills i would build it so you will know how to fix or repair in the middle of no where.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

I concur with MWall....he got a heck of a truck for the money and has done a great job building it up.

 

[rchalmers3]

This may be a stretch, but can I find a clean FJ60, get it up to date and reliable on all PM, and build into a mild expedition rig for $10K?

You sure can. It sounds like your desires are reasonable. I tend to agree that there is greater value in buying a built truck vs. building one up.

I recommend you make a list of the specific tires, gearing, bumpers and other stuff you want, then shop prices of these additions.

When you add the additions you have listed to the purchase price of a clean, stock truck, you have a price measurement that will both confirm your budget is being met and will also give you a price level for evaluating built trucks.

I further suggest that you work under your budget by say, $2k, as you may find items that you want corrected or replaced.

Cheers!

Rick

 

[PortFJ62]

How the hell do you get 37s under a SUA rig? What kind of freakish lift must you have to do that with no rubbing? I have a 2" lift and will squeeze 33's in there.

4" lift,shackle reversal,1 or 2" body. No trimming and doesnt looked stuffed either.