Considering '97 80 series with a few issues...

[AndrewJH]

Totally new to the Land Cruiser Universe here, so feel free to point me to another forum if this isn't the right place for my post. Just moved to Ann Arbor and want to buy an 80-series in decent condition. Found one in Mishawaka, IN. Cosmetically, it looks pretty decent for a 1997 with 177K miles on it. It's also one of the the 40th Anniversary Edition Cars, so it's kinda cool to have found one. Had a PPI done and the mechanic called out the following issues:

- Non-functioning AC. Mechanic thought it might be the condenser core, but couldn't positively ID the problem without starting to dismantle the system

- Some underbody rust. Looks like the rear left coil spring is just about corroded through in one spot. Would need to be replaced.

- Front left and right axel seals (mechanic referred to them as "wheel seals") are leaking and would need to be replaced.

So, finally, my question: Is this kind of wear "normal" for a decently-kept '97? It seemed like quite a bit of work to me. Would total about $1,500 in parts and labor if the Mechanic's guesses were correct on the AC issue. The dealer bought it at auction, so there are no service records. All I know is that it was a 2-owner Chicago-based truck.

Dealer wants $7K. I was considering an offer of $6K, considering the work I would have done immediately after buying. Wise purchase or foolish beginner's mistake?

and Thanks!

(Oh, and if I'm not referring to any of the truck parts by the right name, go easy on me... learning here...eagerly, but from square one.)

 

[fj4068]

Welcome to 'mud; this is the correct forum. The FAQ is a great knowledge base that will answer some of your questions. That price seems high for a rust belt vehicle with known problems. What are your goals and motivations for purchasing an FZJ80?

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

Welcome

For condition that it is in I would pass on that price! Don't be afraid to look at examples with higher mileage with a better price.. afterall its a Toyota! Just make sure you have the truck checked out or make sure service history is avalible and you should be good to go.

 

[Kungpaodog]

It depends. <---short answer

$6000 might be a bit high, but that depends on the rest of it.

If the springs are almost rusted through, does it need shocks, too? Do you plan to lift it and ditch the current suspension anyways?

Rust can be stopped, or slowed. Be sure it isn't more than just surface rust. And make sure it isn't "surface rust" in the way that a plaid-suit-wearing-used-car-salesman would refer to it.

Axle seals- if this mechanic called them "wheel seals" he either
-has a weird east coast dialect
-was talking down to you
-doesn't know much about Cruisers as he should have called them steering knuckle seals or Birfield joints

-With no service records you should probably plan on most fluids getting changed out, which adds up (8 quarts of oil! this ain't no civic!)

As a point of reference there is, or was, a Cruiser on the Denver Craigslist with a rough interior, busted AC, Lockers, 144,000 for $4500. You've probably seen other prices in your area if you've been looking. People still put a premium on Cruisers, and for a good reason. Of course we want them to be sold to us cheap, and we want to sell them for a fortune

Don't put too much value on the 40th aniv. edition. My dad has one and it is just like any other 96, 97, or lx450.

 

[greentruck]

The miles don't bother me as much as the rusted coil. If the coil is nearly rusted through, then I'm wary there's probably more rust than I'd like to see elsewhere.

We paid $7200 for our 80, less than 150,000 miles, about three years ago when Cash for Clunkers and the Great Recession was really putting the pinch on prices of low MPG vehicles. It was a Kansas/Illinois one-owner truck and the body is very clean, virtually no rust even underneath.

In addition to the other work, you will likely want to R&R all the coils (and shocks, too, most likely). Just putting in one new coil with 3 other sagging ones (sounds like they're original) could result in some funny handling. With that many miles, it'd feel like a whole new truck.

Yep, the 80s are hard to find. I'd likely keep looking if your goal is long term ownership. Getting a truck with less rust is possible, although you may need to go farther afield. It'll be worth it.

 

[AndrewJH]

Thanks for all the info and opinions. Super helpful. Sounds like I haven't found a unbeatable deal.

So where is the best place to find an 80 series that has been cared for? I've been pretty diligent about checking the usual online suspects for about a month (crags / cars.com / autotrader) and there just aren't that many out there within a 200-mile radius of Ann Arbor. Anyone had luck buying one and having it shipped? Did a search for threads on this topic, but wasn't able to find any magic source of used LC's. Maybe there's no such thing.

@FJ4068: My motivations are equal parts practicality and vanity. The practical considerations are that I would like a truck that can handle Michigan winters without a problem, and after a few test drives, I'm convinced that the LC would eat snow for breakfast. Also, I go home to Montana a couple of times a year, and while I wouldn't call what I do "off-road," our roads in Big Sky Country sometimes require a pretty serious machine. In terms of vanity, I love the way the thing looks. Probably my favorite body style of any LC. When I look at it makes me think the truck could survive a zombie apocalypse and then be ready for Beverly Hills. The 80 series seems like a way to have all those things and paid a very reasonable amount of money to get them.

@ExpoGeorgia: Good advice. I've been aiming for one with less than 200K miles, but maybe I should just be trying to find one for sale by owner with plenty of service records, regardless of the mileage.

@Kungpaodog: Not an expert, but when I had the truck up on a hoist, it was really only one spring that looked bad. Was kind of strange, actually. Might replace the suspension a few months down the line, but am trying to find something that would be OK to drive right for a few miles after buying without major mods. Also, you're right, shouldn't have been fixated on the 40th aniv edition. My excuse for going after that particular truck is that the interior looked cool

@Greentruck: Thanks for the advice about suspension / performance. Good to know the search will be worth it. For whatever reason, I'm totally fixated on finding owning one of these (after a lifetime of owning Acura sedans, go figure). I've loved the few that I've driven, and I can imagine myself babying it for a long time to come...

It depends. <---short answer

$6000 might be a bit high, but that depends on the rest of it.

If the springs are almost rusted through, does it need shocks, too? Do you plan to lift it and ditch the current suspension anyways?

Rust can be stopped, or slowed. Be sure it isn't more than just surface rust. And make sure it isn't "surface rust" in the way that a plaid-suit-wearing-used-car-salesman would refer to it.

Axle seals- if this mechanic called them "wheel seals" he either
-has a weird east coast dialect
-was talking down to you
-doesn't know much about Cruisers as he should have called them steering knuckle seals or Birfield joints

-With no service records you should probably plan on most fluids getting changed out, which adds up (8 quarts of oil! this ain't no civic!)

As a point of reference there is, or was, a Cruiser on the Denver Craigslist with a rough interior, busted AC, Lockers, 144,000 for $4500. You've probably seen other prices in your area if you've been looking. People still put a premium on Cruisers, and for a good reason. Of course we want them to be sold to us cheap, and we want to sell them for a fortune

Don't put too much value on the 40th aniv. edition. My dad has one and it is just like any other 96, 97, or lx450.

Welcome to 'mud; this is the correct forum. The FAQ is a great knowledge base that will answer some of your questions. That price seems high for a rust belt vehicle with known problems. What are your goals and motivations for purchasing an FZJ80?

Welcome

For condition that it is in I would pass on that price! Don't be afraid to look at examples with higher mileage with a better price.. afterall its a Toyota! Just make sure you have the truck checked out or make sure service history is avalible and you should be good to go.

The miles don't bother me as much as the rusted coil. If the coil is nearly rusted through, then I'm wary there's probably more rust than I'd like to see elsewhere.

We paid $7200 for our 80, less than 150,000 miles, about three years ago when Cash for Clunkers and the Great Recession was really putting the pinch on prices of low MPG vehicles. It was a Kansas/Illinois one-owner truck and the body is very clean, virtually no rust even underneath.

In addition to the other work, you will likely want to R&R all the coils (and shocks, too, most likely). Just putting in one new coil with 3 other sagging ones (sounds like they're original) could result in some funny handling. With that many miles, it'd feel like a whole new truck.

Yep, the 80s are hard to find. I'd likely keep looking if your goal is long term ownership. Getting a truck with less rust is possible, although you may need to go farther afield. It'll be worth it.

 

[Funner]

Go west man

Try Chicago craigslist too. It's a little further, but not that far. A couple even have cloth interior which is nice because it's what I have and the leather would likely be pretty rough.

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