Considering an 80 with a couple issues

[jonboy10]

As with all used car purchases, you are most likely going to run into some issues. However, if I do purchase this 80, it would be my first one so I would like to know how important/costly some of these repairs would be. From the pictures that he has, it looks like a killer locked LX450 but I want to be sure Im not going to drown in repair bills.

Here are the issues that the owner listed to me. The ones that are ***stared*** are the ones that I would like to know the most about.

-prior collision repair to the right front per carfax (I should ask for pictures)
-front main seal leak***
-exhaust leak***
-rear locker light is currently flashing***
-paint is showing its age
-plenum is cracked***
-driver side rear window motor is slow. I have the new motor to go with it.
-belts need to be tightened as they squeal occasionally.***
-back up light bulbs need to be replaced.
-pulls to the right when braking. I have been told that greasing the caliper pins will solve this issue.

Thanks guys.

 

[mills13b]

Ok, the first thing I'm going to ask you is..... What is the asking price? Then I'm going to tell you that if its more than 1500 bucks, walk away. You'll spend 5 times that amount fixing what you listed.

 

[Delancy]

I want to be sure Im not going to drown in repair bills.

Going to drown, anyway you cut it, but jump in, the water's fine.

 

[mills13b]

Yeah, I guess I can't say don't do it. What I will say is be ready for the upkeep. I wouldn't jump into the first one I ran across. You'll know an 80 series lover when you meet them. Some people just think its a status symbol.

 

[Funner]

As with all used car purchases, you are most likely going to run into some issues. However, if I do purchase this 80, it would be my first one so I would like to know how important/costly some of these repairs would be. From the pictures that he has, it looks like a killer locked LX450 but I want to be sure Im not going to drown in repair bills.

Here are the issues that the owner listed to me. The ones that are ***stared*** are the ones that I would like to know the most about.

-prior collision repair to the right front per carfax (I should ask for pictures)
-front main seal leak***
-exhaust leak***
-rear locker light is currently flashing***
-paint is showing its age
-plenum is cracked***
-driver side rear window motor is slow. I have the new motor to go with it.
-belts need to be tightened as they squeal occasionally.***
-back up light bulbs need to be replaced.
-pulls to the right when braking. I have been told that greasing the caliper pins will solve this issue.

Thanks guys.

Where are you from, Canadian eh?

Front main seal is no big deal and can be done in a few hours with basic tools. The seal can be accessed by removing belts, and some pulley's. The part is only$5-$10. Replace the belts, with OEM while doing this repair ($30), and the oil pump seal ($10).
No idea on the exhaust leak, probably can weld it up at a muffler shop. Is it rusted, or crack in the Y pipe?
Locker light is likely a sensor switch and can be bought for around $100 IIRC.
Plenum cracked? Is it a diesel? Never heard of that cracking.
Belts-See above
Pulls to the right- May be more than greasing a pin. I would think you may have a bad caliper on the opposite side of the pull. Assume the worst and that you may need a new caliper, rotors and pads. You should still only be looking at around $300 if you do the work yourself.

I don't think this is a big deal and would still consider buying it.

 

[Delancy]

I wouldn't jump into the first one I ran across.

Agreed. For clarification, I wasn't advocating.

Point was, known or unknown, issues will arise, as they do on any 16-17 year old vehicle. It's a labor of love, but say goodbye to expendable cash.

 

[jonboy10]

Where are you from, Canadian eh?

Front main seal is no big deal and can be done in a few hours with basic tools. The seal can be accessed by removing belts, and some pulley's. The part is only$5-$10. Replace the belts, with OEM while doing this repair ($30), and the oil pump seal ($10).
No idea on the exhaust leak, probably can weld it up at a muffler shop. Is it rusted, or crack in the Y pipe?
Locker light is likely a sensor switch and can be bought for around $100 IIRC.
Plenum cracked? Is it a diesel? Never heard of that cracking.
Belts-See above
Pulls to the right- May be more than greasing a pin. I would think you may have a bad caliper on the opposite side of the pull. Assume the worst and that you may need a new caliper, rotors and pads. You should still only be looking at around $300 if you do the work yourself.

I don't think this is a big deal and would still consider buying it.

I appreciate the help. He is asking 9k for it but I believe he will take less. The truck does have some good modifications to it that I would consider doing if it didnt have any. Here is the link to the original for sale link from the previous owner. The current owner has told me that not much has changed besides the wheels and tires.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj80-fzj80...exus-lx450-factory-lockers-lifted-loaded.html

I appreciate the info!! Keep it comin!

 

[mills13b]

Agreed. For clarification, I wasn't advocating.

Point was, known or unknown, issues will arise, as they do on any 16-17 year old vehicle. It's a labor of love, but say goodbye to expendable cash.

Yep kiss all that beer money good bye.

 

[mills13b]

Where are you from, Canadian eh?

Front main seal is no big deal and can be done in a few hours with basic tools. The seal can be accessed by removing belts, and some pulley's. The part is only$5-$10. Replace the belts, with OEM while doing this repair ($30), and the oil pump seal ($10).
No idea on the exhaust leak, probably can weld it up at a muffler shop. Is it rusted, or crack in the Y pipe?
Locker light is likely a sensor switch and can be bought for around $100 IIRC.
Plenum cracked? Is it a diesel? Never heard of that cracking.
Belts-See above
Pulls to the right- May be more than greasing a pin. I would think you may have a bad caliper on the opposite side of the pull. Assume the worst and that you may need a new caliper, rotors and pads. You should still only be looking at around $300 if you do the work yourself.

I don't think this is a big deal and would still consider buying it.

I wasn't taking into account the mechanical abilities of the buyer. I assumed that like most first time owners it would be taken to be fixed. Which most of us know from experience costs your first born child. On the assumption that the buyer can do the work himself, then hell yes. Buy it all day long and twice on Sunday. Assuming you aren't an idiot though, take 100 dollar bills up to what he's asking. Then offer a little less. Money talks, BS walks. I hope you love these things as much as I do after you own one.

 

[jonboy10]

I wasn't taking into account the mechanical abilities of the buyer. I assumed that like most first time owners it would be taken to be fixed. Which most of us know from experience costs your first born child. On the assumption that the buyer can do the work himself, then hell yes. Buy it all day long and twice on Sunday. Assuming you aren't an idiot though, take 100 dollar bills up to what he's asking. Then offer a little less. Money talks, BS walks. I hope you love these things as much as I do after you own one.

Ive never done work on an 80 but I have done some easy-moderate work on other cars. Ive replaced brakes (pads and rotors) as well as some simple transmission fixes so I can usually handle the smaller stuff. Im sure with the help of an experienced IH8MUD member, I could knock all this stuff out quickly! Anyone in Atlanta???

 

[mills13b]

Not in Atlanta but I got a spare bed and enough knowledge for anyone willing to travel to Greensboro, NC

 

[1morebike]

I appreciate the help. He is asking 9k for it but I believe he will take less. The truck does have some good modifications to it that I would consider doing if it didnt have any. Here is the link to the original for sale link from the previous owner. The current owner has told me that not much has changed besides the wheels and tires.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj80-fzj80...exus-lx450-factory-lockers-lifted-loaded.html

I appreciate the info!! Keep it comin!

well at least you wont have to replace the timing belt

 

[1morebike]

you know reading the ad it seems misleading. he shows nice pics of it and list the tires and rims in the description but also says they wont be included and doesn't say what he will put on it in there place, you can buy the one in the pic for $3000 extra. also where did you get the list of things that are wrong with it? his ad has no mention of it, most sellers here list the problems when selling. also he says price is firm. there is no way i would fly a distance to buy this one.

 

[jonboy10]

you know reading the ad it seems misleading. he shows nice pics of it and list the tires and rims in the description but also says they wont be included and doesn't say what he will put on it in there place, you can buy the one in the pic for $3000 extra. also where did you get the list of things that are wrong with it? his ad has no mention of it, most sellers here list the problems when selling. also he says price is firm. there is no way i would fly a distance to buy this one.

The add that I posted is from the old seller, who the current owner of the truck bought it from about 6-7 months ago.

 

[jcardona1]

The add that I posted is from the old seller, who the current owner of the truck bought it from about 6-7 months ago.

Ah gotcha. I was about to ask the same question.

I think the price is a little high for what you get, what's wrong with it and the number of miles it has. There's not many mods on it that add considerable value, maybe just the lift? It seems like mostly cosmetic upgrades.

A cracked plenum? What the hell is that about? Upper? Lower? A brand new OEM upper is $650, lower is $300. I'm sure you could find it cheaper used but...

 

[Stevesnj]

If you do the work yourself you can save some $$$ but how the intake Plenum gets cracked i have no idea. Id pay no more than $5500

 

[Azca]

There was, if I recall, a service note regarding a slight leak and "clicking" due to a common hair line crack in the manifold. I am sure others will chime in on this.

As far as the rest of the vehicle. Bottom line, you WILL be replacing all of those items fairly soon anyway, budget them into the price of the rig. If you are buying the 80 because that is what you want then you will have to take the good with the bad. Things to factor in, do you anticipate being the last owner of this rig, if so then the maintenance items should not be that big a deal. If you are going to sell this eventually then, to be honest, I would move on to a newer rig. Unless you don't care about throwing money around and never seeing it again...

For me, mine will die with me, at least that is my plan. I am going through it and replacing anything that can or will leak including all the "easy" to get to hoses and gaskets. The head gasket, top oil pan etc will wait until they fail and I rebuild or do an engine swap (owned for 9 months and still don't know if I will supercharge it or V8 it).

So how many miles are on it, does it have lockers? No locks and over 175k I would not spend more than about 5k on it unless the rest of the vehicle is in excellent condition.

You get into an 80 because it is what you want and for what it can do, not for what it costs or can't do. The 80 club can be an expensive but highly enjoyable one!

 

[mills13b]

There was, if I recall, a service note regarding a slight leak and "clicking" due to a common hair line crack in the manifold. I am sure others will chime in on this.

As far as the rest of the vehicle. Bottom line, you WILL be replacing all of those items fairly soon anyway, budget them into the price of the rig. If you are buying the 80 because that is what you want then you will have to take the good with the bad. Things to factor in, do you anticipate being the last owner of this rig, if so then the maintenance items should not be that big a deal. If you are going to sell this eventually then, to be honest, I would move on to a newer rig. Unless you don't care about throwing money around and never seeing it again...

For me, mine will die with me, at least that is my plan. I am going through it and replacing anything that can or will leak including all the "easy" to get to hoses and gaskets. The head gasket, top oil pan etc will wait until they fail and I rebuild or do an engine swap (owned for 9 months and still don't know if I will supercharge it or V8 it).

So how many miles are on it, does it have lockers? No locks and over 175k I would not spend more than about 5k on it unless the rest of the vehicle is in excellent condition.

You get into an 80 because it is what you want and for what it can do, not for what it costs or can't do. The 80 club can be an expensive but highly enjoyable one!

Mine will be coffin, I really wish I knew more to tell this gentleman. I think he's jumping in too deep for a first timer. Who am I to judge though? I'm pretty sure that we all combined can walk him through it.

 

[mills13b]

If you do the work yourself you can save some $$$ but how the intake Plenum gets cracked i have no idea. Id pay no more than $5500

Wouldn't the plenum crack if the engine overheated? I know that's how heads crack. Could it not be a related issue? Just asking.

 

[mills13b]

Wouldn't the plenum crack if the engine overheated? I know that's how heads crack. Could it not be a related issue? Just asking.

Oh and i don't mean running hot, I mean getting way hot continuing to run it.