Feedback and thoughts on potential purchase (1 Viewer)

[Sando Serious]

Hey all,

I've owned several FJ40s and a 100 series, and have been intermittently looking for an 80 series for under $10k. Pretty hard to find of course. I went and looked at one over the weekend and it needed a lot more work than I anticipated, but I'd like to get everyone's thoughts.

Here's the details:

I can pick it up for $4,000
1994 triple locked
305,000 miles
OME suspension
ARB roof rack
ARB front bumper
Tires look almost new but I'm guessing they're pretty old

Lots of cracked window seals with water coming in a few areas. Not sure how long it's been happening, but the vehicles looks like it's been sitting and not being driven a lot for quite some time. It did start right up though. Carpet was damp in a few areas and I noticed some mold starting to grow in a couple of spots. Front seats are shot. Rear seats are okay and third row looks new since they were removed and placed in storage.

Cracked sunroof
Paint is okay, but clear coat is peeling
Power steering pump looks like it's leaking, same with the valve cover

I didn't drive it because I opted to walk away after looking at it, but the seller has lowered the price quite a bit.

I'm thinking it'll need all new seals, weather stripping, windshield, new carpet, some new front seats (it's more than upholstery...they're falling apart), and obviously some mechanical attention. I initially wanted one ready to go so I can drive it immediately, but this will definitely be a bit of a project. Seller has owned it for about 15 years. No rust underneath, but not sure what's under the carpet inside.

Is it worth it?

 

[mudgudgeon]

If you walked away, stay away. Follow that first instinct.

Keep looking.

 

[Sando Serious]

If you walked away, stay away. Follow that first instinct.

Keep looking.

I appreciate this, thank you!

 

[Kernal]

Sounds like a parts vehicle, value doesn't depend on what the seller is asking. Offer $1500, if he says yes you can either keep it for parts (for a better one) or work to rebuild it.

 

[Sando Serious]

Sounds like a parts vehicle, value doesn't depend on what the seller is asking. Offer $1500, if he says yes you can either keep it for parts (for a better one) or work to rebuild it.

Thanks. After I left I sent a message offering $2,500 and he came back at $5k, then $4k a day later.

 

[manofthewoods]

Hey all,

I've owned several FJ40s and a 100 series, and have been intermittently looking for an 80 series for under $10k. Pretty hard to find of course. I went and looked at one over the weekend and it needed a lot more work than I anticipated, but I'd like to get everyone's thoughts.

Here's the details:

I can pick it up for $4,000
1994 triple locked
305,000 miles
OME suspension
ARB roof rack
ARB front bumper
Tires look almost new but I'm guessing they're pretty old

Lots of cracked window seals with water coming in a few areas. Not sure how long it's been happening, but the vehicles looks like it's been sitting and not being driven a lot for quite some time. It did start right up though. Carpet was damp in a few areas and I noticed some mold starting to grow in a couple of spots. Front seats are shot. Rear seats are okay and third row looks new since they were removed and placed in storage.

Cracked sunroof
Paint is okay, but clear coat is peeling
Power steering pump looks like it's leaking, same with the valve cover

I didn't drive it because I opted to walk away after looking at it, but the seller has lowered the price quite a bit.

I'm thinking it'll need all new seals, weather stripping, windshield, new carpet, some new front seats (it's more than upholstery...they're falling apart), and obviously some mechanical attention. I initially wanted one ready to go so I can drive it immediately, but this will definitely be a bit of a project. Seller has owned it for about 15 years. No rust underneath, but not sure what's under the carpet inside.

Is it worth it?

I always ask, what is your reason(s) for wanting an 80 series? Or to put it another way, what is your "use case?"
Their are no wrong answers to the above, but it will focus your shopping.
Answers could range from...
"I want a"
-parts truck
-a daily driver
-a twice a year snow storm, get me there and back vehicle
-project to work on, restore
-a rock crawler/hard core trail beast
Etc.

FYI, my answers to the above in '21 were.
-to have a vehicle that I could take me and my bird dogs to anywhere in MT (on BLM/Forest service) roads without a worrying about reliability.
Lucky for me I also REALLY wanted to do a complete rebuild (which I guessed would cost 15 big ones) project.

My starting point vehicle was to be the best I could find - HAD to be rust free. High mileage was fine (because I would rebuild regardless).
And, I got what I wanted. Eventually.

 

[CharlieS]

Sounds like a fair deal on a parts car for someone. Based only on my personal experience with parts costs, I think it would be cost prohibitive to try to bring it back to good condition. I wouldn't discount the possibility of rust under the carpet if it is leaking and holding water in the carpets.

 

[FIDO96]

Too many guys selling 80s want to sell sizzle (ARB bumper, snorkel, 33” tires, etc) but in reality they have a well done meat patty. Buy a nice quality steak and grill it the way you want.

 

[Brindleboxer]

I would first address your last question: Is it worth it? This can only be answered by you and given you are posting I would say you are favorable to the purchase but want the hive mind to chime in and give anecdotal evidence either for or against. No matter what input we give you I would say answer the question posed by manofthewoods. What is your expected use case and additionally what is your budget, abilities and lastly timeframe.

(Pictures, we love pictures)

If you still are interested in this one then you should go and look at it again but I would suggest bringing another set of eyes (maybe post in the local 80 chapter) and do a critical review of the truck. Take pictures and write down things you see need addressing. A lot of what you identified is truthfully cosmetic in nature but will require your labor to remedy. If you decide to go back, turn back the carpet to check the floors. This isn't that hard and can be put back in a relative short time.

Things to consider if you purchase:
Gutting the interior will most likely be your best option to address some of the issues you listed above. Sourcing a replacement sunroof may be harder than it sounds. If a repaint is in the near future and you are not married to the sunroof, you could always fill it in but note that this will require the removal of most of the interior trim from the beltline up to include rear windows because it is a 94 and the headliner and trim are different than the 95 and up.

Things to consider if purchased as a parts vehicle. From your description it has some parts that you or other may want for an 80 build. *All the prices are best guesses for items that would sell in the PNW. The ARB stuff, bumper and rack, would probably be about $800 and $700 respectively. The OME lift, depending on which lift and condition, could sell for $400 to $600. I wouldn't plan on getting anything for the tires but the stock wheel are good for maybe $300 if in good condition. The axles (if in fact factory lockers) would probably get around $1500-2000 depending on demand. The engine and tranny even though 300k are still good for core/replacement value and people may want them for a rebuild, I couldn't guess a price on these. You would still have a lot of parts that if in good condition could net more but you would need time, space and experience to part out.

If you pass, keep looking. Here in the PNW I see 80 series listed all the time and heck some are even affordable for the average person.

 

[alia176]

I'm not sure if the 80 is located in the "wet" part of OR but if it's been leaking "for a while", I'd hesitate due to potential corrosion behind the scenes. That $hit will cause all kinds of issues over time.

 

[Kernal]

Been discussed a gazillion times but for the OP, if the windshield has ever been replaced that is one major cause of water leaks into the vehicle, seems more often than not a replacement windshield is not installed correctly.

Next is the sunroof assembly which has a shallow drain pan so anything that causes the water to build up in the pan can cause a leak inside the vehicle
ie: plugged drain tubes (from gunk while sitting, etc), poorly adjusted glass assembly (too much water gets by the seal), vehicle parked tilted or on an incline, etc, etc. Then things like worn/torn/missing weather seals on doors/windows, torn vapor barriers behind the door cards, etc.

 

[Sando Serious]

Appreciate the insight and feedback from all. I’m going to pass on it, even if it is somewhat of a potential parts rig.

If anyone has interest, below is the link.

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[Sando Serious]

I'm not sure if the 80 is located in the "wet" part of OR but if it's been leaking "for a while", I'd hesitate due to potential corrosion behind the scenes. That $hit will cause all kinds of issues over time.

100% in the wet part of Oregon! It did spend a good portion of its time in an area of Oregon not so damp all the time, but I think it’s been in the rainy area for quite some time now.

 

[BILT4ME]

My truck was very close to this when I bought it.
I threw about $6000 in parts on it and went through brakes, axles, hubs, tires, cooling system, and under hood hoses and made it my DD. Mine had 196K when I bought it, now has 376K.

Those were 2014 numbers, so add 50%.

If it runs and drives and stops now, get it and work on it while you drive it.

Mine had dog food growing in the back seat, and the passenger floor in the front was so full of water it was running out the door.

If there is no rust, it's easy.
It's a 94, so the headliner is clip and bow which is a huge PITA for the sunroof fix.

The biggest concern I have is that it's green.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Don’t worry guys I saved it. Couple bucks, couple hours and it will be a new rig. Very poorly maintained like none. Leaking from every seal. But overall a good cruiser just needs a cruiser head to give it some attention. Pretty hard to find a running locked cruiser that’s been owned by the same guy for 15 years for under $10k. After I sort it out will post it for sale for $30k sounds about right.

 

[White Stripe]

That is a money pit.

 

[Fj80oregon]

M

That is a money pit.

every 80 is

 

[Old Nick]

M

every 80 is

That is very, very true, especially for a rig like the one being discussed by the op. Like @BILT4ME I bought a truck in a serious state of disrepair. Rust, water leaks everywhere, and leaks everywhere in the engine bay. I've been restoring it for over a year, and it's almost there. But, I will say, with every system that I fix, another problem pops up somewhere else. The satisfaction of saving a triple locked '94 from the scrap-heap has outweighed the frustrations (but not the cost... lol).

I should have done a build thread here, but never got around to it.

Frankly, without making connections here on Mud (part-outs for body panels, floor pans, etc.), the build wouldn't have been possible.

 

[TXMeatball]

Appreciate the insight and feedback from all. I’m going to pass on it, even if it is somewhat of a potential parts rig.

If anyone has interest, below is the link.

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In texas this would've been gone in hours for 4k. Does the PNW cruiser market not like projects?

 

[ZetheGSD]

Maybe I’m in the minority here, but apply the logic of the OP’s car want list to the average American today and I still struggle to understand how 10 grand buys a good vehicle needing no work.

I want a nice vehicle that can do anything I want it to on or Offroad that needs no repairs or maintenance needed for less than 10 grand? Let alone a rare triple locked 80 with NO rust?!?

Dude for 4 grand most of this forum who do their own wrenching would have loved that deal over the last 5 years. If you want an 80 that’s clean with no leaks or repairs needed out of the gate and ready to enjoy for a while your budget seems unrealistic as far as I see it. If it runs well and brakes work and drives without bad noises buy it and give it love! You’re a cruiserhead so you know this journey requires.