First time 60 series owner - pass or buy? (1 Viewer)

[DirtbagPaddler]

Midway through my sophomore year of college, I now have the opportunity to purchase a 1987 FJ60 after years of waiting... I have slim mechanical experience, but I'm eager to learn all about it.

I went and test drove it a few days ago and I'm really debating whether this LC is the one for me. It's got 140xxx miles, and the owner is asking 15k. No rust, or evidence of previous rust is visible to my novice eyes... a magnet confirmed no bondo. Throughout the test drive, I noticed a slight ticking sound throughout acceleration accompanied by a mild exhaust smell, but was unable to distinguish where it came from. From my limited reading on mud, it sounds to me like it could either be an exhaust leak, or Ill adjusted lifters. Other than this, I had no complaints, the engine ran great and started almost instantly from cold on a 40 degree day.

Interior wise, it has been stripped of carpet, bedlined, and lacks a radio or any speakers.

From an owners perspective, is this a solid purchase for a reasonable price, or will I completely eat it? The rust free body is incredibly attractive but my web surfing has me feeling very conflicted about the price, and value of this LC.

Any help is appreciated! Check out these pictures.

 

[DirtbagPaddler]

Let me know if I should post any more pictures

 

[Seth S]

I paid $8500 for a bone stock 1984 fj60 with all original except for a crappy stereo deck.

The truck looks pretty nice and looks to have a lift. But $15000 sounds about $5k to $7k too optimistic. I have seen several much nicer trucks listed in the $10k to $12k range.

 

[mattressking]

15k is way too high. I’d buy a 40 series if you’re looking to spend that range. That thing is hacked up.

You can attempt negotiating to about 6-7k but i doubt he/she will move that far.

 

[Seth_O]

Used vehicle values are very sensitive to location. Where I live '60s are stupid expensive, and they top out in the $12-15k range. At first blush this does NOT carry any of the hallmarks of a valuable cruiser; all original, immaculate interior, an undercarriage thats been sealed/protected, etc. I see a hack desmog, not sure what's going on with the cooant overflow tank, thr flooring doesnt look great to me, are there extensive service records? For that price I would expect them.

In my opinion? Pass on this one, it appears to be overpriced, which means either the owner doesnt know enough about Landcruisers to price it accurately, or doesnt care what a fair price is. Either of those worry me...

For that kind of $ you should be able to get a REALLY nice FJ60. Or even an FJ80. 60's can be had in the $3-5k range, and decent ones for $8k, even in CA.

 

[roscoFJ73]

You should consider an 80 series as well. You would get a nice one at that price. 15K is too much for the red 60. It would need to have all the carpet and sound system reinstalled with a few more goodies. Offer him under 10k if the body is that good. Take an expert for a second look.

 

[DirtbagPaddler]

Thanks for the input! Any 60s or 80s currently on sale here y'all would reccomend? I've search CL extensively.

 

[Trapper50cal]

That's a respray if the red headlight washers are any indication
so there's bound to be bondo instead of metal repair. And as mentioned,
some sort of half-assed desmog so not register-able in emissions
counties. The rust on the side of the block makes me want to see
undercarriage shots to confirm but my guess is rust.

Pass at 9K much less 15K

 

[DirtbagPaddler]

Thanks for all the support! It definitely looks like it'll be a pass on this one! Back to hunting!

 

[Skeet]

Thanks for the input! Any 60s or 80s currently on sale here y'all would reccomend? I've search CL extensively.

Have you talked to this guy?

1987 Toyota Land Cruiser

I talked to him last year when he had it for sale. I believe he bought it off a lot in TN and used it as a hunting rig. I never laid eyes on it, however.

 

[Willard]

That's a respray if the red headlight washers are any indication
so there's bound to be bondo instead of metal repair.
Pass at 9K much less 15K

Nice catch!

I can tell you using a magnet is 1/2 of the battle in checking these days. Anyone with basic welding skills can weld up a panel and shape it.
Using a thicker skim coat can get the final shape you want and the magnet would still stick.
Just for fun I would pull the driver rear panel (you can remove the rear washer/ jack door) and look for weld or bleeding bondo down the channel there.

Aside from that 15K is WAY to much for that rig. I was planning on selling mine at one point and asking 11K. WITH a rebuilt engine, new clutch, rebuild head, new interior and new carpet and 99% of the rust cut and rewelded. I expected to get 9K and realistically 8K. I have all documentation to prove it to.

Seems someone had been looking on Ebay and thought hey mine is worth that!
Really that rig is max 6K period.

What is it with people not replacing the shift knob and then asking 10+ grand for it. Crap it is a $25 part that just makes it look better rather than just a hole.
Kind of like people who sell their car and do not vacuum it out. Solid indication of how much they cared for it


Pass and keep looking, lots of honest Mud member here selling their rigs that are in far better shape and more complete.
Hell there is a FJ55 in the classified section that looks 100 times better than that Fj60 and not much more money.

 

[FARMAN33]

Thanks for the input! Any 60s or 80s currently on sale here y'all would reccomend? I've search CL extensively.

FJ60 | FJ62 | BJ60 | HJ61

FJ80 | FZJ80 | LX450 | HDJ81

Good luck with the search!

 

[Willard]

Have you talked to this guy?

1987 Toyota Land Cruiser

I talked to him last year when he had it for sale. I believe he bought it off a lot in TN and used it as a hunting rig. I never laid eyes on it, however.

Look at that one......it is even the right color!

 

[DirtbagPaddler]

I can't believe how responsive, and active everyone on here is! already had an great convo with jpsfj60. Its great to know just how involved everyone in this community is. I've been surfing through posts for awhile, but never joined.

 

[Seth S]

This one is in the classifieds. Seems like a very good deal for less than half of that one.

For Sale - $6500 ‘84 Nordic Blue Woody FJ60, W. CO

 

[landcruiserjunky]

He's asking 2x the real rate. Keep looking. There is a reason why ebay/CL is full of 10k+ 60 rigs, no one is buying them (hince them still being for sale). For some reason people see "for sale" as the going rate vs the true indicator 'sold'.

 

[gregnash]

Yeah there are a lot of us that spend a good amount of time on here, so if you have one that you are looking at then definitely post up. Also, look at the "Clubhouses" section and find your local group. If nothing else you can get someone that is a bit more knowledgeable to take a look at a cruiser with/for you for usually the price of a beer and cruiser conversation.

 

[Boss Hog]

I'd pass. I just paid $5500 for my rig on Sunday, in Colorado, in the winter, where everything that has "Cruiser" in it's name enjoys as much as a 15%-20% markup on prices over other regions (except maybe Southern California). Keep your eyes open, and be willing to travel. I got mine (down from $6,900 originally) because everyone said "Yeah, I'll come up and take a look at it" but ultimately never made the drive through the mountains. 304 miles from my house roundtrip. Twice. Once to look at it on Friday and again on Sunday to close the deal. Well worth the gas, beer, and pizza I gave to Ige for the ride up to go get it.

Hell- call Brad at Classic Cruisers in Poncha Springs, Co. He'll sell you an FJ62 for less than what I paid for mine. Strong runner that he personally daily drives. Good luck.

 

[onemanarmy]

15k to blow on a toy while a sophomore in college.

nice.