FJ80 Advice

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tarheel40

tarheel40

10 Year
Joined
May 9, 2013
Threads
20
Messages
317
Location
Kinston, NC
I joined the forum a few months ago and was pretty set on finding a solid FJ40 as a backup daily driver. Unfortunately, a combination of a few recent mechanical issues with my 4runner and the fact that an FJ40 in the condition I want would probably be 15K+ has really pushed me toward buying an FJ80. I'll get an FJ40 one day, but I just don't think it is financially possible or overly smart right now.

I've been talking to a guy in VA who just posted his green 1997 Collectors Edition with 134K on Craigslist. No lockers, but he sent me some cell phone pics and videos from today showing very good overall condition both inside and out. Please take a look at the ad and see what you guys think:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/3925766720.html

I'd want him to fix the O2 sensor and make sure that turns the check engine light off, but other than that this looks pretty good to me. He's asking $9500 OBO, I'd like to get if for closer to 8K. Let me know what you all think and if there are any red flags I should look out for - will update with pictures when he posts them.

Thanks,

Matt
 
For reference, that's about what we paid for a '95 lifted, locked, ARB'd, Warn 12k, roof rack'd 80 in 2009. Lower mileage, but not by much. Was in vgc. I think that's steep, but that's just me - haven't watched the market on a low mileage 80 since then, so it may have gone up (held for the last 4 years).

:beer: Ramon
 
FZJ80.

"Everything for you to baseline the car ready to go comes included." Make sure he includes all the fluids to cover this statement. That can save $$$. Brake fluid and pads, tranny, diffs, t-case, birfs, Toyota coolant, steering (ATF), etc.

Look for rust. It's a VA car, so who knows what you'll find. Also remove the rear inside trim panels and stick your hand down deep to feel for rust or scaling metal or holes. Look at the jack/holder for rust stains.

I have a nice 40. I drive it as much as I can. Also bought an 80. I drive it more. AC and AT are nice. MPG is about the same for me.

Keep us posted. Someone with knowledge will chime in soon.

--john
 
I agree, if it had lockers or was a 40th edition then $9500 would seem a bit more reasonable but I really think around $7500-8000 would be pretty fair for us both. I asked about rust, he said it is clean. I've got the cell phone pictures he sent uploaded to my computer and have posted below, these should give a better idea of the quality and value.






 
IMHO it's too much for what it is.

80s are getting cheaper every day and you can find some good ones already built up.


Biggest question for you is will the 80 be your primary DD??

If not.... don't put very much emphasis on total miles as you will take a long, long, long time to wear it out even with 200k if it is a weekend car. If it is a primary every day DD then put a little more emphasis on it. But not much. The FJ80 and FZJ80 engines will both last over 300k easily if taken care of right.

The other thing I ask most 80 drivers is do you have small children or dogs that will be in the car lots?? if so don't worry about the interior condition that much as it will be trashed anyway in a few years and all the premium in price you paid will be lost. :doh:
 
Right now I'm putting ~10,000 miles/year on my 4runner, it's my DD and only option right now. It's pretty heavily modded and on 315 KM2s, so my vision for the FJ80 is to act as a more comfortable DD for trips especially and probably split the miles pretty evenly between the two. I'd probably put no more than 5,000 miles a year on it and may try to trade it for an FJ40 in 3-4 years when I've got a little more time and money to dedicate to a project like a 40. No dogs or kids, so I'd try to keep the interior pretty clean. I actually like the fact that it's stock and has not been wheeled, I'll probably add a roof rack system, drop the running boards, and add some BFG ATs but I'm going to keep this one pretty mild - again my 4runner can do everything I need it to in regard to off road adventures.

I told him if the engine light turns off with the O2 sensor I'd be a buyer at $7,500 - he'd said he'd like to be closer to $8,500 so I think realistically I'd be somewhere between $8-8500. If I could get it at that price and there are no surprises when I see it in person do you guys think that's a fair price? If not, what sounds fair to you all?
 
without lockers $7500 is the highest i'd even think off. ... and I may need a 12 pack to get me thinking that high. ;)


what year 4runner is it??

only asking because a runner (depending on year) normally makes a much better DD than an 80 and an 80 (again depending on year and mods of runner) makes a better wheeler :doh:


I'd say offer the $7500 if you feel comfortable with that price. If he says no then that's fine there are more 80's out there for better prices.
 
Sounds good, thanks for the advice! I've seen a lot of 80s for sale, but not many with miles this low and the interior in as good a shape - both of those things are important to me. I agree with you that I've got the rigs a bit backwards, but the 4runner is already built and paid for so I guess it's too late haha.

In a perfect world, I'd love to find a 40th edition with lockers but so would everybody else in the market - I feel like I'd be looking at 10-12K for one of those in similar condition with similar miles and that would really stretch the budget. If I could pick this up for $7500, do a few small mods and add some tires and still be under 9 grand for a reliable, cool rig then I'd be pretty happy.
 
Don't rule out LX450's in your search either. Generally they can be had for cheaper than a 40th and has a nicer interior also.

the 40th tag tends to bring a bump in price with it. Also don't shy away from ones that have a good interior but worn out seats. Shane (a mud vendor) does a reskin for the from and rear seats for about $1100 and can do the 40th colors also.
 
tarheel40 said:
In a perfect world, I'd love to find a 40th edition with lockers but so would everybody else in the market - I feel like I'd be looking at 10-12K for one of those in similar condition with similar miles and that would really stretch the budget. If I could pick this up for $7500, do a few small mods and add some tires and still be under 9 grand for a reliable, cool rig then I'd be pretty happy.
Click to expand...

I see you are looking north. Have you also looked south? Atlanta has a lot of cruisers, and mileage and condition are all over the board. Looking for the right truck can take a while, and the ATL might expand your options.

No, I am in Raleigh, but used to live there, and still head through there multiple times a year.

Good luck.
 
SchniperJB said:
I see you are looking north. Have you also looked south? Atlanta has a lot of cruisers, and mileage and condition are all over the board. Looking for the right truck can take a while, and the ATL might expand your options.

No, I am in Raleigh, but used to live there, and still head through there multiple times a year.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I've actually looked in that area a decent amount, though normally more for 40s, because they seem to have so many. Most recently I've been checking NC, VA, SC, and GA to see what's out there. This one is in Richmond, which is 2.5 hours away as compared to 6 or 7 to Atlanta so that makes it a bit easier.

Planning to go look next weekend, if everything looks good and we can settle on a fair price I might have another Toyota in the garage!!
 
I ran the VIN and everything checks out as he said, was titled once from 1998 to until April and he's owned it since then. Said he will get the O2 sensor squared away before I come look. Says the undercarriage is clean and everything works as it should. He cleaned it today and sent me some more photos, I really like what what I can see in the photos - what do you guys think?










 
looks nice...low miles..... for reference I got my 92 fj80 with 171k miles in nice shape for $3,800, dont be afraid of mileage...my old 80 gave me 350k..
hold out on price...at that price it aint going anywhere soon
 
He added the new photos to his craigslist ad and evidently has 3 or 4 people coming to look this weekend so we'll see what happens - http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/3925766720.html.

I agree with what you guys are saying though, I'm willing to pay somewhere around $7500 and if he finds a buyer who is willing to go $9500 then they can have it. If it's still around next weekend I'm going to check it out and am thinking seriously about buying it if we can agree on a price, I'll keep you guys updated.
 
why buy that when you can get an lx with lockers for less than 7k? I think i saw one for 5500
 
angerhater said:
why buy that when you can get an lx with lockers for less than 7k? I think i saw one for 5500
Click to expand...

I know it's a minor detail, but it is important to me to get a genuine Toyota Land Cruiser. I know the LXs are basically the same car with different emblems, but I've always wanted a Cruiser - I'll probably have this for at least 4 or 5 years, maybe longer, so I might as well get what I really want.

I haven't seen many 96 or 97s in good shape (paint, body, interior, etc.) with lower miles (120-150k) advertised for less than 7K that are up on maintenance, etc. Between Craigslist and Mud, the nicer, newer 80s seem to be listed for 8-10K (more for a 40th with lockers), though I'm sure they sell a little lower than that. Not planning to build a trail rig but rather a reliable DD that can go off road when I need it to, so I'm willing to pay a little more for one in good shape.

If you guys know of any local new FJ80s for sale right now that are priced lower, please let me know. Thanks again for all the advice and comments, I know 4runners pretty well but the land cruiser world is still a bit new.

Matt
 
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I,ll trade you my 92 with less than 195k on her for a decent one with lockers,,,lol
 
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