For Sale Feeler : 1997 LX450, built

Location

United States

I'm getting into the market for my first house, and I'm considering selling the LX to get me some cash to add to the down payment.

I bought this LX450 about 6 months ago. Previous owner built up the LX and kept it in good shape. 4" lift , OME parts, good sliders, front and rear bumpers (ARB front I believe, and an ARB-like rear bumper, but with side protection - nice), he installed leatherette seats, which are very nice, new stereo with subwoofer - I just bought 2x jerry cans.

It had a few pinstripes when I bought it, and I've added quite a few, in Tonto National Forest on a side road. It also has a dent in the driver's side rear passenger door, from someone running into the previous owner while he owned it. It's not very visible - a small hole in the fender flare and a dent beneath it, visible when you open the door.

I wasn't happy with the coolant system though engine temps were acceptable (201-203 on a hot day driving slow) - the LX is getting an entirely new coolant system - everything, water pump, all the heater hoses, new radiator, new fan clutch, new heater valve, etc. - work being done by Vernon at Toy Specialists, who I'm VERY happy to work with - Vernon is also doing a bunch of other PM work, that he thought could be useful, during his inspection. I'll have a full list soon.

I payed 12k for it. I've done a bit of work myself - installed a new steering wheel, installed LED's all around, and Vernon has done the rest - all the new seals, new cooling system, completely new fluids all around (all diffs, transmission fluid, oil) - and he's done more, but I don't have a complete list until I get the truck back next week.

This is a feeler - I bought for 12k, and Toy Specialist's work being done now is around 5.2k, and I've spent somewhat under 1k on the steering wheel and other odds and ends.

I'd like to get 17k for it. I won't break even, but I'd feel good about someone getting a fully built LX 450, that should run for another >100k miles without much maintenance and has been thoroughly looked over by Toy Specialists.

What do you think?

 

[PhysicsHammer]

I don't have many pictures now - but here are two when it was new (in the parking lot) and one more recent (in Sedona)

 

[scottryana]

How many miles?

What maintenance has been done?

Head gasket?

Lockers?

 

[PhysicsHammer]

I'll write up a proper for-sale post when I get the truck back, if I decide to sell. I'm going back and forth.

But to answer your question, it has factory lockers that work perfect, the head gasket hasn't blown to my knowledge (but I only spoke to the previous owner), and I've done some maintenance myself, and a whole bunch of maintenance at the shop right now. 250k miles.

thanks!

 

[Texus]

Since you asked for opinions... Here is mine, and it's just that... It will never sell for that kind of money. Sorry, but maintenance costs to that extent will never yield a return of significance. I'm sure you hate to hear it, but like I said just my opinion... And this wont be the same as everyone's of course, but it will be the same of many on here. My advice is to keep it & wheel the s*** out of it so you get some of that return on investment through enjoyment! Just my .02, I like to say what I think and not sugar coat it with the standard response of "nice truck glws".

 

[PhysicsHammer]

Thanks. I'm considering keeping it, not sure yet. I love it, just could use the cash on my first house.

 

[supdizzle]

Keep it..

 

[PhysicsHammer]

I'll have an FZJ80 in a few years. Don't know if I'll have one in six months, but I'll have one again. There's nothing like them, to me... I don't feel the burning need to get a 40, but an 80 is the right balance for me.

 

[92LXAZ]

Since you asked for opinions... Here is mine, and it's just that... It will never sell for that kind of money. Sorry, but maintenance costs to that extent will never yield a return of significance. I'm sure you hate to hear it, but like I said just my opinion... And this wont be the same as everyone's of course, but it will be the same of many on here. My advice is to keep it & wheel the s*** out of it so you get some of that return on investment through enjoyment! Just my .02, I like to say what I think and not sugar coat it with the standard response of "nice truck glws".

Agree, never get dollar for dollar on service work. Heck not even on fun mods and accessories. No one "breaks even" on these bad boys when they decide to sell. Understand the thinking like others have said keep it and enjoy what you've done for a while but if you must sell reduce that price by quite a bit. At any rate great rig, all the best for whatever you decide.

 

[PhysicsHammer]

Yep. However, when I was looking for an FZJ , I found that when most people said it was in perfect mechanical shape, in reality the trucks could usually use work of one kind or another. I didn't find any, in the time when I was looking, for instance, that had new radiators and fan clutches. Certainly they are out there, but they weren't being sold near me when I was looking. Similarly, the leather in many of the FZJ's is torn or worn out. So, if someone can find an FZJ that has brand new cooling systems and no mechanical issues, no oil leaking, and brand new leather, for 5k, then they should jump on it. In my experience, that is very difficult to find in practice.

Anyway, in the end, it will be a value decision for buyer and seller, and it will have to be a good deal for both parties, or it won't go through.

 

[PhysicsHammer]

Having said that, I don't need the money for the house, so I might just end up keeping it. I do love driving it and the 80 series is extremely capable off road. Either way I'm happy.

 

[angerhater]

Keep the rig....its worth every penny to you, once you beat it up you wont feel so bad when you sell it for less

 

[Elijah]

Did you really spend 12k on an 80 with 250k miles?

 

[PhysicsHammer]

I sure did. I'll tell you why. In my area, around Phoenix, when I was looking, I couldn't find a stock FZJ80 in good shape for less than about $4000. Most stock cruisers of any price were not in terribly good shape. The one I found was high mileage, but it was in very good shape - the owner I came to know personally, and I found that he cared, personally, for the truck a great deal. I can understand why, having owned it myself now for almost a year. And he took very good care of it, he being a mechanic himself. The day after the sale, I drove out and gave him an extra 400 bucks, because he had four young children.

Now, to add a 4" lift, front and rear bumpers, lights, and sliders, would cost me roughly $8k bucks. There are cheaper ways, I know, if you look for used parts, do the work yourself, etc. It is also possible to find a lifted cruiser for cheaper than 12k, but those, at least the ones that I found, were not in great shape.

Now you might think that I spent my money inefficiently, or that I got a bad deal. I, however, have been many miles from civilization, and I have never been left stranded by the Lexus. Nothing has broken on the Lexus. It has taken me, with a large margin of safety, everywhere I have wanted to go.

You may think that raw mileage on the engine is more important than I do. I took the vehicle to my trusted mechanic, and he said the whole thing was in top shape. Maybe I was wrong to do it that way, but that was how I decided to value the truck. You may decide differently for yourself. We all value things differently. You may end up with a better truck than me, if you are smarter in your decisions, in your valuations, in your judgments. Of course, you may not. The beauty of the invisible hand of economics, is that everyone makes their own value judgments, and in general, within certain bounds, everyone gets what they want.

I have been so impressed by the FZJ80 that I bought a book on how Toyota runs their company. It is going over the methods developed by Taiicho Ohno in lean manufacturing and product development. The methods Toyota uses, the culture they have developed, and the care they take in developing and manufacturing vehicles, is nothing short of ingenious.

My first vehicle was a Tacoma. Still have it. It's got 150k on it, and I don't doubt that it will go easily beyond 250k. It functions precisely the same as it did the day I bought it- except that the armrest on the left side got a tear. It just requires PM's to keep it going. Although, I will admit, my 2000 Tacoma has a buttload of check engine lights. Nothing major though.

Anyway - I've been happier with this 12k purchase than virtually any other money I've spent in my life.

 

[Elijah]

Cool. No problemo. I was just curious if you really payed that much or if it was a typo, etc. I think that's absolutely nuts, but that's irrelevant. I'm glad you've loved it and that it's served you well. My 80 has as well. Good luck!

 

[PhysicsHammer]

well, ih8mud is never lacking for opinions!

 

[AZcruisers100and80]

FYI, for all interested. I know it was a steal...but a built 97 LX 450 w 122k and only an add-on rear locker, sliders, brand-new tires just sold on Craigslist in California for 9500. It was a good deal, yes, but I've seen others like it go for 13 to 15k. There's a beautiful 40th in AZ right now w 130ishk offered at 17k, but getting offers mostly around 15k. Hope that helps for testing the waters. Best of luck fellow 80-enthusiasts.

 

[PhysicsHammer]

9.5k is a great deal for a great truck like that. If I had the opportunity to get that , when I was in the market, I would have been thrilled. 15k offers are more in line with what I'm familiar with. I've had the same. Anyway, I wish everyone the best in finding a good deal on a good 80 series.

 

[PhysicsHammer]

... and, if that person who bought it for 9.5k ended up doing some PM's, they will easily be spending a lot very quickly. I'm not saying that's the case, just possible - given that I have no information of any kind Regardless, a great deal on an 80.

 

[brhydock]

just stoppin in to say nice build and i wish i had the $$$