Forum Lurker Finally Thinking of Buying

[SeanH]

Hi All,

Been 'lurking' around here for a while as I contemplate buying an fj. Would anyone here mind taking a look at this link and giving me their thoughts on whether or not this price seems fair?

1984 Toyota Land Cruiser fj60

He's a friend of a friend so I might be able to talk him down a bit.

Any common problem areas I should look for when checking out the car, any specific questions I should ask?

Thanks!
Sean

 

[Trapper50cal]

Well, its hard to tell with two medium distance exterior shots. Depends on what you are looking to do. Is it going to be a Warrior or a Princess. Rear wheel wells will run you about 2K to fix the rust and they aren't going to be able to match the "patina'd red paint so a full repaint or some serious buffing will be called for if you want to repair the rust. You could just stop the rust from getting worse then add some fender flares. I would get some interior shots and if those look kinda hammered then offer 2K. That's assuming that there aren't any major leaks or mechanical issues.

Check Rear frame rails for rust
tailgatelid around window
bottom of inner tailgate
front quarters behind wheel wheel
roof seam

Check driveshaft slop or pinion shimmy
wheel/trunyon bearing slop up front
Tierod ends
check springs for inversion or warping
see if the spring bushings look replaced

It would be nice to have a compression test (draw down I think)
Check PS pump for leakage/smog pump will be next to go if PS is leaking

Good luck!

 

[Rob Faucett]

Hmmm . . . I might start thinking about my rig as a Warrior Princess!

 

[RockDoc]

Hmmm . . . I might start thinking about my rig as a Warrior Princess!

Xena?

For the OP, rust would be the first concern I would have in looking over a cruiser. Second would be making sure it is mechanically sound, and up to snuff for passing any inspection process (smog stuff). Undoubtedly, any truck you buy will have lots of little things to address (25 years old), but as long as the foundation of the vehicle is solid, all else comes down to price-haggling and getting acquainted with it once it's your's.

 

[rchalmers3]

He's a friend of a friend so I might be able to talk him down a bit.

Couldn't pass up the possible humor there.

Yeah, for a 'cruiser like that, $2k would be tops, $1700 would be better. Otherwise, take it slow, as cruisers pop up every week on Craigslist.

Rick

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

I paid 2500 for mine... It's ok I guess... I love it. Don't know if it was worth it though...

 

[szester]

I paid 2500 for mine... It's ok I guess... I love it. Don't know if it was worth it though...

I paid 300 for mine...at 10 a gallon its certainly not worth it. But i didnt buy it to be worth it, i bought it because i wanted a toyota land cruiser. Isnt that always the point of buying one?

 

[Rob Faucett]

I would add checking the main seal. If it's leaking you have a good argument for driving down the price.

 

[slcfj62]

With the questions you are asking, you haven't been lurking long enough. All your questions and more are answered on the forum. Start with the sticky threads on the 60s forum. Trust me, you can spend way more money than you thought on one of these even if you do the work yourself. The parts are extremely expensive.

 

[Trapper50cal]

With the questions you are asking, you haven't been lurking long enough. All your questions and more are answered on the forum. Start with the sticky threads on the 60s forum. Trust me, you can spend way more money than you thought on one of these even if you do the work yourself. The parts are extremely expensive.

Or......you could do your research, head to the classifieds on mud and practically build one for free given the kindness and comradary of this forum.

 

[slcfj62]

Now that I am reading my last post again, it does sound a little mean, and I apologize. The wife was yelling at me to come to dinner and I was a little hasty in my wording. Seriously though, I have found over the last few months why some posters on this forum call their Cruisers "money pit". It seems like it never ends. So, (in my kindest intention possible) take the time to read some of the great threads on this forum to educate yourself before you take the plunge, and you will be happier and have more money in the bank at the end of the day than if you jump on the first Cruiser that zaps you with it's cosmic love ray. Look in the 60 forum FAQ sticky thread for some of the best of the best. Trust me, if you don't avail yourself of this information now, you will gain a whole new interest after you buy one you should have let pass. And you don't need to ask me how I know!

 

[szester]

With the questions you are asking, you haven't been lurking long enough. All your questions and more are answered on the forum. Start with the sticky threads on the 60s forum. Trust me, you can spend way more money than you thought on one of these even if you do the work yourself. The parts are extremely expensive.

I jimmy rigged 600 dollars worth of parts on one i just got. May not run perfect but it works right?

 

[Trapper50cal]

Its true that it never ends...there is always the next improvement or repair. You just feel so damn good about it. Addiction at its finest

 

[SeanH]

Hi guys,

Great replies all. Thanks so much. I felt like the price was a bit high given the market and that it has near to 200k on it.

I really appreciate the pointers of what to look at since every car has its particular idiosyncrasies beyond the normal stuff.

Are these cars money pits because there is so much potential and so many upgrades or are they always falling apart? I had thought this generation of 'yotas to be uber reliable?

I have an old BMW 2002 I'm completely rebuilding and don't really want another piece of yard art I constantly spend money on.

Thanks again!
Sean

 

[Trapper50cal]

More so because an owner wants to improve it or abuse it. It can run forever unmolested with a couple things here and there, or owners tend to add aftermarket stuff for more capability, then they go test said capability, then they break stuff as an excuse to replace OEM parts with upgrades. At least that's how I see it going alot of the time

 

[slcfj62]

You can also get burned by a previous owner (often referred to as the PO on this forum) that deferred routine and remedial maintenance. You may find as I did that it takes a couple of grand to catch up. Once you get all the back maintenance caught up, they go a long ways. Then the addiction kicks in and you start doing upgrades--the other side of the money pit!

 

[fjman]

If it runs well with good compression and the rust isn't too bad, I think its priced well.

Ask the owner what type of gas milage he gets. Under 10 mpg, I would think it needs some work.

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

Pretty much.... less than 10mpg.... needs work!

$2500 don't know if it was worth it cause, some of our fellow mudders have gotten killer deals...

But for me, its good.

Reliability, x2 on previous post.... Sometimes you will need to catch up on the maintenance. $$$$ In my case... (D'animal saw some of the issues/conditions) It needed breaks, a JimC carb, shock tower welded(thank Dynosoar), new vacuum hoses.... And that's about it. She's running fine.... Does not run hot anymore.

I do basic maintenance and little upgrades sparingly. Rear sway bar, front break upgrade, HID retrofit, 62grab bar, pane conversion(still not done).

& planing on; parabolics, rear disc conversion, 5speed tranny, dual battery, and ...... LIST GOES ON....

But mine aint no money pit cuzz... while my maintenance cost is minimal, my upgrades take years... I'd hate to put $$$ of upgrades and have some part of the drivetrain blow! & I got no cash!


SOOOO..... I love my cruiser!

does not talk smack about the 60 any more...

She still loves the 80 though...

All depends on what your looking to do with it.