Help a Newb! What's it worth? Which should I buy?

[ShawnQ]

Newbie here! I'm trying to decide which vehicle to buy and use as a beach vehicle. I do a lot of fishing in south TX off of our beaches. We drive 60miles one way through powdery sand, so 4wd is required. I also require enough room for several fishing rods, a few coolers, a kayak, and misc. camping gear. The beach can go from a packed-highway type sand to a treacherous powdery nightmare. So, which would handle this best? I would be using it SOLELY for this purpose, and probably two or more times a month. My biggest concern with the 4runner is the auto and the sand...it tends to hurt auto trannies from heat.

Here's the ad on the landcruiser: $2500
1985 Toyota Lancruiser
For sale 1985 Toyota LandCruiser with custom built front bumper and built in rod rack. Straight 6cyl 4 speed manual, brand new 31'tires and wheels, 2 spare tires, front differential seals replaced no leaks, new clutch slave and master cylinder, new add a leafs in the rear. Rebuilt carb 6 months ago, new battery, new windshield, new shocks. Has been to Pins a couple of times and is geared really well for the sand. I have all the original service records since it was brand new. Engine was rebuilt by Toyota with less than 100k on it and it has about 170k on it now. Has a/c but compressor clutch is out. Has some rust but nothing major in the normal spots. Starts and runs strong will go anywhere.
here's a few pics of the land-cruiser (it has been used as a fishing/hunting vehicle before, hence the weird front bumper with fishing rod holders.).

The other vehicle is a 1990 Toyota 4 Runner, here's the details on it.

The second one is a 1990 4runner, 4door, Auto. The exterior is in great shape except a dent in the bumper (minor). The interior is clean, and all windows are functioning. Everything appears to be in operating condition. The tires are in good shape, slightly oversized.
The engine has had several maintenance items replaced, including but not limited to an alternator, water pump, tensioner, dist cap, plugs, wires, mass air meter, t-body cleaned, radiator, etc. However, the heater hose on the back of the engine had a pinhole, caused the engine to get warm, and I assume blew a headgasket (although I can't confirm this). After the heater hose was replaced, the owner realized there was larger problems. He said he probably put 30-40miles on it, just adding coolant, after this had happened. The engine runs and the truck drives as is, but the oil is the typical coolant/oil milk shake. The 4wd and auto tranny seem to function just fine. It engages in 4HI and 4LO smoothly, and the tranny seemed to go into all gears, although I didn't take it over 15mph and only drove 300yds because I didn't want to hurt the engine any more than it already had been.
This vehicle is for sale for $1000.00

I'm trying to find a vehicle for beach fishing. I've been looking at 4runners, land cruisers, suburbans, and cherokees...wish to you think, out of the above two, is the better buy?

Thanks
Shawn

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

These are two very different vehicles. The Cruiser sounds like it is in pretty good shape, if all the documentation for the work done (rebuild) is there. Make sure the rust is really minor, especially on the frame at the rear spring mounts.

Do not go for the 4 runner. It has either a blown head gasket, or, more likely, a cracked head. Basically it is trash, and needs very expensive repairs.

Probably both of them would do well on sand, the lighter 4 runner maybe a bit better.
HTH
jan

 

[ShawnQ]

Jan,

Thanks for the info.

The Land Cruiser is a good friend's, and I know the work was done at the toyota shop...I'll have to see if he has records. But, I know he had it done either way. So the rear spring mounts are the most common rust spots on the FJ60's? Where else should I look?

As for the 4runner, it's a little dissapointing knowing that it's a fairly expensive fix. The vehicle was near perfect otherwise, which is odd for a 1990 model.

I am not really looking for a 'plush' ride, so the LC doesn't scare me. I kind of like the 'ruggedness' of the Land Cruisers, and they seem to have a good following. Four Runners are almost too 'soccer mom' for me, but they are excellent in the sand. It's a tough decision.

I am currently driving my 2004 Dodge Cummins 4x4 down the beach, and it has no trouble at all (to give you an idea of the conditions). It has stock tires, no lift, etc. I just hate to tear up my $40k truck when I could use a less expensive vehicle that is better suited for the conditions. The weight will not be an issue if I can make it in a cummins.

Thanks for your input.

Shawn

 

[import silvia]

The 4 runner is a project vehicle and should not be considered for transportation. The rebuilt cruiser engine is cause for concern, at 100k the engine is just getting into it's groove and should not be in need of a rebuild.

Personally I would keep looking.

 

[ShawnQ]

import silvia,

A project vehicle is basically what I am after. My budget is $2000.00+/-

I would spend $2500 just because I like the FJ60's...and I could spend a little more than $2000.00 after repairs, but my initial cost needs to be $2000 or so.

So, with that said, anything I buy will be a 'project' because the price range is limiting me to a high mileage vehicle that will most likely need work shortly.

I'll definitely continue to look, but cheap 4x4's in good shape are tough to find around here with all of the hunters and all of those who come up from Mexico and buy them all up to transfer them back down south.

Thanks for the input.

SQ

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

I don't know what a 4 runner head costs, but maybe it is a viable option. If you can get a good head from a junk yard, and if you are able to switch it out yourself, it could be fairly cheap.
base truck 1000 (offer 700)
head form junkyard 300
headgasket from toyota 100
machine head 200

all numbers are guesses, but won't be too far off. If the rest of the truck is in really good shape, that would work. You would have to make sure that the cooling issues have been resolved though, otherwise it will die again soon.


Cruisers rust everywhere, but frame rust is deadly. The rear spring hangers are a good place to check, if it is clean there, then chances are the rest of the frame is good too. If it has never been painted, you'll see well if it is really rusty. Just take your time, crawl under it, and poke around with a screwdriver.

as mentioned, ask why the engine was rebuilt at 100k.
j

 

[CMD82]

Shawn -
Stay away from the 4Runner if it has headgasket problems. People seem to have the worst luck with those, once they have blown. Sometimes fixing two or three times, at costs greater than $2000 each time. The headgaskets were a recall from Toyota, so if you are really thorough you could check the VIN with Toyota to see if it was ever done, and it ifs still eligable. Check out www.yotatech.com for all you 4Runner questions if you choose to go that route.
I vote for the Cruiser. If its not rusty go for it.

Chris

 

[89s rule]

GO with the cruiser. If its btwn these 2 trucks. I would see why the engine was rebuilt at such an early milage. Thats seems to be the fishy thing. Check for rust is the biggest downfall of many 60 series and other series cruisers.

Stay away from the 4runner. I assume it has the 3.0 v-6. They are notorious for head gasket failer. As stated by CMD82. Yota had a recall on them. And many people still have trouble with the HG. The 4 cyle is the good engine in the mini trucks. 22r or 22re, etc.

Keep us posted on whatever you do.

 

[Mace]

60 all the way..

 

[hodag]

Id say the 60, but Id be concerned with the rebuild at less that 100k. There are several people here, myself included, with 200K+ on our original engines.

If it has been used around the ocean, Id also be concerned about hidden rust caused by the salt spray. The rear frames are notorious for rot.

Forget the Suburban if youre worried about sinking in the sand.

Hodag

 

[daner]

I agree with what everyone on this thread has said, the Land Cruiser is a REAL 4x4, the 4runner is designed to take Bif and Skippy to Aspen for Xmas break, and they can barely tackle the speed bump at Starbucks.

 

[cabron]

i wouldnt let the Cruiser rebuild scare you if it was documented. Also it had done 70K since then so any problems would have surfaced. I would take the Cruiser all day over the four runner. It is a more reliable vehicle and will last you a long time. I'd come with 2K cash and be firm, and have fun

 

[macneill]

I vote 60 too, but since it's gonna be strictly a beach vehicle, be prepared to watch it rust away...