Help request, looking at an FJ60 tomorrow...never owned one before.

[Tighe]

Hi all,

New to the forum. Previously been into Volvos and 4Runners, but I've always wanted an FJ60. A long time ago I owned an FJ80, all the way to 300k miles, with no major issues. Currently I live in Santa Fe, NM and I would like to do some camping this summer, and as such I'm in need of an appropriate vehicle...not a lowered Volvo...

So, I found this 60 for sale nearby, and decided I would post up here to see if there was anything in particular I should look for. 280k on body, 40k on engine.

Mileage on clutch unknown but apparently the transmission shifts smoothly, and the 4wd works.

Despite the new engine, the owner says there is a small leak in the head gasket. I can take some photos tomorrow evening when I go look at it. Owner already said he'd come down to 3k, but I'm just not sure if it's worth it.

Apologies if this is the wrong section for this post. Moderates please move if necessary.

Thanks for any and all input. I hope to become a regular member...but I should probably buy a TLC first!

-Tighe

 

[KeepCruzin]

Is the engine the stock 2F thats been rebuilt or a replacement engine like a chevy or something? I bought MY 60 off of craigslist and the engine had been "rebuilt with only 10,000 miles on it". I assure you it had NEVER been rebuilt, and had all 200,000 miles on it.
A leaky head gasket is not too difficult of a fix, but its not a good sign on an engine thats only 40,000 miles old. A 3k, running, straight, rust spotted FJ60 is a pretty good deal in my book (those BFG's alone are worth about 1,700).
My advice would be to get more information on the engine. What was rebuilt/replaced, by whom, and when. If it was done by a shop, call the shop and check. If its been swapped to a non-toyota, be VERY apprehensive.

Overall, 3k sounds like a VERY square deal if the only rust is whats in the picture and the engine doesnt have issues other than a leaky head gasket.

 

[Tighe]

Hi, thanks for the info! The engine appears to have been replaced with a new 2F, receipt attached. At this point I'm trusting the seller to be truthful, but we'll see tomorrow after we meet. Swap alone was 4.5k, assuming the receipt's legit.

I'll watch for overheating, examine the u joints, the various manifold gaskets, etc. If the seller is trying to cover up anything HG related, is there anything I can look for in particular? Coolant color or oil smell? I cannot pressure test it...but then again I can always got back another day.

Thanks for the input, just trying to avoid getting in over my head.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Take one of those block sniffers with you that detects combustion gas in the cooling system. They aren't entirely accurate, but may give you something to go off of. Additionally, warm up the vehicle, rev up to 1500 rpms or so and look into the overflow tank. A leaking headgasket will typically result in bubbles in the tank. That was the only symptom my 80 ever showed when the gasket was leaking. It eventually blew full on.

Crawl around all under that thing and look for rust. Rear of the frame, quarter panels, rocker panels, rain gutter, driver/passenger floor (if you can get the carpet back). Look at the front axle for leaks.

 

[Spudman]

Check the radiator for any signs of oil in the water, take the oil cap off and wipe your finger around inside and see if any milky residue signs of water, start the vehicle with radiator cap off and see if it bubbles or spirits water everywhere.

Check around the front hub seals for excessive leaking, check the suspension including the bushes and tie rods, check the steering play.

Lift the carpet up if you can and check for rust, look for signs of fresh paint and inquire as to why.

Also ask the guy if he's got any photos of the truck since he purchased, what work has he done, I've owned mine less than 12 months and I have nearly a 1000 photos.

Just be thorough with your inspection and enjoy.

 

[Jokenring]

Pull the sparkplugs and look for rust on the end of the plugs. I wish I would have..................

 

[woytovich]

Hi, thanks for the info! The engine appears to have been replaced with a new 2F, receipt attached.

That receipt says it was rebuilt...

 

[Tighe]

Right on, thanks for all the great advice guys. I've compiled a checklist based on these responses that I'll take with me this evening when I go to look at it. I hope everything checks out. I'm fortunate to have found this forum, you guys are really helpful!

That receipt says it was rebuilt...

The description says rebuild, but there's a line item for a new long block.

 

[woytovich]

Why do you think that means a "new" long block. Maybe it is referring to the long block rebuild (the price is about right)

Maybe a call to that shop can clarify...

 

[woytovich]

BEWARE THE RUST. What you see can be, like an iceberg, just the tip of the trouble.

 

[gregnash]

Agreed with everyone else... and you dont get rust in those sections on the body without rust elsewhere, so the statement in the posting that there is NO RUST anywhere is BS. Could be a good truck but I don't know there seems to be quite a few red flags going off for me. And those BFGs are not worth $1700 on their own, they look to be either stock size (235/75r15) or 31s which would make them about $800 with installation. Asking price is too high, he is wanting to recoup some costs for the engine (whether that is a rebuild of old or new engine isn't completely apparent) and you know you have a very hard time with that stuff.

 

[Tighe]

All sounds good, thanks for all the responses. I thought this was a hail mary because it was so last minute- so I really appreciate the help.

I'll call the shop today to discuss the engine with them, and I'll absolutely be inspecting thoroughly for rust. I've already looked at a few other FJ60s that I've passed on because of rust. I figured if this was the only rust, and not the worst of the rust, then perhaps it's actually OK. Plus, in this price range, in New Mexico, it's hard to find rust free FJs. I figured a fresh engine rebuild/swap, a good tranny, and minimal rust is worth 3k. Now that two of those three items are being whittled away I'm growing increasingly wary.

 

[Tighe]

Thanks for all of the comments, I'm really glad I found this site and proceed with some knowledge. I was able to contact the shop that did the rebuild and they said that it was fully rebuilt, new pistons, etc. but was surprised/disappointed to hear about the head gasket. The shop said it was 'a shame' that it had only been driven 40k miles in the last 8 years.

Anyway I had a look at the truck this evening and have mixed feelings about it. The owner was very forthcoming about the issues, which where were plentiful. The body's straight and in good shape, and the paint is unusually nice, for the most part, although I would probably plastidip it if I buy it.

The head gasket was leaking a lot of oil, visible in the photos. The bottom end was wet with oil, presumably because of the HG leak but it was impossible to tell if there were other leaks. There was no substantial rust underneath, just light surface rust. The desert sand here is red, so that didn't help differentiate between rust and dust...

There were no bubbles in the reservoir at any time, i.e. when cold, after idling, and after coming back from a drive. Plugs were new and not rusty. Oil looked and smelled fine, as did the coolant.

It drove, shifted, and engaged (and disengaged out of) 4wd with no issues.

Overall I'm not sure if I'm up to the task of replacing the HG and getting it up to shape. There's no way I can live with such a weeping engine sitting in my driveway, and for 3k I can no doubt find a 4Runner in much better shape, however, I really like the truck. So, I remain ambivalent...

It's so cool...but it'll be such a PITA to revive and I'm starting at the bottom of the TLC knowledge totem pole.

 

[Tighe]

...is there no option to edit my posts to correct typos??

 

[woytovich]

You should see an "edit" link near the left side at the bottom of each post.

I GOTTA think you could spend a bit more and get a truck with the good underside this one has but without the HG and rust. It is worth $1k more now to avoid that much in work/parts to fix this truck - AND to avoid the other rust that is no doubt looming. There are a million 60s out there... wait till you find the right one.

 

[Stumpalama]

The way I read your description, are you sure your not just talking about a VALVE COVER or side cover GASKET?? HGs leak internally, they don't spit oil out onto the block in my experience.
Not to be a jerk, but this is a bit of the blind leading the blind, as in the owner says HG because he doesn't know the difference or is misspeaking and you don't know better either. Take the truck to a mechanic and have them check it out to be sure. Was the clutch replaced when the engine was done?
I am going to differ from the rest of the previous posters on this thread and say if the hg is good, (as I suspect it is) and the rear frame and shock cross piece is solid and the interior is in good shape then buy it.

 

[Tighe]

I am admittedly blind, which is why I'm here. I'll look more into the various potential sources of engine leaks to gain some familiarity, and hopefully the next time I look at the truck I'll be better armed. A big thank you to all, for all of the advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[Spudman]

Tighe

I going along the same lines as stump, the HG is leaking that much it's gotta appear somewhere, in the water, pressure etc.

Yes it needs swivel hubs done, yes it needs new bushes, but it's gotta a good paint job.

Ultimately I will not tell you to buy it because I can't see it, but you've said yourself you got that feeling about it, the trucks nearly 30 years old, it's gotta have problems, but this is why we buy them, restoration my friend.

If the owner thinks it's a HG let him think that and offer him a grand less and go from there.

Ultimately if it is the HG we'll talk you through it

 

[Heckraiser]

If it is actually a HG (or the current owner thinks it's a HG) then it's a $2500 truck IMO. That is what I would pay, hopefully to discover later it is a valve cover gasket instead

 

[Tighe]

Thanks for the followups guys. I will sit on this for a few days before I decide on it one way or another. Hopefully I'll be able to see the truck again soon, and maybe a few other trucks will come up for sale in the meantime. Either way I'm much more equipped than I was a few days ago, and I have a much better sense of what I'd be getting myself into.