Help with a '97 FZJ80... (1 Viewer)

[C6H12O6]

I've been looking for a FZJ80 for months and nothing has tripped my trigger. Either too many miles, no locker, too much $$$, etc.

I looked at a '97 40th Anniversary model yesterday that had 118K miles and lockers, which was good, but also had some not so good stuff.

The paint is pretty banged up – lots of scratches, nothing major, just lots and lots of scratches, hazy clearcoat spots, etc. The rear window had a funky, partially un-tinted look to it, like the factory tint was delaminating in spots. Crappy Dunlop highway tires are brand new, so new AT or MTs would be a tough sell to the wife.

The interior looks fairly clean, but all the 'wood' trim was delaminating and the leather seats were starting to crack and looked really worn. Are the head rests interchangeable? I mean can you swap the front seat head rests out for the head rests on either of the two back seats? Both back seat sets looked good, but the front looked like eight years of sun and jerry curl had taken their toll.

He had it priced at $13,400, down from $13,900, which leads me to believe that he won't move too much on the price, but that seems a little high to me. Any thoughts/suggestions for a new guy?

 

[Beowulf]

In general, if the PO let the exterior and interior deteriorate that quickly then you have to question how well he took care of the mechanical.

If the mechanical is OK and you're looking for a trail rig then don't sweat the exterior. The wood trim delaminates on many rigs and removing it is easy.

-B-

 

[3_puppies]

there had been a 40th listed in the Missoulian news paper, Missoula MT I don't have the add with me or I'd give you the # I can get it to you next week if someone else doesn't.

 

[rgsiii]

I think the price is high in the shape you describe.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

there had been a 40th listed in the Missoulian news paper, Missoula MT I don't have the add with me or I'd give you the # I can get it to you next week if someone else doesn't.

>I think I saw it online a few weeks back (hunting around a little for my Pops).

Try www.missoulian.com and click on the classifieds.

>Doesnt sound like its been very well taken care of, and $13,400 sounds pretty high to me for the condition, keep looking. Are you set on a 40th? If not, you'll open yourself up to a ton more choices, including the LX450. 95-97 are the same, so that opens up more options as well.

 

[cruiseruser]

Keep looking... maybe on e-bay.

I bought a 96 with 100k on it for $10.5k. It cost me $1200 to ship it though! It's mostly cherry, slight leather cracking, good paint, lockers, brush guards, the seller even put new front brakes on and changed the oil! Don't give up.

 

[C6H12O6]

Thanks for the advice...

Thanks for the advice. I kinda sorta knew what you guys are telling me. I am a little worried that a truck with all the little, but obvious things neglected probably wasn't taken care of dutifully for all the big, but less obvious things like oil, coolant, axles, etc. At 118K miles, it may be just due for some of the neglect to start rearing its ugly head.

I also didn't get a great vibe talking to the guy selling it. He tried telling me all these things about how the PO had kids and that they caused the scratches and interior wear, but the guy bought it at an auction and is just trying to turn it for a profit. Certainly nothing wrong with that, but not the truck for me. Oh well, summer's comin'!

I have to keep reminding myself that every cruiser I look at isn't some lost-for-30-years-hemi-'cuda-convertible-like-super-rare-never-gonna-find-another gem. I'll just continue with my IH8MUD lurking addiction (only slightly harder to shake than heroin). Every time I click out of the IH8MUD website when my wife comes in the room, she thinks I'm looking at dirty pictures.

Thanks again to all of you for your replies and advice.

Steve

 

[cruiseruser]

Ditto on the wife walking in scene!

 

[Grouseman]

User,

Sounds like you got a good deal.

SS

 

[semlin]

the wife just accused me of exactly that 5 minutes ago

my advice is to hang in there for a decent one. with a neglected rig that becomes your pride and joy you will end up spending a lot of money fixing little things. the fact the truck has been through an auction and this guy is trying to flip it means every effort has probably been made to make this respectable looking.

 

[Lochsa]

The missoulian one is a 40th, no lockers, 105k or so and they are asking nearly 18k for it. It is in good shape from what I could see, but not 18k worth of shape. HTH.

 

[cruiseruser]

Hey, I'm down in the bay area (north bay actually) and there are cruisers everywhere!!! Have you ever used Craig's List? Check out San Franciscos North Bay section and type in Cruiser, Land Cruiser, and also Landcruiser. Good luck.

 

[tarbe]

Just remember, it'll cost you big to add ARB air lockers, but the factory lockers are "free" 'cause they don't affect the market value (most folks are clueless).

Hold out for lockers....

 

[Biff]

Just remember, it'll cost you big to add ARB air lockers, but the factory lockers are "free" 'cause they don't affect the market value (most folks are clueless).

Hold out for lockers....

I agree, its costing me over $2200 to add front and rear ARBs and thats because I'm removing the 3rd members and bringing them into a shop. I should have held out for lockers. Oh well I"m in it now and there is no going back.

 

[Biff]

Every time I click out of the IH8MUD website when my wife comes in the room, she thinks I'm looking at dirty pictures.

Steve

I get that all the time from my wife, espeically if I'm on late at night.

 

[cruiseruser]

http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/72100060.html



Here's an add to check out on craig's list.

 

[MTNRAT]

or this. http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/72565685.html .