Help with Purchase Decision (1 Viewer)

[dhanney]

I check C-list every now and then for land cruiser parts for my 40 and 80 TLC's. I came across a 1985 BJ70 in the midwest with 247,597 miles, LHD, 5-speed, non-turbo diesel, rusty rear panels, good frame, 3" lift (brand unknown), salvage title (don't know why) for $7000. It comes with a turbo not installed.

I am clueless on 70 series pricing but I thought $7000 wasn't too bad? The salvage title is concerning. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks. Doug

 

[ForealBoreal]

make sure the frame is solid. All the shock mounts, spring mounts, body mounts ect.
85 is the only year that they were 12 volt.
compression test....

 

[earl]

Sounds too high. For reference, there's this one:

1985 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel - Calgary SUV, Crossover For Sale - Kijiji Calgary

And, mine sounds better than the one you mention and if I were to sell it I'd list it for less than $7000.

 

[ForealBoreal]

85s are rare though, only year that they were 12v
its criminal to sell them under 7!

 

[earl]

Cool, I didn't know that (the 12V part

 

[dhanney]

The seller tried Ebay but the bids did not reach the reserve. The biggie for me is the rig is already in the US and in my state. I was thinking $6000 would be a great deal but the seller won't budge off $7000.

How hard is it to find body/engine parts in the US? Do any interior parts interchange with a FJ60? Sorry for the newbie questions.

Doug

 

[earl]

The seller tried Ebay but the bids did not reach the reserve. The biggie for me is the rig is already in the US and in my state. I was thinking $6000 would be a great deal but the seller won't budge off $7000.

How hard is it to find body/engine parts in the US? Do any interior parts interchange with a FJ60? Sorry for the newbie questions.

Doug

Very few interior parts will interchange. Engine parts will likely come from Toyota's warehouse locations in Canada or other Toyota LC shops. I'm not sure if Toyota is the same down there, but up here they don't charge shipping, even if they have get the part from one of their warehouses in the US. I think a lot of parts are available from the Vancouver area (Extreme Bends, Radd Cruisers, etc), which is close to the US border. So that's a bonus. Suspension, brake, tranny, t-case, differential stuff, etc. you can get in the states (e.g. Cruiser Outfitters).

Check out the quarter panel thread too... there are some options for quarter panels varying in price.

There's probably other options I've missed or aren't aware of I'm sure.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

You may want to check the vendors on this site.

Check the rig for rust.

Just out of curiosity: were all 1985 Canadian Land Cruisers black? Were other colors offered/sold?






JuanJ

 

[bj70_guy]

Just out of curiosity: were all 1985 Canadian Land Cruisers black? Were other colors offered/sold?
JuanJ

There were some champagne/bronze-y ones in '85 as well. There were also silver and bluish gray, but I don't believe those colours were available till '86... I'm not 100% on that though.

The vast majority do seem to be black.

 

[crushers]

silver, black, grey, bronze.
12V for 85

the old rust buckets are going to be fetchign a higher price than before since they are now legal for the states to own. supply and demand.
a smart Yank would buy a 86 or 87 and have it stored for a year or two. the price will climb to double what they are really worth just for that reason alone.

a rusted POS 70 is a parts vehicle and is worth $1500... IMNSHO.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Canadian Cruisers are as basic as it gets. Even in color choices.

Supply and demand aside, it is interesting to see them becoming sought after items in the US. One man's trash is another man's treasure...





JuanJ

 

[crushers]

ask the guys in Oz and Japan, when i started importing in 2001 we could pick up a very clean Land Cruiser for $2000, now a POS parts truck is $5000. the nice ones can fetch upwards of $20K for the right one.
supply and demand.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I recall seeing a couple Canadian BJ70's advertised on this website, with OME lifts and some body rust, that went for 5-6K during the past year or so. Remember the one with the custom exhaust visable through a wheelwell?
With the way the body rust progesses on this model, I wouldn't pay more than 5-6K for a vehicle in similar condition. Hopefully, this stance will pretty much insulate me from buying another.

 

[earl]

I recall seeing a couple Canadian BJ70's advertised on this website, with OME lifts and some body rust, that went for 5-6K during the past year or so. Remember the one with the custom exhaust visable through a wheelwell?
With the way the body rust progesses on this model, I wouldn't pay more than 5-6K for a vehicle in similar condition. Hopefully, this stance will pretty much insulate me from buying another.

That's the one I ended up buying! Exhaust is fixed now! While it isn't perfect, it had all the things I was looking for in a BJ70. The body does have some rust, but amazingly it's very solid. Despite the rockguard, there's no previous body work (except for the new passenger lower fender). Also, the OME was something I would've bought anyway, not to mention the 5 tires and wheels are like new. The PO owned a automotive repair shop, so thankfully a lot of the PM is done.

However, as crushers has mentioned time and time again... the Canadian BJ70's are barebones, and yes... rust buckets (just like most FJ40's). But, compared to the 78 FJ40 I had, this thing is a dream come true!

I recently saw BJ71's BJ74, and it is definitely amazingly to see such a clean 70 series. All depends on what you want.

 

[ForealBoreal]

she looks good though!

 

[crushers]

looks like it will be fun to play with.
congrats.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Looks good. What are your plans for the front end?





JuanJ

 

[earl]

Hello,
Looks good. What are your plans for the front end?
JuanJ

Not exactly sure yet, but I think it'll be custom built... and as simple as possible

 

[prado t]

I like it, NICE!

 

[Dieseler]

Salvage title I would stay away check with you insurance broker on what that means.
Where I live if I bring them in on a salvage title they wont ever make it on the road they have to be parted out , unless I was to pull a fast one and change the VIN plates and alter the frame numbers....not worth it IMO.