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- Thread starter
- #42
Stranger with candy, heh. The seller has garage and one of his technicians did the HG. The head was machined at south austin machine shop, which seems to have some mixed reviews when googled.
I don't think a machining of the head is standard with a head gasket replacement is it? Probably a sign of over heating?
I don't think a machining of the head is standard with a head gasket replacement is it? Probably a sign of over heating?
As far as I'm aware, machining the head is completely normal and to be expected. It's when you see machining of the block that something extreme has happened.
I think the thing to check is parts: were genuine Toyota gaskets used? New studs instead of reusing the stock, stretched ones? Were the valve guide seals replaced? Any other top-end work?
LINUS
Waiting for the Great Pumpkin
She's got jokes too!
You're the full package Jen
OP - cleaning up the head with a flycutter & flattening is normal for most machine shops, and as long as they didn't remove too much metal not a concern. It's a long head & some twist/warp is bound to be there.
As for headbolts, IIRC they are a 1-time reuse on a inspection basis.
If it seems a solid 80 & carfax doesn't hate it, you may have a candidate.
RFB
97 FZJ80 LIFTED SC DUAL BATTERIES,37s
Being an east coast LC owner I can attest to several things, Taco Bell is NOT required by any laws to serve actual food and the dont, second If someones sale video shows the radio trim and remote start. Id run away quickly. MY fzj came with ALL records from original owner to 2nd 3rd and 4th. and Ive already accumulated over 4K in slips myself. East coast life on a Yota is hard. If someone thinks ingesting grade F beef is good for them, imagine what type of oil and fluids they will dump in thier vehicle.
- Thread starter
- #47
Back again guys. This deals pretty much done, guy will sell for 5k. Think has lockers and is one owner. Just wanted some feedback on the engine bay and underside. Underneath looks straight but I think i see some overspray. Trucks spent it's life in NY so I'm being cautious
1996 Toyota Land Cruiser
1996 Toyota Land Cruiser
LINUS
Waiting for the Great Pumpkin
Ehhhhh.
Sorry, that's excited as I can get without seeing the maint records, but nothing has rust out West. It looks like it has enough oil leaks to have rustproofed it, FWIW.
Judging by that motor the rad got replaced, but you're on the hook for everything else like a heater valve & full baseline as the rest looks pretty original. That may be a nice 80 out East, IDK. The 1 owner thing has some merit, at least there should be fewer hinky stories.
Rear axle looks like a e-locker, so I buy the ad there - knob is old & dirty too, not some gleaming new one stabbed in to fool anyone.
And yes, I saw the Chipotle wrapper in the console
-Why don't people detail the car they're selling?-
Sorry, that's excited as I can get without seeing the maint records, but nothing has rust out West. It looks like it has enough oil leaks to have rustproofed it, FWIW.
Judging by that motor the rad got replaced, but you're on the hook for everything else like a heater valve & full baseline as the rest looks pretty original. That may be a nice 80 out East, IDK. The 1 owner thing has some merit, at least there should be fewer hinky stories.
Rear axle looks like a e-locker, so I buy the ad there - knob is old & dirty too, not some gleaming new one stabbed in to fool anyone.
And yes, I saw the Chipotle wrapper in the console
-Why don't people detail the car they're selling?-
- Thread starter
- #49
Hah, great eye as always. According to seller radiator is new, power steering pump, brakes/master cylinder. He works for an autobody shop and does all the work in house..seems like a going theme with every car I look at lately. He always said the HG is fine as well as the front diff. His shop has a lift too and he's happy to leave it there so his guys can prop it up for me to have a look at
RFB
97 FZJ80 LIFTED SC DUAL BATTERIES,37s
Ill tell you what, I bought mine from alabama, any toyota thats been in NY its whole life has rust, no two ways about it. so remember that .
- Thread starter
- #51
Yeah, im going to have a good long look at the underside before buying. But for a NY rig the rust looks minimal
lcgeek
Glad to meet you!
Roll the dice on a west coast rig. Pay a tad more for it if you have to. Then enjoy the long drive home and peace of mind of being cancer free for many years to come.
- Thread starter
- #53
I appreciate everyone advice. Going to take a look at it today, if the under body is as decent as it looks in the pics I think im going for it. Been searching for awhile and have a pretty good feeling about this one. It's either 5k for something semi decent or 10k+ for something completely sorted out. The cost of air fair + driving home or the cost of shipment could be used to just put into the truck, baring its a good candidate for restoration and baseline of course.
This has been one long cruiser buying (or not) odyssey. Seems like you are searching for that unicorn; the one that's near perfect that you can practically steal. You are stepping into the world of "car for a hobby" and spending way more than it's worth to have what you want is part of it, whether you buy one that's "completely restored" or one that hasn't ran in a decade. Who says even a new car is worth the msrp? Only you can decide how much money and time you are willing to put into having a vehicle. Most people wouldn't give one dollar for what you are shopping for, not even a nice one.
I have always enjoyed working on Landcruiser's and toyota trucks I have owned because I like how toyota built them and that enjoyment is part of what I bought. There is no other reason to own an old, lumbering, gas hog other than enjoyment. How much will you pay for this type of enjoyment? Only you can decide.
I agree with all who have encouraged you to make the trip out west or anywhere that you can buy a rust free 80. I would much rather rebuild an engine than deal with any rust at all. Why? Because rust devalues the enjoyment that I purchased. Fixing rust is like digging yourself out of a deep grave. You work your ass off and when it's done, your only at ground level. You haven't improved anything that helps the car do what cars do and that's get us from A to B reliably.
It doesn't matter what the owner says or how thick the maintenance log is or how many receipts you are presented with, you will still have work to do. And was all that work the PO did done correctly? If you are not able to do the majority of your own work, I hope you have nice deep pockets because
80 series andcruisers aren't getting any younger.
I would rather buy an 80 that does need a good deal of work because, when it's done, I know it was done to my satisfaction and along the way, I learned a lot about the vehicle.
Buy the newest one you can afford with under 200k, as original as possible and zero rust. IH8RUST! When I say as original as
possible, I'm including the HG because doing that job is like a right of passage to a higher degree than the greasy, but simple, front axle rebuild. There is no better way to acquaint yourself with your new mistress than rolling up your sleeves and getting down and dirty.
I have always enjoyed working on Landcruiser's and toyota trucks I have owned because I like how toyota built them and that enjoyment is part of what I bought. There is no other reason to own an old, lumbering, gas hog other than enjoyment. How much will you pay for this type of enjoyment? Only you can decide.
I agree with all who have encouraged you to make the trip out west or anywhere that you can buy a rust free 80. I would much rather rebuild an engine than deal with any rust at all. Why? Because rust devalues the enjoyment that I purchased. Fixing rust is like digging yourself out of a deep grave. You work your ass off and when it's done, your only at ground level. You haven't improved anything that helps the car do what cars do and that's get us from A to B reliably.
It doesn't matter what the owner says or how thick the maintenance log is or how many receipts you are presented with, you will still have work to do. And was all that work the PO did done correctly? If you are not able to do the majority of your own work, I hope you have nice deep pockets because
80 series andcruisers aren't getting any younger.
I would rather buy an 80 that does need a good deal of work because, when it's done, I know it was done to my satisfaction and along the way, I learned a lot about the vehicle.
Buy the newest one you can afford with under 200k, as original as possible and zero rust. IH8RUST! When I say as original as
possible, I'm including the HG because doing that job is like a right of passage to a higher degree than the greasy, but simple, front axle rebuild. There is no better way to acquaint yourself with your new mistress than rolling up your sleeves and getting down and dirty.
- Thread starter
- #55
Thanks the advice, I'm well aware of the amount of care these trucks need and not afraid to get dirty with them. Each truck posted here I have given a legit bid for, unfortunately the other end is what keeps my odyssey going. I don't expect to find a perfect running rig in my price range but I also don't see the harm in trying to find value where I can. But I do see yourpointon craftsmanship and standards, especially after looking at this one.
Your post came as I was half way to the cruiser but I kept your words in mind while looking at it. I would of walked away anyway but looking at the oversprayed scales of rust made it really hit home that I'll need to fly out west to find a 80 worth my love. Thanks again for all advice everyone
Your post came as I was half way to the cruiser but I kept your words in mind while looking at it. I would of walked away anyway but looking at the oversprayed scales of rust made it really hit home that I'll need to fly out west to find a 80 worth my love. Thanks again for all advice everyone
FWIW, I bought a Cali rig with only pics. It was at a consignment shop and the guy would do just about anything I asked, including taking it to a shop with a lift and taking pics of the underside. It was a Toyota shop and he had the mechanic give it a once-over. I was fortunate that the PO was super anal and kept records. I never flew out, threw caution to the wind, and had it delivered in order to avoid any catastrophe. Got it off the truck, took it to my mechanic, and it was as nice as reported. Somebody that takes care of the rig should be willing to share any detail with you. I've put a few thousand miles on it driving to Colorado and back with zero issues.
