I think this the right spot for this thread. I'm in the market for a '91-'92 FJ80. Got a couple in the area that I'm looking at, and this one's the first.
By way of introduction…
I’m looking for - Daily driver after a max of a weekend's worth of work (with more work later, I'm sure - but quickly roadworthy), and capable of light wheeling out of the box. I picked the '91-'92 for the 3F-E because I like the simplicity and durability and I don’t need to go fast on the highway.
My Profile - I'm a budding shade tree mechanic, kept my 1981 Suzuki GS850 motorcycle running (with help from another great forum - GSResources.com) as my daily driver for the last 7 years and finally biting the bullet and getting a second vehicle that the kids can fit in. I prefer to own vehicles I can maintain myself, though I don't yet own a garage, so it's a challenge. Did the timing belt/water pump on my wife's 2007 Honda Pilot out in the apartment parking lot. Anyway, I still consider myself a newb, but I'm a quick study and I now only buy vehicles with active online forums.
So, now the Land Cruiser - supposedly one-owner, but being sold by a guy who's not the owner – “trying help him out.” 285K on the clock and asking $3.2K.
http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/4113130368.html
Everything down to "the bad" I'm OK with - I feel like they're known quantities or known issues I can handle with some extra cash over a weekend. Given these known issues, I feel like I could offer $1800 to $2K, but maybe I'd be lowballing the guy - I'm sure you guys will tell me.
It's the "sketchy" list that give me pause.
The good - started easy and ran smooth, minimal engine noise, drove fine, tracked well on the road, high/low center diff all worked, fair amount of tread left on the tires, sunroof actually works, AC blows cold
The normal - Struggled to get over 70mph, interior kinda dirty, but mostly intact – only driver’s seat has any tears, some kind of “towing package” gear for trailer with electric brakes (maybe this should be in the “bad” or “sketchy” category, not sure)
The bad - Some rust/rot under the front pass side fender and on the panel just in front of the pass rear wheel, more rust than I expected on the suspension parts, clicking at steering lock (needs steering knuckle rebuild, as I understand it, but if I need to replace axle rods, that’s obviously a bigger expense, though no more work), mushy but effective brakes (I’d replace rotors, pads, flexible brake lines when I did the knuckle).
The sketchy - Warning lights! Parking brake light and AT Oil Temp light were on from the moment the rig was started (it had been sitting - def cold when I got there). Weird home-brew exhaust - unrusty pipe from the cats back, held together (pretty effectively, I must admit) with hose clamps and, yes, at least one identifiable lid from a tin can. The pipes exited the sides just forward of the rear wheel wells. It sounded tractor-y, not overly loud, but odd. Oil build-up - could see oil on transmission housing and some down the side of the block. Course, oil at the bottom could be coming from anywhere uphill, Close to 300K …so, maybe close to needing a rebuild(?) and not ideal for a no-fuss daily driver
Whatever offer I made (if I make one) I’d figure on $500-1000 additional in parts to take care of the knuckle (assuming I can re-use the axle rods), brakes, and exhaust. I’m very willing to walk away, or pay a bit more to get something in better shape, but if this is how most of them look at this age, well, I just need perspective, I guess.
Truth is, prepping the pics for this thread might have convinced me to walk away, but still interested in opinions. Thanks!
By way of introduction…
I’m looking for - Daily driver after a max of a weekend's worth of work (with more work later, I'm sure - but quickly roadworthy), and capable of light wheeling out of the box. I picked the '91-'92 for the 3F-E because I like the simplicity and durability and I don’t need to go fast on the highway.
My Profile - I'm a budding shade tree mechanic, kept my 1981 Suzuki GS850 motorcycle running (with help from another great forum - GSResources.com) as my daily driver for the last 7 years and finally biting the bullet and getting a second vehicle that the kids can fit in. I prefer to own vehicles I can maintain myself, though I don't yet own a garage, so it's a challenge. Did the timing belt/water pump on my wife's 2007 Honda Pilot out in the apartment parking lot. Anyway, I still consider myself a newb, but I'm a quick study and I now only buy vehicles with active online forums.
So, now the Land Cruiser - supposedly one-owner, but being sold by a guy who's not the owner – “trying help him out.” 285K on the clock and asking $3.2K.
http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/4113130368.html
Everything down to "the bad" I'm OK with - I feel like they're known quantities or known issues I can handle with some extra cash over a weekend. Given these known issues, I feel like I could offer $1800 to $2K, but maybe I'd be lowballing the guy - I'm sure you guys will tell me.
It's the "sketchy" list that give me pause.
The good - started easy and ran smooth, minimal engine noise, drove fine, tracked well on the road, high/low center diff all worked, fair amount of tread left on the tires, sunroof actually works, AC blows cold
The normal - Struggled to get over 70mph, interior kinda dirty, but mostly intact – only driver’s seat has any tears, some kind of “towing package” gear for trailer with electric brakes (maybe this should be in the “bad” or “sketchy” category, not sure)
The bad - Some rust/rot under the front pass side fender and on the panel just in front of the pass rear wheel, more rust than I expected on the suspension parts, clicking at steering lock (needs steering knuckle rebuild, as I understand it, but if I need to replace axle rods, that’s obviously a bigger expense, though no more work), mushy but effective brakes (I’d replace rotors, pads, flexible brake lines when I did the knuckle).
The sketchy - Warning lights! Parking brake light and AT Oil Temp light were on from the moment the rig was started (it had been sitting - def cold when I got there). Weird home-brew exhaust - unrusty pipe from the cats back, held together (pretty effectively, I must admit) with hose clamps and, yes, at least one identifiable lid from a tin can. The pipes exited the sides just forward of the rear wheel wells. It sounded tractor-y, not overly loud, but odd. Oil build-up - could see oil on transmission housing and some down the side of the block. Course, oil at the bottom could be coming from anywhere uphill, Close to 300K …so, maybe close to needing a rebuild(?) and not ideal for a no-fuss daily driver
Whatever offer I made (if I make one) I’d figure on $500-1000 additional in parts to take care of the knuckle (assuming I can re-use the axle rods), brakes, and exhaust. I’m very willing to walk away, or pay a bit more to get something in better shape, but if this is how most of them look at this age, well, I just need perspective, I guess.
Truth is, prepping the pics for this thread might have convinced me to walk away, but still interested in opinions. Thanks!
Didn't realize that one would be on the list.
