Ugh. Good luck getting everything sorted out.
Intro Thread / Hoping I didn't buy a 30K lemon... (31 Viewers)
- Thread starter Gomgwtfbbq
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- Thread starter
- #22
@NeverFinis Thanks for pointing out those things, some I knew, some I didn't (The engine ground).
I'm tending to agree with your assessment. Dash being out could explain some things I didn't mention, Speedometer is off, the flapper that controls air direction (floor/vents/defrost) doesn't work. Glovebox falls all the way open.
I almost wonder if there was some kind of engine fire? I don't know why else the engine bay would have been painted. I notice the overspray as well. The paint in the engine bay is definitely a different shade / matte finish compared to the rest. The info plates on the firewall are also missing, and there's a big dark spot on the underside of the hood where the hood blanket thing should have been? idk..
The front and second row seats were recovered with some aftermarket kit, the leather is noticeably brighter than the 3rd row seats. Agree on the carpet. Not sure what to make of the sellers comment.
I have not contacted the seller, although kinda funny that I never got even got a "everything good?" text/email after the sale. No idea how he ended up with it, but looks like he listed it on BaT after he picked it up somehow. Car spent its life in Alabama via several owners. Even the title I got from the seller was an Alabama title.
I'm tending to agree with your assessment. Dash being out could explain some things I didn't mention, Speedometer is off, the flapper that controls air direction (floor/vents/defrost) doesn't work. Glovebox falls all the way open.
I almost wonder if there was some kind of engine fire? I don't know why else the engine bay would have been painted. I notice the overspray as well. The paint in the engine bay is definitely a different shade / matte finish compared to the rest. The info plates on the firewall are also missing, and there's a big dark spot on the underside of the hood where the hood blanket thing should have been? idk..
The front and second row seats were recovered with some aftermarket kit, the leather is noticeably brighter than the 3rd row seats. Agree on the carpet. Not sure what to make of the sellers comment.
I have not contacted the seller, although kinda funny that I never got even got a "everything good?" text/email after the sale. No idea how he ended up with it, but looks like he listed it on BaT after he picked it up somehow. Car spent its life in Alabama via several owners. Even the title I got from the seller was an Alabama title.
Since the auction didn't reach the reserve couldn't you have done an inspection before accepting the sellers follow up offer?
With the carpet replaced I would be worried that this 80 spent time underwater after a hurricane.
With the carpet replaced I would be worried that this 80 spent time underwater after a hurricane.
- Thread starter
- #24
Before the auction end yeah, but I think i had only 24 hours to accept the offer once it officially ended. Took a gamble and now have to deal with it.
NeverFinis
SILVER Star
Back from the gym...
It looks they didn't cut the carpet very well and had to patch it on the driver's side of the center console. It could be just the photo and I am not seeing it right.,
The vehicle is missing the stepping pads for the third row. Normally, there would be a stud there, pushing through the carpet, that you attach the stepping pad to. It looks like they didn't even bother making a hole in the carpet for the stud. I assume base FZJ80 had them? IDK.
These, from the 2nd row seat, are covered on my LX450.
The M/C and the booster have been replaced and doesn't appear to be Toyota/Aisin and the vacuum line from the booster to the engine should be a Toyota molded piece (it is available), not generic. Good news, the Aisin M/C is fairly cheap on RockAuto. A legit Booster is pricey though...
Looks like they redid this area with new and cheap parts...plus the firewall in this area looks like it has bondo? Maybe that side impact was hard....
Most of the hoses on the engine appear to be replaced with generic hoses.
The bolts are weird...like most are ok, then you see generic bolts randomly about...
2nd row seats has an odd bolt as well. I would get authentic Toyota bolts to replace these as they are safety related.
It looks they didn't cut the carpet very well and had to patch it on the driver's side of the center console. It could be just the photo and I am not seeing it right.,
The vehicle is missing the stepping pads for the third row. Normally, there would be a stud there, pushing through the carpet, that you attach the stepping pad to. It looks like they didn't even bother making a hole in the carpet for the stud. I assume base FZJ80 had them? IDK.
These, from the 2nd row seat, are covered on my LX450.
The M/C and the booster have been replaced and doesn't appear to be Toyota/Aisin and the vacuum line from the booster to the engine should be a Toyota molded piece (it is available), not generic. Good news, the Aisin M/C is fairly cheap on RockAuto. A legit Booster is pricey though...
Looks like they redid this area with new and cheap parts...plus the firewall in this area looks like it has bondo? Maybe that side impact was hard....
Most of the hoses on the engine appear to be replaced with generic hoses.
The bolts are weird...like most are ok, then you see generic bolts randomly about...
2nd row seats has an odd bolt as well. I would get authentic Toyota bolts to replace these as they are safety related.
Does the VIN look tampered with?
Agree with lots of the folks looking at the pictures here. Many things are out of place and random nuts and bolts raise some serious concerns. The engine bay is interesting and would look at the vin plates as my gut tells me this truck has more miles than advertised. My shifter is not as worn and I have 260K miles.
But if the seller didn't disclose missing catalytic converters might be worth reaching out to bring a trailer. I think they may want to protect themselves from potential blowback of selling vehicles lacking federally mandatory emissions equipment. But I am not a lawyer and do not have any legal advice, but believe emissions stuff is significant.
Or you can look at it as a project with lots ahead of you. You have a rust free specimen which is very rare up this way. I would have some reservations about what body work was done. Might be worth a visit to good body shop for some help to get their impressions.
I can relate as bought a truck a few years ago and still dealing with issues on it. My son is driving it so try to leave most of it to him but spent a couple hours tonight exchanging pictures from my truck (that is pretty much original) to his truck that has frankenstein wiring. That is after I dealt with all the same little stuff you are describing, non functioning seats, vents, shattered sunroof surround, cracked dash, leaky windshield, crazy wiring, broken dash, broken seat mounts, floppy vents etc. Recently found cheap chinese brake booster and clipped wires to the master cylinder that seemed a bit shady. But I have come to embrace it as an activity to keep me as a resource for my son.
My wife may hear a different view at times as I have more time invested in this truck than my 80 that I have owned for over 20 years.
So good luck however you proceed. I am in Maine and happy to help in anyway, as most folks here on MUD are.
John
But if the seller didn't disclose missing catalytic converters might be worth reaching out to bring a trailer. I think they may want to protect themselves from potential blowback of selling vehicles lacking federally mandatory emissions equipment. But I am not a lawyer and do not have any legal advice, but believe emissions stuff is significant.
Or you can look at it as a project with lots ahead of you. You have a rust free specimen which is very rare up this way. I would have some reservations about what body work was done. Might be worth a visit to good body shop for some help to get their impressions.
I can relate as bought a truck a few years ago and still dealing with issues on it. My son is driving it so try to leave most of it to him but spent a couple hours tonight exchanging pictures from my truck (that is pretty much original) to his truck that has frankenstein wiring. That is after I dealt with all the same little stuff you are describing, non functioning seats, vents, shattered sunroof surround, cracked dash, leaky windshield, crazy wiring, broken dash, broken seat mounts, floppy vents etc. Recently found cheap chinese brake booster and clipped wires to the master cylinder that seemed a bit shady. But I have come to embrace it as an activity to keep me as a resource for my son.
My wife may hear a different view at times as I have more time invested in this truck than my 80 that I have owned for over 20 years.
So good luck however you proceed. I am in Maine and happy to help in anyway, as most folks here on MUD are.
John
Should have a vin on the body at the driver. Should match the vin on the engine head which is on the pass front area of the head , gets pop riveted on. Vin on frame is pass side wheel well in front. Should have vin stickers on all the doors as well
What years did they start putting the vin on the cylinder head? I see more pics of engine bays without the vin than with the vin.
