Ugh. Good luck getting everything sorted out.
Intro Thread / Hoping I didn't buy a 30K lemon... (13 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. Edited to add that the stud is there, visible in the video. It is hiding under the floor mat in the pic. 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. Edited to add that the stud is there, visible in the video. It is hiding under the floor mat in the pic.
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.
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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.
Sorry to hear about all the issues..
My ‘97 has the vin here on the engine, not sure if they did that on ‘96 as well. Also there are usually 2 holes on the firewall in front of the driver, those are missing.
My ‘97 has the vin here on the engine, not sure if they did that on ‘96 as well. Also there are usually 2 holes on the firewall in front of the driver, those are missing.
Old Nick
GOLD Star
You’ve got a great attitude. It’s your rig now, so time to get it running properly. Start a “build” thread here, start going over the rig and post up questions when you get stuck.
I bought my 62 over a decade ago… before I found Mud. It looked great, but it was a complete mess… paint started to bubble within months, engine needed to be resealed all around and the tranny gave up the ghost… it was a learning experience and it sucked… lol. But with the help of Mud, it’s now my DD. You can do it.
Same central Fla seller has a 1st Gen Tundra listed on BaT now.
And he's flat-out lying about the mystery goop spray on the underside. Claims it's not there, then says he didn't do it.
Yet the truck came from 90 something year old man who didn't drive it.
I effing hate lying scumbag sellers.
bringatrailer.com
And he's flat-out lying about the mystery goop spray on the underside. Claims it's not there, then says he didn't do it.
Yet the truck came from 90 something year old man who didn't drive it.
I effing hate lying scumbag sellers.
No Reserve: 44k-Mile 2005 Toyota Tundra Limited Double Cab V8 4x4
Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 44k-Mile 2005 Toyota Tundra Limited Double Cab V8 4×4 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #198,481.
bringatrailer.com
NeverFinis
SILVER Star
I never used BaT but some of those comments look fake....and many looked sus for the FZJ80 as well. Paraphrasing: "Great buy! Will last forever!"
That frame overspray is horrible on the Tundra. I don't know Tundras, so I can't pick apart that one...
Personally, I would back out of FZJ80 sale by any means necessary. He misrepresented the carpet, which could be used to unwind the deal. Buy a normal, but needs work, southern FZJ80 for $5K to $8K, and then dump $10K into. You will have a much better truck at the end of the day.
That frame overspray is horrible on the Tundra. I don't know Tundras, so I can't pick apart that one...
Personally, I would back out of FZJ80 sale by any means necessary. He misrepresented the carpet, which could be used to unwind the deal. Buy a normal, but needs work, southern FZJ80 for $5K to $8K, and then dump $10K into. You will have a much better truck at the end of the day.
IMO, seller needs to be called out and BAT notified about both vehicles being misrepresented.Same central Fla seller has a 1st Gen Tundra listed on BaT now.
And he's flat-out lying about the mystery goop spray on the underside. Claims it's not there, then says he didn't do it.
Yet the truck came from 90 something year old man who didn't drive it.
I effing hate lying scumbag sellers.
No Reserve: 44k-Mile 2005 Toyota Tundra Limited Double Cab V8 4x4
Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 44k-Mile 2005 Toyota Tundra Limited Double Cab V8 4×4 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #198,481.
- Thread starter
- #35
Thanks. Trying to stay positive. Was the seller a scam artist? Maybe. All the s*** wrong with this thing could have been from any of the 5 previous owners too.. And had I known more / paid closer attention to things I probably wouldn't have hit "accept". Not looking to start a witch hunt on the guy... at this point it is what it is.
Honestly if I can get it running right, I still think its a good looking truck and would be glad to have something to wrench on and keep for a while.
Old Nick
GOLD Star
Scratch it up to experience.
The gents above are spot on... that seller is a real pos. He took advantage of you and will take advantage of the person who ends up buying the Tundra. I've never sold or bought off of BaT, but I know people who have sold cars there... the vetting process is fairly extensive. The seller you bought from is in fact to blame for being a scammer (the po/ppo/pppo, etc. don't have anything to do with the truck as it was presented on BaT, imho).
Honestly, it would be good, as the gents above suggested, to report him. Heck, I'd just cut and paste the link to this thread, and send it to BaT, which might be enough to get the seller booted. That won't help you, but it might, who knows.
Beyond that, man, keep up the good attitude and get your rig sorted... with one qualification... if you do choose to report the seller, I would wait until you hear back from BaT before touching the 80.
The seller is handling this better than some responders here. Now folks are going after the seller who is.....A CAR DEALER. Not a personal owner, just a flipper.
caveat emptor as was said on the last page and should be repeated over and over
I've bought a few vehicles from auctions. I've learned some valuable lessons and the OP will for sure on this one. Feel out who you are buying from. If it's a dealer expect the unexpected because they usually do NOTHING to prep it for sale except a car wash. Sure some go the extra mile but you are gonna pay for that effort.
As the OP is saying, what was something exciting and fun is now a project. Accept that and enjoy your project. We've seen lots of folks here take much worse trucks and turn them into absolute beauties!
Or be a crybaby and get your lawyers involved or go on the internet and complain (please don't be that person or president)
caveat emptor as was said on the last page and should be repeated over and over
I've bought a few vehicles from auctions. I've learned some valuable lessons and the OP will for sure on this one. Feel out who you are buying from. If it's a dealer expect the unexpected because they usually do NOTHING to prep it for sale except a car wash. Sure some go the extra mile but you are gonna pay for that effort.
As the OP is saying, what was something exciting and fun is now a project. Accept that and enjoy your project. We've seen lots of folks here take much worse trucks and turn them into absolute beauties!
Or be a crybaby and get your lawyers involved or go on the internet and complain (please don't be that person or president)
Car dealers are not allowed to knowingly lie about the vehicles they are selling. That would be fraud. If anything, a dealer should be help to higher standard than a regular seller or even a casual flipper.
I don’t know if this guy “lied” in the legal sense, but he may have.
The OP could start by tracking down the previous owner from Alabama title. That previous owner may know more about the history of the vehicle, and more importantly he may know what the BAT seller really knew about the condition and history of the vehicle.
Deck is stacked in favor of the scumbag sellers on the popular online auction sites, and they know it. Which is why they flock to those sites.
Altered pics. Cropped pics. Lies. Misrepresentations. Shill commenters. Shill bidders.
Yes, OP is handling it well. But that doesn't mean that Mudders need to do the same.
Altered pics. Cropped pics. Lies. Misrepresentations. Shill commenters. Shill bidders.
Yes, OP is handling it well. But that doesn't mean that Mudders need to do the same.
the cats missing, and not mentioned in the ad, is suspect. its common for thiefs to steal the cats, but should have been noted in the ad...those are federally mandated after all. might be able to pull that lever to get out of this deal, or a partial refund. not sure what the BaT terms and conditions state. doesn't the truck need O2 sensors pre and post cat to run efficiently? how does that work w/ a straight pipe?
looks like most body panels have been resprayed. clearcoat failed? or b/c accident?
why is the speedo in the pics not zero? no key in the ignition, and no readings on the other gauges? that is bizarre.
any work done under the dash would explain the release levers getting swapped. that panel has to get removed for easier access. could have been that way for 20 years or when the booster was replaced. i see a hood alarm switch, so does this have an aftermarket alarm on it?
seat leather does wear out, carpets do get nasty. plausible explanation there.
sunroof drains are probably clogged, and rocker drains. would explain that inop sunroof that was "sealed" externally. sunroof motor might just be unplugged, and you can clear all the drains.
hood blankets do age out. the dark spot might just be oil/grease slung up there by the pulleys?
looks pretty clean overall, with much of the usual maintenance performed. engine running rough while hot is a concern, and i can't imagine the seller didn't know about it. could be something simple, but will require patient diagnostics. vacuum leak? fuel? spark?
while everyone keeps saying $6-8k trucks in similar shape exist everywhere, that is not my experience here in the mid-atlantic. this truck does have some head scratchers that COULD add up to something more serious/devious going on, or could just be a 30 year old truck w/ some of the usual warts. even at under 100k miles, if it was a daily driver and lived outside.
looks like most body panels have been resprayed. clearcoat failed? or b/c accident?
why is the speedo in the pics not zero? no key in the ignition, and no readings on the other gauges? that is bizarre.
any work done under the dash would explain the release levers getting swapped. that panel has to get removed for easier access. could have been that way for 20 years or when the booster was replaced. i see a hood alarm switch, so does this have an aftermarket alarm on it?
seat leather does wear out, carpets do get nasty. plausible explanation there.
sunroof drains are probably clogged, and rocker drains. would explain that inop sunroof that was "sealed" externally. sunroof motor might just be unplugged, and you can clear all the drains.
hood blankets do age out. the dark spot might just be oil/grease slung up there by the pulleys?
looks pretty clean overall, with much of the usual maintenance performed. engine running rough while hot is a concern, and i can't imagine the seller didn't know about it. could be something simple, but will require patient diagnostics. vacuum leak? fuel? spark?
while everyone keeps saying $6-8k trucks in similar shape exist everywhere, that is not my experience here in the mid-atlantic. this truck does have some head scratchers that COULD add up to something more serious/devious going on, or could just be a 30 year old truck w/ some of the usual warts. even at under 100k miles, if it was a daily driver and lived outside.
