Just won an 80 series at auction. Looking for advice. (11 Viewers)

[NeverFinis]

Just noticed that the odometer reading in 12/2010 was recorded by Carfax as 210,014 and the current mileage is listed at 210,100,
but then the video and photos also show 210,014 miles?? So has the vehicle been sitting for 15 years or has the odometer been broken/disconnected for 15 years, or has the instrument cluster been replaced or the Odometer turned back, or, or, or ---???

Something doesn't add up.

Engine sounds a bit tickety and the oil pressure was very low on what looked like a cold start-up, it got better by the end of the video (have to slow it down to see the gauges). Appears to have a cheapo "white box" oil filter.

Looked closer at all the photos: it's been repainted, maybe a quickie job, looks like body damage in a few places (?Right side),hood paint
doesn't seem to match the rest. Rear hatch emblem cracked

Interior seats redone with ?cheap ventilated leather covers.
Missing center console lid.
Shifter leather missing/removed

Engine (or head) may have been removed at some point, but at least one lifting hook is missing??
Ground strap to the firewall is in the wrong place.
PHH has been bypassed
At least one missing bolt for the valve cover.
Blue spray paint on the throttle body
Front rotors scored badly
Leaking fluid on the right wheel well (brakes or knuckles??)


So IMHO what seems like a good deal may or may not be, won't know until someone checks it over very closely.

Always a big risk buying a vehicle sight unseen and without an inspection, biggest question is where has it
been sitting (and why) for the last 15 years??

Those are great catches. The seat leather I saw but didn't mention because seat leather is replaced often. Poor job matching the door leather though.

I missed the gear shift being not original. I mean, why was it replaced?

As far as sitting...the jack handle, which isn't original, was sitting in one spot for a long time as seen from the carpet indentation. Missing the Stainless Screws from that trim piece in the photo.

The ground strap being in the wrong location does point to the motor being pulled...

Who replaces the reusable Toyota air filter with a K&N Air filter? Does original owner hate their motor?

The bolt situation is sus all over

Missing lower engine/radiator cover

I just watched the video. Start button? What? The engine does sound sus.

 

[mudgudgeon]

The discrepancy on the odometer vs 15 year old carfax could be an out for the OP??

 

[mudgudgeon]

That kinda Analysis would cost $100+ at the Local Repair Shop.
I love that Mud guys bring the Facts Right Away.

Never ceases to amaze me what gets spotted from a could of pics

 

[Batameez]

Looks like a crackhead did some wiring under the hood too. Also, until I saw the door sticker I would never have thought this was a 6M1 FZJ80. Looks like Maaco just pulled out their closest emerald green.

 

[bigredmachine]

Do NOT expect your average Quickie lube shop to do any of that correctly except maybe the oil change.

wouldnt even trust them to do that, they would probably try to pick the truck up by the body and not the frame. seen that before

Wow, that comment caught my attention. 36-37 psi? Is that good for a new set of Michelin LTXs 275-70-16? I have been running them at 32 around town but am about to set off on a 1,700 mile trip to Denver.

depending on what the max pressure for the tire is i would recommend going to 40, higher tire pressure will give a little bit better mpg and tire wear but slightly harder ride. running a lower tire pressure will give a more comfortable ride

 

[pavell]

Triple locked 80 for the price is still good even with those issues imo. Odometer issue was disclosed as actual mileage unknown

 

[fj803fe]

Shot you a PM

Do not expect ANY shop to do it properly, not even Toyota. I’ve had a couple buy it, get it right to drive it rigs in the last half-year, happy to walk you through the assess-and-do checklist for an 80…

 

[Kernal]

The OP hasn't been on the forum for two days, he's already made his decision one way or the other.

 

[BILT4ME]

The OP hasn't been on the forum for two days, he's already made his decision one way or the other.

And he didn't let you know?

 

[pavell]

any update ?

 

[Broski]

I bet he’s long gone

 

[Kernal]

IDK what he decided, we did share a couple PM's then radio silence.
Would be interesting to know how it turned out.

 

[clx16]

I hope he road tripped it. Gotta make memories and that would have been a good one.

 

[Batameez]

I hope he road tripped it. Gotta make memories and that would have been a good one.

Yup, nothing quite like explaining to a random mechanic in the boonies what a pesky heater hose is.

 

[clx16]

You need good people in this country when crap doesn't go right.

 

[Old Nick]

You need good people in this country when crap doesn't go right.

^ x2

 

[clx16]

had to fix a blownout sparkplug and sleeve a head way after dark in a bad part of town very far from home... dude stopped and watched my back, offered to help me get back on the road if i didn't make it out by morning. Won't forget someone just stopping to make sure I was good when just about everyone around me was getting arrested or fighting with the police. You don't meet the good fol,s when nothing goes wrong.

 

[simple]

You need good people in this WORLD when crap doesn't go right.

Adjusted that for you. USA might be pretty good at lending a hand but most of the civilized or even uncivilized areas of the world are also good people.

 

[clx16]

Adjusted that for you. USA might be pretty good at lending a hand but most of the civilized or even uncivilized areas of the world are also good people.

Ha thanks. I think people stopping to help is more common outside the USA. The idea is that here people stopping to help really are the good people you normally wouldn't get to meet. My view is biased though as I usually only travel to impoverished locations where community might be stronger.

 

[DLeggett]

If anyone is curious, I dropped out of the purchase. Thanks to you guys and some additional advice I got from Facebook groups I decided I was practically guaranteed to have problems trying to drive it back. I wouldn’t have the means to get everything serviced so it just wasn’t worth it for me.

Not to mention, the seller really didn’t know anything about what the actual miles were or what was up with the odometer. The truck was located in South Gate, which is in LA. Apparently that’s not a great part of town over there as I called a mobile mechanic to give it an inspection and he refused to go to that area.

Sorry if I let anyone down who was hoping I would go on a crazy road trip haha. I’m sure I would have walked away broke but with some crazy stories.

I’m putting all my time and energy into my new to me GX 470 instead which I plan to take on some big trips. If anyone is interested in what I do with it maybe I’ll post about it on here.

Thanks again everyone and sorry for going MIA haha.