looked at a 1980 pig today

[Wherlwind]

This is a one owner 1980 that I looked at today. I didn't even know there were any built that year.Asking 1500 cdn for it. No AC and no PS. Seems to drive okay and he seems to maintain it well mechanically.The interior is pretty clean and everything seems to work. It was repainted about 8yrs ago and doesn't seem to have bubbled at all.
What worries me is that the owner has put some kind of black goo on the spots that were starting to rust. He says that these spots have not rusted through but there doesn't seem to be any way to tell for sure. He coated the frame with the same stuff and it looks like it is in decent shape. The tailgate was repaired and the bondo separated so he covered it with the black goo, which he called grease. Power window does work.
I've always wanted a 55 but am worried about what is under the goop. I believe the owner is honest but would still feel better if I could see exactly what was there. I don't want to upset him by jamming a screwdriver into these spots to see if it's rusted through.What would you do?

 

[PabloCruise]

How do you know it is a 1980?

 

[romegadave]

Get a magnet and rub it suspected areas........did you see 1980 on the VIN plate? Get us a VIN # ---Good luck on your quest for a pig!

 

[Vitesse_6]

Sounds like he may have used waxoyl
Good luck on the search!

 

[Wherlwind]

The owner told me it was a 1980 but also said that was when he bought it so maybe it's a 1979 but registered as an 80? I forgot to look at the VIN plate. I really shouldn't buy it because I have a couple of projects to finish before this but I've always wanted a 55. He is leaving the country in a month so I thought I'd call in a couple weeks and see if he still has it and maybe offer $1000. It must be worth that much wouldn't you think? pete

 

[Vitesse_6]

The owner told me it was a 1980 but also said that was when he bought it so maybe it's a 1979 but registered as an 80? I forgot to look at the VIN plate. I really shouldn't buy it because I have a couple of projects to finish before this but I've always wanted a 55. He is leaving the country in a month so I thought I'd call in a couple weeks and see if he still has it and maybe offer $1000. It must be worth that much wouldn't you think? pete

Canadian?
I kid, I would think if it runs good and you can live with the rust, I would get it for a $1,000
Good luck

 

[oldfj40]

The Pig looks pretty good in the pics provided.

Check the regular problem areas.Do the lower front fenders look okay?

How about the rockers? Even get down and look under and behind them to see if any repairs done weren't shabby.

Check the front floorboards where the body mounts are.That is a huge rust area.Look under the mats to get an idea.Pigs grow rust so you can expect it here in B.C. but he may have kept it to a minimum.

Maybe just push on a couple of those 'greased' spots with your fingers.If there is a major cover up you should be able to get an idea.

If it runs and drives and stops well you're ahead of the game.

If it seems like a decent rig give him an offer.$1000 doesn't seem too bad even with some expected rust.If he's leaving the country maybe he'd let it go for $800.Give it a shot.

Post more pics if you get it.

 

[3_puppies]

must be an electric winch?? I don't see a PTO lever in the hump. Probably worth $1000, CDN in parts, Really look at the roof line also, front pillar on driver side by the windshield

 

[Eric Ellis]

must be an electric winch?? I don't see a PTO lever in the hump. Probably worth $1000, CDN in parts, Really look at the roof line also, front pillar on driver side by the windshield

Judging from the high rise a good guess is in the neigborhood of a Warn 8264...which I like jus fine.

 

[Wherlwind]

I tried to look under the floormats for rust but there is a ton of whatever kind of rustproofer and a couple layers of rubber mats.It has 270,000 km on it but doen't seem to smoke at all. It is a warn winch that looks ok. The top of the front fender has been patched and the right rear quarter at the bottom. the rocker on the drivers side is starting to rust under the paint.I have a couple more pics I'll post when I have a second.
I do want it and am thinking it might be a pretty good deal so would like to have a better look at it tomorrow if it hasn't sold.

 

[solidfrontaxle]

That winch is worth half the value of the truck, so factor that in....

If you have the patience to deal with all the rust issues that it obviously has, go for it. I don't think you will regret waiting for a pig in better shape (as long as you do eventually find one )

 

[Wherlwind]

I went back and had another look today. New floorboards were done a few years ago. The driprails have been patched here and there. Inside of rockers seem solid,outside doesn't seem to be rusted through . Frame looks good except at the very back behind rear spring perches it is delaminating.Body mounts look good to me. Has the original spare tire in showroom condition.Drivers door needs a new hinge as it's a bit loose.Top of door leaked one day so he ran a bead of some sealer around and stopped leak.Maybe it needs new rubber.Needs new rubber around the rear window.Said he tried to buy it from Toyota about 10 years ago but they wanted about $400 for it so sealed it himself. Doesn't seem to have leaked. Rear window is pretty slow .The goop he sprayed on is LPS3, said it was used on agricultural equipment to stop rust. The VIN is FJ55-114839, modelLG-KK, H42 trans , rear KO52.
Oh yeah, I bought it for $1100. My wife and daughter had a bet whether I would buy it or not.My wife won. I guess she knows me pretty well. It will join our growing fleet of cruisers in a couple weeks. pete

 

[oldfj40]

Congrats Pete and welcome to the sty!

There is a weatherstrip thread here that will help if you want to replace some.Toyota just doesn't make Pig specific stuff anymore.

You're going to have fun with it for sure.There aren't many others driving around.

Post more pics when you can.

 

[solidfrontaxle]

Yeah, that sounds like you did real good. Nice job! Good to see another pig is getting saved!

 

[PabloCruise]

Oh yeah, I bought it for $1100.

pete

Congrats!!!

Is it really a 1980?

We need pics of the VIN plate.

I had heard about a real 1980 FJ55 up in Canada once. THe owner said she thought about selling it, but just couldn't bear it...

 

[romegadave]

The suspense is building.......................















Congrats to you (can't wait to see pics)!!!

 

[cruiserbrett]

well, per the sor.com frame number it is = to or later than a 12/'79 fj55 by the vin. hard to tell how to read the chart, whether the number listed is the start or end of the month?

 

[southerncruiser62]

Congrats pete, I picked up a 1979 a few months back and have enjoyed just learning new things about it sense, thats what you get for buying something from someone who has no idea what they have. Looks like you did alright and will enjoy having such a unique pig.

 

[Wherlwind]

Congrats!!!

Is it really a 1980?

We need pics of the VIN plate.

I had heard about a real 1980 FJ55 up in Canada once. THe owner said she thought about selling it, but just couldn't bear it...

We tried to take a picture of the VIN plate but it was hard to get a decent one so he read the info off and i wrote it down. I thought I had posted everything from it . I didn't notice which plant it was built in. Do you need more to figure it out. I won't have it home for a couple weeks because he needs until the end of the month to get to work, but I'd love to know myself. I guess it may have been built in late '79 but registered as an '80?
Thanks for the congrats everyone. I've wanted one for a long time. Maybe now it's time for one of the "60s to move to a new home.

 

[Grease Cruiser]

According to the Toyota EPC, it was made in 12/79 and is more than likely a FJ55LG-KK destined for the Canadian market.