Looking at a cheap 62 for sale: should I buy?

[cbmontgo]

BigSur and I are looking at purchasing a 1988 FJ62 with a full-length Wilderness rack here in Dallas; it sounds like the guy wants to get rid of it pretty badly and we think we might be able to get it for around $ 500-750.

BigSur wants the Wilderness rack, and I want a rig I can beat to hell on the trail and not worry about body damage and such.

The truck has 210K on the clock, and has significant rust on the body. The frame has little to no rust at all from what I can see. Supposedly it runs well and has a new t-case. I also saw no oil pools underneath, and it has been sitting for a while.

My question for you 62 owners is this: What things should I look out for on these when I take it for a test drive? This question is mainly in regards to the auto tranny; more moving parts in a 210K rig makes me nervous. Is this a good buy based on what we know so far?

For me, this would be a rig that drives through lakes and can be set on fire from time to time. I ain't skeered.

 

[WagonsRule]

If you can get it for $750, what's to look at? The rack alone is probably worth that.

 

[cbmontgo]

That is in line with what I am thinking.

 

[import silvia]

Electrical gremlins and fuel system have been the big thing on my high milage dirt cheap 62 purchase. Nothing has been too bad to repair but I have had to tackle a lot of small jobs. Does the front diff have any oil in it? How are the axle seals?

Even if it is all shot that is still a good price.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Buy it. It is worth more than that in parts.

 

[Benji]

There is no question, just get it.

 

[e-man]

88 First year of the 3f?

 

[euclid]

Buy it. Worst case you wheel it for a few months and make your money back parting it out.

The tranny is probably fine. Drive it and see how it acts. If it drives ok it will be fine to wheel.

 

[cbmontgo]

I am waiting on a phone call, but I hope to get the final price from the owner tomorrow. The way I see it, it will be a fun truck to wrench on and learn some stuff. You just can't go wrong for that kind of $$.

 

[cbmontgo]

No word yet, but I did get time to swing by today and snap a few pics. Here the old dog is:

 

[cbmontgo]

Stock axles, Aisin hubs:

 

[import silvia]

Unless the drivers side has completely rusted away you have to buy that just so you don't have to kick yourself for the remainder of your life.

 

[cbmontgo]

Well, now I am hearing that this guy is going to do some research on the Internet and he wants $ 3,500. There's no way in hell!