Looking at an '87 FJ60 tomorrow.

[MH_Stevens]

Tommorow evening I'm viewing a 1987 FJ60 with 148K miles and a 3 owner pedigree that looks to be genuine. Owner says there is no rust and it's the original paint. They are asking $9700 but it's in LA. This is to be my wagon for living on the road in Baja.

What should I look for and what questions do I ask the seller?

Hopefully next time I am here I will be a REAL memeber!

Cheers,
Mike Stevens, Aguanga, California

 

[3puttcop]

Check for overspray if repainted (possible bondo), check for wet, leaking transfer case, transmission, power steering pump. Make sure all VIN # match! Sounds like a lot of $$....I’d offer much less even if pristine.

 

[Cruisergreg]

Agreed with 3puttcop (?)

WAY too much $$. A local TLCA member here just sold a one-owner nearly pristine 150K mile 60 for $6000 and that was admittedly by seller and buyer at the high end.

Unless you are absolutely certain (not likely with 3 owners) that you can turn the key and drive if three years without spending a dime on repairs, look elsewhere.

Very nice, solid, rustfree 60s show up regularly in CA, AZ, NM and TX for half what that buyer is asking.

 

[MH_Stevens]

Where are these "several" VIN numbers that need to match?

 

[60wag]

There is a VIN stamped on the frame just behind the front right wheel. I'd be surprized if it didn't match the dash VIN.

 

[MH_Stevens]

Is this REALLY overpriced, because in a thread here Mike S (not me though same initials) and others said rust free/low milage FJ60s were getting rare and appreciating and that $9k-$10k for a good one was the price range. Where are you guys who talk of low miles/rust free FJ60s for $5k - 6K? Look at the "For Sale" sections on this board. I don't want to pay too much but I don't want to miss a suitable wagon either.

 

[3puttcop]

There's also a VIN on dash, firewall, door-jamb.

 

[Pluton]

Last summer I bought an '87 60 w/ 110K miles, 2nd owner, full[dealer]service records, ran fine, been run in 4wd once on a dirt road, original size "ford falcon" tires, perfect interior, couple small dents, and faded paint. I wheedled them down from $6500 to $5800[the guy from TLC offered them $4500 on the phone]. I felt/feel I got it for a fair price in the L.A. market. Not a steal, but I didn't get ripped-off either. This was about the 5th one I looked at...the typical seller wanted 6,8, or even 10K for a truck with cut wires, burned up emissions parts, trashed interiors, horrible noises in 4wd, or just plain ran terrible. For $9K it should start perfect, run fine, have no problems, no rust anywhere, have new springs[it's gonna need 'em], 4.10 axle gearing and 33" tires as mine does now. Oh, and every hose replaced(especially the hard to get to ones). You can try to tell them they're dreaming at 9.7K...maybe they'll listen. Good luck, don't settle for lousy.

 

[loeky]

for what it's worth..

i recently bought my first FJ60 and it's also an 87. it was purchased here in california and had a clear carfax and recently passed smog [owner put new cat on]. i paid $4350 for the truck after negotiating and feel i got a decent value. oh yeah, it's only 160K miles. the grill area will need about $200 in body work to repair a minor collision and there were some misc. items that needed to be replaced, like door handle and washer bottles. i will also be getting new tires, brakes and shocks as general maintenance items. this last weekend i also really got aquainted with the aged steering slop and will be redoing the tie rod ends as well.

that all aside, the thing is reliable and expect to do nothing but regular maintenance as things age.

the body was not perfect, but not dented or rusted both on top and underneath. there was some mud on the bottom from being driven on a farm. the drivers seat is worn, but that's usual.

i would say you can get an immaculate specimen of one of these trucks for around 6500. i paid less and am happy with the compromise. i wouldn't pay more than 7k unless the thing was just pulled out of the original plastic and some celebrity had sex in the back.

if you're seriously considering a 9k truck, i would ask you to think about it and be patient. that's overpriced and you'll feel silly when the others come along. just talk to people on here and be persistent. that extra 3-5K you save could buy some really nice toys for an otherwise decent truck.

just my experience - hope it helps.

regards,
matt

 

[Mike S]

Is this REALLY overpriced, because in a thread here Mike S (not me though same initials) and others said rust free/low milage FJ60s were getting rare and appreciating and that $9k-$10k for a good one was the price range. Where are you guys who talk of low miles/rust free FJ60s for $5k - 6K? Look at the "For Sale" sections on this board. I don't want to pay too much but I don't want to miss a suitable wagon either.

Mike

LOW Mileage and rust free 60s are becoming a harder to find. I bought my 60 in central California two years ago for $6500. - 147K miles, totally rust free, and running good. This is the high end of pricing. I did say that the nicest ones (often with desireable modifications) are going at around $10K to $12K - this would be a truck with very low miles and/or mods like new suspension, H55F tranny, new, larger tires, and probably a host of other niceties that add value.

For a box stock, low mileage (<150K miles), totally rust free truck that runs good, I would expect to pay no more than $6500 to $7000 in California. Many trucks of this type go for MUCH less, especially in other western states.

Sorry if I was not clear on this.

Mike S

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I bought a bone stock 87 60 for 2500 in 2000. It had 142,000 miles. All it really needed at the time was a carb rebuild. It had a few minor dents in it and the paint was faded, but there was no rust. That is the most i have ever spent on any of my cruisers, granted most needed small work to go down the road. You can find some deals out there. If you are not in a big hurry i would look around.

my .02

 

[IH8Wood]

6 months ago I bought 83 60 with 170K from the original owner. This is in LA and I Paid 6K. No rust, mods, or signs of abuse. Exterior excellent, interior fair, mechanically very good. Lots of receipts including recent clutch, cat & PS pump. Paper trail showing all major work done by respected LC mechanic, not PO. Came with a smog cert which is big plus in CA. Needs new springs & front axle rebuild. I got tired of looking so I bought. No regrets. I think I paid a fair price, not a steal, not a rip-off.

 

[Mike S]

The seller is obligated, under California law, to provide a recent smog certificate to the buyer.

This means the truck has to be running reasonably well.

M

 

[j-dub]

my .02:
i too recently purchased an 87 60. i bought it sight unseen (scary) and flew to omaha to pick it up. the interior was in fair shape, i have replaced the dash and instrument bezel and the front seats. it needs some work to get it re-smogged other than that engine has been rebuilt and seems tight. the exterior has been repainted, not a very good job, has no new steel and no rust but has been wrecked as you can tell the front end has been rebuilt. i paid $5800 for it. am i happy with it? definetly. i do think i paid too much for it though. i spent about 6 months shopping for a rig and my money started to 'burn a hole in my pocket' as my grandmother would say. my advice is this: don't get sweet talked by the guy trying to sell it. these rigs can be trashed or really nice, but unless they are totally re furbed i honestly don't think there are too many worth $9K. if you were to buy a $3000 rig think of the mods you could do for that remaining $6000! and it would be you doing it to your specs.

 

[Skilter]

ok... I bought my 60 from the original owner. It had 120K on it...

IT HAD THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUG WIRES ON IT FROM 1983!!!

You will replace everything on this truck if you are the 2nd owner or the short third owner. You will put many $$$ into this rig,... probably... who am I kidding... you will put more money into this rig than it is worth. BUT... that is also what will make you love it/hate it... but regardless, it will be hard to part with no matter what you pay for it.

I have re done the knuckles the spark plug wire, the smog pump (twice) the power steering pump, alternator, and on and on and on... finally, it is running like it was about 80 thousand miles ago and I LOVE IT!

 

[loeky]

just came across this on craigslist and happened to be a good fit for what i was trying to explain:
http://www.craigslist.org/nby/car/76857635.html

while there's no actual price given, it seems like a possibility. might contact the person to see what's up.

 

[MH_Stevens]

UPDATE

I believe the truck had been reconditioned rather than being original. Headliner was immaculate as was paint. Very well done will all new rubbers, but I detected overspray under the fromt wheel wells. No options and no rear seat. The gearbox and TC leaked oil as did the back engine seal. Seller droped from $9500 to $8000 and I passed.

I need some comfort on my safari down baja so i'm thinking of going to an 80.

Thanks y'all

 

[Skilter]

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do a search on 80's vs 60's... trust your first instincts... You will love your 60. I bought my 60 by noticing it sitting in the driveway of my neighborhood and not being driven. I walked up to the door and knocked. Turned out... they had someone knock on their door twice a month trying to buy it. The declined to sell until they found the right buyer. I guess I was lucky. I told them that 60's go from 3K to 8K (2002) and I thought it was worth 5K max. That is what they sold it for...

 

[IH8Wood]

The seller is obligated, under California law, to provide a recent smog certificate to the buyer.

This means the truck has to be running reasonably well.

M

True, but it makes buying a truck from another state scary.

 

[Cruisergreg]

I won't be quite as emphatic as Skilter, but I would much rather attempt to fix a broken 60 in the inerds of baja than an 80. Except for the most extreme failures you can usually get a 60 to limp along with some duck tape, bailing wire and chewing gum. Not so true with an 80.