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- #41
I appreciate the comments and advice. Please keep them coming.
Here is some more porn:
Here is some more porn:
Looking for a FJ62 what this one worth?
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- #42
More Cruiser porn:
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rfj62
SILVER Star
Don't torture yourself over this, make a smart educated decision, take a drive down and check it out. You usually get a feeling either way, good or bad, when you drive it, then go from there. Low miles, rust free, if it feel right just get it.
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- #45
So I am going to see it on Saturday. The seller is a great sport and is going to meet me half way between Durham and Charlotte, thereby saving me 1.5 hours each way. That speaks volumes about the seller's character.
So what, other than the obvious, should I be looking for. If you were going to be checking out a FJ62, what would you look for?
So what, other than the obvious, should I be looking for. If you were going to be checking out a FJ62, what would you look for?
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Rust. It's very difficult and expensive to fix. Look especially near the rear spring hanger. On the body, look on the rockers, the roof line and the A pillar.
See how the truck shifts. It feels like a heavy duty tranny, but it should not slip or feel harsh. Pull the dipstick and look at the color. Cherry red is what you want to see.
It will not feel powerful, but it should run well, especially at freeway speeds. Look for smoke, funny noises, or the check engine light.
Good luck, I hope you buy it!
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- #47
I figured I should follow up now that I have seen the truck. I met the owner half-way this morning to see the FJ62. Just seeing it pull up brought back a lot of memories. This is my take on the truck:
Body & Exterior:
Body was very straight and was ALMOST rust free. 3 of the 4 doors had the slightest amount of rust starting in the bottom inside seam, just limited to the outside corners. One of the seams in the body behind the rear bumper was just starting as well. Other than that, rockers, frame, other problem areas had no problems.
The inside black plastic was dry rotting on the front fender marker lights.
Tires were dry rotted.
Mechanical:
Had greasy knuckles.
Had rear main seal or oil pan leak.
Engine needed a tune-up. Had bad miss at idle, seemed a bit underpowered on acceleration.
Healthy clunk when putting it in gear or shifting from reverse to drive. Likely needed a u-joint.
Had the FJ62 growl at highway speeds, my old one did this too. May have been related to u-joint.
Needed some front end work, was a bit loose up front. Likely tie-rod ends, etc.
Interior:
Someone cut a hole in the dash above the glove box for a speaker. Granted it had a gray speaker cover on it, but that is a cardinal sin.
Missing ATP indicator.
Headliner was scratched up all over and had a couple small tears in the back.
Somehow 3 of the 4 seat belts were either cut or chewed up to the point that the were spliced and re-sewn. (I think the PO had dogs)
Rear view mirror was losing the reflective material from the bottom-up, maybe 0.5" all the way across.
No major stains or anything too terrible. Driver's seat hadn't gotten the tear yet, but it was coming. Foam seemed a bit squished as did the driver's side in the back from a car seat.
Other:
Rear wiper caput as was power antenna.
Driving impressions:
It started and ran fine. Needed a tune up as noted before. Tranny fluid looked good and it shifted just as it should. Was a bit loose and had a lot of play in the steering. Brakes seemed good. Ran just fine at speed just like it should have. Nothing too scary here.
The verdict:
The seller told me that another buyer had called the previous night and offered him $5500 sight unseen, which is kinda where we were at before I came to see it. He has it listed at $6995. He was to call the other buyer after I we had met to let him know if was still available. He seems like a good guy and I do not think he was making that up. So, I pretty much had to give him an answer right there.
You know, I think Cruiserdrew is right. It had been at least 5 years since I had my 1989 that I had forgotten how much of a beet wagon they really are (No offense to the 60 guys here.) I must have aged some and want something more comfortable and modern if I am going to drive it a lot.
This one was ok, and the fact that it had only 112,000 really killed me, but it just didn't FEEL right, not at the $5000 range. If we were in the $3000-$4000 range I could see it. But I think, given the market, that a $5500 FJ62 should not have cut seat belts, a beat up headliner, and a hole in the dash for a speaker.
The mechanical stuff is to be expected to a certain degree and would not be prohibitive, but at that price....
So the answer was no thanks. I could tell the seller was disappointed and he said he would work with me. He really does want the Cruiser to go to a good home. I think now, that I am just going to take my time and not be so frantic. The right one will come to me. I need to get out and drive some 80s and LX450s. I have never even sat in one.
Sorry for being so long-winded, but for those who chimed in, I figured I better give y'all some closure.
Thanks and still lookin'.
Robert
Body & Exterior:
Body was very straight and was ALMOST rust free. 3 of the 4 doors had the slightest amount of rust starting in the bottom inside seam, just limited to the outside corners. One of the seams in the body behind the rear bumper was just starting as well. Other than that, rockers, frame, other problem areas had no problems.
The inside black plastic was dry rotting on the front fender marker lights.
Tires were dry rotted.
Mechanical:
Had greasy knuckles.
Had rear main seal or oil pan leak.
Engine needed a tune-up. Had bad miss at idle, seemed a bit underpowered on acceleration.
Healthy clunk when putting it in gear or shifting from reverse to drive. Likely needed a u-joint.
Had the FJ62 growl at highway speeds, my old one did this too. May have been related to u-joint.
Needed some front end work, was a bit loose up front. Likely tie-rod ends, etc.
Interior:
Someone cut a hole in the dash above the glove box for a speaker. Granted it had a gray speaker cover on it, but that is a cardinal sin.
Missing ATP indicator.
Headliner was scratched up all over and had a couple small tears in the back.
Somehow 3 of the 4 seat belts were either cut or chewed up to the point that the were spliced and re-sewn. (I think the PO had dogs)
Rear view mirror was losing the reflective material from the bottom-up, maybe 0.5" all the way across.
No major stains or anything too terrible. Driver's seat hadn't gotten the tear yet, but it was coming. Foam seemed a bit squished as did the driver's side in the back from a car seat.
Other:
Rear wiper caput as was power antenna.
Driving impressions:
It started and ran fine. Needed a tune up as noted before. Tranny fluid looked good and it shifted just as it should. Was a bit loose and had a lot of play in the steering. Brakes seemed good. Ran just fine at speed just like it should have. Nothing too scary here.
The verdict:
The seller told me that another buyer had called the previous night and offered him $5500 sight unseen, which is kinda where we were at before I came to see it. He has it listed at $6995. He was to call the other buyer after I we had met to let him know if was still available. He seems like a good guy and I do not think he was making that up. So, I pretty much had to give him an answer right there.
You know, I think Cruiserdrew is right. It had been at least 5 years since I had my 1989 that I had forgotten how much of a beet wagon they really are (No offense to the 60 guys here.) I must have aged some and want something more comfortable and modern if I am going to drive it a lot.
This one was ok, and the fact that it had only 112,000 really killed me, but it just didn't FEEL right, not at the $5000 range. If we were in the $3000-$4000 range I could see it. But I think, given the market, that a $5500 FJ62 should not have cut seat belts, a beat up headliner, and a hole in the dash for a speaker.
The mechanical stuff is to be expected to a certain degree and would not be prohibitive, but at that price....
So the answer was no thanks. I could tell the seller was disappointed and he said he would work with me. He really does want the Cruiser to go to a good home. I think now, that I am just going to take my time and not be so frantic. The right one will come to me. I need to get out and drive some 80s and LX450s. I have never even sat in one.
Sorry for being so long-winded, but for those who chimed in, I figured I better give y'all some closure.
Thanks and still lookin'.
Robert
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- #48
Well, the plot has thickened I sent the seller an email this morning explaining why I had passed, namely the headliner, dash, and especially the seat belts. The mechanical was not too scary and the rest was pretty solid. I just felt that at that price, it should have been pretty much unmolested. Some mechanical, tune up, tires, tie rod ends, sure, but not at $5000.
So I get the following email from him tonight:
Robert,
Well, it's funny how things work out. So, the guy in Winston called me back today and said that he thought there was no chance you weren't going to buy the car, so he bought a different vehicle on Friday. Oh well.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that the truck it still available. It sounds like you have moved on, and that's cool, but figured I'd put the carrot in front of you one last time, just in case! If you're still interested, feel free to make an offer. If not, I completely understand.
I would appreciate it if you'd let me know in the next day or two as I'm going to also put it in the paper and on autotrader, but if you want it, I'd love to save that cash.
Take care,
Stephen
So now what? I feel that if I could get it for $2500ish I would be content. It does only have 113,000 miles on it. I figure he'd tell me to eat it, but it may be worth a shot. Looking for another opinion.
Robert
Added some pics of lower door seam rust for your analysis. Is this hard to fix?
So I get the following email from him tonight:
Robert,
Well, it's funny how things work out. So, the guy in Winston called me back today and said that he thought there was no chance you weren't going to buy the car, so he bought a different vehicle on Friday. Oh well.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that the truck it still available. It sounds like you have moved on, and that's cool, but figured I'd put the carrot in front of you one last time, just in case! If you're still interested, feel free to make an offer. If not, I completely understand.
I would appreciate it if you'd let me know in the next day or two as I'm going to also put it in the paper and on autotrader, but if you want it, I'd love to save that cash.
Take care,
Stephen
So now what? I feel that if I could get it for $2500ish I would be content. It does only have 113,000 miles on it. I figure he'd tell me to eat it, but it may be worth a shot. Looking for another opinion.
Robert
Added some pics of lower door seam rust for your analysis. Is this hard to fix?
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
I sent you a PM. Good luck!
Seeing the rust like that would definitely lower my offer. It would be a great trail/hunting truck, and winter driver. How is the frame?? Right where the rear spring hanger is is a real problem spot.
I really hate rust.
Seeing the rust like that would definitely lower my offer. It would be a great trail/hunting truck, and winter driver. How is the frame?? Right where the rear spring hanger is is a real problem spot.
I really hate rust.
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- #50
The dash pad and rear seam.
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- #51
There is no other rust on the vehicle. I was all over the underside of it. Nothing behind the chrome strips on the wheel wells, bottom of the tailgate was perfect, frame was perfect, under the rear window weather strip was perfect.
I really hate rust too. My other 1989 (which now belongs to a fellow mudder) came from MN, the land of rust.
