Greetings all,
So I need some thoughtful advice from you. And I am aware I should of had it inspected before I bought, but it is what it is, I have learned, and I’m trying to figure out what to do next.
After owning 60’s and 62’s for close to 17 years I decided to sell and get something more modern and safe for my growing family (wife, 5 year old, 6 month old). Also the age was starting to show and I am really not very handy with a wrench. Computers maybe, but not as handy as I’d like to be with a vehicle. Part of that is that I just don’t have any free time to do it anymore. It is what it is.
And yes, I know it is silly to be this way and want to drive old cruisers, but I love the darn things. And no, I am not rich
So this being what it is I hunted for a year for a good deal on either a Lexus LX470 or Toyota 100 series. Cause I love the look and feel of them. After a lot of looking I got what I thought was a good deal on a 99 LX470 with 154k and what sounded like a strong engine, only one small spot of rust on the tailgate, and immaculate interior with a working sunroof and everything electronic functioning great. The 4h to 4l shift was stiff as hell but I thought I could just lube that over the course of a few weeks and I’d be find. I checked out the undercarriage and other than a bit of rust here and there and a barely functional spare tire mechanism, it looked ok to my amateur eye.
I took it off roading, it ran great, I got that mechanism moved to 4Low and WOW. The differential lock came on and it was incredible. A great time. When I left I about killed myself getting it back to 4h but I was able to. I shot PB up into it the linkage and tried it again for a few days and it got harder every time.
I took it to Lexus. I paid for a thorough inspection. They said the differential is fine, just that I need to drop the transfer case and clean the 4h to 4l mechanism. Also that my shocks and struts need to be replaced (4K) and the front axel passenger side has a small leak (1700).
I say thank you and then take their list to my normal mechanic. He looks at the vehicle and says WOW. Sell this thing. It is too rusty. Any work he does on it will take so long in labor to free the rusted bolts it isn’t worth it and he does not want to work on it if he doesn’t have to. Ok. I’m in Santa Fe. Mechanics and builders are sort of notorious for not wanting difficult projects. Maybe that is it. He also said I have the start of a exhaust manifold leak (fairly common) but said my front passenger axel is fine.
So I think well, lets get another look. I take it to a really fancy spotlessly clean Toyota and Lexus place. At this point Ive filled up with 86 octane by mistake and the engine has a knock. I know
They say things similar to my normal mechanic. That they will work on it but everything is going to cost a fortune more for the labor and it isn’t worth it. Trade it in and buy something newer. Also the engine might be going out cause did you hear the knock.
So here I am. I own this outright and can afford to put 5-7 into it. Is that worth it? Are there mechanics in New Mexico willing to work on such things?
Or am I better off taking my losses and using the 5-7 as a nice down payment for a 2014 GX470 or 2017 4Runner TRD and just have a newish vehicle?
And I know I made some mistakes buying this thing. I got excited. What should I do wise board members?
Thank you for any input and ideas!
So I need some thoughtful advice from you. And I am aware I should of had it inspected before I bought, but it is what it is, I have learned, and I’m trying to figure out what to do next.
After owning 60’s and 62’s for close to 17 years I decided to sell and get something more modern and safe for my growing family (wife, 5 year old, 6 month old). Also the age was starting to show and I am really not very handy with a wrench. Computers maybe, but not as handy as I’d like to be with a vehicle. Part of that is that I just don’t have any free time to do it anymore. It is what it is.
And yes, I know it is silly to be this way and want to drive old cruisers, but I love the darn things. And no, I am not rich
So this being what it is I hunted for a year for a good deal on either a Lexus LX470 or Toyota 100 series. Cause I love the look and feel of them. After a lot of looking I got what I thought was a good deal on a 99 LX470 with 154k and what sounded like a strong engine, only one small spot of rust on the tailgate, and immaculate interior with a working sunroof and everything electronic functioning great. The 4h to 4l shift was stiff as hell but I thought I could just lube that over the course of a few weeks and I’d be find. I checked out the undercarriage and other than a bit of rust here and there and a barely functional spare tire mechanism, it looked ok to my amateur eye.
I took it off roading, it ran great, I got that mechanism moved to 4Low and WOW. The differential lock came on and it was incredible. A great time. When I left I about killed myself getting it back to 4h but I was able to. I shot PB up into it the linkage and tried it again for a few days and it got harder every time.
I took it to Lexus. I paid for a thorough inspection. They said the differential is fine, just that I need to drop the transfer case and clean the 4h to 4l mechanism. Also that my shocks and struts need to be replaced (4K) and the front axel passenger side has a small leak (1700).
I say thank you and then take their list to my normal mechanic. He looks at the vehicle and says WOW. Sell this thing. It is too rusty. Any work he does on it will take so long in labor to free the rusted bolts it isn’t worth it and he does not want to work on it if he doesn’t have to. Ok. I’m in Santa Fe. Mechanics and builders are sort of notorious for not wanting difficult projects. Maybe that is it. He also said I have the start of a exhaust manifold leak (fairly common) but said my front passenger axel is fine.
So I think well, lets get another look. I take it to a really fancy spotlessly clean Toyota and Lexus place. At this point Ive filled up with 86 octane by mistake and the engine has a knock. I know
They say things similar to my normal mechanic. That they will work on it but everything is going to cost a fortune more for the labor and it isn’t worth it. Trade it in and buy something newer. Also the engine might be going out cause did you hear the knock.
So here I am. I own this outright and can afford to put 5-7 into it. Is that worth it? Are there mechanics in New Mexico willing to work on such things?
Or am I better off taking my losses and using the 5-7 as a nice down payment for a 2014 GX470 or 2017 4Runner TRD and just have a newish vehicle?
And I know I made some mistakes buying this thing. I got excited. What should I do wise board members?
Thank you for any input and ideas!