Beauski100
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #21
Well. Shoot. Does anyone want to buy this off me?
My first rig! 2000 LX470 for $3,500, Did i win?
- Thread starter Beauski100
- Start date
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Got to wonder if it was something as simple as a stripped drive flange/outer CV that cause the PO to pull out the drive shafts. The fault code could be a cat or an O2 sensor if you're lucky.
Still think $3,500 was a good deal, but the seller was probably lucky to find a buyer considering all that's going on.
Still think $3,500 was a good deal, but the seller was probably lucky to find a buyer considering all that's going on.
You can't drive it for too long open like that. It will eat the front wheel bearings.
Shame they weren't smart enough to do that right(ish). They could have taken off the drive flanges and pulled the driveshaft and gotten the same result. Still not good for bearings, but at least the parts would be there.
Don’t know if you’re going to contact the seller or not, but see if you can get the parts back.
I've heard of this being done on early BMW X5s, which of course are totally worthless. People just didn't want to pay for the repairs, and reported considerably better gas mileage.
It seems to me you probably have a pretty good case in small claims court, which isn't expensive but requires a commitment of time. You might scare them into taking it back.
It seems to me you probably have a pretty good case in small claims court, which isn't expensive but requires a commitment of time. You might scare them into taking it back.
Oh my!
Time to go pick-a-part (or lots of parts) at the wrecker...A good deal can still be salvaged if you find a wreck and take what you need.
FJBen
SILVER Star
Wow...this is why I ALWAYS look under the vehicle and the hood.
I would be in touch with the seller right away. $3500 for a 100 series with 333k miles all drivetrain and running is a decent deal. You did not get a good deal on that, sorry. You have a headache so hopefully they will take it back. Things like this make me wonder what else is rigged up and on the up and up on this rig.
I would be in touch with the seller right away. $3500 for a 100 series with 333k miles all drivetrain and running is a decent deal. You did not get a good deal on that, sorry. You have a headache so hopefully they will take it back. Things like this make me wonder what else is rigged up and on the up and up on this rig.
If you're gonna bother with spending money on a new front diff, it might as well be attached to a solid axle 
So are you getting better fuel economy this way - like 16mpg instead of 15mpg? lol
So are you getting better fuel economy this way - like 16mpg instead of 15mpg? lol
Beauski100
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #33
Called the PO. He is in the process of getting the shaft and CV's from the mechanic. This whole deal is a mess. Might ask him to buy it back from me. Or what is the best recommended way to find a front diff?
Dude, $3500 for a cruiser is a good deal. I blew a front diff last year and found a new one for $500. There was one for $200 that I JUST missed out on. All I’m saying is—it’s not that big a deal. You didn’t win, but you haven’t lost either. Just put it back together and enjoy your bargain LX. FWIW, I did my front diff r&r in my apartment parking lot in less than 3 hours. It was one of the easiest jobs I’ve ever done, somehow. Keep it!!!!!!!!!
I agree! Just get the parts back from the PO or look on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, Pull A Part or other Toyota junkyards and you should be able to find the parts you need. If you can't do it yourself try to find a local Mud member that might be willing to help you. It is always worth a shot trying to save some $$ and keep it and fix it up and learn more about your LX. That is why before I purchase a used vehicle I get a pre purchase inspection from one of my mechanic friends. I feel like paying a certified mechanic $50-$100 is worth it if I am going to be spending thousands on a vehicle. Good luck!
Did you have a bill of sale? What does it say? I'd check your consumer protection laws in your state, and write a demand letter which ticks all the boxes to qualify as an appropriate demand under the statute - the seller reads the letter, (hopefully) thinks it's not worth the trouble; accept parts/money from the seller, and play with that rig! Keep in mind that some states' small claims courts have no jurisdiction to hear matters brought under consumer protection statute!
P.S. edited to correct careless errors
P.S. edited to correct careless errors
Holy crap, that's crazy, how could the PO of the past 14 years POSSIBLY not know this? I've never seen something like this, I feel for you dude. I have to ask the obvious question, why didn't you look under the vehicle before you bought it? When I went to get my 100 I took a high powered flashlight and an extendable mirror and went over every inch of the underbody, and even then I felt like I was "winging it" without a PPI.
Beauski100
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #38
Of course, I regret not getting under there! The only time I could get up to the truck was after dark in the rain. I had spoken on the phone with him several times. And really did trust him. He was just an older man in his mid-'70s with a struggling memory that overpaid his mechanic.
Makes more sense now. The first 100 I ever drove, I saw in the dark and it was just starting to rain. It definitely hid a lot of the flaws it had (rust, paint, mold, etc). I don't necessarily think you need to get him to buy the car back, but if you can get ahold of some of the old parts (or procure then via junkyard) then you'll probably come out of this OK. Maybe not a great deal, but maybe not a disaster either. Hang on to the XJ and park this thing until you can repair it. I wouldn't drive with with those exposed things.
Trunk Monkey
Moderator
Be curious as to how long it's been running in 2wd and what the rationale for doing it was.
