Need Input on Possible Purchase - First LandCruiser

[JayRed]

I'm looking at purchasing a mid-80's Land Cruiser that has spent the last two decades sitting in the desert. I know the trans will need work (reason it hasn't been driven) and engine will not be turning over after sitting this long. There are no known modifications to the vehicle such as lift, etc. I'm not very concerned about rust considering desert storage, anything else I should look out for that would be a make or break deal?

Thanks!

 

[mattressking]

Rust is the main concern on these. The mechanical bits on these trucks are simple and can be fixed rather inexpensively if you are swinging the wrench.

Is the asking price low enough to reflect transmission/non running condition? Can you find out what the trans was doing to cause it to be parked? It could be something simple like a leaking slave or master for all we know. If you can get the seller to help get it running, you can troubleshoot trans to see what is going on.

Also, is this a project truck or are you trying to get it on road to dailyable condition? To me, a desert truck with mechanical issues is a great buy as long as all of the bits are there, the price is right and it's not too haggard.

 

[JayRed]

Price hasn't come up yet, trying to find nice way to bring that up without being face-to-face. I'll be driving a couple hrs to check it out and purchase it and I don't want to show up and have him think he's getting $5k, I was thinking closer to $500 with a $1k ceiling considering that it's been sitting for 2 years. Owner said, "transmission shifter was loose. Wouldn't go into gear." I don't care much about the interior, easily repaired or replaced and I can do most of the wrenching myself.

I have a Tacoma that'll be my daily, this will be for overland/camping trips.

 

[JayRed]

Correction, sitting 20 years.

 

[FishTown]

If the guy knows what he has, and the body/frame are in great shape, you may be way underestimating at <$1k - even with a bad trans. Is it a manual or auto? Smog equipment still on the truck? In my opinion a non-running, rust free truck is much more desirable (and valuable $$) than a rusted out one that purs like a kitten. Let's see some pics!

 

[JayRed]

I don't imagine why any of the smog stuff would have been removed. Trans is 4-speed manual.

fj60

• JayRed
• Apr 10, 2017

 

[Output Shaft]

Even if it doesn't run, it's worth a lot more than $1000.

 

[IslandJ]

I paid 2k for a 85' fj60 4spd that was sitting in a garage for 14 years or so.
Shoot for under 1k if you can.
If the body and frame is clean that could be a great find.
I had an 87 SR5 4x4 that had a "Bad transmission" when I bought it. It wouldnt go into gear.
It was as simple as replacing the bushing at the bottom of the stick shift. Not diagnosing your potential FJ60, just putting it out there that i could be a simple fix.

 

[JayRed]

What do you all think is a fair price. I don't want to be offensive by a crazy low-ball but as you could imagine don't want to pay any more than is necessary.

 

[CaptClose]

We don't know enough about the cruiser to give you a accurate value. But rust free is huge, so if you're interested in being fair to BOTH parties, $500-$1000 would be an insult to the seller.

From the one pic I see, it looks pretty straight and dry to me. You can drop a 5-speed transmission in it (huge upgrade) for around $3k if you're doing the work yourself. You can get a used, but operating 4-speed replacement for a few hundred bucks.

Obviously the entire drivetrainwill have to be gone through, and seals replaced. The major one will be the rear main, but if you're pulling the transmission anyway, you're already in there, so no big deal.

If you can get some pics of the under carriage and engine bay, we could tell you more, but rust free cruisers (even high mileage) runners, sell for $7500-$10k all day.

Now, if you have found yourself a gem, there can be a premium added above $10k. We have all seen restored cruisers go for $15k-$20k+

The price you have in mind would be appropriate for part out rigs. Basically, rust buckets that are on their way to the crusher. A good manifold, and t-case would fetch $500 probably.

Get realalistic with your price and try and be fair to the seller. Deduct your labor and add up the parts, and offer something fair. You don't want the karma of robbing from someone that doesn't know what he has.

Good luck man. Once you get more pics, we can all chime in with an estimate of what it will take to baseline it, and give you a fair appraisal.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, I would think 2,000 would be fair to both parties. It may need almost nothing, you win. It may need everything ,then you get experience and an antique truck to drive. Mike

 

[Dozer18]

There's a poor guy in Maryland right now who's otherwise beautiful Cruiser crapped out pretty much the whole drivetrain a couple weeks ago, and he'll likely get $3K or so for it as is. I didn't know jack about Land Cruisers 12 years ago; I guess that based on the free market and the ignorance of both me and the seller, I got a great deal on mine back then. I would pay triple or more for it now.

My point is, I would suggest that you don't crazy-lowball the guy. Being on either side of a fair transaction pays dividends in the long run. You're obviously trying to do the right thing by posting up here and soliciting opinions, and I think you are to be commended for that.

Since you have to drive two hours in the blind on price, perhaps you can tactfully bring it up with the owner. "Hey Brother, I'm really interested in your Cruiser and prepared to make an offer, but before I drive two hours I'd like to make sure we're in the same ball park. In a perfect world, if this thing was running like a top, what would you be looking to get?" Get an answer, then counter with "Okay, considering that I'll have to put about $2-3K in it to get the drivetrain going - and maybe more - what would you consider to be fair?" And go from there...

Good luck!

 

[jomelo]

It's hard to put a price on this ride without knowing some more details. Such as mileage, interior condition etc. You can find 4-speeds all day long (I have one I could sell you). Assuming it's as you represent, it's worth at least $2000.

I recently bought a 1986 with a blown motor sight unseen for $3500. Low mileage desert truck that had been sitting for some time. But it was straight and clean.

 

[Zack1978]

Is the FJ60 price bubble solid or do you think it is on the verge of bursting? It seems like the prices can't sustain their current state much longer.

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

Crazy. Doesn't run and the tranny is shot. Been sitting for 20 years. I wouldn't pay more than 500. But they are a dime a dozen on Utah

 

[jomelo]

Is the FJ60 price bubble solid or do you think it is on the verge of bursting? It seems like the prices can't sustain their current state much longer.

Simple matter of supply and demand. There is no more supply. The prices will continue to rise unless demand drops. You may find a deal every now and then but that is going to be less and less common.

 

[Zack1978]

Simple matter of supply and demand. There is no more supply. The prices will continue to rise unless demand drops. You may find a deal every now and then but that is going to be less and less common.

I guess it's a matter of demand dropping.

A few months ago I ran into a "hipster" with a new to him 60. He clearly paid a premium for it because of the perception of it being "cool". Well as with many 60's they need TLC and done mechanical ability. This guy had no mechanical skill whatsoever. He paid for EVERYTHING to be done. When I met him the 60 was broken (I think he seized engine) and he was at his wits end with it. Beyond paying a good amount for the truck, he paid much in repairs. He was arguing with his wife over it and was ready to dump it.
I wonder how many people purchase 60's or similar vehicles only to soon realize that they are in over their heads??

 

[4Cruisers]

About 15 years ago I bought an '86 FJ60 just outside Las Vegas, NV. Rust-free body and frame. Had been sitting outside for about 7 years. Engine had thrown a rod as evidenced by the hole in the oil pan. Came with a clean '79 2F bare block, head, and crankshaft. Other than the 2F long block, was complete. The sun had done its number on some of the interior, mainly the vinyl door panels and one spot on the upper part of the passenger seat. Paid $1,200. A little while later I bought a running '89 FJ62 with some body damage in Santa Fe. Same interior color. It had about 145,000 miles. Paid $1,500. Including a rebuild on the 3FE, brand new H55f, OME suspension, clutch master and slave, new clutch, 70-Series Land Cruiser wheels, BFG LT235/85R15 ATs, R134 conversion kit, fuel pump, and a lot of miscellaneous parts I'll have a like-new FJ60 for about $13,500, about $1,000 less than I paid new for my '84 FJ60. Of course that doesn't include my time, I've been working on the build for almost a year and a half, and I've still got a ways to go.

Other than that I can't offer any insight into what a fair price would be these days. If you're willing to put the time into this it could work out well for you.

 

[SteveH]

20 years is a long time. You could have rusted out freeze plugs, a bad radiator, a frozen-and-split block, the fuel tank could be a rusty mess. Many/all engine gaskets will leak. It doesn't appear to have (ahem) been professionally prepared for long term storage.

This is a major project, if your goal is a 100% totally reliable FJ60. I think $1K-2K is about right. Are you massively handy with a wrench? - If not, I would skip.

 

[2mountainfish]

Don't go into it thinking of it as an investment. Vehicles are really poor ways to invest money if you want to make money. If you like Landcruisers and want a project, go for it. As far as price, the owner will no doubt have a price in mind. If you are comfortable with his price make a deal. In the end your pocket book will dictate what you can spend. These trucks are fun to own if you like working on them. Parts are getting harder to find but remember they built a lot of them, so they are not rare. You live in Southern Cal., maybe you can reach out to another Landcruiser owner with knowledge, and get them to go with you to look at it. Good luck on your decision.