craigslist New guy trying to join the family

Location

United States

Hi guys
I’m trying to get my first cruiser. Found an 80 on Craigslist with no lockers. 241k miles for 11.5 k. It looks pretty good from the pics and he says no rust . I got him to send me the attached pic of the undercarriage. Just wondering how you guys determine a decent deal and what things make you run the other direction. I really appreciate the help because I’m trying to prevent my first LC experience from being too negative. By the way Im decent at wrenching myself and I’m just looking at keeping one maintained as a low mileage daily driver that I could get another 200k out of.
Thanks for the help guys.
Ryan

 

[TampaCruisers]

I think $11.5k for 225k+ miles is too much.
Looks stock from the picture but that doesn’t mean anything.

 

[Broncr]

Here are the Craigslist pics. He said it’s got a chipped windshield which I’m sure is a lot of fun to deal with.

 

[txgringo]

looks pretty clean. A little bit more and you can buy my built 97...

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

I think $11.5k for 225k+ miles is too much.
Looks stock from the picture but that doesn’t mean anything.

I agree... that sounds a little high.

Looks like it has a rear seal leak. That is a good bit of oil underneath

MM

 

[parker019]

Looks clean and undercarriage good shape. It’s a collector edition. I haven’t seen that moon glow on grey combination in a collectors edition before. Which would be sort of rare I think. Looks like it has lx450 wheels on it though?

 

[RS6tofj80]

service history ? Moonglow is a great color......still high by 3-4k I'd day for an unlocked rig, with a good bit of service/ baseline/ HG possibly pending.

 

[CaliforniaLando]

looks pretty clean. A little bit more and you can buy my built 97...

Hmmmm tempted

 

[Tanner H]

Rear main seal is leaking for sure based on that under carriage photo. . Its not the end of the world but it is an expensive repair. Most guys here have the leak and fairly common.

If you really like the truck then use the rear main seal leak as a negotiation tool.

 

[Daurie]

I'm by no means an expert but here is my advice:

Definitely rear main. Like mentioned that is a negotiation area. Check around the power steering pump for leaks too. Make sure the transmission isn't leaking as well. I just flew to get a 93 and inspected it in the rain and should have been more thorough. It's a solid truck and I'm not too upset but it lost three quarts of ATF on the 800 mile drive home. Also mine has a rear main leak.

Make sure you go through all the things. The sunroof on mine was advertised as cracked which I knew but when I got there one side was down with a gap. Come to find out the track and mechanism is done for, and a used sunroof assembly is around $700. Parking brake didn't work either.

Run through all the windows. Operate the sunroof. Operate the door locks. Check the key on all the cylinders. If it has power seats move them in all directions. Run the heat and A/C and run the vent controls through all the options. Turn on the radio. Check all the lights. Operate the CDL. Shift the T-case into low and drive it. Check all the lights. Check the parking brake. Note any damaged trim. Surely I'm still missing some obvious things.

All those things may seem elementary but getting home to realize things weren't as advertized or you overlooked something can be frustrating.

Maybe someone more experienced could chime in and we could make a pre-purchace check list based on years and models.

Good Luck!

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

I'm by no means an expert but here is my advice:

Definitely rear main. Like mentioned that is a negotiation area. Check around the power steering pump for leaks too. Make sure the transmission isn't leaking as well. I just flew to get a 93 and inspected it in the rain and should have been more thorough. It's a solid truck and I'm not too upset but it lost three quarts of ATF on the 800 mile drive home. Also mine has a rear main leak.

Make sure you go through all the things. The sunroof on mine was advertised as cracked which I knew but when I got there one side was down with a gap. Come to find out the track and mechanism is done for, and a used sunroof assembly is around $700. Parking brake didn't work either.

Run through all the windows. Operate the sunroof. Operate the door locks. Check the key on all the cylinders. If it has power seats move them in all directions. Run the heat and A/C and run the vent controls through all the options. Turn on the radio. Check all the lights. Operate the CDL. Shift the T-case into low and drive it. Check all the lights. Check the parking brake. Note any damaged trim. Surely I'm still missing some obvious things.

All those things may seem elementary but getting home to realize things weren't as advertised or you overlooked something can be frustrating.

Maybe someone more experienced could chime in and we could make a pre-purchace check list based on years and models.

Good Luck!

Good advice!

I would also check the front knuckles, ask for maintenance records. Ask what work has been done on it. Any vehicle with 241,000 miles on it has needed work done (breaks, water pump, radiator, front end rebuild, head gasket, fluids changed, etc). If there is no maintenance records, than that would be a negotiation point as well. Don't forget the obvious... get a Carfax

It is a cool color combination and looks to be clean and well cared for.All that being said... even if all those items check out, (In my humble opinion) I still think it is a $7,000-$8,000 land cruiser. Prices seem to be a little higher out in California. If you have the time, It is really a great experience to find one, do your homework, fly out, and drive it home. You probably can get a better deal even with a plane ticket and gas... just my two cents

Don't jump on the first one you like. FJ80's pop up for sale all the time. If you are patient and do your homework you can find a good one for a fair price.

MM

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

Here are a few examples to compare prices

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