New member! Looking to buy '87 HJ60

[jjlee]

Update:
Found a couple of HJ60 with 2H motors in "rebuilt" condition.

LC #1: (first two images)
- 1986 with minimal rust on body.
- Owner says that the frame will need attention, but not for a couple of years
- 2H with turbo and boost
- OME suspension (medium set-up)
- Auto transmission and working AC.
- contacts in the steering wheel need cleaning
- Asking 6k

LC #2: (last image)
- 1987 with quite a bit of rust on rocker panels and some surface rust on frame
- 2H engine rebuilt with 150K on it.
- Body has about 450K
- 5 Speed manual
- new rear diff.
- brakes just done
- New Rad
- new dual batteries
- asking 4K

Both interiors are in pretty good condition as well.
What am I looking at cost for a transmission swap on the auto (for a 5 speed)?

It's now between some frame work and transmission swap on the first, or major body work and possibly a turbo install on the second.

Any opinions?

 

[Elbert]

in general I would stay clear of bad rust.... mechanical issues can be reasonably fixed, rust can be a nightmare. You need someone to look at vehicle you suspect with frame damage, to see if the vehicle is even safe to operate.

 

[jjlee]

Want to buy. What's this worth?

Ok, so ended up passing on the last few I've seen.
Here's the latest HJ60 I've checked out:

- 1986 HJ60 - 2H (6 diesel)
- 5 speed tranny
- 471000km (292,665 miles)
- drive-train is in really good condition
- no accidents
- minimal body rust
- some rust on frame (rear box section and hangers)

Some history:
2nd owner (he's owned it since 1990 when the LC had 50,000km or 31,000miles on it).
He has every record since new, and I mean EVERYTHING! all the receipts and even a log book of when and where all maintenance was done. Pretty meticulously taken care of.

The main concern I have is the rust on the frame, but I've sourced someone with a new frame who can do the swap for a fair price.

The other big one is the mileage. It seems really high and I'm not sure how much more life it has left, although he has taken really good care of it and a lot of mechanical parts are newish, withing 100-200k kms (62-124k miles). Dirvetrain has never been rebuilt though.

Should I pull the trigger?
What's it worth? (US or CAD). Asking $$ is 3-4k CAD (2700-3600 US)

 

[jjlee]

anybody? I don't mean to be pushy but I'd like to make a decision within the next day or two. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[land crusher]

Did you take any pics of the frame?

P.S. I can't imagine any diesel engine crapping out at 300k kms of natural causes. Something would have to be horribly wrong. I'd expect to get WELL over 500k before rebuilding would be necessary.

 

[jjlee]

Did you take any pics of the frame?

P.S. I can't imagine any diesel engine crapping out at 300k kms of natural causes. Something would have to be horribly wrong. I'd expect to get WELL over 500k before rebuilding would be necessary.

Thanks Land Crusher. It did drive really well considering the high mileage.

Some photos of the frame, not great angles but...:

 

[Clem]

If that cruiser was in the US I would buy it in a heart beat...but I'm new and don't know much.

 

[land crusher]

I've seen worse frames than that. HArd to tell just by pictures, but you could probably live with it. A little TLC to keep it from getting worse. I'm not seeing any holes through it.

 

[sl33py]

James - i'd pull the trigger on the last one. Looks good and with continued good maintenance i think you will be happy with it.

it's not turboed so i expect it won't have the same oomph as the 3BT, but you should be able to get where you are going ... eventually.

looks like surface rust to me. check the inside of the rear panels, do some knock/magnet tests to make sure no bondo over rear wheel wells. Front knuckles look better than mine, but probably will need a rebuild eventually...

Good luck!

rob

 

[Freewheel]

Ya that last one looks pretty good, especially at that price. Take a screwdriver and a hammer and hit the inside of the frame rail where the muffler runs right next to the frame - if you don't knock off big flakes or cant jam the screwdriver through the frame - you could have a keeper!

The mileage IS high, - examine the records and see if the oil changes were done every 5000 or so km - if they have, you could be ok.

good luck

 

[Dieseler]

I would take a gamble on that one,the frame is not that bad compared to ones locally I see including my
my wifes 62,and it sounds like the owner has kept it up on the maintanance end of things.
What the heck buy it and throw a turbo on it and blow it up you can always get another h2 motor.

 

[jjlee]

Thanks all for the advice. Pulled the trigger on the last LC and made the deal for $3500 Canadian. I then immediately drove it for a trip to Quadra Island (270km's) without a single noise, knock or problem. I can't believe how well she dives on and off road.

I know that I should have brought it into a mechanic for a proper inspection before all was said and done, but I really trusted the guy I bought it off and there's nothing more important that the trust and character of the seller when buying a used auto IMO.

Lots of studying to do now, so I will be back often with questions updates to the changes I make (with pics hopefully).

Happy camper and can't take the grin off my face while driving my new ride.


James.

 

[Clem]

Congrats on your new cruiser...diesel cruisers are awesome!

 

[Andy22r]

Where did you find that one? Did you look on craigslist? I am looking in Vancouver as well.

Cheers!