New to 60 series. need opinions on rust areas!

[zombiekiller]

Hi guys and gals,
I am new to the 60 series . I have a 77 fj40 and i've wheeled jeeps all my life. I've had a bug for yota wagons for a while now and finally decided to jump into one. I found an 88 fj62. it runs and drives great, the trans has been rebuilt ( and is leak free) but the body has some issues. Can you guys give me some opinions on the location of the body damage? the owner before the guy who is selling it slapped some serious butter on it so it's a bit difficult to really guage without stabbing through the butter. Pretty much what i'm looking for is some opinions on the location of the damage and how much of a pain it will be to fix.

Thanks!

Dave

 

[Creeker]

That's some serious butter. The obvious places to check are the wheel wells, the bottom of the tailgate, and the rain gutters. Do some poking and hammering on the frame. If the frame's rusted thru anywhere, walk away. The body is more fixable, depending on your skilz. If what you show in the photo is the only problem, I've seen some excellent fixes of that area.

Good luck!

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Nahhh, you can barely see that repair ;p

 

[Chase77]

Many guys have used the patch panels to fix their trucks and its not too expensive to do if you can weld. The biggest issue is that there is usually A LOT more rust than you can see. I would go over every inch of the truck poking at every rusty area to see just how bad it is. How's the frame? IMO rust is a complete pain in the ass and there are enough clean 60'62's out there if you are willing to wait for the right one. I personally bought mine on the spot and kinda wished I would have found a rust free one instead of the "little" rust I thought I had.

 

[brownbear]

open the cargo area side panels. Look into the wheel wells from the inside. If its completely rotten it takes much more work.

What you showed IMOP can be repaired not too bad.

Companies make patch panels that replace the whole spot. Except the door. Which may need replacing if it is too much work.

Lots of parts in the classifieds though.

 

[zombiekiller]

the very rear of the frame rails have some like flaking. i poked at the frame with the business end of a hammer and it was solid enough to not crack. from what i've found, the rear door sill areas are the only rust spots on the truck. i should probably mention that the whole shebang is running me $850. so would you guys say its worth it? the odometer ont he truck reads 196K and change.

 

[Winston]

At that price, even with some rust - (mine looked better than that and when I took it into a body/paint shop it had significant holes in the body that needed to be welded) - I would jump on it.
Worse case scenario, you could part it out for more than that.

 

[archie]

Post your location. I have a 88 that's been in the midwest all it's life and the fuel lines and electrical cables are rusting away.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Get underneath and look at the rear crossmember that the shocks mount on. That's the area where the frames go bad.
Check out the cargo area right behind the back seat. Lift up the carpet and see what's there in the vicinity of the wheel wells.
Those are both areas that probably won't have gotten bondo'd over by a PO.

 

[zombiekiller]

thanks for the tips guys. i'm going to go back out there after work today and double check all the spots you've recommended. hopefully i don't find any headache areas and she can come home with me.

 

[a great bj]

r-r-r-r-ust

I agree with cruiserguy,look at those spots.I had an FJ62 and now have a BJ60.They all go in the same places,make sure the frame is good #1.Metal body work can be welded in,if the frame is gone walk away.Good luck!

 

[5280Hawk]

I am Having a Guy Weld in new Quarters right now (rear wheel well and Inner weels have rust).

I got my panels from a Junk yard (only thing is most of the 60/62's in the yard already have that problem.

The tail gate at least is an easy swap.