Opinion on a FJ62

[stomek]

I would appreciate anybody's opinion on a 1988 FJ 62 that I'm looking at as I don't have much experience with this vehicle but have been looking for one for 6 months.
The vehicle is in Upstate NY at a Totota dealer. The vehicle was in Vegas for most of its life until last year when it was brought to NY. It was traded in a few days ago. The dealer does not have any maintenance records. They are asking $6400 with 159K. . No rust at the common areas. The undersurface has very few areas of minor surface rust. Paint is faded in some areas. Chrome is very clean.
Transmission shifts smooth. 4wheel drive appeared to work fine. It seemed to idle slighly rough but drove great. Tires are poor. A/C not working. Small leak underneath in area of rear main seal, although I'm not sure of the is exact site. The drip was on the transmission cover. Small area of surface rust on chrome rim and center cap. Interior very clean with only small on side of driver's seat. I ran a carfax and showed no issues. Thanks again.

 

[SleekFJ62]

Sounds pretty good to me. I'd have a closer look at the proposed rear main leak. It seems that these leaks are often linked to the oil pan bolts not being tightened to spec. Oil seepage/leakage on these rigs can be interesting to track down, as all oil seems to end up accumulating (and dripping off of) the tranny pan.
159K is nothing on the 3FE engine (or A440 tranny, for that matter...). She's got another 100K in 'er if she's been taken care of.
I'd use the non-working AC and the baldy-no-tread tires as a dickering point. You may be able to knock a few hundred off the asking price.
Keep us posted.

 

[lovetoski]

Let me play devils advocate:

It's got rust
AC doesn not work
Poor idle
Tires worn
Leaky mainseal
No repair records

...FOR $6400 FREAKIN DOLLARS??

Back to being normal (whatever that is) - it's worth whatever you are willing to pay for it, but I would start at $4500.

 

[Chip B]

Back to being normal (whatever that is) - it's worth whatever you are willing to pay for it, but I would start at $4500.

I agree, no more than $5000 (even with NY prices).

Good Luck

 

[stomek]

Thanks for your input. The dealer was firm with the price and had very little understanding of a FJ62 and some of the concerns I had so my wife and I walked away. I told him to call me if he is willing to negotiate. I quess we'll keep looking.

 

[stomek]

The dealer just called. He obtained all all previous maintenance records from the past owner from 1994 onward. Big ticket items are as follows:
1994 transfer case rebuild $986 at 74k
1997 front axle hubs
1998 brake master cylinders
1999 rear main seal replaced $748
2000 transfer case lever pin replaced? $442 at 122k
2002 water pump replaced
2003 radiator replaced
2006 4 wheel drive control replaced? Not sure what this means. $775
There are many other small items that I did not list.
Please let me know what you think as well as a reasonable offer price. Thanks

 

[COSkier]

I think any '88 Cruiser is going to leak some oil, from somewhere. But a few other things to check:
AC: does the compressor spin when you hit the AC button? It may just need a recharge.
Rust? Bring a small magnet with you and check the areas around the wheel wells and tailgate. If the magnet doesn't stick, it's bondo. When you say "undersurface," do you mean frame? That's an issue.
Rough idle? Probably a vacuum leak somewhere, but tell the dealer it's pro'ly the EGR, which is a pricey item.
Considering the tires too, I'd say $5000-5500. With some TLC, it'll last you a long time! Good luck.

 

[DaveC]

i paid 4k for my '88 62 with 173000. came with no rust, fresh paint, ( no bondo ) and ran great when i bought it, good interior. i have another 900 or so in it as of now, new tires, brakes, knuckle reseal and repack, to include front bearing repack, and a good tune up. ( thats me doin the work ) i have that same rear seal looking leak, but haven't checked my pan bolts yet, and my a/c doesn't work. if your interested, keep working him. figure out what your gonna have to put in it to get it where you want it mechanicly and add that to the price your willin to pay. my 2 cents, 6500 is kinda high.....

 

[yooper]

It sounds like a solid FJ62, but the price is way too high. Don't spend more than $5000 on an FJ62. I just sold mine that was mechanically perfect but rusty for $4000.

The A/C might be a big hassle to deal with.

The rough idle means it needs a tuneup.

To learn more about FJ62's join the 3FE list. Here is my canned message to new FJ62 owners there:

Welcome to our obsession! The FJ62 is a great Cruiser and you will love it. Two things you MUST do:

1. Join the 3FE list and peruse the accumulated knowledge on the 3FE website. Your engine is a 3FE, and was only made for a few years of Cruisers - FJ62's and '91 and '92 FJ80s - it is a slightly different animal than other Cruiser engines, and the FJ62 was the first auto tranny Cruiser. Go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/3FE/, join the group, go to the files section, read the introductory welcome message, then start reading all of the stuff in the fixes/lessons learned folder. Send a message to the list introducing yourself. Search the 3FE archives at http://www.birfield.com/archives/ for specific questions.

2. You MUST buy a Toyota Factory Service Manual. Get the 1989 or 1990 Land Cruiser manual - the same info as the earlier manuals, but all in one volume so it's less expensive. About $67 plus shipping directly from Toyota Publications, 800-622-2033 - the best spent $70 you will ever spend on your Cruiser. Other manuals (Haynes, Chiltons, etc) are crap in comparison.

 

[TheGr8Doughboy]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=104066

Here's a mudder selling one in that price range with half the milage and no rust... Location is unfortunate. Dont know the seller just agreeing that the price seems high.

 

[billmc]

You don't say where you live, but if you live in upstate NY don't pay a big premium for a rust free truck. Just because it's a clean western vehicle doesn't mean the paint isn't 18 years old. One or two winters upstate and there'll be rust popping up all over. Get a decent truck for a good price and enjoy it while it lasts.

As far as the oil leak, it's much more likely to be the pan bolts or a compromised valve cover gasket than the rear main.

Bill

 

[stomek]

It sounds like the consensus is that the vehicle is overpriced for what it likely needs to make it mechanically sound, new tires etc. Like I said before I'll wait for another 62 to pop up or wait for the price on this one to drop significantly. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[citycrawler]

Fresh Fish here...

I am also having a dillema with purchasing an 88' 62. ALthough Im in Chicago, and the price is 1,700$. I have some experience working on a friends j60 so I have somewhat of an iddea to look for, also by following the thread on here for buying a j60- or j62.

Sorry this is long winded, but the j62 that I want to buy has a salvaged title, with the carfax report stating a frontal accident, with a vehicle rollover in 93' and a second frontal accident in 98' (people cant drive sometimes I guess)

Has anyone come across a salvaged j62 and what should I look for as a warning sign besides obvious bent frame / frontend, weld marks?

Thanks for helpin the lowly newb here

 

[cruiser88]

The dealer just called. He obtained all all previous maintenance records from the past owner from 1994 onward. Big ticket items are as follows:
1994 transfer case rebuild $986 at 74k
1997 front axle hubs
1998 brake master cylinders
1999 rear main seal replaced $748
2000 transfer case lever pin replaced? $442 at 122k
2002 water pump replaced
2003 radiator replaced
2006 4 wheel drive control replaced? Not sure what this means. $775
There are many other small items that I did not list.
Please let me know what you think as well as a reasonable offer price. Thanks

sounds like horse s*** to me.transfersase at 74k.