Potential 80 Newb

[Polak]

Sold my truck and looking for an 80. Been a 40 owner for a few years and have been consumed by jealousy on the trails.

Found one local, ’96, Dark Green, Lockers, Loaded, 84,000 miles, Interior is immaculate (really like new), Tires need to be replaced, Shocks are shot, Paint is in great shape, but the PO put some ghey ass aqua colored pin stripes on it. The PO obviously rolled into a garage or something that wasn’t tall enough, the roof rack has a long yellow scrape on it and the rear bow is missing. The wiring is OK except for the four prong trailer plug that was spliced and scotch locked by Ray Charles. (I personally like the 9’ of cord wound neatly around the receiver) The drive train seems solid.

The only real negative for me is a rust spot on the lower left hand side of the rear hatch window. I’ve seen this on other 80s, so I’m guessing it’s common?(at least in the east) I have searched here to see if I could get an idea as to the cost to repair this rust and haven’t seen anything. The spot is about the size of a half dollar and it has bubbled up about ¼ inch in the center. So, anybody had something like this repaired professionally? If so, how much did the repair cost?

The last thing is the price. The 80’s at a Buy Here/Pay Here Lot and they’ve got it priced at $12,995. That’s $200 over KBB SRP in excellent condition!

I’ll be going back for another test drive and possibly to cut a deal this Saturday. Anyone have any suggestions on anything to look at specifically? I’ve read Slee’s Newbie info and been lurking here on the 80’s forum for a few months now. I think that makes me just knowledgeable enough to be dangerous.

Any suggestions on what to offer?

Thanks in advance for any help,
AJ

 

[Doc]

Is it a dealership? Have them repair the hatch on their dime.

I had to repair rear hatch rust on my 93. The rust was NOT visable from the outside of the vehicle. The only reason I noticed it was because I had to remove the rear hatch handle to work on the release mech. That cost about $700. Yep, $700 to repair rust that you couldn't see from outside the vehicle. They actually had to cut part of the lip of the window away and weld in new metal to do the repair properly.

Go in with a number, and cash. Be prepared to walk away. These things are only getting cheaper, so you will find another.

 

[OGBeno]

So you have seen the light AJ....

Can't go wrong bro....it really is a wonderful vehicle to wheel in.

See you in Dec.
-onur
Oberlin, OH

 

[Polak]

Is it a dealership? Have them repair the hatch on their dime.

I had to repair rear hatch rust on my 93. The rust was NOT visable from the outside of the vehicle. The only reason I noticed it was because I had to remove the rear hatch handle to work on the release mech. That cost about $700. Yep, $700 to repair rust that you couldn't see from outside the vehicle. They actually had to cut part of the lip of the window away and weld in new metal to do the repair properly.

Go in with a number, and cash. Be prepared to walk away. These things are only getting cheaper, so you will find another.

It's a buy here pay here lot, so getting them to fix it is IMO not gonna happen.

I was thinking the repair would be between $800 & $1000.

Walking on the deal is no problem, I'm just starting my search.

Thanks Doc!

So you have seen the light AJ....

Yes, yes I have. And that light is on the heater control of an FJ80. I really don't wanna freeze my ass off at another Toys For Tots.

 

[DTAYLOR]

Unless pure convenience is worth a lot, I would keep looking. That rig can be bought from a "no rust" zone with no damage and similar miles, lockers for around 10k-11k.

My experience with rust is that if it is visible anywhere on the vehicle, it exists in places that are not visible, and though it can be cleaned, it is impossible to repair in some places.

I just would rather not deal with any rust anywhere on my vehicle, and you now have that choice. Once you drop coin, you do not.

Good Luck!

 

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

Wait for a better one. Man, I just saw a 40th Anniv Edition locally with 142K for $8900.

Dave

 

[Ting]

I can keep an eye for you if you want. Saw a few good one in CA. Look into LX too. They tend to have more lockers than LC

 

[Polak]

Thanks all, I think I've gotten enough info to pass on this one. I'll keep an eye on the For Sale Forum here and keep looking around. Any leads would be appreciated.

Feel free to PM or email (2001silverado@gmail.com) any leads.

Thanks again,
AJ

 

[MTBGUY]

There's a guy that sells a fair number of them on Ebay- I think he's in West Virginia. Might look on there for one.

I'd rather buy a $350 airplane ticket and drive it back to the Northeast from Arizona than buy one with rust on the painted areas- I think I would pass on it also and find a better one.

There's a guy in Florida that always has a bunch in stock on Autotrader - he currently has a Silver one with about 73k miles on it for around 13,000.

Also a Green one in Corona, CA (no rust area) with Grey leather, around the same price and mileage. Or you could go higher mileage if its been well maintained and probably get one around 100,000 miles for 9-10K.

Airplane tickets are cheap nowadays and it could be a fun road trip. If its from an individual you can obviously get the price to come down more than from a used car dealer.

( I confess, but I'm always looking at them online to try and convince the spouse to sell her car and get a second one!)

 

[Romer]

I can keep an eye for you if you want. Saw a few good one in CA. Look into LX too. They tend to have more lockers than LC

Sorry Ting, this is not an accurate statement. It's the opposite. Probably was your experiance in looking in your market.

 

[Ting]

Sorry Ting, this is not an accurate statement. It's the opposite. Probably was your experiance in looking in your market.

Thanks...I read it somewhere. hmmmmm....

 

[Aussie]

Yeah pass on this one, there will be many more to look at and alot cheaper in better condition.
Good luck m8!

 

[ktknaack]

I have a 93 and developed the same problem on the back glass. I also had rust under the factory roof rack. Cost me about 900 to have the back glass pulled, hole fixed, roof rack pulled (all of it) and all the holes filled up top... It was orig. a "rust free" FL car... I believe the only true rust free trucks should be purchased out of the west coast. Just my 2 cents. I wouldn't be afraid of those lots but you should know that you could most likely offer 9,999 cash and walk away with it... Thats the trick to gettting a good deal off lower end lots. However 10K in cash brings out the IRS...

Kevin

93 factory locked, ome 50mm, wilderness roof rack, ramsey winch inside factory bumber, on board air and holding tank, Slee transmission shift kit.