Potential purchase

[Catching Neutral]

ok guys. considering buying an 80. 1994 273k miles …here is a list of the work done so far….baselined,
engine seals replaced, front axle birfirlds and CV joint rebuilt, new catalytic converters, muffler, tires, breaks, upholstery, supspension,
AC compressor, and lots more. Paint looks really good. 21k. Yes or no?

 

[Irish Reiver]

Without seeing it - especially the frame and underbody - what you are describing is an $8 or $9K truck. "Baselined" is meaning less. It's like asking your wife how she feels and she says "Fine".
To be anywhere close to $21K it would need zero rust, Zero leaks, near perfect paint, near perfect leather, every rubber bush replaced on the suspension etc.
People are posting 80's today at crazy prices with no justification for the high price.

 

[Road Apple]

Pictures ? Sounds expensive for the mileage and work done. Prices are increasing, but beside the suspension and upholstery, your list is baseline work.

Baseline is a subjective term. How deep is the baseline? Are there a pile of receipts for the work done?
Is there documented maintenance history? For that price, I’d want to see another pile of receipts.
Has the head gasket been replaced? If replaced, was the head surfaced & were the stem seals changed?
Is there rust on the undercarriage or bolts in the engine compartment?
Specifics on suspension? Quality of lift, how high, 2” or 2 1/2” adjustable shocks, castor correction, how detailed and deep is the suspension replacement?
Did the front axle service include quality axles, bearings, seals? 30-spline axles?
Has the truck been regeared?
Tire size?
Lockers?
Pictures?

 

[Wrencher93]

ok guys. considering buying an 80. 1994 273k miles …here is a list of the work done so far….baselined,
engine seals replaced, front axle birfirlds and CV joint rebuilt, new catalytic converters, muffler, tires, breaks, upholstery, supspension,
AC compressor, and lots more. Paint looks really good. 21k. Yes or no?

Pictures would be helpful. Saying that it has new tires, suspension, etc doesn't really help anyone evaluate it unless there is specific information. Was the work on the axle with OEM parts? Good aftermarket? Crappy Chinese parts? Was it done by a shop, by the owner? What brand are the other upgrades? At 21K it better be pretty nice or you're getting hosed.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

If it’s what you want and your pockets are deep, why not? Certainly no “deal” though. I would pass, doesn’t mean you should.

 

[woodsman 44]

Wilson??...need pics since no one asked ..lol

 

[Bludozer]

I love how "baseline" has basically become a new line-item feature that the truck has in so many advertisements.

1997 Toyota Land Cruiser
35 tire
inch lift
TRIPLE 3 TIMES (X) LOCKED
new break pad
WITS END JOEYBOY CUBBY INSERT MILLED ALUMINUM CUSTOM MOUNT
baseline
492k (highway) miles
NO rust (except undercarriage)

 

[Kernal]

Prices are definitely inflated, not a good time to buy IMHO. People who ask high numbers often don't have a clue what really needs to be done to these vehicles after 25 years. They just search fleabay and take an average of the asking prices they see there.

For 21k I would want to see excellent cosmetic condition inside and out along with a new head gasket and about 23 other of the usual things serviced or replaced.

Maybe wait for gasoline to get to $4 a gallon and the prices might start coming down again.

 

[Bludozer]

Prices are definitely inflated, not a good time to buy IMHO. People who ask high numbers often don't have a clue what really needs to be done to these vehicles after 25 years. They just search fleabay and take an average of the asking prices they see there.

For 21k I would want to see excellent cosmetic condition inside and out along with a new head gasket and about 23 other of the usual things serviced or replaced.

Maybe wait for gasoline to get to $4 a gallon and the prices might start coming down again.

These are enthusiast cars at this point. I wouldn't expect gas prices to have a huge effect on prices as they are mostly used as second or 3rd cars now. That said, very possible prices could come down for other reasons, but just as many reasons that they may not. Timing the market is always a difficult endeavor whether it's stocks, housing or land cruisers.

 

[Wrencher93]

These are enthusiast cars at this point. I wouldn't expect gas prices to have a huge effect on prices as they are mostly used as second or 3rd cars now. That said, very possible prices could come down for other reasons, but just as many reasons that they may not. Timing the market is always a difficult endeavor whether it's stocks, housing or land cruisers.

I can't decide if I'm happy or pissed about rising prices. With the current market I could probably sell mine for what I paid, or more....but it also means parts and/or parts vehicles are going to be more expensive as well. Catch 22.

 

[Bludozer]

I can't decide if I'm happy or pissed about rising prices. With the current market I could probably sell mine for what I paid, or more....but it also means parts and/or parts vehicles are going to be more expensive as well. Catch 22.

Yours going up in value only matters if you sell it Not something I plan on doing personally so that end of the equation is irrelevant, besides getting out what I've put into mine would be difficult even in this market

Parts cost and availability in the coming years will become a real issue though.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I love how "baseline" has basically become a new line-item feature that the truck has in so many advertisements.

1997 Toyota Land Cruiser
35 tire
inch lift
TRIPLE 3 TIMES (X) LOCKED
new break pad
WITS END JOEYBOY CUBBY INSERT MILLED ALUMINUM CUSTOM MOUNT
baseline
492k (highway) miles
NO rust (except undercarriage)

lol Nice touch on the "break" pad. Makes my eyes bleed every time I see that misspelling.

 

[manofthewoods]

I love how "baseline" has basically become a new line-item feature that the truck has in so many advertisements.

1997 Toyota Land Cruiser
35 tire
inch lift
TRIPLE 3 TIMES (X) LOCKED
new break pad
WITS END JOEYBOY CUBBY INSERT MILLED ALUMINUM CUSTOM MOUNT
baseline
492k (highway) miles
NO rust (except undercarriage)

I laughed when I saw "NO rust (except undercarriage).

is that kinda like being a little pregnant? (politically incorrect - shoot me, put me out of my agony )

 

[Catching Neutral]

Guys…thank you for your input. Although I have never seen a formal definition for baseline I have always understood it to mean all fluids, filters, belts, etc. (in the case of my 40 I consider valves/carb/timing part of the baseline). Brakes working properly(replaced if needed) Piece of mind to me should I decide to purchase is that the current owner is OCD. I know you guys like photos however Im not asking the owner to let me take photos to place on the internet.
Thanks again for your input , Seems like this thread should end here as I can’t give you more info.

 

[Kernal]

Baselining could be interpreted differently even among members of the 80 forum with OCD.

Example; for a cosmetic creampuff lady driven never abused mall cruiser 97 FZJ80 model I picked up a few years ago, my "baselining" included:

New OEM radiator, rubber radiator cushions and brackets, large radiator hoses and clamps, Thermostat (all OEM), and water pump, alternator, idler pulley, AC tensioner pulley, fan clutch, OEM belts, distributor O-ring, oil pump O-ring/gasket, front crank seal, new battery with new terminals/clamp, OEM radiator overflow tank, Denso Iridium TT spark plugs, OEM spark plug wires, distirbutor cap, rotor, PCV valve and hose, breather hose, air intake hose, air filter, fuel filter, #2 knock sensor, pesky heater hose, and #2 bypass hose. Then new gear oil for all the gear boxes, flushed transmission, flushed power steering, flushed brake system, flushed engine oil (LiquiMoly Proline engine flush, yes I did), switched to Mobil 1 synthetic, greased the U-joints and slip yolks and steering knuckles, new tires, along with cleaning and lubing just about everything you can thing of. Still have the complete front axle service to redo, but that had been done by the PO not too long ago.

Just completed a 5000 mile trip with that 80, not one problem.

Edit: I should've mentioned, even though this was a lady driven mall cruiser creampuff it had been neglected and had almost zero service during it's life except for Quickie lube conventional oil changes with generic oil filters and did need a lot of catch-up maintenance. Some of the parts taken off this 80 were saved for spares.

This I think was a good example of what you can run into even with an otherwise clean rust-free 80.

FWIW

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Piece of mind to me should I decide to purchase is that the current owner is OCD. I know you guys like photos however Im not asking the owner to let me take photos to place on the internet.
Thanks again for your input , Seems like this thread should end here as I can’t give you more info.

Sounds like you have made up your mind. Hope the purchase turns out well.

 

[gummycarbs]

lol Nice touch on the "break" pad. Makes my eyes bleed every time I see that misspelling.

Comes with wench and manuel.

IMO, anyone buying a used rig in 2021 is crazy unless they have no. New cars are having supply line problems, especially computer chips, and so the used market is wildly overinflated.

If I'm spending $21k on a Land Cruiser, it's going to be an FJ40.

 

[LandLocked93]

Indeed varied definitions of the term 'baseline'. Some of the definitions here fall under 'restoration' imo, but it really boils down to knowledgeable sellers and buyers.
For example, I would pay $20k for a truck with a surface-rust exterior if the engine, tranny/t-case, and axles are provably rebuilt using Toyota parts by a known quality shop/mech; and if the suspension, brakes, cooling, fuel, steering, and AC systems were brand new Toyota. (or reputable lift brand for suspension)
($20k for a truck matching the above description would be a steal these days)

Conversely, I would be highly skeptical of a truck that looked factory fresh on the outside and interior only.
Obviously doubly so if the seller says something like, "I don't know much about it", or "I haven't had it very long", having already stated 'baselined' in the ad.

 

[Catching Neutral]

Thank you all for your input. @WarDamnEagle (Roll Tide) I am not even close making up my mind. Consider this a coin toss. Depends on which personality makes the decision. The Uber practical personality or the holy crap that’s cool personality.

 

[LandLocked93]

Thank you all for your input. @WarDamnEagle (Roll Tide) I am not even close making up my mind. Consider this a coin toss. Depends on which personality makes the decision. The Uber practical personality or the holy crap that’s cool personality.

Is an 80 even something you want? Looks like you collect Toyotas somewhat. lol
Which personality has a friend called 'intended use'? They may have some helpful insight.