Pre purchase repair questions: FJ73

[Rook]

Hi all,

Im looking to purchase a FJ73 3F with 360,000 on the clock. There is a few issues with it that im not sure are just basically parts cost or labour intensive too.

- Needs a new drivers door (rust is bad) - interchangeable with the 75 series ute??
- Rust above rear tail light
- Rust is bad in the cowel (windshield surround is ok as its fibreglass)
- Air con threw a belt few years ago and the owner is unsure whats wrong
- Needs new king pins - clunking when turning
- wiper motor wont do intermittent
- Exhaust header may need to be replaced
- Front flares could do with a replacement

Other than that, it seems like a good car!

Any help with where to get parts etc would be appreciated.
Cheers

 

[John Young]

I don't know Rook... I bought a model 100 that had only tiny rust issues around the windshield but then the frame turned out to be toast. (I bought it on ebay from half a world away after one-too-many beers.) Beautiful inside but ultimately a very, very poor buy. This is not answering the question you are asking, but me, personally, I would move on and find one without rust or at least less rust. Those are pretty significant issues, and if that is what you can see, the question is what -can't- you see?

PS I was not aware of crusiers with fiberglass windshield surrounds. Can you post a photo?

 

[joekatana]

I don't know Rook... I bought a model 100 that had only tiny rust issues around the windshield but then the frame turned out to be toast. (I bought it on ebay from half a world away after one-too-many beers.) Beautiful inside but ultimately a very, very poor buy. This is not answering the question you are asking, but me, personally, I would move on and find one without rust or at least less rust. Those are pretty significant issues, and if that is what you can see, the question is what -can't- you see?

PS I was not aware of crusiers with fiberglass windshield surrounds. Can you post a photo?

Fiberglass windshield frame are a common aftermarket ad on in Europe for the 40 and 70 series for about 30 years now as the oem ones keep going in self destruction mode

 

[jblueridge]

Mine was rotting unseen underneath tail light assembly.
Maybe you could unscrew the lights and take a peek.

 

[Rook]

Thanks for your replies. Im yet to see the car as the owner is away. However, he has been quite up front with me since day 1 about what needs doing (he seems like a motivated seller). Prefer to seek opinions prior to wasting his time.

The ad for those interested.
1985 Toyota Landcruiser FRP LX DL Manual 4x4-SSE-AD-6148136 - carsales.com.au

I thought the body seemed fairly straight considering the price - although the photos arent amazing. Not many of these in good condition for under 10-15 grand AUD.

 

[John Young]

I can see why you are looking Rook. Attractive price. Perhaps the PO accidentally smeared the lens of his camera with vaseline, like they used to do on Star Trek:

Seriously though, I'm sure the seller is being up-front with you. Just had a crappy camera. That all said, rust is so hard to come back from. And it what you don't see until later is the problem. Here's what I found after I started knocking rust loose on my rusty mistake:

In my case the PO had deliberately mislead by painting the underside before putting it up for auction. (My bad for being taken in.) The thing is that if there is a rust problem then it seems every single fastener becomes a battle. On Crusty we got the inspector to pass it (my ex-wife was able to do so somehow), but now, for example, the spare tire is a little loose and so it crashes back and forth when you turn and I can't get it off because the whole assembly is rusted solid. As I said, everything is a battle.

If you do go ahead, please take a lot of time and take photos and look closely at the frame. Crusty is a 2000, where Toyota had a real problem with frame rust, but still. Your candidate is 15 years older. Not meaning to discourage you. Just sharing a sadder but wiser perspective...

 

[Rook]

Seriously though, I'm sure the seller is being up-front with you. Just had a crappy camera. That all said, rust is so hard to come back from. And it what you don't see until later is the problem. Here's what I found after I started knocking rust loose on my rusty mistake:

OUCH! Thats horrible. Id be drinking my sorrows away at that point hahah. Thanks for being realistic about it! Still yet to have a look at the car. Lucky it has a lift so it makes going over it a little easier. Rust does scare me more than any mechanical issue

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Rust in a Land Cruiser is a can of worms.

Unless you have the time and skills to do rust repairs yourself, it would be wise to look for a unit in better shape..

Mechanical bits are easier to repair than body/frame rust.





Juan

 

[Alexh85]

It looks like it could be an awesome 4WD club truck, Build or Buy a trailer for it and the rust doesn't matter any more.
This is my one

 

[Rook]

Looking good there Alexh85! Couple mates and i are heading over to NZ soon. Ill have to keep an eye out for it being towed around