Purchasing an FJ80 Today, Bay Area Mechanic Recs?

[lswanie]

Hi all,

I am picking up a 97 with 160k miles on it later today, and I am wondering if anyone on the board has a good recommendation for a trusted mechanic here in the Bay Area to take a look at it post purchase. It is a strange, pretty quick moving deal I have gotten myself into, but I am picking it up from a neighbor in need for 3k, and everything works...I know I am rolling a pair of dice but heck, why not?

Please do not answer that!

Anyhow, I am very excited to both buy a new truck and join what looks to be a very fruitful community. I hope this is the right place to post this.

Thanks!

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Hi all,

I am picking up a 97 with 160k miles on it later today, and I am wondering if anyone on the board has a good recommendation for a trusted mechanic here in the Bay Area to take a look at it post purchase. It is a strange, pretty quick moving deal I have gotten myself into, but I am picking it up from a neighbor in need for 3k, and everything works...I know I am rolling a pair of dice but heck, why not?

Please do not answer that!

Anyhow, I am very excited to both buy a new truck and join what looks to be a very fruitful community. I hope this is the right place to post this.

Thanks!

Just an idea, but your local Toyota Stealership should be able to do a complete check - as if they were putting it up for sale, and give you an idea as to any issues that may need to be addressed.

 

[Kernal]

How much does your neighbor want for the truck? Does he have it serviced at a Toyota dealer? If so the neighbor could get a print out of all the service and repairs.

 

[cme4lyt]

Where are you in the Bay Area ?

 

[lswanie]

Thanks guys. I am in San Francisco. That's a good idea to maybe just take it to a dealer for a head to toe.

This car is not an ideal specimen, I know that much, but that's how we got to the 3k price point. Everything works, but I'm thinking there is going to be quite a bit of make up work to do. 100k of the miles were before 2001 at which point the car stopped seeing dealership maintenance.

Bare minimum I'll replace all the fluids, but I want to make sure not too much else has been neglected.

 

[SFSig]

I'm in SF too and make the trek to A+ Japanese in San Carlos. The owners both have 80s that are built and their mechanics know 80s. There's always an 80 or a 60 on a lift when I go there. They're honest folks so I don't hesitate to recommend them. Ask for Rob and tell him Derrick with the white 80 sent you if you end up going to them.

 

[lswanie]

Thanks SFSig, will do. Looks like exactly the place I was
Looking for.

I

Love

This

Car

I was not prepared for this, and it's only been two hours. Oh my god I love this thing!!!!!

Now to get rid of the cigarette smell...think I got rid of all the butts at least. Good god it's gross, but everything works!

This was literally an unreal experience how I came upon and purchased this car I'm the past two days.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Thanks SFSig, will do. Looks like exactly the place I was
Looking for.

I

Love

This

Car

I was not prepared for this, and it's only been two hours. Oh my god I love this thing!!!!!

Now to get rid of the cigarette smell...think I got rid of all the butts at least. Good god it's gross, but everything works!

This was literally an unreal experience how I came upon and purchased this car I'm the past two days.

Just wait until you pull the old carpet out. I just did this, and I thought I was going to have to call in a HAZMAT TEAM. BLECH! Almost done with cleaning/DYNAMAT'n. Good thing - the new carpet is UPS "Out For Delivery".

 

[RedComet]

I find your lack of pics....disturbing...

 

[RiFF RaFF]

I find your lack of pics....disturbing...

Sorry (hanging my head in shame). I'll post a side by side of the old carpet with the new one. Better?

 

[lswanie]

Sorry for the lack of pics, just snapped a quick one before work

 

[lswanie]

So heading to the DMV later to register it in my name and pay off the parking tickets. All in this was about 3400 bucks. What do you guys think at first glance? Ill take some more later and post the motor and anything else folks want to see. The inside is just disgusting haha

I need to replace a couple fuses, but it runs great. Can I enjoy this and putz around a little this weekend, or do I need to beeline it straight to a mechanic? The engine bay is super clean, I wish the inside of the car was like the motor

 

[baselfish]

am in the South bay myself - hit me a PM / email - be more than happy to meet up
and pass what (feeble) knowledge I have...


Bf

 

[890man]

Just dont run over your jack stand when you leave.

 

[lswanie]

Just dont run over your jack stand when you leave.

Haha, dude set it there as a block...not sure that would do the job

 

[max2955]

Its a drive from SF, but Gary Kardum is the local LandCruiser guru. Look up Mudrak Custom Cruisers in Sonoma.

 

[Kernal]

I'll give you $6000, can wire the money today.

 

[lswanie]

Just got back from the DMV and started really digging around in the car.

It is GROSSSSSS, oh my god it is nasty. It is like being in an ash tray, and when you get out, you basically smell like a cig but.

I also took a look at the fuses inside the car...they do not all match up with the noted amperage. I am guessing this has something to do with why I have to slam it out of park? Once its going it is smoooooooooth, oh baby!

Idk if your just messing with me Kernal, but I might end up cleaning her up and selling sometime in the near future. I was originally in the market for a 100 until this beautiful stinky machine came into my life

 

[lswanie]

...

 

[ton504]

Ive read somewhere that you can get rid of the smell with vinegar. Just pour it into a bowl or pan and let it sit inside while she bakes in the sun.

And if you planned on selling it, do it now while no $$ is invested...