Questions to ask prospective seller

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snowgoose

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
May 29, 2008
Threads
12
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46
Location
Perth, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Lookin at purchasin an 85model BJ73 - 300000KMS with hole in windscreen frame and just wanted to put this list by you great bunch of guys

Would appreciate any extras or major things I've missed here


1. Has the fuel pump had any work done on it?
2. Has the head been replaced/repaired?
3. Has the head gasket ever blown?
4. Has the radiator ever been replaced/repaired?
5. Has the carby been overhauled?
6. Has the suspension had any work/maintenance done?
7. Have the transmission had work done on it?
8. When was clutch last replaced?
9. Has the oil cooler ever been replaced?
10. What oil leaks are there?
11. What is fuel eonomy

Things to look at

1. Rust throughout
2. Brake linings
3. Milky colour in the oil
4. Others...?

Many thanks in advance gang

Glenn
 
JAck up the front, rock one of the wheels back and forth and check teh play in the wheel bearings.

Check the diffs for milky oil, this would mean its been forded before.

Shouldn't have a carb if its a BJ.

Check fuel pumps for leaks.

Check oil for metal chips or other.

Ask to start it cold, no warm up before you get there.

Check synchros in 1 and 2

Check remaining clutch adjustment

Check brake pedal for spongyness

How clean is air cleaner.

Test clutch by stepping on clutch fully and putting it into reverse at idle, if it grinds, your clutch is pretty much gone and you're riding on the synchros, chances are its been that way for a while.

Listen for sounds when engaging and releasing clutch, means throwout bearing is going...may as well replace clutch while you're in there.

Put the car in first and give it a good gas, you'll know real quick if the clutch slips, the RPMs will go up quickly and you don't go anywhere...this means either the clutch has another 50 miles on it (if theres no adjustment left) or theres a transmission leak and the clutch is soaked with oil. Either way...new clutch and throwout bearing. I had this happen on a Fiero, I knew it was going when I buoght it...blew the clutch disk to pieces 1/2 mile from the tranny shop...enroute.
 
Last edited:
snowgoose said:
Lookin at purchasin an 85model BJ73 - 300000KMS with hole in windscreen frame and just wanted to put this list by you great bunch of guys

Would appreciate any extras or major things I've missed here


1. Has the fuel pump had any work done on it?
2. Has the head been replaced/repaired?
3. Has the head gasket ever blown?
4. Has the radiator ever been replaced/repaired?
5. Has the carby been overhauled?
6. Has the suspension had any work/maintenance done?
7. Have the transmission had work done on it?
8. When was clutch last replaced?
9. Has the oil cooler ever been replaced?
10. What oil leaks are there?
11. What is fuel eonomy
Click to expand...

Sounds good


Things to look at

1. Rust throughout
2. Brake linings
3. Milky colour in the oil
4. Others...?

Many thanks in advance gang

Glenn
Click to expand...

Check when the front axle was last serviced. If it hasnt been done for 5 years or so ,it will be oozing grease from behind the front wheel
Note the condition of the rubber around the grease nipples on the steering rods. If old and torn,the tie rod ends may need doing. Listen for steering clunks
Rusty windscreens can leak,check under the front carpets for rusty floor;)
 
a simpler way to check the clutch and one that won't upset the seller, is to put the front tire against the curb. put the tranny in 3rd, do not apply fuel, let the clutch out. if it doesn't stall then you have a clutch issue.

some trannies (espec the H55F) will 'catch' when going into reverse. this is normal. especially whne looking at 300,000km

budget at least $2000 for minor repairs.

BEST way to buy the land cruiser is to take someone that knows cruisers with you or find a good shop that you trust and tell the seller you are taking it there. if he balks then walk away.
 
G'day Gang, have just had a look at this beast as below:

Its actually done just under 400k, Not 300 as I thought :-(

BODY

1. Windscreen is rusted and will require replacing so thats 550.00 plus a carton to my panel beater.

2. No rust in chassis or anywhere else, guards look good, just seems to be windscreen. Eveything is pretty brown underneath, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence of rust

3. Paint is faded, but just has that dull look that a good cut and polish would rectify

4. No dings on dents, doors open and close easily.

DRIVETRAIN

1. Doesnt drip oil, but it can be seen around the rear of box and rear diff.

2. From memory the rubber bushes round the ball joints are mising and you can se a bit of a build up of grease pretty much round the inside of the wheel/steering joints.

3. Clutch was replaced some time ago, guy can't remember when

ENGINE

1. Timing belt has been replaced recently.

2. Radiator has been recored/replaced at some point, guy can't remember which.

3. Fuel pump had a new pipe fitted to it recently.

4. Glow plugs have been replaced regularly.

5. Asked about head and said he's had no isues with it.

TYRES/WHEELS

1. Tyres are all good, but only about 30% remaining

2. Wheels in good nick inc spare.

3. Apparently wheel bearings have been changed at some point by the guys brother-in-law

INTERIOR AND OTHER FUNCTIONS

1. A/C recently regassed, but took ages to get cold, so prolly has a leak

2. Interior light not working

3. Carpets seem fine for being 23 years old.

4. Electric windows work, albeit rather slowly. Some dry lube on the channels I think.

5. Interior is that horrible brown colour, but no cracks in dash, overall pretty tidy.

6 FRP looks good as does roll bar.

7. Its an LX version which I'm told has all the extras, I assume this is just carpets and A/C

ROAD TEST

1. Cold start took about 4 seconds to fire up, sounded ok from drivers seat, forgot to listen when I got back under the bonnet.

2. Clutch pedal feels very easy light to push in and out, but seems to bite about the right place.

3. Goes into gear and changes fine, akthough it seems pretty loose in terms of flop and play. Changes down fine, no synchro crunching.

3. Steering feels good, although there is a slight vibration comin through the wheel.

4. Engine is surprisingly responsive and sat comfortable at 110 on the highway.

5. Brakes work as expected.

5. The vehicle just feels pretty loose and I guess to be xpected with a 23 year old vehicle with 400k on the clock.

SUMMARY
I like it ...for 3.5 - 4k its probably a reasonable buy, but just noy completely sure with this many kays.

Your thoughts once again would be terrific
Cheers

Glenn
 
rust on the fold down windshield frame is normal.
budget for a rebuild and a turbo and it sounds like you are good to go.

the front "big balls" should have a from no grease to a thin layer of thick grease. runny grease means the axle seal is gone or heading that way...
 
not necessarily the 'near' future but if you allow for it then it doesn't hurt when/if you need to spend it...
 
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