Real time help wanted - Looking at an FJ62 (4 Viewers)

[CrzrGuinevere]

Hi all,

Looking for some real time help wanted. I'm going to be looking at an '88 FJ62 in a couple hours. It's a pretty clean rig, 245k miles. Bone stock. What I know so far:
- right rear rocker has rust and supposedly a little rust on lower tailgate. Otherwise, I've been told all panels are, wheel wells are is great shape.
- Interior has had seat covers, seats underneath look to be in very good condition.
- AC compressor and dryer have been replaced, but the lines are leaky. Freon will last about a week or so.
- the rear main seal is leaking, but seller said they had the seal and can replace it upon sale.

I will be asking if the AC has been converted to R134 from R12.

Carfax shows a clean title.

 

[jclark]

I read it twice, but don’t see what help you’re needing.

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

I read it twice, but don’t see what help you’re needing.

I was just providing some background to the information I have on the rig so far and if anyone has any input. I'll be seeing it in about 90 or so minutes and will post if I come across something while I'm there

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

This is just an image from the video of the engine I got a couple days ago. The (coolant?) hose has tape, rather than a clamp, but I'd suspect an easy fix for that. In the video the idle sounded fine, I'll know more when I'm there.

 

[87 Land Cruiser]

I am rust adverse probably more than most but that rust damage would make me run away so quick.

 

[georgebj60]

Looks rusty for a WA truck.

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

Looks rusty for a WA truck.

Carfax showed it in Virginia for a bit

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

Here's some pics laying eyes on it. It's got more rust areas, as expected being an east coast car.

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

 

[Devils Paw 80]

It's not a coolant hose, rather a smog pump fitting. What happened is that metal end has rusted out. The fix would be to delete it.
The frame doesn't look bad, but I don't like the door and rocker rust. Dunno, for the right price it might be OK.

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

It's not a coolant hose, rather a smog pump fitting. What happened is that metal end has rusted out. The fix would be to delete it.
The frame doesn't look bad, but I don't like the door and rocker rust. Dunno, for the right price it might be OK.

He's asking 12k

 

[Devils Paw 80]

He's asking 12k

Not the right price for me. I'll let others chime in. I guess after owning one for 20 years I would want to start with another that is as rust free as possible. If you could fix, or pay someone else to fix, the rust problems I'd look into what would be involved with that cost wise and figure it into your offer.

BTW, the proper term for the rusted out piece I referred to earlier is the air injection check valve. You could buy a replacement for it, so not absolutely necessary to remove the air rail. That would be somewhat of a PITA.

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

Little more rust

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

The shocks are toast, steering stabilizer needs to be addressed and the rear main seal.

I'm having him talk to his mechanic on what replacement costs is for that. Before I were to talk any dollars.

Interior needs Could use a good detailing.

The shifter is a bit loose, not sure what repair of that involves.

 

[PeterEdm]

Check out some recently completed auctions on bringatrailer.com for 60 series for a comparison.

With the visible rust on that I would walk away at $12k. Unless you are ok with driving her knowing she will keep rusting away and showing more character with age.

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

Check out some recently completed auctions on bringatrailer.com for 60 series for a comparison.

With the visible rust on that I would walk away at $12k. Unless you are ok with driving her knowing she will keep rusting away and showing more character with age.

Yea. With more thought, the body work is more than I want to get into right now. So the search continues for an FJ62. I'm still trying to budget 20k or under (of possible).

I keep watching BAT and local postings

 

[georgebj60]

There are so many nearly rust free examples close to you, either in Washington, or Oregon, there’s no reason to even look at something that needs rust repair. Mechanical fixes are easier.

 

[Beehanger]

Coming from the guy who totally rushed into buying my 60... don't rush it. Buying in itself and doing the research is the most important part. I myself made posts on mud and all about a rig I was considering buying, it was rust free, but Id dint know anything back then and the engine was tired/ going out, clearly. I overpayed too. Photos can only say so much. Still dealing with engine rebuild stuff as we speak. Dont take peoples word for anything.

Have a mechanic that knows these things look at any rig that you're going to seriously consider buying. You're on youre own whether you like it or not too, and that mechanic can only tell you so much as well. A cruiserhead in your area that actually knows what theyre doing could do a once over to on one you really like. Most 60s need an engine rebuild between 200,000-330,000 miles, due to low compression, knocks, oil burning, or a crescendo moment like a good ole thrown rod.

Rust is what kills these rigs, but also big ticket maintenance items that you cant afford can also knock you off the horse and make you give up. Which, is a similar fate. Hence why I recommend taking it to a mechanic. Theres some pre-buying check list guides on the forum as well, read em.

No clue how mechanically inclined you are or well versed in cruisers, in case you're new-ish, ill say this:
do a lot of actual research before you buy on if cruiser ownership is right for you, its not a matter of if but when you have problems with a 40 year old vehicle. Knowing what you're getting yourself into, especially with a lower budget rig, is essential, ive wasted a lot of hours over one misled decision. ive turned it into a positive, or tried to, by learning a lot fixing it.

Im one of the weirdos who has stuck with it despite a bad buy... not as cool as it sounds. Better to generally know what youre getting yourself into, with your price range the rigs your buying are going to have issues that YOU will have to fix.

That being said I love 60s to the moon and back, if you wanna wrench youre in luck. good luck!

Dan

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

Coming from the guy who totally rushed into buying my 60... don't rush it. Buying in itself and doing the research is the most important part. I myself made posts on mud and all about a rig I was considering buying, it was rust free, but Id dint know anything back then and the engine was tired/ going out, clearly. I overpayed too. Photos can only say so much. Still dealing with engine rebuild stuff as we speak. Dont take peoples word for anything.

Have a mechanic that knows these things look at any rig that you're going to seriously consider buying. You're on youre own whether you like it or not too, and that mechanic can only tell you so much as well. A cruiserhead in your area that actually knows what theyre doing could do a once over to on one you really like. Most 60s need an engine rebuild between 200,000-330,000 miles, due to low compression, knocks, oil burning, or a crescendo moment like a good ole thrown rod.

Rust is what kills these rigs, but also big ticket maintenance items that you cant afford can also knock you off the horse and make you give up. Which, is a similar fate. Hence why I recommend taking it to a mechanic. Theres some pre-buying check list guides on the forum as well, read em.

No clue how mechanically inclined you are or well versed in cruisers, in case you're new-ish, ill say this:
do a lot of actual research before you buy on if cruiser ownership is right for you, its not a matter of if but when you have problems with a 40 year old vehicle. Knowing what you're getting yourself into, especially with a lower budget rig, is essential, ive wasted a lot of hours over one misled decision. ive turned it into a positive, or tried to, by learning a lot fixing it.

Im one of the weirdos who has stuck with it despite a bad buy... not as cool as it sounds. Better to generally know what youre getting yourself into, with your price range the rigs your buying are going to have issues that YOU will have to fix.

That being said I love 60s to the moon and back, if you wanna wrench youre in luck. good luck!

Dan

I appreciate the info. Sorry your rig has given you so much trouble. I'm not rushing it. I keep reaching out to those folks nearby that have good listings. My budget isn't huge, I'd like to be at 20k max. It wouldn't be a daily driver, just a weekender, occasional trips.

I definitely understand there is a level of risk you incur when deciding to buy a 30+ yr old vehicle. Other than the FJ62s, I always liked the GX 470s and they look pretty rad when decked out for overlanding. I've even found a few nearby pretty inexpensive, which really is tempting!
They're maybe not as "cool" as the older FJs, but maybe in another 10 years they will hit that more nostalgic factor.

I just got tempted with another one today, listed for 17K fully decked out, winch, bumpers, jerry cans, spare tire, lift, etc. Pretty sweet looking rig.