Edited to add: Maybe I wasn't too clear in the initial post. I think it's pretty evident that the FJ40 is in better shape than the FJ60. I imagine that the overwhelming responses are going to be "restore the FJ40". What I'm needing is specific advice on how much it would cost to have each vehicle restored (or, just the FJ40 if you're in favor of that one) and what specifically will need to be done to it. As I describe in my posts, I know nothing about restoration and the rust really scares me...but I know nothing about fixing rust. So please provide as much detail as possible and what will be involved. Because right now, I'm looking at these things thinking that it's not even something I could remotely afford. Thanks. -Phil
This thread will serve as a continuation of this thread from over in the 60 series forum. In case you missed it, I essentially have two Land Cruisers in the family that have been sitting unused for many years and I'm thinking about trying to fix one of them up. One is a 1980 FJ40 and the other is a later model FJ60 (I'd mistakenly thought it to be an FJ62 prior to taking a look at it). On that thread, I was asking for advice on which one to pick for the restoration. On this thread, I will post photos that I took (there are actually more but I think these will suffice) and tell some things about the vehicles that I was able to learn. Hopefully y'all can then give me some ideas about how much it would cost to restore each of them to excellent condition. (Oh, and in case you're wondering, I chose to post this thread in the FJ40 area cause I have a feeling the 40's going to be more easily restorable. You can judge for yourselves though.)
Anyway, when I got up there to look at the LCs, I was extremely disappointed. I'm not Land Cruiser expert or anything, but they look to me to be in pretty rough shape. Especially (and surprisingly) the FJ60. I'll start with it...
I'm not sure what the exact year on this 60 is but it's supposedly a later model. We are the second owners and bought it around 1995. It has 180,000 miles on it and probably has not been driven since about 1997. As for what I saw... I saw a lot of rust but I don't know the first thing about rust repair. I'll let the photos speak for themselves. I also saw a lot of damaged interior panels and cracked dashboards which I'm assuming would have to be replaced. Those can't be cheap. Basically, the interior was trashed. Again, I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Looking at this truck, I got the impression that it would require a very extensive restoration to get it in excellent condition.
(above) Rust on some part of the front right wheel well
(above) Rust around the entire edge of the roof, also rust and peeled paint on top of the roof; note the dents in the rear doors
(above) Rust on the rear seat; carpet's trashed too
(above) Cuts, tears, and holes in the interior panels
FJ40 info will continue in the following post due to image posting limitations...
This thread will serve as a continuation of this thread from over in the 60 series forum. In case you missed it, I essentially have two Land Cruisers in the family that have been sitting unused for many years and I'm thinking about trying to fix one of them up. One is a 1980 FJ40 and the other is a later model FJ60 (I'd mistakenly thought it to be an FJ62 prior to taking a look at it). On that thread, I was asking for advice on which one to pick for the restoration. On this thread, I will post photos that I took (there are actually more but I think these will suffice) and tell some things about the vehicles that I was able to learn. Hopefully y'all can then give me some ideas about how much it would cost to restore each of them to excellent condition. (Oh, and in case you're wondering, I chose to post this thread in the FJ40 area cause I have a feeling the 40's going to be more easily restorable. You can judge for yourselves though.)
Anyway, when I got up there to look at the LCs, I was extremely disappointed. I'm not Land Cruiser expert or anything, but they look to me to be in pretty rough shape. Especially (and surprisingly) the FJ60. I'll start with it...
I'm not sure what the exact year on this 60 is but it's supposedly a later model. We are the second owners and bought it around 1995. It has 180,000 miles on it and probably has not been driven since about 1997. As for what I saw... I saw a lot of rust but I don't know the first thing about rust repair. I'll let the photos speak for themselves. I also saw a lot of damaged interior panels and cracked dashboards which I'm assuming would have to be replaced. Those can't be cheap. Basically, the interior was trashed. Again, I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Looking at this truck, I got the impression that it would require a very extensive restoration to get it in excellent condition.
(above) Rust on some part of the front right wheel well
(above) Rust around the entire edge of the roof, also rust and peeled paint on top of the roof; note the dents in the rear doors
(above) Rust on the rear seat; carpet's trashed too
(above) Cuts, tears, and holes in the interior panels
FJ40 info will continue in the following post due to image posting limitations...
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