Sell or not sell?

[Vanny]

Selling

Hey guys. I am considering selling my 1985 BJ60. I love the 60 and it's great to wheel(Dan will agree). I know I won't get the money out of it that I have put into it, but I now have a more practical work van so it isn't nedded.

If I sell it i would use the money, and more, to build the wife's 94 80 series into an expedition truck(https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/199407-dmc-south-america-expedition-rotw-write-up.html). We are confidently long term planning a family drive to South America(when the kids are 8 and 10).

My first option is sell the 60. It does need work to the rear quarters and some floor spots. It has 4:56, safari snorkel, low km 5 sp.trannny/t-case from an HJ60, ARB bull bar, Belton lift with anti inversion, bla bla bla. Would need rust repair, 13-BT and other upgrades if I used it to go to South America, although it did make it to Belize 3 years ago.

Second option is to store it out doors at the grandparents, use it only for wheelin and sell it in 5 years.

The 80 seems more family friendly for a long expedition. The only thing I have done to it so far is longfields. I would need to do the regular expediton upgrades and maybe a diesel conversion?

I am so confused! It's like breaking up with the hot chick because you know she isn't good for you. Do you break up with her now or when you need to grow up. Do I sell the 60 now or wait till it rusts away for another 5 years from sitting in the weather? Some one else could get good use out of her now. To me she will just be a weekend wheelin truck...when I can aford to.

Should I sell it now and use the money to slowly build the 80 or wait 5 years and hope I can build the 80 then? Thanks for you opinions guys.

 

[canucksafari]

Either way you are going to be doing a diesel swap - no? Diesel is plentiful and cheap throughout the Americas.

As for selling now and slowly building up the 80, that all depends on your cash flow. I can tell you from experience that kids eat up more of your wages as they get older. Stupid me thought once they were out of diapers I would be putting away tons of cash for toys (aka needs).

 

[crawlin cruiser]

Id say sell it. You should be able to get a good buck for it in the states. Its LHD and already registered in canada so it wont be a hassle for them. To me thats your best bet. Then if you miss it(you will) go to the side of steves shop and buy one of his beater wagons. weld up the diffs, get some 31s and the "I dont give a fxxx" factor goes through the roof. You will have a blast

 

[Vanny]

Stupid me thought once they were out of diapers I would be putting away tons of cash for toys (aka needs).[/quote]


I thought things would get less expensive when the oldest got out of her diapers. We took her to the first dentist appointment a couple of weeks ago. Sure would be nice to have dental. It's no wonder dentists have one of the highest suicide rates of professionals; they know every one hates them.

 

[brownbear]

part it out I'll take the snorkel............

 

[bj70_guy]

Disclaimer - it appears I'm physically unable to sell ANYTHING.

Ok, so I'd keep it.
How's the frame? How long till your kids are 8 and 10?

 

[cruiser_guy]

If you decide to sell my kid is looking!

 

[Vanny]

Disclaimer - it appears I'm physically unable to sell ANYTHING.

Ok, so I'd keep it.
How's the frame? How long till your kids are 8 and 10?

The frame is solid. 2 years ago, on the back 1/2, I cut the inner section of the frame out and had new metal welded in. I also removed the rear cross bar with the shock mounts and had the local machine shop fab a new one. As for the kids we are looking at 6-7 years from now. Seems like a long time, but when we first got married we had a five year plan to travel the world for a year. We did that in 02/03 so we are quite confident in our plans becoming reality for this trip as well.

 

[BC40]

Very cool plan.

You might find some interesting reading on 60 versus 80 series for a trip like you're planning in the expedition section.

My opinion is take the 60. Yes the truck will be 6 years older by the time you go on the trip, but really, the 60 with 13BT would still be a better choice for the trip you're planning. Not as spacious or refined, but easier to repair and much cheaper to run (compared to the US spec 80), and it won't stand out to the locals the way a fancy built 80 will.

 

[prado t]

Keep your 60 it is more economical, sell the 80 if it is OK with the wife and then buy toys.

ps Greg you can always find an 80 but 60s are hard to come by. Stick with the first plan the one you mentioned at whipsaw. just my 2pennys whatever choice you do good luck!
aaron

 

[jcolvin]

Sell them both, buy a built JDM 80 diesel and turn it into an expedition rig for 1/3 the price of doing a diesel conversion on your current 80. A diesel conversion on a North American 80 is so not worth the time and $ when you can get a low mileage factory JDM diesel for (comparatively) peanuts.

 

[Vanny]

I loike the idea of a JDM 80, but I just can't get around the RHD thing. I drove a RHD 70 series troopie in Oz, but then I was on the left side of the road. I am a slow learner. For 3 months in Oz I was going to the passenger side door expecting to see a steering wheel.

 

[Vanny]

Went wheelin on Saturday with the 60. Man I love the old truck with the diesel when I am off road.

 

[prado t]

Theres your answer Dont sell it Period

 

[Vanny]

Theres your answer Dont sell it Period

I've made a decision...kind of. I think this summer I will put a lift in the wifes 80 and take it wheelin. We have 285's on it so I am thinking 4" OME. One I take it wheelin I can decide if I like the feel of coil springs off road. I may also order a 1HD-T with tranny and t-case from my parts guy, just in case. If I decide not to keep the 80 I will sell them. If I keep the 80...it's time to start saving for the conversion. Who knows, I may not like the coils.

All this going back and forth makes me feel like a Liberal. I can base my decision on how I feel when I wake up.

 

[Fantom]

you'll like the coils, much more pleasant of a ride. Off set them with adjustable shock absorbers for comfort and stability and it becomes a nice ride.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Greg, if you do sell the '60 my kid is interested. After having a car for a year since she did not like the '55 (she said it was "an evil Herbie" because it left her stranded due to no shake down time after the restoration) she has come to the realization that the car just doesn't do it for off road! Surprise!

 

[Vanny]

The 1985 BJ60 is officially, unofficially for sale. It has been parked, uninsured, beside my grandparents house for a couple of weeks. Some people have knocked on thier door to ask about it. The grandparents said it isn't for sale. Well, I am now putting a sign on it with my phone # and $10,000 firm. I don't think I will list it in the classifieds yet. If it sells, it sells. If not, it doesn't cost me anything sitting there.