Should I Buy or Keep Looking? (1 Viewer)

[magnato1]

Hi All!

Have wanted an FJ60 since I was a kid. I periodically look at them, but they’re usually out of my price range. Found this one for sale for $6,000. Guy is moving in a week and trying to sell. He says it runs and drives fine but needs a muffler. My big concern is the rust. I’m thinking this is more than surface rust and I should keep looking. I don’t want a truck that’s beyond repair or would require frame off restoration. I just don’t have the time or money for that.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ocho77]

Welcome!

Looks good to me for $6k. I'd buy it if it runs/drives. Unless you want a shiny truck, buy it and drive it.

 

[John McVicker]

Welcome!

Looks good to me for $6k. I'd buy it if it runs/drives. Unless you want a shiny truck, buy it and drive it.

Agree. Everyone has to realize all 60’s are approaching 40 years old. I’d rather not have rust…but from what you’ve shown us…that’s not a deal breaker. And $6k is very reasonable.

 

[magnato1]

Welcome!

Looks good to me for $6k. I'd buy it if it runs/drives. Unless you want a shiny truck, buy it and drive it.

It doesn’t need to be shiny, I like the patina of the original paint and I plan to actually drive it. But, I’d like to get something that I can work on and eventually eliminate the rust. I don’t want something that’s going to just keep deteriorating underneath me, if that makes sense?

 

[John McVicker]

You can fix most of that rust with the right kind of ‘rust paint’. Por 15 etc.

 

[Ocho77]

It doesn’t need to be shiny, I like the patina of the original paint and I plan to actually drive it. But, I’d like to get something that I can work on and eventually eliminate the rust. I don’t want something that’s going to just keep deteriorating underneath me, if that makes sense?

Understood. Also, as @John McVicker stated, that truck is almost 40 years old. If that's all the rust it has after 40 years, you can probably drive it another 40 years in California.

 

[magnato1]

Understood. Also, as @John McVicker stated, that truck is almost 40 years old. If that's all the rust it has after 40 years, you can probably drive it another 40 years in California.

So that rust on the frame doesn’t concern you? I know nothing about rust (having grown up in dry parts of California). Looks nasty to me, but I’m hoping I can just hit it with wire stripping tool next summer and then paint over it with por 15 or something like that.

 

[majdomo]

Check the rear C-channels and rearmost spring mounts. There's a C-channel insert that rusts and turns all pillowy, but if the outer frame rail looks ok other than surface rust it may be repairable. Trail Tailor sells new inserts that can be installed but it's a total pain in the a$$. Body rust can be patched. So can frame rust for that matter but it gets $$ fast. Also check the rearmost crossmember under the back bumper.

Surface rust is not a worry, but run from structural cancer.

 

[lcolon]

Your location states California - while the rust is all fixable, and I have fixed a little on my cruisers body, there are definitely nicer vehicles out there - the balance is how much you want to pay now vs pay later for rust fixing

I looked around the immediate CA region - a nicer version is at least 2x in cost...

Hopefully soon we say - welcome and nice cruiser.

 

[WartHog73]

Are these pictures you took, or ones sent to you by the owner? From your description it sounds like you haven't driven it. Obviously laying eyes on the rig and ensuring you have a good sense of the real level of rust will be helpful as you make your decision.

Otherwise getting some Penetrol or Fluid Film to slow things down until you have a game plan will help.

 

[BrickRunner]

How are the drip rails and roof?

 

[bj70bc]

thats medium to a lot of rust, needs checking over in person, how far into the frame and body is it.... at 4k it would be less of a concern
guess it depends on how much 60's love ya got

 

[magnato1]

Are these pictures you took, or ones sent to you by the owner? From your description it sounds like you haven't driven it. Obviously laying eyes on the rig and ensuring you have a good sense of the real level of rust will be helpful as you make your decision.

Otherwise getting some Penetrol or Fluid Film to slow things down until you have a game plan will help.

I haven’t driven it or seen it in person. It’s located about 6 hours away, but I have a friend who lives in the area. I was going to have him take a look, drive it, etc, but neither of us knows much about rust which is why I wanted to post here. There are definitely some nice 60s out there with no rust for about twice as much, unfortunately I don’t have the money for that. I don’t want to purchase just because I can afford it, so it this looks like $6k in rust repair, I’ll just hold off.

 

[bj70bc]

6k in rust repair dont go far at all,
id say no it wont
and you still got the frame to deal with
or forget it and drive it and never wash it

 

[88Retired62]

Unless you consider the sum of $6 grand mere pocket change, I’d say jump on it and enjoy the endless outflow of your wealthy dead rich uncle’s inheritance. Just be true to your first instincts and be wary of an impulse buy based on the sellers description of “it runs and drives fine but needs a muffler.” Good Lord, the seller can’t even conjure up an original “sales pitch”! And, if you’re currently married, good luck….you soon won’t be!

 

[White Stripe]

It's missing the entire rocker panel lol. I wouldn't buy that. If you can't afford more than 6k I would keep saving up. I see lower tail gate cancer. The rocker panel is gone, and quarter panel rust. At a body shop that is probably at least 6k in rust repair not including paint. A pillars are likely rusting too. And you still have mechanical repairs. Unless you have a nice garage to diy everything, I would set 15k aside instead of 6k. The floors look solid which is a big plus.

 

[FJ404345]

^^^this

Keep your dream and your money

 

[majdomo]

It's missing the entire rocker panel lol. I wouldn't buy that. If you can't afford more than 6k I would keep saving up. I see lower tail gate cancer. The rocker panel is gone, and quarter panel rust. At a body shop that is probably at least 6k in rust repair not including paint. A pillars are likely rusting too. And you still have mechanical repairs. Unless you have a nice garage to diy everything, I would set 15k aside instead of 6k. The floors look solid which is a big plus.

^^^this

Keep your dream and your money

Both of these, IMO. Been down this (expensive) road already. Never again.

 

[DrRock]

Something that hasn't been covered is the SMOG topic. Since you plan on registering in Cali, you'll want to make sure it can pass smog now. I don't live in Cali but reading what others have to go through to get vehicles to pass would make me want to have a solid understanding of what lies ahead on this topic with this truck.

Best of luck with your decision. From my perspective and if your budget allows, going up to the 8-10k range might yield a better selection.

Cheers, James

 

[Sethro60]

I bought a rusty 60 from a guy for two grand 10 years ago from a guy who was living in it in, no joke, No Name, Colorado. I've trounced all over the Colorado mountains and Utah deserts and the rust never affected the performance of the truck one bit. I got a decade of awesome memories I might not have other wise. Cruisers exist to get to beautiful places, not to look pretty.