So I went to look at this Cruiser yesterday..

[best4x4xfar]

So I went to look at this cruiser yesterday ('97 40th). The Interior was in the nicest shape of any I have seen yet, the exterior pretty good, though far from perfect. Drove well, except for the brakes, Lockers engaged instantly, low range engaged easily, fluids looked/smelled normal, mileage was low (under 80K). Couldn't find any signs of a HG leak. Here are the glaring issues for me..

~> Axel seals failed, gray grease ozing from the swivel balls
~> Brake pedal goes to the floor before anything happens. He said he just replaced the front pads recently, and the rotors about a year ago. Brakes may just need to be bled, but could it be an issue with the master cylinder?
~> Windsheild had a crack. Small, but won't pass inspection in my state
~> Ticking sound at idle (normal?)
~> Sounded like a vacum leak when accelerating
~> Transmission and transfer case showed some minor leaks
~> Fair amount of corrosion on the undercarriage
~> Fair amount of Corrosion on the wheels.

I figured up in my head probably about $2,000 in work right after I get it to take care of the axel seals/Brakes/Windsheild and clean up some of the corrosion before it takes hold.

Any thoughts from the group on what this truck should be worth, given what needs to be repaired? I made him an offer based on what I thought was fair market value for the truck if I had had to do nothing to it, minus the $2k I felt I'd need to spend on it. Opinions welcome..

 

[Beowulf]

>> but could it be an issue with the master cylinder? <<

Might be the booster.

You asked us to give you our thoughts on what this truck should be worth but you didn't tell us the model year. If it's a '97, about $16k.

-B-

 

[NovaFZJ80]

There's a few in the sunday paper 11/14 from 94-97 LC's...might want to check these out...as it gets colder, prices go up even more

95 LC $13,200
96 LC $12,900 new paint, 116k miles
97 LC $15,000 102k miles
97 LC 40th Annv $15,900 116k miles

 

[landtank]

Talk with E9999, for quite a while he wa in search of the perfect 80. He found pretty much what you have and I doubt you'll be able to knock off much of what blue book is.

It looks normal to me as far as what you have rerported. Axle job is expected with all purchases now. The brakes are like mine when I bought my truck, some pads and a bleed and they will probably be fine.

Honestly what you have found, I would consider normal for a truck that has had average care. Better to get a truck like this where you can properly do the maintenance yourself verses getting one that someone else has scew up the maintenance on.

How did the PS cooler look? That should be about ready for replacement.

 

[tucker74]

~> Axel seals failed, gray grease ozing from the swivel balls

Prety much expected on any truck you'll find - unless you buy from a fellow Cruiserhead

~> Brake pedal goes to the floor before anything happens. He said he just replaced the front pads recently, and the rotors about a year ago. Brakes may just need to be bled, but could it be an issue with the master cylinder?

Prolly just needs a bleed - buddy of mine had to do his several times to get the pedal back to the way it was after his lines were replaced.

~> Windsheild had a crack. Small, but won't pass inspection in my state
~> Ticking sound at idle (normal?)

I've noticed this more on the '95-'97 - even when the valves are in spec.

~> Sounded like a vacum leak when accelerating

Common exhaust whistle - nothing to worry about.

~> Transmission and transfer case showed some minor leaks

Prolly speedo o-ring on transfer...donno about tranny.

~> Fair amount of corrosion on the undercarriage
~> Fair amount of Corrosion on the wheels.

I figured up in my head probably about $2,000 in work right after I get it to take care of the axel seals/Brakes/Windsheild and clean up some of the corrosion before it takes hold.

Any thoughts from the group on what this truck should be worth, given what needs to be repaired? I made him an offer based on what I thought was fair market value for the truck if I had had to do nothing to it, minus the $2k I felt I'd need to spend on it. Opinions welcome..

I'd say $15-$17K right now....

Good Luck!

Tucker

 

[Rich]

"~> Axel seals failed, gray grease ozing from the swivel balls"

Just a minor note, but gray grease on the knuckle does not in itself indicate that the axel seals have failed. If it is runny grease mixed with gear lube, then you know the axle seals are failing.

All that being said, if you plan on running a high mileage Land Cruiser for any length of time you need to plan on budgeting for some expensive time consuming front axle maintenance.

 

[RavenTai]

~> Fair amount of corrosion on the undercarriage
~> Fair amount of Corrosion on the wheels.

Is Maryland a rust prone area? If not I would look elsewhere, if Maryland is part of the rust belt I guess there is no point in worrying about it as it will corrode anyway.

That and the brakes would be a deal breaker for me, as I8RUST, almost all of the 80’s in GA are from up north although for the most part it is not showing in the bodies yet it is very apparent in the general hardware and undercarriage. It took me a long time to find a locked 96/97 in good condition that was from the south, I was getting ready to fly to Texas and look (it is cheap for me to fly) when I found this one.

 

[Kaderabek]

~> Fair amount of corrosion on the undercarriage

Find another one.

TJK

 

[Landpimp]

bad booster would give a rock hard pedal, not a soft or low pedal.

>> but could it be an issue with the master cylinder? <<

Might be the booster.

You asked us to give you our thoughts on what this truck should be worth but you didn't tell us the model year. If it's a '97, about $16k.

-B-

 

[Romer]

A Master Cyl with a leak would cause a soft pedal.

I think with the kind of work that needs its worth about $13-14K

 

[best4x4xfar]

I had offered him $15K. He acted insulted. I explained my reasoning to him, but I'm sure he felt that he'd wait to see if he could find someone that didn't know any better. Maybe I'll send him an e-mail in a week or two see if he has changed his mind...

"On another note, anyone in the Roseville California area willing to look at a "Toyota Certified" '97 Cruiser for me?

 

[phishtaco]

hmmm....I don't think he is looking for a sucker. He has a 80 fs it is more than you wanna spend on it. I wouldn't bother sending him an email.......

 

[stevek]

I would think for a 97 with the issues you have listed even $15K might be on the high side.

 

[basalt51]

"On another note, anyone in the Roseville California area willing to look at a "Toyota Certified" '97 Cruiser for me?

LOL, was going to head over there myself this weekend, but I couldn't make it

I'll let you know what I find if they don't like my offer

EDIT: Also, be sure to clarify what "Toyota Certified" someone is talking about. The official Toyota certified applies to vehicles four years old or newer and 55,000 or less miles

 

[NorCalDoug]

"On another note, anyone in the Roseville California area willing to look at a "Toyota Certified" '97 Cruiser for me?

Sure. Can do. Send me a PM or reply to this and I'll check it out for you. If it's one of the dealerships in the automall, I can check on my way to or from work -- I take a shortcut through there sometimes.

 

[mot]

I take a shortcut through there sometimes.

Shortcut, that's what you tell your wife anyway, right?

Sometimes ends up in a longcut?

 

[landtank]

Common guys you're all starting to sound like junk.

It's a 40th, which I wouldn't care but some would think that's worth something
very clean interior
nice exterior
80k MILES
LOCKERS

regardless of what you can argue for a price reduction this guy will easily get his price. Somebody will fall in love with this truck and buy it on the spot. I probably paid a little to much for my truck, I don't consider myself a sucker, just happy as hell at getting just what I was looking for and enjoying every mile of it.

 

[loquito]

I probably paid a little to much for my truck, I don't consider myself a sucker, just happy as hell at getting just what I was looking for and enjoying every mile of it.

Me too, and since it was local I could look at it myself without traveling or gambling alot of travel money on an old wreck.
S

 

[NorCalDoug]

Shortcut, that's what you tell your wife anyway, right?

Sometimes ends up in a longcut?

A longcut? Sometimes

Shooting thru there lets me miss 2 traffic lights and a bunch of nonsense at one very irritating intersection...I like to think if it as a shortcut, but it does let me check vehicles out from time to time.

 

[NovaFZJ80]

Best4x4xfar,

Did you get a chance to check out the other LCs that were in the Wash Post ????