To buy or not to buy?

[SirLexington]

So I'm new to Land Cruisers, at least as a hobbyist, and the FJ60 has captured my interest. That said, I have a chance to get my hands on one with 110k original miles that a guy has started to do some body work on. It will need rear quarters on both sides and a rocker on the passenger side. This is acceptable. However, the part that worries me is the frame. It's rusty. It's hard to tell HOW rusty (I'm sure that's the real question), but it is missing the rear cross member (I think). Oddly enough, the floor panels look fine. The interior is also pretty nice. Now, I'm not looking to make a hard core rig here. I'm happy with a stock FJ60 with a little body work and fresh paint. The asking price is 1k... should I snatch it up or pay a bit more for another that comes along with less rust?

Thanks all, and yes, I read the buyers guide, but this is rather specific to this truck.

 

[dbleon]

Wait for one with no rust.... its not worth it since you like the stock FJ60. If you were going to modify in any way, or wheel it, then as long as the frame is intact, who cares...

Good luck, these trucks truly are neat.

 

[smooth]

Stay away from a rusted frame. You can essentially fix or replace anything else (motor, body, interior). I was tempted to purchase a 60 with a bad frame thinking I could fix it but eventually walked away and am glad I did. Later found and bought one 10x nicer with a good frame for only a little more money. Be patient something will come along.

 

[Happy Trails]

Good advice, be patient there are better 60's out there!

 

[shancerlelby]

you say frame rust but you have yet to tell your location. Canadian frame rust you should probably run away. Anywhere else in the world it might be fine. Pictures are worth a thousand words as well.

For me rusty frame is par for the course and that low a k i'd buy it anyways.

 

[Heckraiser]

I would run away. Unless you and the wife aren't getting along and you'd like to spend all your free time in the garage.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Definitely need some pics.
If it looks like it is rotten around where the leaf springs attach to it you should probably stay away, unless you want the experience of swapping frames.

 

[SirLexington]

Haha, that's about what I figured, though I am still tempted by the price. The wife and I are getting along well enough for her to let me toy with adding a 60 to our modest fleet. We have a 2 car garage and 3 vehicles at the moment (one is my delightfully ugly 92 F-250 diesel... trucks don't count against the total... right?). I will try to get the current owner to send me some pictures and I will post them for expert inspection. Thanks so far!

 

[SirLexington]

Apparently my memory is a pessimist, because it looks pretty good here.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

The 2-3 main places these trucks frames rust are not shown in your pics. You need to see the inner frame above each of the rear spring hangers (the hangers under the rear doors) and the inner framerails next to the spare tire. The rust holes over the spring hanger are not too bad to fix, the rear frame rail rust is a different story. Some folks also have issues with the rear shock crossmember rotting off where each end meets the inner framerails.

I agree the outside of this frame looks decent. It will need wire wheeled and painted pretty soon to keep it decent but it's not bad.

Nick

 

[SirLexington]

I have pics of the outer rails above the spring hangers, but none of the inner frame and non rear of the wheels. I remember the rear section being worse than the rest.... but I would also think that would be one of the easier sections to replace / repair? I'll get to see it again and hopefully drive it this weekend. I will update at that point. Anything else specific I should be looking for?

Thanks very much!

 

[kling-on]

those parts dont rust... lets see the rear inner frame pics and the rear front and rear sping hangers

 

[LakeTahoeFJ62]

run away