Used '94 FZJ80 Inspection and Rust Question

[Will Van]

I am looking at purchasing a 1994 FZJ80 with 184k miles. Overall the truck is very clean and well-maintained. However, there are a few small rust spots on the A-pillars and at one of the door seams.

How concerned should I be about these spots? To me, they are minor cosmetic issues that can be repaired. Or am I about to buy a truck that's going to rust apart?

 

[bigredmachine]

bottom of the door, not a big deal. around the windshield is more of a concern, it dosnt look bad so you could have the windshield pulled out and have the rust in the frame cleaned off and windshield reinstalled

 

[gummycarbs]

Where is the rust in the first two? All I see is weird RTV silicone, or something like it.

That rust is addressable, but it's important to look at the underside. Especially behind the rear axle, check out the frame and underside of the body.

If it's just going to be a winter beater truck, then who cares. But if you plan to keep it, modify it, and maintain it, every rusted fastener under there is going to be a PITA.

 

[Will Van]

bottom of the door, not a big deal. around the windshield is more of a concern, it dosnt look bad so you could have the windshield pulled out and have the rust in the frame cleaned off and windshield reinstalled

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. All places are repairable. The windshield area is a little more work, but could be fixed.

Where is the rust in the first two? All I see is weird RTV silicone, or something like it.

That rust is addressable, but it's important to look at the underside. Especially behind the rear axle, check out the frame and underside of the body.

If it's just going to be a winter beater truck, then who cares. But if you plan to keep it, modify it, and maintain it, every rusted fastener under there is going to be a PITA.

You're correct, the pillar/windshield area isn't necessarily rusted, they just put that RTV crap in there. The undercarriage isn't terrible, but there is some minor cosmetic surface rust on things.

 

[bigredmachine]

id question the windshield install if they rtv around the frame, might have a bit of a water leak if their gooping up arounf the windshield

 

[Will Van]

I snapped a few photos of the undercarriage, but they're not great. Overall, looks pretty clean to me.

 

[Will Van]

id question the windshield install if they rtv around the frame, might have a bit of a water leak if their gooping up arounf the windshield

RTV wasn't really around the windshield frame, just between the front fender and the A-pillar. I see what you mean though.

 

[bigredmachine]

frame looks great, ill trade ya straight up. nice color as well

 

[Will Van]

frame looks great, ill trade ya straight up. nice color as well

Agreed, I love the color!

 

[Malleus]

x2 on the windshield. Looks like the replacement was done by Billy Bob and his twin. There's a minor art to replacing am 80 series windshield. It involves obtaining and using (following) the FSM, including using an OEM gasket. The aftermarket gaskets leak. That's what I'd be worried most about. A windshield leak will cause problems. Maybe not tomorrow, but they will happen.

The rest of the truck looks sweet.

 

[Will Van]

x2 on the windshield. Looks like the replacement was done by Billy Bob and his twin. There's a minor art to replacing am 80 series windshield. It involves obtaining and using (following) the FSM, including using an OEM gasket. The aftermarket gaskets leak. That's what I'd be worried most about. A windshield leak will cause problems. Maybe not tomorrow, but they will happen.

The rest of the truck looks sweet.

Awesome, thank you very much for the info. I thought for sure the truck was rusting at the A-pillar, but the shoddy windshield installation makes more sense.

Thank you so much for the intel!

 

[Will Van]

x2 on the windshield. Looks like the replacement was done by Billy Bob and his twin. There's a minor art to replacing am 80 series windshield. It involves obtaining and using (following) the FSM, including using an OEM gasket. The aftermarket gaskets leak. That's what I'd be worried most about. A windshield leak will cause problems. Maybe not tomorrow, but they will happen.

The rest of the truck looks sweet.

Ballpark, how much should a proper installation cost? Including the cost of the OEM gasket and the glue, plus the labor to install it via the "minor art" procedure?

 

[gummycarbs]

Ballpark, how much should a proper installation cost? Including the cost of the OEM gasket and the glue, plus the labor to install it via the "minor art" procedure?

I found a local windshield shop that had good reviews, then I dropped by and asked to talk to their installer. I asked him about replacing my windshield and he said the magic words: urethane sealant. They use aftermarket gaskets, so I ordered OEM for ~$50 (p/n 56121-60100). I think they knocked something like $30 off the price if I bring my own gasket.

The point is, assuming you just want your existing windshield removed and reinstalled, price will depend *entirely* on the local installer, and it's critical that you find one that knows the correct method. If I remember correctly, they require urethane on both sides of the seal: between the seal and the glass, and between the seal and the body. Print out the relevant pages from the FSM and bring them with you.

 

[Will Van]

I found a local windshield shop that had good reviews, then I dropped by and asked to talk to their installer. I asked him about replacing my windshield and he said the magic words: urethane sealant. They use aftermarket gaskets, so I ordered OEM for ~$50 (p/n 56121-60100). I think they knocked something like $30 off the price if I bring my own gasket.

The point is, assuming you just want your existing windshield removed and reinstalled, price will depend *entirely* on the local installer, and it's critical that you find one that knows the correct method. If I remember correctly, they require urethane on both sides of the seal: between the seal and the glass, and between the seal and the body. Print out the relevant pages from the FSM and bring them with you.

Good info. What was the total cost after they knocked off $30?

I'm asking because I may use the windshield installation as a negotiation tactic with the seller. There are additionally some other things that need to be fixed on the truck (it has the wrong battery), so it would be a global approach to negotiating. I'm not going to nickel and dime the seller on every little thing. Just, "Hey, these are the things wrong with the truck (windshield, battery, etc.). Would you be willing to come down on your price by XYZ amount to offset the cost of those repairs?" Something along those lines.

 

[gummycarbs]

Good info. What was the total cost after they knocked off $30?

I believe it was $300, but that's for a new, aftermarket windshield. It sounded like you just wanted to remove and replace the existing one.

 

[Malleus]

Ballpark, how much should a proper installation cost? Including the cost of the OEM gasket and the glue, plus the labor to install it via the "minor art" procedure?

It probably won't be the same where you are, because prices seem to be specific to location, but here it has been $750 out the door for OEM glass and seal. I've had it done on two trucks now.