What are the current thoughts on buying pre- or post-major work for used 80s

[jatree]

In 2017, low mileage for FZJ80's is considered under 200,000 miles. It's more common to find them in the 215-230,000 mile range.

What are the big things that start to come up around the 20-year, 200k mile mark?

• And with that in mind, would you rather buy one that has had the major work due by that age done or buy it for less upfront and get it done yourself?

I know maintenance by the prior owner is key. But let's assume each vehicle falls into one of three categories:

A) Not very well maintained
B) Average maintenance
C) Above average maintenance​

Does it depend on what work needs to be done? Or simply having records and details of that work?

This stems from me seeing several listings recently with head gasket jobs done, radiators replaced, etc and not knowing if I should go for the lower-mileage untroubled truck or the one that has seen some things but been fixed.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts.

 

[69LC]

Where are you and where are you looking? I would suggest not to look in the Midwest where corrosion is so common. Look for a truck from a dry western state that isn't subject to moisture and road salt.

 

[bloc]

Case-by-case basis, ultimately. And to complicate things, your level of competence (or bravery, depending on prior experience) plays into things as well.

The point about rust can't be overstated.. for me this would trump almost any other factor.

That said.. A 150k rig that had "all" of the work done by an undetermined person/shop, using cheap chinese parts? NOPE. All-stock, and needs expensive stuff like radiator, water pump, complete re-seal.. I'd pay good money.

One that has 300k, had a regular here as an owner, took pride in the truck, understood the value of OE or OE-supplier parts, etc.. definitely.

 

[BILT4ME]

Totally depends on how much work you will be doing yourself and how deep your pockets are.

My pockets are shallow, and I do this type of work as "therapy and hobby", so I do it for the enjoyment to get my DD and have a nice vehicle.

I got a #1 and did it myself. I threw $6000 in parts at the truck, but if you figure my labor, I would be $6000 plus about $12,000. HOWEVER, I used it to educate a then 15 year old what and how to do it. That in itself is VERY valuable.

Give a man a truck and he drives it for a while. Teach a man to work on his own truck and he will drive it for a lifetime.

 

[Fj81]

$$$$$ and time, how much you are willing to spend. If I buy a used vehicle, I have to be willing to drop 2 to 3k to fix anything major if it comes up or spend a few weeks/weekends when home from work tinkering(which is entertaining for me). Even if you do things yourself, as the others mentioned, it all depends on your comfort level with turning a wrench o writing a check. I got mine 80 really cheap. It belonged to my brother for a loong time. I know he did lots of dealer maintenance to it, but it was wrecked. It has only 161k on it but its still a gamble. So far I am at well under $2k on it. And it runs and looks whole again, but still needs lots of TLC and $$ to be at the level of a $4-6k used truck

 

[Tools R Us]

...

A) Not very well maintained​

I have seen examples of this type be real gems, hit the trail early and often
and need little.

...C) Above average maintenance

I have seen examples of this type be real $$$ pits, continue to be needy.

At this age anything is a gamble. First priority is being able to assess a vehicle, not how shinny the detail is, how mechanically sound it is. If you can't do it, hookup with someone who can. Second, what is the intended use, a garage show queen is a different rig from something to be enjoyed on the trail.

 

[mct75]

Land Cruisers are like girlfriends. It does not matter what you are looking for, what matters is what you can find.

 

[Marine7]

All of the above are very good recommendations. The 1 thing I will add is- Make sure any work that the seller claims to have been completed is documented! Demand receipts, and if no receipt available, name of shop, then VERIFY! Our oldest daughter bought a Subaru Forester 3-4 years ago, and she wanted to be a grown up so she went alone (I isn't even know she was looking!), SUV was 2 years old, and seller replaced entire exhaust (why?...who knows!). Anyways a week or two after buying it she started having ALL KINDS of problems with it, and it went in and out of dealership 2 or 3 times before I started to look at it. After looking at her receipts and verifying, it seems p.o. had replaced entire exhaust and o2 sensors with aftermarket parts! Bingo! Subaru hates aftermarket parts worse than our Cruisers do! Replaced everything with OEM, and it has purred like a kitten since!! (About $2500 thrown down the toilet)

 

[scrowley]

Buy one as built as you can . They can be had fully built from 15-20k. To build can cost up to 50k.....and a TON of time. I enjoyed the time but not how the $$ spiraled out of control.

 

[baldilocks]

When I was shopping three years ago I called Slee off-road to ask the same basic question as the OP. The gentleman I spoke to said; buy the newest, most well maintained and cared for, lowest miles 80 series you can possibly afford because they are all getting old. I'm a knuckle head who didn't exactly follow that advice so I've been working on mine ever since.

 

[Heckraiser]

Luck of the draw. Just get whichever one is available and suits your needs. IMO these things are old enough that stuff is just as likely to need replacement due to age than wear. I personally would prefer one with good maintenance history over one with low miles, but I can see both sides. Even a low-mileage garage queen with dealer records could still end up being a money pit.

 

[jatree]

It's great to read through these responses and interesting to see how varied the experiences have been around one vehicle. Although I've only been involved in heavy research over the last 4-5 months, I feel like the 80 is at a tipping point. The newest are now at least 20 years old and prices have climbed enough that you can just as often find a 100 with less miles.

I hope the community continues going strong though as I enjoy reading everything from build threads to small fixes and see my eventual ownership of one as a learning opportunity that will last a lifetime.