Would you consider this terminal or difficult/expensive to fix?

[ncduckman]

Please forgive me for posting redundant threads, but I need an opinion so I can make an offer soon.

I am looking at a 1989 FJ62 with low miles and it pretty straight. The body in rust free except for 3 of doors have the typical rust starting in the lower inner/outer seam. There is also an area in the seam behind the rear bumper.

I would like to make an offer, but not if this is/would be a major issue. I would have it fixed immediately, but if the work is difficult/expensive then the offer would have to be adjusted, or no offer at all.

I appreciate the help!

Robert

The rest of the drama considering this truck can be seen here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/254580-looking-fj62-what-one-worth.html

 

[Mace]

Define "expensive"

 

[ncduckman]

Define "expensive"

That is a good question. Expensive/difficult for me would entail replacing the doors, or having body work done that would involve the removal and replacement of metal. If it was just a matter of removing the "caulk", sanding/grinding away the rust, prime, "caulk", and paint; then that would be more desirable.

I guess if I had to put a number on it, $500-$750 would be the threshold between expensive or not. Of course, that isn't much and body shop rates vary wildly, so maybe "difficult" would be a better word.

 

[cruiser88]

need more info......The condition of the overall rig....price..etc

 

[Waggoner5]

The problem with repairing a door issue like this is that the skin and door shell are 2 pieces, and no matter how much sanding and prep work you will not be able to get between the 2. I would find some rust free southern truck
doors, repaint and install.

 

[ncduckman]

need more info......The condition of the overall rig....price..etc

The whole story is here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/254580-looking-fj62-what-one-worth.html

113000 miles. Rust free except for aforementioned doors. Needs front end/steering work. Needs ujoint/s Needs tune up. Needs knuckle seals/rebuilt. Needs tires. Has rear main or oil pan leak. Needs 3 of 4 seat belts (dog). Headliner not flawless, not trashed, couple small tears, lots of scratches (dogs), otherwise interior clean. Everything works except for rear wiper & antenna. Ran and drove well except for miss at idle and loose steering.

He wanted $7000, got him down to $5000 before seeing it. Saw it, he had another buyer, I passed, other buyer got something else. Back to me to "make him an offer."

Was thinking $2500ish. Seller will likely tell me to take a flying leap.

Robert

 

[cruiser88]

With your description I would not go over 3 k. 62's are still a dime a dozen

The whole story is here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/254580-looking-fj62-what-one-worth.html

113000 miles. Rust free except for aforementioned doors. Needs front end/steering work. Needs ujoint/s Needs tune up. Needs knuckle seals/rebuilt. Needs tires. Has rear main or oil pan leak. Needs 3 of 4 seat belts (dog). Headliner not flawless, not trashed, couple small tears, lots of scratches (dogs), otherwise interior clean. Everything works except for rear wiper & antenna. Ran and drove well except for miss at idle and loose steering.

He wanted $7000, got him down to $5000 before seeing it. Saw it, he had another buyer, I passed, other buyer got something else. Back to me to "make him an offer."

Was thinking $2500ish. Seller will likely tell me to take a flying leap.

Robert

 

[High Desert]

If that door rust is "typical" it is would aslo be typical for rust to be in most all the other "typical"
places, tail gate, frame, wheel wells (inside the lip) under the battery, on the front bib, inside the front/rear bumpers where all the splash goes.

I'm with Waggoner5, there is a better truck out there. It is well worth a plane ticket to fly out and get a rust free rig. Check out the Oregon Craig s list, (don't know where you are located) Loads of Cruisers, many rigs with no rust, (it's wet in Portland but seldom snows & no salt is used anywhere in the state)

 

[ncduckman]

If that door rust is "typical" it is would aslo be typical for rust to be in most all the other "typical"
places, tail gate, frame, wheel wells (inside the lip) under the battery, on the front bib, inside the front/rear bumpers where all the splash goes.

You are right there. I am in NC, but came from MN and brought my old 1989 down with me. I went over this truck very thoroughly as I knew first hand where the typical spots were. They all checked out. I appreciate the help from y'all. I will likely keep looking, probably for an 80 or LX.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Started at $7k huh? That's a sub $3k rig by your description. I live in AZ and got into cruisers by buying a coworker's rig brought west from MI with similar rust issues. I paid $2k, and it was dead straight, save the rust.

 

[Ducks]

Wow, $7000 is a ridiculous price. Run away from rust. Get a cruiser from somewhere out west.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Wow, $7000 is a ridiculous price. Run away from rust. Get a cruiser from somewhere out west.

Ducks is correct. I see $4,000 all the time with low miles. And if you want a 60 it's even easier than a 62 as they are everywhere here in California.

It's a great buyers market for these now as people are gas scared and new SUV's are cheap.

 

[4x4Rugger]

hey man i live in oregon got mine for 1800 with no rust and 135k miles, front end work what does that mean? can gt expensive, if you are considering anything around 5k you can get a cruiser with a whole lot less going on and new tires can cost plenty id pass, there are plenty more out there than this one.

 

[90FJ62]

If you are still looking there are others out there. check the iwanna and craigslist for WNC. I saw a few listed on there the past few weeks. There was a tan 60 on there last week. Owner said he brought it from cali and it was rust free. He wanted a good bit for it but it was a good looking truck. If you need one checked out over in WNC or upstate SC, send me a pm

Dave

 

[D'Animal]

If you have $7k to spend on an FJ62, send TValdriz a PM and buy his.

 

[Southeast Overland]

I would look for another rig. My Pig had rust in the same areas but not as bad. I wirewheeled the fool out of the outside, prepped the outside and inside and lathered in POR15. That was about a year ago and nothing has come back - BUT - my Pig is garaged and not driven much.

 

[D'Animal]

Pigs have thicker skin than the 60 series.

I would look for another rig. My Pig had rust in the same areas but not as bad. I wirewheeled the fool out of the outside, prepped the outside and inside and lathered in POR15. That was about a year ago and nothing has come back - BUT - my Pig is garaged and not driven much.

 

[chicago]

That dude was SMMMMMOOOOKIN something when he posted the original price.
I got my pile for 2500 with high mileage and a crap load of rust.
I chopped the beotch up, cut the rust out, and Im now doing an engine swap...
At the time, 2500.00 was a good deal. Knowing what I know now about these rigs...Id NEVER have paid that price. I was GREEN to rigs and 4 wheelin as I was buying my first rig.
For 5K you can get an awesome rig, built and cared for from a mudder.

Good luck

Chicago

 

[D'Animal]

X - 2

That dude was SMMMMMOOOOKIN something when he posted the original price.
I got my pile for 2500 with high mileage and a crap load of rust.
I chopped the beotch up, cut the rust out, and Im now doing an engine swap...
At the time, 2500.00 was a good deal. Knowing what I know now about these rigs...Id NEVER have paid that price. I was GREEN to rigs and 4 wheelin as I was buying my first rig.
For 5K you can get an awesome rig, built and cared for from a mudder.

Good luck

Chicago

Here is an example of what you can get for your price range.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/231994-1984-fj60-locked-lifted.html