FJ80, a good buy in today's market?

Did they say anything about the birfs?

 

Hmm, no they didn't mention that. I didn't notice any clicking sounds while turning or anything though.

 

Ive been looking for over a year for an affordable 80 with low problems. Its a labor of love and hate, and you will have both. What I have found at this point, you either pay for a nicer one up front, or pay for it later

 

Yeah it is technically in daily drivable condition as is, but the sooner those things et taken care of the better, especially if you wanted to take it "touring" or something like that.

 

Yeah it's just too bad, this thing might go for 15k on the west coast, even in this condition. My only option would be to drive it as is and fix things up month by month a little at a time. If I was in a little more stable financial situation I think that'd be the thing to do. It's definitely questionable for me at this time though.

 

Its why I havent bought a rhd 80 with a diesel. Difficult for me to drop over 20 on a vehicle that old, that Id take on trails.

 

It might be better to just wait and buy a nice imported one for 30-40k. Although pristine examples can go for even more I imagine.

 

I have a hard time paying the government the import fees to bring one in.

 

Hypothetically though if something major happens like the HG, you're stranded.

 

Oh yeah, even on a 25-year old one? I guess you could get one that's already imported. A swb 70-series is my dream.

 

This is ripe for the pickings as a project vehicle to make it a trail beast.

 

Yeah in that case I'd just have to park it or hope I get $5k from someone with a trailer. It is definitely a concern since the cooling system wasn't looked after as well as I thought.

 

Look on FB marketplace in DC region. They usually get dropped on there because you have Land Cruiser heaven, OTRAAM, and other local people who are heavy in the scene

 

The rhd import? Yeah, but they are so nice Id feel bad

 

I'm using his video's to replace my timing chain. He's brilliant.

 

Yeah he is. I really love what he has done for the landcruiser community with his videos. Ive seen one of his 4runners on 44s lol. Im pretty sure this is his

 

Not to beat a dead horse, but this is the full report from the shop: (link removed, screenshots below)

I still have until the end of today to decide, but I'm trying to get an idea just how much of a money pit this would be. Would it be a remotely feasible project on a tight budget if spaced out over 6 months or so? I'd do most of the work myself, but might need some help diagnosing the CEL and finding the source of the oil leaks.

My first port of call would be a cooling system overall and swapping in high mileage syn oil.

 

Might wanna remove that link and just give us a copy paste. Shows your personal info

 

Anyway. Yeah, the suspension, steering, and brakes are gonna cost you the most. The oil leaks won't cost hardly anything but time and tooling. I ordered every bushing and bolt for my LC from PartSouq recently and can provide part nums and prices for your calculus there. I've done brakes and new springs and shocks. The steering I have receipts for parts I bought. I do all my own repairs so no prices on labor from me. Lemme dig up some receipts for you.

 

Ok good call. I'd hope there's not anyone with bad intention on here but you never know I guess. Attached are a series of screenshots with all the issues. All seem pretty common for these rigs as they get old.