Thread: truck help

hey, since i am on foot i was looking at a pimp set-up for heading out into the bush and general good ride. i stumbled upon a land cruiser bj60 diesel with many new parts. the downside is a little bit of rust. the back rockers are rusted and need change. its that up and around the door? i am not too familiar with this model and diesel mechanics. i am going to check out the car this afternoon or tomorrow. help me out.

rocker panels are basically the bottom rim of the body where it starts wrapping around to the underbody.

Rusted ones are ugly but do not effect performance/safety (note: if seller is defining them differently my answer might change).

Those series cruisers are sweet. STD has one (gasser) and while slower than molasses it seems to run good.

I know nothing specific about Toyo diesels but they have a good reputation I believe. Also, there are a number of truck forums to help you with more in depth stuff. Being that old it should be pretty easy to work on. I'd bet a buck there is a turbo kit for it (if it doesn't already have one) and trust me: turbo diesels are the way to go. And once you've had a diesel there is no going back.

Make sure it has an engine block heater (NOT an oil dipstick heater). Use that when cold. (buy a 30m ext. cord)

That's damned hot.

how much are they asking for it?

buy it!

Rust is your biggest enemy w/ old 'yoters.

Look closely for frame rust, and check critical areas of the body such as shock towers and door sills.

they are asking 4 gran for it. what seems very good (or bad) is all the new parts: 4 new shocks, add a leaf suspension new. rebuilt oil pan andgas tank, radiator, motor mount, brake and gas line, radiator...it needs 4 tires, work around the body around the rockers and rear pannels, and the water pump might leak slightly.

If you're really serious about it and feel like you have a little time you might ask how many miles on the last oil change and get a sample done by blackstone

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free_test_kit.html

best way to get an inside look at the engine w/o tearing it down IMVHO.

As far as used vehicle buying goes:

Look at the engine, has it been cleaned lately (no is good IMO) and can you see any leaks.

Check the radiator to see if the fluid looks nice and clean.

Check the oil for obvious problems (foam, fuel etc..)

Go over on a cold morning and ask that it not be plugged in and see if she starts

Ensure all linkages work smoothly and appropriately.

If it has an auto, pull out the check tube and smell the ATF. If it smells burnt or rotten that tells you some not so good things.

Hey, it is an older vehicle. You will have to maintain it. With all those new parts it appears as though this person feels like lately they're getting nickle and dimed to death on it but it likely is still running strong. Just some naggin shit.

its an 1983, 360 000 km, with good compression and torque

LIFT IT BITCH!

i think i am going for it.

chisel em down in price.
$4k for a 1983 seems steep
also, body rust is inevitable. Toyo sheet metal is thin and rusts easily in those early years.
Bondo/patching can be a recurring chronic nightmare
Good news is the frame and overall car will last a long time.

FYI www.kbb.com for 1985 Landcruiser, gas engine, 180,000miles, fair condition, private party sale, $870 USD

[edit - trying to remember what year I had - think it was a 1985 - sold that over ten years ago for $5,000. Unless these things are going up in value as collectors items, that price is too high]

all the wiring is new
the exhaust is all new
all the fuel lines are new
all the engine and shock mounts are new
i have contacts for the rusted parts, rockers are 70$, wing panels are 200$
it needs new front tires and rims

Buy it....I'll see ya when you pass through...

These are definitely collectors items, so Kelly Blue Book is pretty much irrelevant. Mint late 80's versions still fetch $8-10k US around here, but the older gas ones with carb instead of FI go for less. I have never seen a diesel in the US. Body rust definitely hurts resale value but has no effect on how it drives. $4k Canadian seems fair. The recent work is a good thing. Cruisers are no fun to drive with crapped out suspensions.

It's a pretty low risk proposition, Cruisers have long term appeal so it won't depreciate much while you own it and you'll get good mileage along the way. Coolant leaks are a watch out and the tires will run you some dough, so maybe you can work a deal.

Oh yeah, change all the coolant hoses. Those buggers can strand you and are usually cheap and easy to replace yourself. Don't forget the ones to the heater core.

IMO, the -60 looks way more class than the -62.

Originally Posted by Core Shot

chisel em down in price.
$4k for a 1983 seems steep
also, body rust is inevitable. Toyo sheet metal is thin and rusts easily in those early years.
Bondo/patching can be a recurring chronic nightmare
Good news is the frame and overall car will last a long time.

FYI www.kbb.com for 1985 Landcruiser, gas engine, 180,000miles, fair condition, private party sale, $870 USD

[edit - trying to remember what year I had - think it was a 1985 - sold that over ten years ago for $5,000. Unless these things are going up in value as collectors items, that price is too high]

he's talkin candadian pesos, here. and i'm pretty sure the bj-anythings never made it to the states. i was lookin pretty hard for a 40 or 45 a couple years ago. mint it out and it'll sell for $15k.

I forget the body style # of mine (FJ60 I think), but it looks like the pic posted

One more word of advice, drive it at typical highway speeds and pay attention to the noise levels. If you are driving cross country, the noise can get to ya.

Not sure about the diesel, but my landcruiser with 4 speed was very noisy on highway and wouldnt go much faster than 75mph.

Also had a more recent diesel subrban which was great but was noisy enough that on a long road trip I would notice my ears were a bit fried from turning up the radio to hear it over the engine hum.

FYI, found a cool site for parts and sales (some listings here - I guess the $4k canadian price aint bad!):
http://www.coolcruisers.com/
http://store.yahoo.com/coolfj40/cruisclasfre.html
http://store.yahoo.com/coolfj40/noname94.html
http://store.yahoo.com/coolfj40/1984fj602.html

its a standard 5 speed on a 4 cyl. diesel, 95hp, 160 lbs of torque. i am not expecting much top speed. and the gas mieage ain't that good either, i am suprised.
i defenetly agree that the -j60 is looks defenetly better.

sweet truck

if you get it, have you considered greasing it out? save lots of $$$$ on fuel...

www.greasecar.com
www.greasel.com

you open a garage that does conversion and stack up on oil. you sign contrats with big vegetable oil producers like ski resorts, you get free fuel, for cleaning the oil you charge half as diesel. plus you get money from the conversion of the vehicule. i tell you the fuel buisness is where the money is at.

^^^^^

sounds like you've got it all figured out!!!!

i bought the truck i am going through registration tomorrow or tuesday.
i paid 4k for it but i got tons of extra goodies parts and pannels and lights.

Check out this BBS.

There's a lot of good info, and if you have any problems they'll probably be able to help you out. Was an invaluable resource when I had my toyo truck.

i bought it.... comming from an old 300zx, the cruiser will do a nice job at slowing me down. i managed to work in the deal 5 doors, interior pannels and a couple extra parts. its the 3b version 95hp diesel with a standard 5 speed. this truck is good for at least an other 150 000 km...

for toyo info also

http://www.birfield.com/

this really feels like you are driving a tractor. i am pretty sure that this engine has been used for tractors... its a mellow ride crossing the country is going to take time. i managed to hit 125km/h after a couple minutes floored...
you got to love diesel baby.

Originally Posted by dude_le_skibum

its an 1983, 360 000 km, with good compression and torque

West African poacher vehicle of choice.