I am however in "need" of a few firearms to round out my collection. So particulars on the vehicle are:
It's a 1984 FJ60 Land Cruiser. Since I took the pictures I have added a Confer roof rack, and I also have a lot of new or used in new condition parts.
Here are the highlights, and hopefully I remember all of them. I'm also adding what it cost so you can get idea of what I have in it.
- Replaced the dash that was fried with one that looks new. $200
- Replaced one of the door panels with one that looks like new. $150
- Added Panasonic stereo with iPad/iPhone connectivity. $300 (stereo plus install)
- Added Confer roof rack that I had powder coated and replaced all the hardware with stainless steel stuff. $750+
- Replaced all four tires with all terrain 31x10.5x15 $720
- Have some vinyl flooring for the passenger compartment area I ordered from Australia. $300
- I have Wagon Gear rear storage doors. They are easy to install and very functional. $350
- Had the rear drive shaft balanced and replaced the u-joint with a grease-able one. $175
I also have some other parts that I've bought along the way mostly wanting to have spares or for repairs to minor things. If I was on a forum and someone had some spare parts they were selling I'd buy them cheap with plans to use them someday. Mostly some taillight covers, a carburetor rebuild kit, and some other odd and ends. I also have the Toyota factory engine maintenance manual and some mechanic manuals for the truck as well.
The guy that owned before me owns a mechanic shop and he rebuilt the motor including having it machined. It runs good but not fast. It wants to go about 55-60 mph. Mainly because it was built in the 1980s and that was the speed limit then. I've been told installing a 5-speed out of a late 80's to late 90's Chevrolet (so a NV4500) is very easy and the truck can get up into the 70 mph range easily. All the seals are really good condition and all the doors shut straight and easily. No dents on the truck and no rust spots.
The bad things are:
- Hasn't been driven steadily in about a year. This could mean nothing but when vehicles sit for a long time they sometimes develop what I call cobweb problems. So it's not really a stated problem but I want to be up front as to the condition of the truck.
- The paint is fading in some places, mostly on the roof. The original color of the truck was the blue it is now, then someone painted it green, then blue again. In a couple of small spot's I've found some green showing through. So if you are going to "restore" it, a paint job would be in order. But again, NO RUST.
- The back window gas shock is pretty much done. So it needs to be replaced. It's the kind that you'd see on lid of a truck's tool box. They are less than $20 new.
- One day I was driving the truck to get the radio installed and it died on me at a light. I tried to get it to start again but it didn't. The mechanic I was taking it to really knows Land Cruisers. So I was having him give it a once over anyway. He said the negative ground cable for the battery was bad and replaced it and I haven't had the problem since. I bring it up just because it's the only problem I've had with the truck.
- I pulled off the bumpers in hopes of replacing them. The back bumper was good but had a small dent and I was going to try and get it straightened and then re-chromed. On the front bumper I have a guy in Sealy that has a nice ranch hand style front replacement bumper he's wants to sell me for $100. If you bought the truck I'd give you his number and I'm sure he'd sell it to you too. A lot of guys run ARB bumpers but they are pretty darn expensive (I think around $1000). I took the front one off just because it was ugly.
- The back folding bench seat upholstery is pretty torn in one spot. I've already removed it and taken it apart to rebuild. Upholstery kits are available online. Once again, I just haven't had time to mess with it. There is also a standard rip in the drivers seat from getting in and out. The passenger seat looks new.
That's all I can think of as far as problems. It's very straight truck.
It has 285k on the truck, which is pretty common for these. Most guys drive them for a lot more with the original motor, tranny, etc. Everything on the truck works and the AC blows very cold. The guy I bought it from drove it from San Antonio to me in Houston and then I drove it from Hobby Airport area to NW Montgomery County with no problems. I was driving it to and from work about once a week before I started working on the interior. My current employer hired me and I haven't had time to mess with it since. It really is a lot of fun to drive and the things are probably one of the toughest trucks ever built. If you go to Africa, Australia, the Middle East, etc they use these trucks and you'd think it was the brand ever built. A lot military forces around the world use Land Cruisers as well, and some still run these old ones. The truck has been stored in a garage since I've owned it.
So the value. I think I bought the truck for $2750 and got a good deal on it. Since I've owned it I've put an additional $3000 plus into it. I know that you don't get what you put into them out of them so I'd be willing to value this one at $4000. Looking around the internet at what these are going for I think that's pretty fair deal.
If are in or near Houston and want to come see it just let me know. I'm sure you could get away with driving it around the neighborhood but the inspection is out so I'd be careful driving it on a major road. I live in Northwest Houston, near 1960 and Cutten Rd. I just need to charge the battery and put the front seats in it to make so you could drive it home. I have a blue Texas title on the truck. All you would need to do is get the truck registered and inspected and it would be good to drive on the street.
As far as trade I'm pretty open to anything. If you can only do a partial trade that's fine too. As far as a "wish list" I'd say:
- M1 Carbine
- M1 Garand
- Sig Sauer Pistols
- Glock 20 (or 20Sf, 20C)
- AK type rifles
- SKS rifles
- Lever action rifles
- Colt, Ruger, or Smith and Wesson Revolvers
- S&W M&P semi auto pistols
Or just whatever. I'm open to any trades. I just have one too many vehicles and this is the one that gets driven the least. Just let me know what you have!
Pics!
