Sold my 4th gen, thinking either 1st gen, or FJ60/62

[JBecker]

Sold my 05 yesterday to eliminate a car payment as I want to buy a house in the spring. So now I'm looking at a replacement vehicle I can buy outright. I really want either a 1st gen 4 cylinder, or an FJ60 or FJ62. But I'm having a hard time finding something that isn't either a trail truck, completely rusted out, or they want stupid money for it because it isn't rusty and it's stock.

Is finding either of these in the sub $3000 range possible? I'd hate to have to buy a Cherokee, but they are cheap and everywhere so that is a possibility. It seemed like not that long ago you could find a decent 1st gen for $2000 or so, are those days gone?

 

[sportrunner2001]

Around North Dakota I can find a few in that price range. But around here there aren't many and every one is a 'Murican and they don't want them so they go for kinda cheap.

If you're desperate into finding one for that price and don't care about how far away they are check out bismanonline.com. Its a local classifieds and theres a few on there if you just look for toyotas in automobiles.

They're around, just not all around haha

 

[JBecker]

I found an 88 with a 22RE and an auto trans kinda local for $2500. It has a ton of miles and looks pretty rusty though. And I'm not sure about that auto trans either, I'd prefer a manual. I found a few on the other side of the country that looked nice, but then I'd be buying it without seeing it and I'd have to spend the extra $500+ to ship it.

I'm holding out hope at finding one though. Found a couple decent FJ60's as well, but they are gas hogs and parts seem to be less common and more expensive.

 

[KidVermicious]

You would absolutely prefer a manual. The A340 series slushboxes suck greasy donkey toes. And $2500 is reasonable for a truck with very minor rust, IF the rest of it is clean. "Pretty rusty" gets you down into the $1500-$1800 range IMO.

A 60 will run 25%-50% more than a 4Runner in similar condition, at least around here. With more room and a burlier suspension and drivetrain, the 60 would make a better overlanding vehicle/long range offroader. The 4Runner will be more proficient on technical trails. Both are gutless pigs any way you slice it.

 

[JBecker]

I just want something that I can fit some camping gear in and make it down some fire roads. I leave the heavy wheeling to my friends who have built rigs. I prefer to ride shotgun and pound beers on the trails.

 

[7echo]

An LC 60 gets, and someone please correct this if wrong, about 11mpg at best. Might want to consider that factor as well.

 

[Lineman]

You still owed money on a 2005? Should have paid it off and kept it. If you didn't have the cash to pay it off. Maybe not time to buy a house.

But that would take away some of your pounding Beer money.

 

[LandCruiser]

An FJ 60/62 that is less than 3k will need at least twice that to get running and 3 times not to look like a rust bucket.

One with a clean body but shitty mechanicals can probably be had for under 5k.

Expect close to 8-10k for one that needs little to no work and 15k for something modified and cherry.

Also, you can't just walk into a Vato Zone and ask for FJ parts. They'll give you a mystery box for something that *may* fit an old Montero. Real, working parts for those things cost an arm and a leg, and why I'm not interested in any more Land Cruiser project cars.

 

[JBecker]

You still owed money on a 2005? Should have paid it off and kept it. If you didn't have the cash to pay it off. Maybe not time to buy a house.

But that would take away some of your pounding Beer money.

I bought my 05 last November, and yes I financed it for 4 years @ 3.59% APR. I've been saving money to buy a house and not having a car payment for the next 3 years will go a long ways to affording a mortgage.

But way to assume my financial situation off a single post.

An FJ 60/62 that is less than 3k will need at least twice that to get running and 3 times not to look like a rust bucket.

One with a clean body but shitty mechanicals can probably be had for under 5k.

Expect close to 8-10k for one that needs little to no work and 15k for something modified and cherry.

Also, you can't just walk into a Vato Zone and ask for FJ parts. They'll give you a mystery box for something that *may* fit an old Montero. Real, working parts for those things cost an arm and a leg, and why I'm not interested in any more Land Cruiser project cars.

Yeah I've been noticing that most 60's are pretty pricey, and I am aware parts for them are more expensive. That's why I've shifted my search to just the first gen 4Runner.