Just like their Jeep Grand Wagoneer competitors, the Toyota Land Cruiser has a strong and dedicated following, and their prices show it. Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe 60-series doesn’t seem all that expensive, but then again is it all there?
Not unexpectedly, yesterday’s 1988 BMW 320is fell in a massive 83% Crack Pipe loss. That was owed to its equally massive price tag, which outweighed its rarity, dogleg five speed, unique two-litre S14 mill, and inherently awesome E30-ness.
Oh well, as perfect as that Bimmer may have seemed, what we really want is something a lot cheaper, and something that we wouldn’t mind getting a little dirty. Right?
This 1982 Toyota Land Cruiser already looks a little dirty. Not like freeway offramp strip club dirty, but might need to get out the Febreze and vacuum dirty. It’s also brown, rocks a four-speed, and has the claim of a working A/C. That last bit is important as summer is coming.
Yes, it does look totally rode-hard and put away wet, but that’s half the charm of these things, right? The FJ is a car you can beat on without mercy and they just soak it up and keep on asking for more. Or at least, that’s the legend.
This one’s a little more beat upon than you might just like. Let’s look at the details.
First off, the driver’s seat looks like it’s been fat-assed half to death. Below that the carpet has that you’ll-never-go-barefoot-on-it college dorm appeal. On the plus side, the rest of the interior looks pretty serviceable for the 183,000 miles on the clock. It does have that weird ‘80s Toyota upholstery that has the pattern and texture of some sort of bug you don’t want to touch, but at least it’s all there.
The outside is equally tired well worn-in. The paint is original and is looking as though it’s waving the white flag in a few places. There’s a pretty big ding in the rear door, while the passenger portal shows evidence of too many years of arms leaning out and rubbing it raw.
Speaking of raw, check out those rear wheel arches. Yes, this truck needs the attention of Dr. Bondo, stat! Is the rust that bad? No, it’s not. The tide could easily be turned and as long as the frame is sound—as the ad claims—and then it’s just a matter of a little POR-15 and go.
You won’t be going very fast however, as the 4.2-litre OHV 2F six cylinder was only good for 135-bhp and 210 lb-ft of torque from the factory. That was never a lot to move the more than two tons of FJ so just keep in mind that “Cruiser” is more of a euphemism with these. With age and miles probably eating into those performance numbers, “Land Dawdler” is probably more the case here.
That engine, as well as the gearbox, are said to “run great.” There’s also a new fuel pump and a rebuilt carb—and for those of you young-ins, a carb isn’t just something you avoid by having your burger without the buns. Part-time 4-wheel drive with manually-locking front hubs rounds out the mechanical bonafides.
What does this well-worn but perfectly serviceable seeming Land Cruiser go for? The asking price is $4,900 which when considered by the pound is a screamin’ deal. We’re not looking at it that way, and even if we were, the rust issues might just make its weight a moving target.
What’s your take on this FJ60 and that $4,900 price? Does that seem like a fair deal to get Cruising? Or, is this truck just to beat to command that sort of cash?
You decide!
Houston Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
H/T to SuPeRcHaRgER for the hookup!
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