Buyer beware

Rust, Rust Rust and then after youve looked for Rust, have a look for Rust.

Oil leaks,

Maybe pay the $ for an NRMA/RACV Inspection.

Price seems a little high for those klms.
ANy extras, rego? Tires? radios? Interior mods?

My housemate bought a HJ60 turbo diesel (safari) with 330k on it for $7500. A few extras, bullbar, fairy overdrive, sunroof, cd stacker, etc. No rust at all. it was owned by his brother (so he knew it's history inside out). His brother found he could not get any more than $7500 for it.

Basically, it would have to be in really good (excellent) condition for it to be worth $8500 with that many k's.Cheers,
Wazza
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Gday ogray
things to check or have checked
cv joints
Gear box
transfer case
radiator
hubs
check that any recall items have been seen to
service history
previos owners if posible
check the inside of the chassis to make sure it is not full with dirt or sand
as this is the one spot that does not get cleaned thus giving you a good indication to just what the vehicle has done ( i found one that was so full with mud you could not get your finger in which indicates it may have been parked in the mud for some time)
most important do a revs check to see that it is not stolen or encumbered in any way
regards bruce

It is rare to find a 60 series without much rust. Just like the FJ 55 they liked rusting in the roof sills. I wouls also want to pull the brake drums off and also have a look at the condition of the swivel seals and bearings etc as well as the front end. Frankly I would not pay more than $6000 because, unless you can prove it otherwise, at 390,000 a lot of bits may need replacing soon. The 60 series is a good sturdy vehicle that will serve you for many years.
Cheers,
Willie
Never a dull moment

Ones with aftermarket air/con tend to rust around the roof sill above the rear door. Other than that everyone has i think covered everything. The petrol sucks a lot of petrol so the diesel is the go. I helped a friend buy one with 270km on the clock in brissy for $9k which was about the going price here - but he threw in three spare tyres, roof basket, water containers, diesel containers, air compressor, basket bag, etc etc etc. She had some front steering problems about a week later and after some work on the front diff its been going without a hiccup for two months now and is out 300kkm north west of Alice Springs.

I sold my 86 HJ62 Turbo with 320k's earlier this year for a lot more than you're paying but it was in very good nick. Truckster is a bit prejudiced but if they have spent time around the beaches the may have a tad of rust. The other area that you might want to look at is under the floor mats. They are really bullet proof and that's why you still see so many around today. The 12HT motor was probably Toyota's best motor. The downside in my opinion is the leaf springs but that can be overcome with $'s The leaf springs are also why they are so strong.
Other people I've known had gear box and diff problems if not regularly maintained.Al Symers

Rust inside the front footwells and behind the kick panels in the steel is easy to miss. Lift all of the carpets and matting to have a really good look. Guard and gutter rust is common and easy to detect. If it is on the original gearbox beware because they are only good for about 350,000 when looked after well. Less if been used for towing. The 2H motor should go a bit longer if it has had regular oil changes (every 5,000kms) If no proof of this then you have been warned. May be on its last legs. Remember if the gearbox goes it will be a minimum of $3500 for a rebuild. If the motor goes it will be about $5-6,000 for a full rebuild. It may seem like a good price but if things stuff up you will pay. If you can get a 61, 62 or 80 series with lower kms and log books for only a few thousand more then go for it. It will be worth spending the money. 390,000 is old for this model and as I found out at 300,000 the gearbox failed and cost me $4000.00. Also all of the little things like water pump, injector pump, bearings etc etc will be past their use by date. Andy

Gday too many k's for the money .I looked at an 90 model 62 series auto gxl last week with 231000km no rust or repairs anywhere but a dinged front guard. The lady wants $4800 for it. but it is petrol not that this bothers me as you can advance the timing until it starts to ping and just back it off a touch, gently screw in the mixture all the way in then out 1to1 1/4 turns change the points every 9000km (about $5) and it'll go like a dog shot up the arse and use around 10litres per hundred. Never leave the f, 2f or the 3f set at the factory timing setting as they get older you have to advance the timing to allow for wear in the dizzy.
Food for thought. (also only $1400-1800 for complete rebuild) and they last as long as a diesel.

You can get 3f model 80 series cruisers for that aswell. MMMMMuch better suspension, contender for a diesel or other conversion...
Andrewwheredayathinkwer mike?

I would look very seriously at the seats.....only because I have two, as new ARB flofit seats with series 60 mounts. These are unmarked and have had little use. Will consider splitting them up, if neccesary. These would cost over $1,000 to replace, but for you....get back to me. Hope this flagrant commercial intrusion offends no-one. (I'm not the car sales Eric.)

It all depends on the luck of the draw. I bought a 1981 FJ45 a couple of months a go that had a H2 diesel transplant in 2000. Rust wasn't a problem and I had a sticky beak in the sump & going by the date on the bearings (.025) (August 1993) & the clean look of the sump and the undersides of the pistons and its complete non-use of oil the whole lot was probably rebuilt sometime in 1994. The original petrol engine must have done a lot of towing as some parts of a vacuum brake system still remained, so I am hoping the gearbox has already been reconditioned which is probably the case as it operates perfectly.
I paid $4500 for it as is and its probably cost another $1500 to get it on the road as I replaced a lot of seals & swivel hub bearings etc. The only problem I took to a garage was one of it not charging & that cost me $143. I bought a perfect set of Aisin free wheelers of a wreckers in Rocky for $88 as it had those rubbish plastic AVN hubs when I got it.
Paul

Andy has hit the nail on the head. They are V.Expensive to repair. Considering the engine will reqire a rebuild any time after 400,000 K's A diesel will cost you anything up to $10,500. New injectors $1000, Injector Pump rebuild $2500.
Get a competant diesel mechanic to look over it compression test etc. If there is anything major even remotely wrong consider the vehicle worthless. Take it to a panel beater to make sure any rust hasn't been bogged and painted over.

My HJ60 had 310,000 K's and has already had an engine rebuild and a Transfer case rebuild.

Alan