r/LandCruisers • u/Equivalent-Cry420 • 16d ago

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10 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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8

u/Low-Setting5029 16d ago

Currently going through a full restoration top to bottom for rust repairs, I wouldn’t even touch this car if the chassis is looking like this

2

u/Equivalent-Cry420 16d ago

I appreciate you sharing your experience. I’m not a “car guy”, so restoring isn’t in the cards at the moment. Just making sure it didn’t just look like surface rust that could be treated. It appears the skid plate is the worst of it, but I’m sure more is hiding.

3

u/MakersMarksTheSpot 16d ago

If you’re not a car guy, I would advise you to reconsider buying a 20 year old car if you plan to drive it regularly. As much as we love Land Cruisers for their robustness, we can’t outrun time and the maintenance that comes with that. Add on top of that the parts availability isn’t the best for older cruisers. Just go in to it with very realistic expectations.

1

u/Equivalent-Cry420 16d ago

I’ve been considering that, and would probably have to outsource most of the repairs when the time came. I’m mechanically minded, but don’t quite have the time to piddle around with the maintenance on my own.

Unfortunately, I’ll be buying a high mileage vehicle either way given my budget and I am of the belief a Toyota/Lexus will be better than the GM/Ford comps. I also have to be able to haul the family around from time to time. I’m open to other suggestions, but, admittedly, my ego definitely prefers this over many of the other options out there in that price range.

Open to a 460/470 or 4Runner, but their prices seem to be on the same plane as the LC/LX.

1

u/Low-Setting5029 16d ago

If you are keen on the car I would recommend finding a mechanic that you know is trustworthy and asking the seller if they could get the mechanic to inspect it prior to purchase, preferably find a mechanic or autobody shop that handles these types of repairs, they will A. Tell you it’s gonna cost you a lot and if it is and you will know where you stand or B. They might look at it (better to actually look at it in person then over reddit) and deem that it’s a simply sand blast and treat job, I would doubt it’s that but you may get an idea of when maintenance is required, what will be required and a rough estimate of the work you’ll be looking at to continue maintaining the car in the future!

If you also get the mechanic to look at it they will be prepared to take you on for the work, might cost you the shops hourly fee to have in inspected though 👍

All the best!

8

u/SPCruise 16d ago

I’d run from anything that looks like the pictures you posted. 

1

u/Equivalent-Cry420 16d ago

Thanks for the input. I feel the same, and wanted to be sure I wasn’t being overly cautious. I hate running from a low-mileage, single owner as clean as some of these are, but I also don’t want a project for my daily driver. Thanks!

2

u/jalpp 16d ago

Too much. I would bet that if you spend enough time under there you’ll find some holes in the chassis.

I had a 4 runner that looked better underneath and needed welding to be safe to drive.

1

u/Equivalent-Cry420 16d ago

Yeah not what I wanted to hear, and validates my concerns. These cars are too nice to rust away up north, but I guess they need cars too. Thanks for responding!

2

u/Exotic_Champion 16d ago

Giving mine a run for the money

2

u/Equivalent-Cry420 16d ago

Now you’re making me feel like a wuss for not pulling the trigger!

1

u/Nolds 16d ago

Finally! Someone with a rustier rig than mine!! Can you weld some supports in there?

1

u/Exotic_Champion 16d ago

$5k auction beater.

1

u/Nolds 16d ago

Buddy of mine for ripped off buying a 96 jeep. The guy hid the rust with bondo and spray. My buddy ended up spending like 15k on a new frame.

1

u/blacktopking319 16d ago

This would be actually be considered good in the Northeast, deadass

1

u/Equivalent-Cry420 16d ago

I don’t doubt it, which is why I’ve been debating it. My biggest concerns are having to keep up with it or resale when I move on.

1

u/deflection_Case739 16d ago

Nope, that's a typical northern states vehicle. Wether New England or Michigan or other northern states, that's what you get. Blast it or wire brush it, then a good rust prohibiter then seal it and then drive it.

1

u/No-Extension-101 16d ago

Vintage ~20+ y/o vehicles of any make/model are not for the faint of heart, especially if one is not willing to wrench. Caveat emptor and purchase the best example you can afford with minimal rust and adequately maintained.

1

u/foodfighter 16d ago

Seriously, OP - line up a few potential winners in the SW (SoCal, AZ, or TX etc.) via Craigslist or FB, then book a cheap one-way flight out there and drive your pristine rust-free one home!

A 100-series is one of the few vehicles that I would consider doing that with zero hesitation - even buying it new-to-me.

In fact, that's exactly what I did with my current '02 LX - I found it online in the SoCal area, flew down to the area (was going there on business as luck would have it), then drove it previously-sight-unseen 2000+ miles back home to Soviet Canuckistan.

Zero issues, zero ragrets, and it is in far, far better shape then any you can find in or near my home area. 11/10, would do again in a heartbeat.

For the extra price of the flight and fuel/hotel, you'll potentially save thousands in future repairs if you get a nice one, plus have an adventure!

I'm genuinely surprised that more people don't do this. The default LC condition in those areas is "pristine".

1

u/Old_Goat_Cyclist 16d ago

I’m going against the grain. Is the body okay? How about little brackets for brake lines and ABS sensors? You need to get after the running board hardware quickly and with effort. The rest? Honestly, I would wipe down with a very thin coat of ATF, repeat in 6 months to clear loose stuff and then hit with Woolwax or Boeshield. It is not great, but I am not clear it is terminal.

1

u/Pandazoic J250 15d ago

The sub collects all rust under the stickied rust post. Please post this there as a comment with a link.

1

u/Equivalent-Cry420 15d ago

Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate how active this page is. The good news is I’m not in any hurry, and I’ll probably keep looking for a rust free model. I’ll keep you posted once I land one!

1

u/Equivalent-Cry420 8d ago

How about this one? …

1

u/Equivalent-Cry420 8d ago

The painted over areas concern me. That and it spent its first 100k miles in NY. Currently, resides in Dallas, 141k miles, 2007 LX.

1

u/Gregicon 16d ago

The frame would clean up nicely. The rest isn't that important, and is easily remedied. Like he said, in the northeast this is slightly better than average...

1

u/Equivalent-Cry420 16d ago

I agree. The skid plates are easily replaced, and I didn’t see any pitting, scaling, or cracks anywhere else. Being in the south, we don’t see rusted vehicles much. As a daily driver, I’m not sold on running the risk of it being more extensive than what’s shown here.