What to look for in a Patrol

[Hickory]

Hey Folks, I've got my sights on a Patrol that I have come across. It needs work, that I know, but I'm unsure what questions I need to ask the seller to get all the pertinent info. He is supposed to be getting me a vehicle history and some pictures today. It is a gas model, and I assume it doesn't have the over drive kit but I am going to ask about that. I've only seen one picture, but it looks like a truck style Patrol, was that a production model or is this something that has been modified?

Any other specifics I should as about? Thanks! I hope this works out, if it does, get ready for a restore thread!

[RiverPatrol]

Welcome to 60Patrol! You've come to the right place for your questions.

The truck model was never imported to the US, so if it has a bed it has been modified. Which would immediately make me suspicious about the rest of the vehicle, but thats just me. Over drive kits were never offered so very doubtful that it has one. If the mileage is up around 90,000 it will likely need an engine rebuild soon if it hasn't been done already. Rust is common around the tail lights and spare tire carrier mounts, seat belt anchors and depending on the year on top of the front fenders.

Those are the big things, the rest depends on how much they're asking for it and what your intentions are for it. Feel free to post pictures and ask any specific questions.

[Hickory]

Great info.

Here are the only two pictures I have so far. It definitely looks like there is significant rust inside the wheel wells. No pictures of the interior so no telling there. I see the rear bench seats so I am with you, I think this has been modified. However the rear glass looks pretty good, but it is hard to tell with just those two pictures. Seller is asking $3500.

https://images.craigslist.org/01616_ilh ... 00x450.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00k0k_fkW ... 00x900.jpg

[RiverPatrol]

This was originally a soft top model. Someone just enclosed the cab. Neglected but doesn't look too bad really. I'd want to see the interior and under the hood before agreeing to that price.

[Hickory]

https://imgur.com/a/23r3u

I finally got some more pictures this morning. I still have not spoken with the seller, I figured I would compile a list of questions before we talk. It looks to me that the engine is missing all the rubber. No telling what is going on with the transmission. Looks to have a cover off with gearing exposed. I'd say that means there's transmission issues. Seats are destroyed, rust on the corners, not crazy about the way they closed in the cab either.

Can someone explain the shifters? Looks like it has 1 main shifter, two to the side (4x4?), and then one further forward under the dash (parking brake?).

What're y'all's thoughts?

[RiverPatrol]

The seats are in the expected condition for being the original seats, they would just need reupholstering. Its actually nice that the original seats are there.

Significant cancerous rust issues in many places, body and chassis. The gas tank is completely rotted out and has a gaping hole in it.

The interior really isn't that bad.

The engine compartment is a nightmare. It looks like someone was getting ready to pull the engine and gave up. Strong indication that there might be engine trouble. It's a long way from ever running again.

The transmission isn't an issue, it's just the clutch inspection cover/vent that has been removed. Probably when they were trying to figure out how to separate the trans from the engine to pull the engine.

Bottom line: it's not worth $3500. More like $1000.

[moore_rb]

Bottom line: it's not worth $3500. More like $1000.

Agree- If it's non-running, then it ain't worth more than the sum of its parts...

In this case, 1000-1200 is the very tip-top of the "reasonable" range. The body on that rig is trash (for every square inch of rust you see, there are 10 square inches you can't see...