Good Buy? 98 LC

[NH Moto Expo]

Hello,
I'm looking at a 1998 TLC 100 with front and rear lockers with 175,000 miles on the odometer. No winch, lift or bumpers but it looks pretty clean.

I'm a little worried about that many miles. Should I be worried? How reliable is the 4.7? Timing belt interval? For this kind of money I'm also looking at a 2005 Montero with only 95K miles. The Montero looks cleaner and is a one owner car. 7 years newer and 100k fewer miles. What would you do?

https://capecod.craigslist.org/cto/4550068624.html

 

[Flagster]

I really like blue...don't see that much out here
Does it has maintenance history...Rust?

 

[NH Moto Expo]

Haven't seen it in person but the owner claims there is only surface rust. I'm also wondering what happened to the roof rack? I'm wondering if this was a built rig that someone put back to stock to sell. Then sold the mods separately. I'll have to take a look in person, but it's weird that they would add a front locker without adding any other mods.

 

[mtnbike28]

I think some 100s came without roof racks, I had a friend install a rack on a 100 for a co-worker, he had drill holes and install nutserts... I wasn't into 100s, so I didn't pay attention.

 

[zimm]

Haven't seen it in person but the owner claims there is only surface rust. I'm also wondering what happened to the roof rack? I'm wondering if this was a built rig that someone put back to stock to sell. Then sold the mods separately. I'll have to take a look in person, but it's weird that they would add a front locker without adding any other mods.

ummmm yeeeeaaa... first thought to my mind too.

i have 180 on mine and i'll drive it 12 hours, wheel the snot out of it and drive it back. it's a fearless rig that way. but... i didnt just buy it at 180. theres a natural healthy fear there, buying someone elses POS. you have no idea what the guy did or didnt do.

on that note, my truck has been pounded like a hooker in a seaport. she dont squeak, rattle or complain after a hard day of use, and she wakes up with a little finger on the key in the morning. well past menopause, and still begs for more. i dont think theres much comparison between a 100 and a worn out monter'ho.

 

[zimm]

course, its odd to have a front locker, 180000 miles, and not dents too. maybe he just didnt use it. wouldnt be the first poser out there.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Looks good to me

 

[PetitFrereArmada]

I think that is about the price they go for. That may look good. If you are willing to pay a little more, talk to this seller in Texas, lol (Very far from you). I talked to him and he sounds like he took very good care of his Lexus.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4622233644.html

 

[zimm]

98 and 99 are 2 pinion front diffs, as far as i know. i'm meh on that.

at that mileage, for a few more thousand, you can get an 03. thats money well spent.

 

[NH Moto Expo]

Ok..so you get an 03. But it will come with no lockers but you get a 5 speed. Is that worth being locked? Plus any 03 or newer I've seen is much closer to $20k around here. There's a big price jump when you get newer than 2002. I don't think that comparing an 03 to this 98 is fair. Either I will need to spend the money for maintenance on the 98 or on lockers for the 03.

For the money I'm actually leaning towards a Montero. I can get a 2006 for $10k that only has 72,000 miles on it, one owner and it won't need a lift to run 33's.

 

[NH Moto Expo]

98 and 99 are 2 pinion front diffs, as far as i know. i'm meh on that.

at that mileage, for a few more thousand, you can get an 03. thats money well spent.

The whole front diff was replaced when the locker was installed on the above 98. So its now no longer a two pinion diff. As long as you are getting locked, might as well strengthen the diff.

 

[Northernlilywhite]

Just thought I would let you know the Blue one is gone anyways. I spoke to the seller about 2-3 days ago. That is unless you are the guy he is trading a M3 with.

 

[MT Dweller]

I fit 33"s on my stock 100 with no issues...

 

[zimm]

The whole front diff was replaced when the locker was installed on the above 98. So its now no longer a two pinion diff. As long as you are getting locked, might as well strengthen the diff.

i was reffering the the texas rig.

i wonder if the locker wasnt some sort of "while youre repairing it" scenario.

 

[zimm]

I fit 33"s on my stock 100 with no issues...

33's arnt an issue and 35's only need an inch. at least for me.