Purchasing tacoma (what should i look for?)

Hey everybody, new here on the forum im looking into purchasing a 2001 toyota tacoma trd offroad with a v6 3.4. Ive already seen the carfax report for it and its impecable. One owner truck (according to carfax) 143k miles on it, no collisions. Ive purchased trucks before, but i want to know what to look for under the body and engine bay in the truck. thanks in advance.

 

new frame replacement

 

Could you more specific and why?

 

The first gen tacomas, and some second gens, have had problems with frame rust. You may want to check for rust/holes if the frame has not been replaced, or find out if it was replaced by Toyota.

 

Paperwork or sticker that shows timing belt has been replaced. They need one every 90k miles. You can check the frame yourself with a hammer or punch. I have three cleans Tacoma's and now a rusty one. Most of it depends on where the truck is from and spent its time. Snow and salt = great chance of rust!

 

And I'd say NY gets a little snow

 

Haha, should have checked his profile for location!

Ya, definitely check that frame!

 

Did some more research and came up with this
"The good news is Toyota is treating customer's right and buying back 1995.5 through 2000 model Tacomas with rusty frames and replacing frames of 2001-2004 Tacomas if the rust is too bad. If your Tacoma doesn't have severe rust issues, Toyota is actually resealing your frame to protect it as well, so make sure you contact your dealer as soon as possible for more information."
I checked the frame and it does look like it was resealed and in pretty good condition. The only thing would be the upper control arm its got some rust (not major), but i will be replacing later on if i purchase it.

 

4X4

 

Paid 6900 for it. only problem is that the rear diff lock light keeps blinking and doesnt go on solid

 

You have to be in 4lo for it to activate. You can do the "gray wire mod" to allow you to use it anytime.


Congrats on the purchase!

 

Well it didnt want to lock in on 4lo, but i did the mod the first day i got it.
Seems like sometimes the diff locks in and sometimes it doesnt.
Any idea on how to fix that (change the diff oil?) or its gonna need a rebuild?

 

Gotcha. Sometimes it takes pulling forward a small amount or driving in reverse a few feet. See if that will do it.

Don't think changing the oil will help anything.

 

I knew someone who had a 2005 Tacoma, with the frame recall. Toyota took care of every thing (even threw in the shocks he brought along). I am the proud owner of a 2007 Tacoma TRD. It is now 7 years old and has only 33k miles. My only complaint is the frame rot (and yes I live in new york). I have totally stripped out the bumper and towing hitch and have stripped all the rust off. then I primed with Rustoleom rust inhibitor and sprayed undercoating. It's tedious but well worth the effort, as I plan on taking my Tacoma to my grave.