2003 Tacoma TRD V6 Purchase

Hey everyone
My other truck just got totalled Wednesday and now need new mode of transport. I have always wanted another Toyota Pickup since my first car and now have a good chance to own (hopefully) a good one.
I am going to look at a truck this weekend and need some advice.
1. What do I need to look for when i inspect the truck? (I understand that this year could have a problem with frame rust.)
2. What major maintenance work will be needed soon? (It has 75,000 miles) I.e. timing belt, seals and the like. and how much would this stuff cost to fix.
3. What are the best mods that i can get? (Price range around 3,000) i have read that there are no good chips. but is it possible to put an aftermarket Supercharger on it if it did not come stock.
4. THe guy says that it is in great shape and is asking 11,500 for it. Is this a good price. and the pics look great.

Like i said i have owned a toyota pickup years ago and really want to get this truck to last me untill about the time i go into the grave.

Thanks in advance for all your help
Mark

 

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Dylan,
Thanks for the comments
Mark

 

that's a very good price. I just paid $13,700 for my 03 TRD with 73K miles on it.. (but I bought from a dealership) If you live in one of the "salt" states listed in the Toyota announcement, you qualify for frame inspection and/or replacement as well as 15 year rust warranty from the original purchase date.

Timing belt at 90K, mine had 2 worn drive belt that didn't start making noise until a week after I bought it.. I just had the shop change out all 3 drive belts for $120...

 

That's a great price! I paid just a little under 10k for mine, with 69000 miles at the time, but mine's a 2wd 4 banger.

 

Thats a good deal.

 

Yup, good deal.

I went through your situation last October.

What cab type is it? Reg, Xtra, or double? And tranny?

for comparison, I got a late (August) 2001 with 101k miles for 12,725 from a private owner. Xtra cab, 5-speed, and had a top-of-the-line Snugtop Supersport.

More importantly, it had great history: Carfax single-owner, no accidents, clear title, and he had dealer maintenance records for 30k, 60k, and 90k, including the timing belt. So check for all those things.

Especially check the title. Some jackass around here keeps posting salvage titles on craigllist and asking for full value. So don't get screwed on that deal.

Good luck!

 

SCOCAR,
It is an extra cab and have not gotten word back from the seller as the the tranny. I really want the truck but needed some advice from others as to if it is a good price. My GF thinks it is to much for an older truck, but i know that it is a good price and good deal; you all just fortified my position
Mark

ALL,
Thanks for your comments.

 

Price sounds pretty fair. Your GF doesn't know what Tacoma's are worth! You should still try to squeeze them a little for a cheaper price. Times are rough!

 

you paid 10k for your truck really???? when i was shopping for my i was finding extracab white 2wd tacos with like 50 thousands miles for only like $$$$6,000 there were so many to choose from too but i wanted a 4x4

 

yeah i like how women think something is too expensive.. Based on what? on the number of hair appointments it equals to!? what the hell do they know?

 

Not long-term value, utility, reliability, and resale value...OMG, like, I totally need 300 pairs of shoes and a 100 purses that will go out of fashion next week!

 

It was damn near impossible to find anything with the 2.4 in it that was an extracab with a manual. They all were single cab automatics used in fleet stuff. Now I wish I would've gone for the abundant 2.7 4X4s that are around here. I might be trading in when I go to college, a lot of the places I'm looking at get tons of snow. I've got my eye on an '85 pickup with like 4,000 miles on a fresh 22re.

 

You know, there is one thing for us all to remember when we start comparing prices and spec and the deals we got: the local market! We all live all over the country in areas with different costs of living and different market demand. One of the notes in Kelly Bluebook says just this...they use average national prices, and local markets and prices vary. And so do dealer and private party. And so do buyer circumstances, need, and priorities. And vehicle condition. And favorite color. And favorite beer. OK, I'll stop.

 

What else should be inspected when looking at a taco around 75-125k miles??? What should have been replaced by the owner? Timing Belt, got that. anything else? Anything in the waterpump or differential?

BTW, here in south florida it's hard to find any taco under 10k in price. even if it's a 2wd with 160,000 miles. It's ridiculous.

 

The water pump should be replaced when the T-belt is done, just because of the location and labor.

Diffs and transfer and tranny oil are on a regular service schedule you should be able to find on this site under 1st gen or Technical. Same with driveline lube (U joints and sliding yokes--you should be able to see signs of grease and splatter). Depends on standard or severe duty.

From what I have read and seen on this site:

-Frame rust (salty snow states/conditions usually).
-Possibly shocks and possibly leaf springs (known for weakness and sagging, although I have yet to see a picture of pristine, new OEM leafs on a 1st gen to compare with)
-Steering rack bushings (several large rubber bushings hold it to the subframe, these tend to get soft, and contribute to squishy steering...search the site for details and replacement with aftermarket urethane (?) bushings). This is on my to-do list.
-Apparently there was a TSB for certain VIN numbers for, I think, upper control arm bushings. You should be abel to find that on this site, too.

And a lot depends on how ther previous driver used/abused it. But then these things take a LOT of abuse without flinching.

Before I started looking at trucks, I got a Haynes manual and made a list of the standard inspection/service items. It helped me a lot. And operate/turn on anything and everything that can be operated or turned on. By doing this, I discovered that pretty much all Xtra cabs have broken window latches. Then I found it mentioned here. Minor detail, and someone on this site fabricates billet replacements, which is also on my list...my long list...

 

I searched for TSB and upper and it only found this thread.. No other references to this..