New Member - 1st Gen - Am I crazy?

Hey Everyone,

My name is Steve, and after literally a lifetime of drooling, I am finally getting my dream truck. Well, at least I hope.

The vehicle is some distance from me, so tomorrow I'll be doing my inspection and test drive. It's a 1st gen 2.7l 5 Speed.

Two things to sanity check myself:

I feel like buying a 14 year old truck (not just any truck of course) is reasonable assuming there are no major and obvious mechanical issues...

Which leads me to the next topic: Obvious Mechanical Issues

I know frame rust can be a (huge) issue, though I am hopeful that the vehicle will be okay seeing as how its lived in CA desert its whole life.

Are there any other immediate things I should be looking/listening/feeling/etc. for?
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Thank you all for reading and for any insight.

Looking forward to my Taco future!

 

Welcome to TW! Hopefully the truck is beautiful and you pick it up no issues!

You touched on frame rust, that's a well known issue. The trucks are typically pretty fail proof. Lower ball joints go bad often. Most will do their water pumps at around 90k.

I've seen a couple Tacos with some steering issues. I'd suggest being on a flat surface and turning the truck lock to lock while stopped to see if the steering system feels good.

Good luck with your Taco purchase, and be sure to drop back by and post pics of your new ride if all goes well!

 

Thank you!! It is certainly beautiful, and tomorrow we'll see!

I will follow your recommendation during the test drive! I'm assuming "feels good" basically just means consistent pressure the entire time, no sudden float, etc.

I absolutely will! I am getting pretty antsy to be honest. So if I get this thing I'll be posting plenty!

Thank you again!

 

what are you plans for the truck?

 

Exactly, it should be able to turn the tires lock to lock no problem as well if they're stock size. And hell yeah! Can't wait to see the build you have planned

 

Good luck, for the right 14 year old truck I'd by it too!
Frame rust would be the biggest concern but even that can be fixed.
What kind of mileage are on it? Not a big issue the 4cyl toyota is a stout engine. I had 293k on my first one.

 

My overall plan is to build an economical and lightweight (at least as much as possible) camping/overland rig.

On top of making any necessary adjustments to make sure the thing is in optimal running condition, I'll put on KO2s, would like a modest lift, bumpers, fab or acquire a drawer system. Really just turn it into my own personal adventure-mobile.

I do want to keep the engine itself as close to stock as possible, making only "harmless" performance mods. I don't intend really on ever letting go of the vehicle if I can help it so reliability and maintainability are my #1s.

 

Awesome! This is a really good recommendation, I can't thank you enough.

Ha! I know! I'm still trying not to get too ahead of myself, I know these things are like gold.

It has 160k right now.

 

Welcome!

 

Thank you!

 

WELCOME!
Good luck with your new truck!

 

Thank you!!

 

Welcome to the forums! Congrats on your new truck!

 

Front wheel bearings are a kinda weak spot. Check them out for noise and play.

Pull wheels and inspect brakes if you have a long drive home.

If you are able, do a compression test on site.

 

Good luck on the new truck deal.

BTW ball joints can sound squeeky when they go out. That's been my experience at least. Took me forever to troubleshoot this issue in my Ranger. Once the ball joints were replaced it stopped.

A good test is to press down on the front end and let the truck come back up. Keep doing this and if there is a problem it will show itself in the form of a squeek. Also it squeeked going over speed bumps.

 

Thank you, on both counts!

I def will, thank you! Unfortunately I am not able to do compression test.

Thank you! Will do!

 

@TacoS805
Welcome to TW!
There’s an awesome 1st gen thread on here.

Check (or ask) -the LBJ’s, water pump, timing belt, frame rust, valve cover for leaks/cracks also the exhaust manifold for cracks.

If you have the VIN you can check for recalls- some 1st gens had the Lower Ball Joints recalled.

What do you think @Speedytech7 and @mechanicjon

 

Welcome! I spent $20k on a 12 year old truck last year so I know how you feel, lol.

1st gen best gen

 

Welcome to TW! Good luck with the 1st gen!

 

Since it is a 1st Gen 4cyl, check in the radiator for clean coolant and a full level. Otherwise yeah everyone here is also right usual stuff like lower ball joints, and such.