Thinking of buying 2002 Tacoma TRD 4x4 off-road

new here, but I did read the owners manual

And download the repair manual

Looking at a low mileage excellent truck, what should I specifically look for
And what should be a reasonable price with dealer markup

It has a xtracab

I think I will need a tonneau cover for the winter amd keep snow off

 

If you're in a region that has snow then you absolutely must inspect the frame in detail before purchasing.

Here are some links which should get you started...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/8533928/?q=inspecting+frame&t=post&o=date&c[node]=4

 

Get one obviously no bias here....
I would also remember rust, availability of aftermarket parts, truck dimensions, and that these rigs go for a long long long x1500 long time.

 

really good to know where the truck lives

how many miles

just what truck ?? With what we know it might be a 2wd 4 cyl auto.

With your Information impossible to give a idea of price .

$1500.00 to $15,000.00 should be close

 

Its 5MT 6cyl, TRD off road 4x4, bed has some type liner, trucks in original condition no aftermarket stuff.
Here are the pictures I have somfar but I will go check it out, I’ll take a small brass hammer with me and paint meter
Carfax is clean, 1 owner

 

From pictures I see this trucks has seen some rust and now with frame painted with some black what looks like cover-up I would be very, very detailed inspecting the frame from the inside and under that black goo. That thing is not Fluid film. make sure you hammer all sensitive places (in leaf spring front mount area).

 

I was thinking the same, its got 45000 miles on it, 1 owner, clean title and carfax.
Asking is $17500

But by bank today threw me a curve ball, they won’t finance anything older than 2004 and anything between 2009-2004 is at a higher rate also.

I may not waste a trip checking it out further

 

main thing is the rust as people have stated. the frames rust from the inside out, so it may look perfect on the outside and have straight cancer on the inside. ask me how i know haha.

Second thought, that is a lottt of money for a 17 year old truck no matter how nice it is. Financing that would scare the shit out of me.

DM me if you're anywhere near maryland and want to buy mine. same specs (6cyl, 5spd, TRD) except its a 2004 with 126k miles and it just got a brand new frame, leaf springs, and LCA's from Toyota last month. I'm moving to a full-size

 

I am in NJ, DM coming

 

looks like a hole developing in the muffler?
medium repair there if keep OEM if available

 

someone else posted this truck as a great buy on the buy/trade section.
Dealer just called - they have the same financing issue banks won't finance over 2004

 

fuel tank lower shield/skid looks to be in good condition
kinda sorta strange?

 

Looks like they sprayed undercoating or the likes on the frame to prevent rust without completely eradicating the rust. They may have made an attempt to keep some surface rust from spreading. I had a thin layer of surface rust developing on mine from gravel that wore away the paint. No flaking or deep rust pits or holes.

Here's the rusty area.



Then I sandblasted it to clean the metal and blast away any loose paint.



Primed it with Rust-Oleum self-etching primer.



Then painted it with Rust-Oleum farm implement paint.

 

Could have been coated by Toyota, looks similar to mine. A dealer should be able to check the VIN and confirm if that was done under warranty.

But regardless bring a hammer and check it thoroughly!

 

looks sorta like the undercoating a local trucksplus place wanted to 'hook' me up with for about $800

OP, is there a way to contact the mentioned 1 previous owner and get more deets?

 

do what

contact prior owner for deets

 

at $17500 ,,, that must be a used lot price

OP, Toyota dealer or one of the off-the-road types of dealers

 

The dealer who seems to one off the road bought this off a an auction in PA. A friend checked on it and said dealer paid $14,500 for it.
https://www.tsjautobrokers.com/vehi...manual-truck-684360105f099243a6b131a5fcc2da2d

Don't know if coating was done before and after.

Bringing a hammer for inspection is least of the problems right now, bringing a check is the biggest. Regardless of amount banks won't finance anything over 15years. Anything under 10years is normal rate, 10-15years is higher rate and anything above 15years is absolutely not.

I may wait a year pick up a Gen2 TRD Pro...what ever is meant to happen will happen (Mrs. Murphy's Law)

 

I have been saving up to buy a newer Truck every time I get $10,000.00 extra some property repair needs the money

 

is the asking price based on the relative 'scarcity' of this Tacoma in the NJ area in the advertised condition or is it based on the mileage which can most definitely be questionable imo

appears it may have to be an all cash deal or partial cash/finance deal if that is an option