To buy or not to buy

Hey Guys,
Just signed up. Been on and off of here helping my Uncle fix things like his ac fan connector etc
Have idolized my Uncles 2005 Tacoma Short bed TRD 4x4 sport since he bought the thing new. I had a 2005 2wd for a short time but couldn't keep it.
Anyways, he just bought a 2020 Taco and now he is selling his '05.
Probably between 6-7k, scratches and such but no accidents and very decent all around.
My question is at 220k miles.... how much life can this have left?
Its the 4.0 and I don't see much online about that particular engine (in regards to replacement/ rebuilds) or do I don't see the JDM imports like the 3.4's have.
I know they are good trucks but I drive a LOT and I need to be able to afford to keep this thing running.
I have searched here through google and found a couple bits and pieces but never got quite what I was looking for.

any input/ opinions would be appreciated.
Paul

 

05's have the potential for head gasket leaks, and now are seeing timing chain stretches and catalytic converter failures.

Biggest issue is frame rust. Get under and check it for rust before you take it over.

 

Frame rust?... ok is there a particular place its most visible or starts? This is in southern california and garaged most of the time if that makes a difference.
At 170k it had the head gasket replaced (funny you say that). The intake valves were also replaced.
Don't think the chains were replaced. Nor the cats.

 

Frame rust shouldn't be an issue if the truck has lived it's whole life in southern California. It's more common in states with harsh winter's where they salt the roads.

 

Check around the cats.
Pay special attention above them and the heat shields.
Being a Cali. truck you are probably fine. But still needs to be checked.

 

Ok, will take a good look next time I'm at his place.

I assume the diffs and trans/transfer cases are pretty alike to most cars.
Just have gotten no clear picture on the 4.0l rebuild/replacement.....
Anyone been through this?

 

Don't know exactly what you mean by drive a lot, but if you are talking drive 40K pr. yr. for work, a 15 yr. old, 220K vehicle probably isn't a good idea. That being said, I'd probably trust a 4.0 Taco as much as anything else 15 yr. old, w/ 220K. Good luck.

 

I drive around 20k a year

 

a good uncle should give his nephew said truck

 

hahaha yeah!... lol

 

Send it. I bought my 3.4 with 238k and drove it roughly 20-25k a year for 3 years until the head gasket leaked. If you treat them right and maintain them then you will be able to get a lot more life out of them. I did a lot of maintenance to my 3.4 but a head gasket failure isn't something you can routinely check to make sure all is good really.

 

Everybody's different, but for me, I'd hate to buy anything that old with that many mi. knowing I was driving that much. Wouldn't be afraid of the Taco 4.0 at all, just kind'f skiddish of anything with 220K mi.

 

I agree.
I think it will go a bit but I think I need something less miles. I like to install high end audio and thats time and money deadening etc and would hate to be done making the truck my own and then I get rid of it.

 

Thanks everyone for the reality check. so far I am 75% no and 25% yes. This sort of confirms my feelings.

 

Who did the headgasket and valve job?

I really wouldnt worry about the 'high' mileage. But keep in mind the MPG's on a taco aren't the best. I drive about 25K a year and I'd be even more poor than I am already if I daily'd my taco.

 

Toyota did the gasket/ head rework (maybe farmed out the head work).