Talk me out of buying a high milage truck!!

Neil

Start with what you're willing to pay max
Than what you want (AC,DC, 4cyl,6cyl,man,auto ect)
Go online see what's for sale
Start with lowest mileage listings (lower the better in my book)
Research the price on selected trucks
Go look at the short list trucks
Inspect for all concerns
Test drive
Maybe have a shop do an inspection for you

Don't be in a hurry

 

Your results may vary, but I don’t mind offloading trucks at 200k. It’s not just the motor, that’ll probably last 500k, it’s the starter, alternator, fuel system-injectors, pump, lines, transmission, rear diff, drive lines, transfer case, brakes, radiator, a complicated electrical system, exhaust, suspension and steering. All the little stuff will nickle and dime you to death if the maintenance hasn’t been religious in the past 300k. That said, I plan on keeping my taco until electric trucks are a viable alternative in 10-15 years, but it will still probably be under 350k

 

Bought an ‘08 4.0 last year with a little over 200k. Replaced the. Carrier bearing and one u-joint to fix drive shaft clunk. Did a trans drain and fill with the garden sprayer. Drained and filled both diffs and the transfer case. It came out as black sludge. I recently replaced a CV, and found a torn stabilizer link boot, and a torn rack and pinion boot. The rack seems to have a small leak. Lost another u-joint. It gets 13-14mpg instead of 16+, in spite of new plugs and plenty of fuel system cleaner. I’m now looking into how to understand fuel trim data to diagnose problems.

Update: Just today the tachometer started going on and off intermittently, and there’s a sound I’ve been trying to track down that I’m beginning to think my be the A/C compressor. I believe the first two owners of this truck got their money’s worth, and I may be fixing the whole darn thing...which would be okay if planned to keep it, but I bought it to get me by until I find a double-can long before, and feel like I can’t sell it with known problems.


My 2010 single-cab that I bought with 450mi has had some problems, but I caused them all. The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.

 

I don't understand the reasoning in your situation if this one will be the 3rd high mileage vehicle you are seeking. What can this one do that your 93' Toyota can't ?

 

The ‘93 Toyota pickup was tiny. Smaller than a first gen Taco, which is smaller than the second gen. It’s hard to fit an American male in those early Toyotas or I would still have one.

 

Yes the '93 is just too small. I live in the PNW and keeping the carpentry, some mechanic tools in the bed even with a canopy is kinda silly. If i can get the bilk of carpentry tools/bags in the cab (stay dry) and some mechanic tools in a bedrail box ill be way better off. Plus i flog the little 22re trying to go any but down hill!! With 300+k i expect to need to replace some things, Ujoints, wheel bearings, ball joints, basic things and the price should reflect that. These are all great comments, Thanks Neil

 

I don't know what to make of this statement. This is like you are saying that you are willing to overpay for a truck that you really don't need. If its cheap and mechanically sound, I have zero issues buying this truck knowing that I will need to set an emergency fund aside for the worse case scenario of a future engine replacement that may or may not occur. It all depends on the price.