Thinking about buying 97 5 lug

Looking at buying this 97 taco. She's shedding clear like a ginger kid sheds skin at the beach but is mechanically sound. 2.4 5speed 140k . Guy is asking 3k thinking if I can get it for 2k I may buy it. Always liked the 5 lug 1st gens. I figure repaint it and I can fix it up for my sons first car. Then when he's done with it , I have a new toy / commuter.

 

That one extra lug sure adds a lot to the costs of these
a 2wd truck, is not for me. But, if you don't need 4wd, if its sound, decent. I'm also biased AF to that sweet sweet paradise blue.

 

Yea I was thinking just respray the oem color to keep cost down. No I don't need 4x4 , I have a 17 tundra on 36s for that
I always like the 5 lugs lowered a little , a street taco if you will lol

 

A repaint will double your cost unless you do the prep and/or the paint.

If not rusty, leave as is and promote the patina look.

Or look @ www.monstaliner.com

 

I’d easily buy it, seems like you can’t really go wrong at that price.

 

Yea I don't mind it doubling, I'd want it to look nice. When I say to keep cost down I meant as opposed to repaint with a color change. I can do alot of the prep work myself, I've done 2 cars prepped like that before. My idea is once my son is done with it, lowering it and doing an LCE turbo kit , new interior and use it as a commuter. I'm familiar with monstaliner, I did that to a 2 door yukon I had once.

 

So after talking to the owner , it does need a new driver door. The current one is fubar. Other odds and ends , nothing major , e brake cable and a maf sensor. No big deal there. Going to look at it today.

 

Clena title and solid frame? If yes, then buy it! Also, is it a stick shift, and does it have A/C?

 

I'd pass

 

if 5 speed with a/c - yes buy it

 

Sounds like a possibility for the right price, particularly since you seem to have some experience with these matters.

And 5 lugs are awesome. I love mine.

 

Go for it! I daily'd a 98 Taco 5 lug auto for years, kept her maintained easily. Even drove across the country with it twice, once with a Uhaul and she never failed. I've moved on to something newer, but I'll never get rid of my Taco. Get that truck. As long as the frame is good and it runs, you'll never regret the decision.

 

Clean title and frame, stick with ac

 

So I went and looked at it , a bit more than I want to mess with I think. I knew I'd need to replace driver door but the bed was a mess. Rust through bed floor and the rust around driver bed fender in pictures looked like it could be sanded and treated , in person was a cutout and reweld endeavor. Frame was clean but beds are hard to find. Plus the money I'd have In a respray , a bed and driver door outweighs the benefit. The search continues lol

 

Buy it, preserve the paint as-is, install a killer stereo system and backup camera, and enjoy the truck; This thing will last another 25 years easily!

 

Given bed rust damage do you guys think it may still be worth it?

 

Do you have pics of the rust? Kinda depends on how bad it is.

 

Personally...I'd roll with it and drive it into the ground

 

My bed is honestly way more beaten up than that it’s been a work truck it’s whole life. Honestly, who cares about the inside of the bed that way you just have to worry less about putting things in the bed, exterior stuff can be repaired. Looks like a decent little truck. If you want a rust free one, even a 5 lug, your going to be shelling out the dough.