1997 tacoma frame inspection

Hello, I am going to look at a 1997 Tacoma tonight to buy for my son. (1997, 4x4, v6, ext cab, cap, 126k miles, asking 10k or best offer) Can anyone give me tips on what to look for as far as transmission, Engine and Frame rot? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Leaving to look in a few hours.

 

Always good to know where the Truck Lives!!

Look for holes in the frame it just depends where the truck lives.

A good road test should answer your questions.

Make sure everything works like it should.

Any thing that sticks out looks strange.

I take a Code reader and pull Codes many times from sitting the battery is dead

Lower Ball Joints changed Was the Timing belt done or is it due?

Your at the age lots of Catch up Maintenance might need done.

Check the brake lining the best you can.

Good Luck!

 

Another underrated inspection point is to open the oil fill cap [located on the driver's side valve cover], and peer inside. It should look clean as a whistle. If you can see clear gunk build up [like a brown/black film], then its a good sign oil change intervals were stretched too far. I personally wouldn't want to buy a truck that was treated that way [at least not for 10k].

Also I want to echo the timing belt point. Check for a date tag on the timing cover, if the owner can't tell you when it was last done, I'd immediately drop what number you planned to offer by $1000. That's what a shop will charge you to do that job, and even if it was done at the 90k recommendation mark, that could have been 15 years ago on a 26-year old low-mileage truck. Parts don't only wear from mileage but also from time. Keep that in mind with things like rubber bushings, tires, leaf springs, fluids, etc. Everything you can find that they haven't addressed maintenance-wise gives you leverage in the negotiation. Good luck!

 

Look closely at both sides of the frame around the rear shocks and leaf springs areas. You can see some of the frame threads here as to what nightmares you might encounter. Surface rust is "okay-ish" but deep flaking, cracks, or holes is a big red flag. As mentioned, you will have some wrenching to do on an old truck but if the foundation is sound, most of the rest can be addressed one at a time.

 

thank you all for the comments. I offered him 8k and he declined. The frame was shot. The bolts where the axal connects to the wheels were so rusted you could not even get a wrench on them. Totally rusted out underneath. its a shame but I just don't think it was safe and not worth 10k

 

Wasn't worth 8k either. Be glad he declined.

Sad thing is it will sell to someone who doesn't know to inspect, and they'll have a very expensive paperweight.