Concerned about rust when upgrading from a 1991 pickup to a 2.7L Tacoma

Hello all!

New member, created an account after finding so much valuable information here.

I currently drive a 91 pickup 22re that I bought to last forever. Unfortunately I find it's very uncomfortable and me and my gf dislike that it can barely make it up the ski hill here on Vancouver Island.
I am very interested in buying a 2009 Tacoma 4x4, manual 2.7L
Owner is asking 19,000, said he'd go lower. Seems well taken care of, but the frame is concerning. It's got a lot of surface rust that's peeling off in lots of sheets near the muffler & gas tank. The frame is quite thin there and I am concerned. Feels foolish to switch when my 91 has the nicest frame of any old Toyota I've seen, but it's showing its age as the speedometer crawls and the ride shakes on every bump.

I know about the recall, owner said previous owner got the truck okayed by Toyota, but they didn't do a rust prevention coating. Truck was made in USA if that matters. Owner painted the frame, but only painted the outside. Should I run away? How bad are frames that missed the recall? What do you think a truck like this would be worth?

Cheers

 

Welcome to the forum.

Don’t buy that truck. The frame is delaminating. For 20k you can find a truck in a lot better condition in this area.

Condition of frames that missed the recall depend on how well the owners took care of them. For instance my 2013, I never took it in for a frame inspection, it’s never had any of Toyotas bullshit sprayed on it and is still In pristine condition. Truck gets a full fluid film treatment every September-October since I’ve owned it.

Lots of rusted pieces of shit up here in the nw but there are still plenty of trucks that are cared for and in true “excellent condition”. Straight bodies, immaculate frames and mechanically sound.

Ps nice, 91. I have a 92 in my garage.

 

Yeah I'm concerned about the frame delaminating especially where it is already thin. It's got nothing on my 91's 1/4 inch square frame that's in perfect shape.

The owner said he would do $15000 which is a deal for 171,000 clicks on a 09 Toyota truck. But if the frame isn't going to last I don't want no part of it. I have a friend who's a welder who could repair it if need be. If I got it coated, could it be saved?

Appreciate the advice. Might just spend all the money to fix my exhaust and suspension in my 91, she's a beaut.

 

Anything can be salvaged with time and money, only you can make that call on if it makes sense. If it were me, absolutely not. That truck is not worth 15k.

You in Canada or WA?

I just did a quick search of ea wa and there’s 82 second gens for sale. Lots of v6, trd’s, dcsb, dclb, 4x4, etc. with less milage selling for around his 19k asking or less. Lots of options out there, be patient, find the deal.

Examples

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...d311&zip=99188#listing=388711267/NONE/DEFAULT

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...d311&zip=99188#listing=387630512/NONE/DEFAULT

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...d311&zip=99188#listing=393064349/NONE/DEFAULT

 

I'm in Canada, Toyota's are notoriously overpriced where I am on the island. 15,000 CAD is about 11,000 USD.

After a 4 cyl 4x4 , they're rare

 

I just bought a '14 TRD OR for 22k. Frame is immaculate. Never buy a painted frame. Just don't. Guy should have taken care of it instead of letting it go like that, then throwing a band aid on it after it's too late. You can wool wax a frame, you can cosmoline a frame, but paint is extremely risky and if not done correctly (no one does) you will have further issues down the road.

That 91 pick up is a sweet truck, put the money into making it more comfortable. Engine swap to a 3.4L might be a cheaper option as well. I understand this is daunting especially if it's your only vehicle.

I have a 1995 T100 and they just don't make them like that anymore. 90s Yotas are truly special.

 

Thanks! Yeah I love them. I need to bite the bullet and get a better exhaust.

I don't think I will swap a 3.4L, but since you're so wise in the ways of trucks, where should I look first to increase the comfort of the ride / suspension? Supposedly shocks aren't original, but I feel every bump

 

Thats not a reg cab thats a an avcess cab, those come with the v6 aswell, just get the v6. I would pass on that overpriced 4banger rust bucket.

 

Monroe and KYB make shocks for the pick up. Maybe you can upgrade to those and gets some better coils.

 

Thanks for the advice y'all. Should have listened to my friend who was saying to stay clear of 2nd gen frame rust all along.

Here's hoping I find a better 4 cyl

 

All Toyotas rust. Remember that.

 

GOOD frame pics first before the body when you are 2nd gen buying. Treated properly they can last a long time but you need to keep up on them, especially the inside of them.

 

For me it's , why would you paint the frame, but not the inside where it is more rusted at potential fail points? Obviously just did it to try and sell truck quicker

 

What makes your ‘91 hard to make it up the hills? I find that hard to believe.

 

same, put tht bitch in 3rd or 2nd gear wot

 

No disrespect to my brothers. But how is going from a 91 pickup to a Tacoma a "upgrade" ?

 

22RE is woefully over rated. Where it has reliability it lacks in power. This is why Toyota moved on to the RZ family. I personally don't believe it should even be in a 4x4 pick up, especially carrying load.

 

In some ways it is, some ways it isn't. This is why I suggested 5VZ swap.

 

you sir can see your way out, the goat is da taco

 

I remember my dad’s ‘92 4Runner 22RE 5spd making it up really steep hills/ruts without any issues.