Buying first Tacoma…

Hi all,

I have been looking to pickup a first gen Tacoma for a few months now and I found one I think I want to buy, but I want y’all’s advice about it.

It’s a 1996 2.7l manual 4x4 for $5000. It has no central locking, power windows, or sunroof and other than the 4x4 seems to be pretty close to a base model.

It’s a two owner vehicle and overall the truck seems to have been well maintained and is in really good shape, both in the interior and exterior. There is definitely a some surface rust on the frame and a little around the tailgate but nothing major.

The problem is that it has 420,000 miles.

So, what do y’all think?

Updated with photos:

https://imgur.com/a/hBE4jE5

 

I think that's a lot of miles. Think of it as a clean good canvas and prepare to restore the vehicle. Quickly if you want a daily driver with any quality because parts and pieces will fail. Or over time hobby like because parts will fail. 27 yrs. And high miles unless somebody has been thorough about replacing wear items and there's a lot of them in that scenario your gonna be the one doing it once you start driving it and familiarizing yourself with the truck. This possibly includes power and drive train. Aka engine and transmission

 

It’s definitely high mileage… I already have a “daily driver” and I take the train/bike to work so I was planning on this being the weekend fun vehicle.

A lot of wear items have been done but obviously with this many miles, more will come. My current vehicle is a high-ish mileage Volkswagen, so I’m used to replacing stuff. I’m impressed with how clean the truck is for 420k. Basically nothing wrong interior or exterior wise.

 

Thats a few too many miles....You can do it but look for serious leaks. Mine has 350k and runs great but leaks all over. Typical leak at oil filter and steering rack.

 

There are some small leaks but nothing major. Aren’t most leaks, like a steering rack leak addressable by replacing the part?

 

Nothing major can turn into a lot quickly especially in the rust belt (if that is where you're at).

With that many miles, I would definitely put it under the microscope. Look for obvious signs of fresh paint on the frame done in an effort to cover up rust.

Plan on refreshing the suspension and steering components if it hasn't already been done.

Make sure you put the 4WD through its paces. At the very least confirm no issues getting into and out of 4HI and 4LO.

Plan on the Lower Ball Joints to be replaced immediately if you do purchase it. Even if the current owner recently did this I wouldn't roll the dice and leave it to chance. A couple of hundred dollars well spent for piece of mind knowing they have been done correctly and with OEM parts is worth it.

Just a few things to get you started. Welcome to TacomaWorld.

 

Yes, but it seems like maybe you will be paying to have these leaks fixed. That can be expensive.
For example, most of the older 2.7l engines leak oil from the oil pan. On a 2.7l 4x4, the oil pan cannot be removed without: raising the engine; or lowering the front differential. A shop will charge a lot to do this repair.

 

Thanks for the advice. I’m in California but the first owner lived in Idaho for a couple years, otherwise it’s been a cali car. It doesn’t seem like the current owner is trying to hide anything with paint.

 

It does have a small leak from the oil pan. I’ve done bigger jobs on cars before and I have basically full access to a shop with a lift where I would plan on doing as much as possible myself. I haven’t worked on Toyotas before but I’ve done a lot on Volkswagens.

 

While an older thread, it may contain info that can help you.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-tacoma-buyers-guide.156943/

 

Unless you’re mechanically inclined I would pass. These first gen trucks are more than 20 years old.

 

I am very mechanically inclined. I’ve always done all the work on my cars myself. I’ve also was a part of an Baja SAE team in university where we built a Baja car and raced it.

 

taco's love miles

 

Sure seems like it . I feel like I’d rather have this well maintained high mileage truck than a beat on low mileage truck, and I can’t justify the price on a low mileage good condition truck.

 

Sounds like you're going for it. If the price is right, then go for it. I personally wouldn't go for 400k truck, but if iit is suitable condition One note, I think to replace oil pan seal you have to take 4wd out, so not a simple job. I plugged a leak in the pad with JB weld. Lasted for years. GL~

 

He has access to a lift. Quite a bit easier to do.

 

some are turning 30 years old this year!

 

I do want the truck but I want to see how bad of a decision I’m making…

 

Do you have more detailed pics of this old taco

 

Unfortunately no, I didn’t take any when I went to check it out. The pics are pretty representative though even though they’re not great.