Ford Owner (Don't hurt me!)

Hey everybody.

Name's Blake, I come from the lowered car world! In fact here's my toy, it's a 2002 Focus that sits on Coilovers and Rotiform wheels as well as a bunch of other modifications.


Rotiform BLQs by grannygoldblake, on Flickr


Rotiform BLQs by grannygoldblake, on Flickr


Face down ass down by grannygoldblake, on Flickr


At any rate, I've owned that for going on 7 years now.

So this is where the Tacoma comes in. I currently daily drive (and have driven for the past 4 years) a 1994 Ranger 2.3L 2WD Stickshift. It's been an awesome truck for the 36,000 miles I've put on it. As most Fords of those years go, it's pretty rusty underneath. Which is fair as it's spent it's whole 20 years here in Michigan. That and I am getting sick of 2WD and I want a little bit of a nicer DD.

Here's one of the few photos I have of it (And it's a terrible one at that).


Snowpocalypse 2014. by grannygoldblake, on Flickr

I have a friend with a 1997 Taco 3.4L 4x4 with a slight lift and 31s on it that he wants to sell me for $4000. It had sat for quite a few years (they figured roughly 10) and had the top end of the engine rebuilt. Has somewhere around 138,xxx miles on it. The ONLY thing I'm worried about is the frame on it. He says he had the local Toyota dealer check it out before he bought it and it checked out fine, but I'm going to do my own test of the frame before I make the commitment. Before he sells it apparently it needs a starter and it has some broken vacuum lines which are preventing the 4WD from engaging. Here's a picture of said truck before it was leveled out in the front.

 

Looks like a nice truck...check the frame, before you hand over money.

 

the problems stated are minuscule compared to the overall quality of a tacoma...

but yes, a rusty frame is the worst problem overall...

question, you say it sat for 10 years, where did it sit? was it protected or out in the open? if it was protected then i wouldnt worry about it sitting with a rebuilt top end.

 

Not sure where it sat.

As for the rebuilt top end, I should clarify it was rebuilt after it was bought by my friend.

 

well id say it seems to be a deal, tho 4k seems a little high for 4x4 not working, but if your mechanically inclined then and have this awesome place called TW for a resource on problems... then id say try and lower the price and go for it

fyi i bought my old 96 with minimal problems for 4,700 sadly that was totaled and i now own an 01 and have only a clogged CAT

 

When I bought mine, I didn't relize that the frame was bad till I was installing my trailer hitch. I could take my hand and move the back of the frame up and down by 1/2 an inch. I was covered by the frame recall, you will not be covered. Just trying to save you money and aggravation.

 

Yeah I've done some research and I realize it's out of the warranty period. Don't worry I'll be doing a full inspection of the frame before I make a decision.

And he'll have all of the problems fixed before he sells it.

 

that is "if" its rusted... but he's right make sure you get professionally checked

oh and on another note, your "dont hurt me" part. people on TW are pretty damn nice compared to other forums like TTORA <they can be dicks if your new to the tacoma world (personal experience)

 

I got my 96 for 4k so I would say that if the frame is good it would be a solid deal. That is a prime number of miles. I take it that the 4wd isn't manual?

 

oh if he has the problems fixed then id say its a good deal. even if theres a problem in the future, everyone here is pretty knowledgeable and wont flame you unless your a jackass

 

I'm fine with any problems, I'm definitely mechanically inclined. I've done everything maintenance wise on both vehicles and I own a shop with a lift.

 

Not entirely sure if it has manual or auto hubs.

 

i hope to see another post in the future

"PROUD FIRST TIME TACO OWNER"

 

Is the 4wd shifter manual or a button?

 

Welcome to the forum

 

It's a stick on the floor.

 

The truck also has an add-a-leaf in the rear.

 

Just found out it sat in a barn.

 

1.) Nice focus, but needs
MOAR LOW.

2.) I'm going to say the say the same thing as everyone else, if the frame's shit, then it's a no go, if it's good and the guy is going to fix it before you get it, then hell yeah it's a good deal.

 

If it is vacuum lines like you suspect, this may help.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/7...-5-2004/201002-97-tacoma-4wd-wont-engage.html