Looking to Buy a 1st Gen

Greetings. I am new to this forum, but am a member on other truck and jeep forums.

I am helping my son (early 20s) look for either a TJ-style jeep or a 1st Gen Tacoma. I currently own a 2005 TJ Unlimited as a DD, so he's somewhat familiar with jeeps. My jeep is 4.0L and automatic, but he would like to get a manual trans in either a jeep or Tacoma. He is still in college, which thankfully has a transit system. Poor boy wants to give up a 2002 Civic (mileage champ) for something more masculine (gas hog). Oh well, I tried.

Anyway, I located a 1999 Tacoma SR5 Ext Cab 4x4 with 2.7L and 5 spd, 170K miles, needs tires. I drove it last Friday. The CEL is on, but the shop hasn't scanned it yet to see what it my be. The truck ran better as it warmed up. Surprisingly, the ride was very, very similar to my jeep. The truck is owned by a military guy, and the shop where it is located is one I have used several times; they are trustworthy. I didn't notice any odd sounds, smells or other. I drove it with the A/C on and the radio off, and it seemed to have okay power. Looks to have 235 tires and 3.58 gears.

Anyway, the owner is only asking around $4K. My wife is apprehensive about its 17 year age. I have been reading the various posts to see what I can find out. Any specialized things about 1999 models to look for?

BTW, we have also found a few newer models in our price range ($4 to $6K), but every one of them has been over 230K miles. Who knows, he may stick with the Civic a little longer.

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any feedback.

 

The big thing is frame rust, of course. Make sure you really get under there and give it a real good look.

When I got my 96, it had a cracked exhaust manifold and both leaf spring were broken. These are pretty common problems.

You say it ran better when it warmed up. So, it ran poorly cold? That could mean lots of things and can be difficult to diagnose. If it was me, I would find one that runs smoothly as soon as you start it. They're good trucks, your boy has good taste!

Good luck.

 

The CEL is for excessive EGR flow (if I recall correctly). The mechanic and I both agreed to try a good cleaning first; it may just be carboned up. A VIN check shows it to be a 1-owner (at least probably in the same family since it is military-owned) with no wrecks. Son is a little hung up on the Mystic Purple Mica (938) color, however.

Going to look at a 1996 Tacoma LX Ext Cab 4x4 with 3.4L and 5 spd, 101K miles, needs A/C work on Saturday. I'll get the VIN to check it out as well, and carry a freon can or two with me to see if the compressor engages. This one is black in color. This guy says he will sell for $6.5K.

 

DONT GET A 4 BANGER, v6 only, then you have the option for a SuperCharger and getting 75 more hp, that's 100 pus more hp then a 4 banger, Can't go wrong if the 101,000 miles on the v6 are all true miles, that means you have 400,000 miles to go to catch me,

 

Don't be afraid of the 4banger, it's only 40ish hp less than the v6, especially if you wanna keep some economy. My 97 2.7 with 300k Rollin on 33"s averages 20-24 mpg where all my buddies with the 3.4 are mid to upper teens.

Either way as mentioned, frame rust is a big deal, check them all out good. Plan on doin lower ball joints as a precaution if it has higher miles, and just check the rest out as you would any other vehicle

 

4k is a great price so long as the frame is in solid shape. TJ's are also great cars with fantastic engines but I doubt you'll find a decent TJ for under 5-6k without needing a new head gasket. I think the Taco is a much more forgiving vehicle to work on should things break.

 

The biggest issues we are running into in regards to TJs are crappy lift kits, no spare, rebuilt engine/trans/axles/other drivetrain/suspension, to name a few issues. IOW, too many mud buggies that people have broken too many times and are wanting to get rid of them. We did find a nice TJ last week, but the seller told us LATE Friday NIGHT he would be out of town until Sunday afternoon. Texted him on Sunday and he said someone bought it with cash after we talked Friday NIGHT. WTH. Anyway, if it was meant to be it would have happened.

Waiting to hear from the seller of the 1996 3.4L Tacoma. We made an offer, but he said someone else wanted to look at it, so obviously he wants to see if he gets a higher offer.

 

Well your just silly to not buy that Tacoma with 100,000 miles, you wount get many chances at that and you will regret not buying it later on. It's obvious you don't know a deal when it's looking at you in the face, someone else will.
Just bit the bullet and you will be way ahead of the game rather then trying to save a buck and buy one with 150,000 or so,

Or maybe you don't really want a Tacoma

 

Buying the 1996 3.4L Tacoma tomorrow. Here are a few pics.

 

Wow, that's really low mileage for a '96. Good looking truck! Mind if I ask how much you're paying for it?

 

$6.5K. Carfax and Autocheck were both clean (minor accident on the Carfax, that seller explained; detail in another thread). Qualifies for Carfax Buy-Back.

 

What a bargain!!!,
now make sure you replace all these items as they are all in the same place

• Timing Belt
• 1 GMB Roller Tensioner Bearing (Bearing assembly)
• 1 GMB Idler Bearing
• 2 Camshaft Seals
• 1 Front Crankshaft Seal
• 1 AISIN Water Pump
• 1 Hydraulic Tensioner
• 1 Fan hub bearing

 

Seller bought it with around 91K miles 2 years ago. I asked if he had the timing belt replaced, to which he said "no". However, he didn't know if it had already been done. Neither Carfax nor Autocheck sy anything. Is there any way to determine that by inspection? The upper radiator hose looks recent, but I haven't looked closely at other affected items. What does that laundry list of parts usually cost?

 

Most timing belt kits come with a sticker that whoever installs the kit should write the date and mileage on and stick to the timing belt cover. I've always put that sticker on my vehicles after installing as well as on my clients vehicles. I'm not sure if other techs do this. I would think they do, but who knows. I've never had anybody do the timing belt for me. You can remove the timing cover and inspect the belt, but that isn't always a clear indicator as to whether it's been replaced. The cover keeps that belt nice and clean, so the typical wear your used to seeing on other belts won't necessarily show.

 

I bet it was not done then, if the 1st buyer didn't tell the 2nd buyer at 91,000 miles at it was done, then I'm sure it wasn't done, and if it dosnt show on carfax I'm guessing not done. Better to have all those parts done and your good for another 100,000 miles. Dealer probably charge you 1000, a good Toyota
Repair shop might be 500 to 700, but just makes sure you have a complete job done, not just a belt.
If you do just a belt it will cost 300.00

You can buy all those parts off eBay for 165.00 for Oem parts as a kit.
Don't buy anything else but oem,

 

Happy dance time! Picked it up this afternoon. Going through glove box and found all original owner's literature, some past registrations, and SERVICE RECORDS!

Looks like timing belt was done in December 2002 at 56,400 miles ($455 at VA Toyota dealer), clutch in March 2007 at 84,665 miles ($1,041 at AL Toyota dealer), miscellaneous oil change, battery replacement, tire replacement receipts.

Looking it over even more, I need to replace a few miscellaneous exterior bulbs, fix drivers side seat belt (locked up right now), and brake light switch needs adjusting at parking brake. I will get A/C checked soon; I think it was overcharged at Pep Boys because my little re-charge gauge went into the red zone when I tried to add some freon to check compressor operation.

 

Congrats on the Tacoma. Your boy is going to oove it.

 

Mmmmm, you sure the records are for this truck? Timing belt gets changed at 90,000 not 56,000
and my first clutch went out at 250,000 miles, not 84,000, most Tacoma v6 clutches last 200,000 miles

 

^^^
I'm the 2nd owner of my 02 with 60000 miles. The original owner had the timing belt replaced at the dealer when the truck had 31000 miles but was 10 yrs old. He said the dealer told him it wasn't just mileage but that age factored into it. Not sure if I believe that but glad he did it.

 

The maintenance supplement to the owners manual states a timing belt change every 60K miles. I guess I am good for at least another 15K - 20K miles. In regards to clutch replacement, the area in Alabama that this truck came from (up until 2 years ago) is very hilly. Also, the seller told me the previous owner to him said an older woman (apparently mother) was the primary driver, and seems to be confirmed by some service records. Maybe she couldn't drive a stick? Remember, low mileage vehicle. I used to live in the same area and would go through a set of brakes about every 20K miles.

I was able to free up the seat belt mechanism. The clock spring was disconnected from a drive bushing. I was able to fix that, but it was still locked. I removed a ball bearing ratchet thing on the other side and it then moved freely. The belt still locks under a hard tug. Probably will try to get another one soon just to be safe.