Need Advice--2002 TRD Tacoma 4x4 $2,750

Hi guys,

I am looking for some advice. I have been looking for an inexpensive Taco for some occasional house work and just as a toy. I have wanted one for a while, but didn't want to put too much money into as it will be more of a hobby to tinker with and not a daily driver.

My dad just told me about a guy that he knows selling a regular cab 2002 TRD Tacoma 4x4 with 208K miles on it for $2,750. My dad loosely knows this guy and it is supposedly well taken care of and mostly work road miles. He is selling it because he just retired and already has a newer truck.

The only thing wrong with it that the guy noted is that it has some body rust over each of the rear wheels. There's also a slight amount of rust on the fender/bumper. The frame is rust-free.

It is about 5 hours away from where I am, so I will be test driving it next weekend, but was looking for any general advice on the truck or questions to ask. Also, interested if you guys think it is a good deal.

It comes with the shell and four additional tires.

Thanks

 

Prob fair deal but I would offer him $2500. Can't hurt to try. If truck runs out good you should get lots of miles. I had a 95 and had 350k on it when I sold it. Be sure to check frame around rear leaf springs...they r bad to rust if in salty roads. Good luck

 

Body is a easy fix...just make sure frame is solid!!

 

Thanks Rusty. From your username, I figure you are near WV. Do you know of any mechanics in the northern VA area that do a lot of Tacoma work? Has anyone had any good experiences with any body work shops they would recommend?

 

I live in WV about 12 miles from Virginia border on New River. Blacksburg Va is about 30 minutes from me. If you were close that rust around rear wheels is a easy fix.Hondo is a quick fix but won't last forever Fiberglass would last a long time over some metal patches and a little paint blending is pretty easy if you are handy and have an air compressor. Go get a cheap paint gun at harbor freight and get paint code off truck and go to paint and body supply and tell them what you need

 

I meant Hondo not Hondo!! Lol

 

Body filler I mean....spell check changed to Hondo!!lol

 

Think he means Bondo....maybe not though since he's said hondo over and over again hahaha

 

Yeah, I figured he meant Bondo. That is a tough autocorrect. Does anyone else have any thoughts on the truck/price?

 

I'm currently selling my 2002 4x4 extra cab with 270k for almost 3x that price, $2750 is good in my opinion . Check if he worked on the front bearings, knuckles or airflow sensor, they will put you back another grand or so if you have to replace those - they were the first big ticket parts I fixed on mine. Have fun if you get it, that truck won't let you down!

 

I'd scoop that in a heartbeat.

Just so you know, that's not a TRD. The TRD package was not an option on single cab first gens. Someone stuck a sticker on the truck.

 

Thanks for the advice there. I am excited to test it and fingers crossed that the mechanic doesn't find any serious issues with it.

 

Thanks. I did not know that there were no TRD packages on first gen single cabs. I guess I will leave the stickers on unless I go for a full paint job...the green isn't my favorite.

 

Besides the sticker, they also came with yellow Bilstein shocks, and a different sway bar. All V6 TRD models also had an e-locking rear diff. Rarely did 4cyl TRDs have the elocker. Easiest way to tell a real TRD is going to be the bilstein shocks and the elocker.

 

It looks like the frame has significant rust on both sides below where the cab meets the bed. The bumper, fender, bed and tailgate also had more rust than I expected. Looks like I will be passing on this one for the amount of money I would need to put into it. It ran well though. Bummer. Thanks for all the input. Back to the search.