Buying advice - 98 Tacoma

Hey guys, I'm considering a 98 Tacoma for sale in my area and wondering what you think. I haven't gone to see it yet and am still waiting for the seller to respond to my question about rust as I've read that frame rust can be an issue with this generation. It's a manual transmission with V6.

I attached a few pics and here's the title and body of the ad:

1998 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 winch arb bumper - $8500

179 k miles. This truck runs great no leaks . I had to get a bigger one due to my dogs.
Old man emu 3" lift
Cold air intake
Arb bumper
Kryptec Dipped fender flares rims rain visors
Comes with camper

 

Frame.

Check the frame.

 

If you buy and can't find any of the above mentioned service repairs then I would suggest doing them and most of the worry will be gone.

 

Actually, frame rust is an issue for all generations of tacoma (and not just tacomas but every truck and car in general). The killer is winter salt and chemicals.

Southern vehicles are less affected because they don't use that crap there (not as much snow and ice than up north) but that does not mean vehicles cannot be badly rusted (rustbuckets can be driven around, you know...)

So, even if it is a southern truck, it is still a good idea to peek a look underneath. Even if the seller tells you the frame is good, peek a look (or ask for pictures if far from you)

 

Awesome advice, thanks everyone. I'll look it over thoroughly as the seller is not far from me. If I get serious about buying, I'm planning to have a mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection as well just to be sure.

 

Very very first thing I would check is the leaf spring mounts. Then the shock mounts, then the boxed frame under cab. That’s where those frames rot the worst. Hit it with a hammer and screwdriver.

 

Let the seller know you are going to check the frame before approaching with a hammer and screwdriver

 

Seller sent some photos of rust under the vehicle. What do you think? I'm most concerned about what appears to be a small hole in the 3rd pic.

 

Ah yeah, I see that hole now. Nice catch.

 

Yep, the frame is gone. 1998 - at this stage it is only a project truck.

 

What a bummer! That truck looks set up and ready to go.

 

She's burnt

Get one that's all stock with a nice frame

 

Total bummer, man! This truck looks awesome up top. I'm glad this forum exists to keep me from rushing into a deal that I'd regret!

 

Run. ruuuuuuun dude that frame is shot

 

Damn shame because it is good looking too

 

I'm running!

 

If you put your finger inside the rails where it’s boxed, it’s almost guaranteed to be flaking off big chunks of rust from the inside

 

An those were the photos the seller was actually willing to send you, I can't image what the rest of the frame actually looks like in person!

 

but there's dust, so he's not hiding anything.....

 

OP where is the truck located?