2003 DCSB DLX TRD OR 4x4

Thinking about selling my 03 Tacoma for a 3rd gen. I love the truck but I can't help but want the creature comforts the 3rd gen offers.

The truck has a rebuilt title from Alaska and from what I can tell it's only cosmetic damage. The dridri door has a different VIN number on it. The frame is straight and it drives really well.

It has 4x4, rear differential locker, grey wire mod, sunroof, 1" body lift, Bilstein 5100s on the front, rhino lined bed and lower rocker panels on the cab.

Truck has 212,000 miles in it and I've had the following done to it:

- POR15 covered frame
- New fuel filter 3k miles ago
- New steering rack bushing kit
- New OEM upper ball joints
- New rear axle seal (driver's side)
- Custom bed rack for RTT
- New battery put in 1 month ago
- Thule roof rack installed

Things that need care:
- Airflow damper actuator clicks when it is set to dash ventilation only.
- Driveshaft makes a click when shifting from reverse to drive (I'm going to have my mechanic fix this if I sell it)
- the tires are a little choppy from the worn out steering rack bushings

Comes with spidertrax 1" spacers but I removed them from the truck. The frame had sliders on it but they were cut off. Not sure why.

I've taken this thing all over Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. It had never let me down and I'd take it across the country if I could. Just got back from a 1500 mile trip through the Ozarks and Ouachita forest.

The paint is getting pretty bad on the cab. Most of the clear coat is gone and there has been some surface rust on the bed that was killed by rust killer from the previous owner.

The truck is no garage queen, I've wheeled it through dense forest and mud to get to great camping spots. But it drives great and the engine is strong.

$5500 located in Dallas, TX

 

So the VIN on your door isn't for your taco?

 

Looks like bad paint, some dents and a clouded title. Very hard to value rebuilt vehicles, but plan on deducting 20-40% off the value without. I'd probably say that truck is in fair condition. So probably $3k-6k. If it were you, and I have had good luck with it I'd probably keep it.

 

Correct. The VIN number on the door is different than the VIN of the truck.

I was thinking of posting it up and taking no less than $5000 since I put about $1800 into it.

 

Use online sources to figure a private party valuation for the truck in your area. Be sure to consider all the flaws you know about; appears to be below average, at least cosmetically.

Deduct 50% for a salvage title. Consider some insurers won't even write one and the manuf. won't honor recalls on one.

Your add on mods are worth 20-50% of their retail cost. Maybe a bit more if the buyer is all hot for them. Most aren't. It's a niche.

Much of what you list is routine maintenance. Which is nice for the buyer, but is expected, and doesn't really add to the value in terms of price.

If it's been a reliable piece for you, I'd consider keeping it rather than dumping a wad on creature comforts. It's not going to bring a lot. If you try to trade it in, they are going to tell you a number that gives you a happy dance, but it just means you're paying too much for the new rig. What they 'allow' isn't really what they are 'paying'.

It looks to me like it would make someone a nice trail rig, or someone who wanted to refinish it with bed liner or some such product.

GLWS if you proceed! Remember. Always start high. You can come down, but not go up.

 

Weird wonder if that affects registration at all if the vehicle were to be visually inspected. Honestly if you aren't having issues with it keep it, the iffy vin and salvage title situation will scare off most average buyers.

 

I'm having expected issues with it like soft parts needing to be replaced. Drive train parts needing to be replaced etc. I'm not sure how it affects registration, I don't think it matters cause I had no issues. Once you take a good look at the truck you can see that it's mechanically sound but I understand that from afar it doesn't sound too appealing unless you have a specific purpose for it like I did.

 

For someone who is more of a off roader and a bit mechanically inclined, I doubt it will bother them. You really should think long and hard about if you want to keep this taco or move on to a new one. Both have their pros and cons. Honestly if you were closer to California, or if I could figure out shipping, I might be interested, it's a decent price for a specific buyer.

 

It would sell very quickly in Oregon at 5k, I'd probably post at 7-7500 here. Your market may be a little different though.

 

Low key may be interested depending on shipping and Cali smlg bs

 

Just had the driveline checked out. Getting a new driveshaft and carrier bearing and U joints put in this afternoon. Going to cost me sub $1000 lol.

Well, I'm interested if you are. Not sure on any specifics yet, but I'm open minded. Send me a PM if you wanna talk further!

 

I’d check into the laws here, seem to remember it says some salvage titles can’t even be registered here.

 

If I end up selling the truck and the buyer doesn't want the rack then I would sell you the rack. I need the RTT lol.

 

Does it distinguish between salvage and rebuilt? This one is rebuilt. Not sure if that matters.

 

Not sure, my fiancée was reading about it last night and told me.

It runs and drives, isn’t rusted to death or smashed from an accident. It’ll sell for sure. I agree with others.. start high but not overly so. I tend to go for quick sales rather than spending a lot of effort and time, so I usually add a grand to what my bottom dollar is. Hasn’t failed me yet.

 

I've transfered trucks from out of state with salvage. you can register in cali but you need to have the truck weighed with the vin on the weight ticket, you have to get the VIN verified, the truck smogged, and if it is salvage you need to have a brake and light inspection.

 

Okay, didn't know about the brake and light inspection part thanks

 

There's always a few work arounds , I'll ask the ladies that do the paperwork at the carmax i work at. They usually know the legalities

 

Not really a work around. I've owned several salvage vehicles and this is what the DMV asked from me. The only issue that I can see happening is that the VIN on the doorsill that isn't the same which might not give you good results when getting the VIN verified.

 

Ya I was thinking about that, any idea if the vin has to be checked at any other point in the process other than when the vin verification is done? I don't think I'll have an issue if it's just during the vin verification since a couple of my cowokers are certified and could help me out there. When the truck is getting inspected might it be checked?