2005 toyota tacoma 4 door manual 4.0L 4WD

Hello guys, my name is Kawak im 17 and searching for my first vehicle. I found the tacoma described above near me and wanted some opinions on it. it has 230k miles on it and has some dents but for $7,500 its not all that bad. Its got some fox suspension and a new sound system along with a nice steal bumper. Would love to hear from some of you guys!! new to this site so not really sure how it works yet but I guess I started a thread.

 

Here is the link for y'all to take a look

 

Welcome to TW!

Two things stand out to me:

1) 2005's have issues with blowing headgaskets. I'd be leery of that year for that reason alone.. especially with that low of a price. Lots of threads around here with more info. If it is blown you're looking at several thousand dollars to pay someone to repair or replace the engine with a used one.

2) with the amount of rust on the roof, I'd be looking very closely along every inch of the frame below, especially near the engine mounts, looking for holes or weak spots. Common problem with tacos, and being an '05 it's too late for it to qualify for a free frame from toyota.

Good luck, yo

 

Check the frame near the catalytic converters too. It's probably the biggest and worst spot for corrosion.

 

Run!

 

Looks like a good score to me. Definitely look at the frame carefully for rust, everywhere on the frame, including near the catalytic converters. That rust on that roof, it doesn't look like rust that I've seen from "rusty" states, it looks like its been there a long time, so I'm guessing the truck is in the southwest somewhere, or used to be there. With 230K on it the head gasket could go out tomorrow or in the next decade or never. The head gasket issue is real but exaggerated. On the 2005 you're also going to want to look at the frame closely where the engine mounts are welded onto the frame as the frame can collapse there, you're looking for dents and cracks in the frame near the engine mounts. Great trucks! Killer combo too, 4x4 with a manual.

 

It looks like it has hail damage on the hood and roof, but it's your first truck and you'll probably wheel the piss out of it so whatever. The head gasket issue could be a concern, but if it hasn't blown by 230k then it's probably alright. Do a compression test if you can, and inspect the frame for rust. If the frame isn't rusty then make him an offer. Show up with like $6k and see if you can buy it. I would have loved that truck at 17.

 

I’d pass on it not a good year for all of the above reasons and rust of any kind no matter the price is always an issue for me cause it just creates bigger problems down the road.

 

thank you so much man. would have never even thought to check this. And thank you for the warm welcome, this place is a hole and I love it!!!!

 

Welcome to the Forum. !

I'm not on Facebook, so l can't see the photos. But, others have already stated the big concerns. Head Gasket, Frame rot (All years) and don't forget about the collapsed motor mount issue as well.

There are members that have a 2005, and have not had those issues. But they are something to be very aware off..

Good luck and keep us posted

 

I wonder why that truck's owner is unable to screw on the TRD shift knob to the correct orientation.
It's not the most complicated task.

 

Pass