Buying a First Generation

I’m searching 4x4 automatic first gens in the DC/VA area, any tips for problem areas to inspect when looking at/ test driving vehicles?

One vehicle I found met all my criteria, but had some corrosion on the gram that I want your opinions on - see pic. Frame looks almost like it’s been painted from photos, thoughts?

 

Lipstick on a pig. Run.

 

Yeah I’d stay away from that one..

I’d take a small hammer and tap along any frame of a truck you’re serious about. Also, from my experience I would lift up the front floor mats. There is a known issue with the firewall leaking into the cab there.. mine was rusted really bad. That pushed me to just cut it out and tub it..

 

Thanks for the input folks.

 

So here is my two cents from someone who almost bought an 04 DCSB and eventually bought a 06 DCSB and I also live in Central NY where Tacomas die from salt.

You should make an account on Toyota.com and whenever you find a vehicle enter the VIN and see what service was done.

I don’t know if they salt the roads in the winter where you are at but you’ll want to find a Tacoma with a pristine frame. This probably means looking for one that meets one of two criteria:
1) Has had a new frame put on during its life.
2) Has never lived somewhere where it snows and they salt the roads, or near the beach.

Run a carfax to see where it was registered to check where it has lived its life.

If you find one that never saw salt then immediately start fluid filming the entire underside.

If you find one that had a frame replaced, immediately start fluid filming it AND be prepared to replace a lot of rusty parts and deal with a rusty body that will slowly deteriorate before your eyes as the truck ages.

Also check to see what service was done on the engine, as you’ll need some new stuff in there around 150k (the 3.4 needs a belt/chain and water pump around that right?)

Lastly you’re buying a 20 year old truck (give or take). Depending on who owned it prior and how they drove/took care of it will make a huge difference.

If you budget is like 20k you could find one that someone really cared about, if your budget is 13k you’ll be sorting through a lot of garbage to find a unicorn.

 

I’ll add that the majority of these trucks are going to be at used car dealerships outside of the North East. A lot of people during the first frame replacement campaign got the new frame and then traded in their truck for a second Gen. The dealerships then offloaded these trucks quickly.

Best bet is a private sale.

 

Thanks for the information. I hadn’t considered the VIN search so thanks.