Anything I should be on the lookout for other than rust?

Howdy! I have a 3rd gen 4Runner but am looking at this 2005 Tacoma - vin#5TEUU42N15Z107894. I'm not very familiar with the Tacoma but I know they are built to last. I am going to look at this truck tomorrow. Anything I should be on the lookout for other than rust?
It is a 6-speed manual, 4x4, 4.0L DOHC EFI 24-valve V6 VVT-i engine, 203k miles, asking price $10k. TIA

 

welcome
05/06(early) have a head gasket issue around cylinders 5/6
frame rust?
$10k feels like a problem dump given the market

 

The 05' models were known for head gasket issues.
I'd ask if the gaskets have been done.
If not, I'd be hesitant to buy it unless it's "cheap".

The frame is also a big area to inspect.
Look for rust. on the inside next to the converters is a big spot.
As well as the cab mounts and frame going up to the bed.

Next would the carpet under the passenger side floor board.
The 05' had a tendency to leak there too.

 

$10k seemed like a deal too good to be true is what I thought as well. I am in Dallas and the average price seems to be $13-$15k.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

Here is info on problems unique to early 2nd gens. Shop informed! If the price is too low to be true, then it probably has bad head gaskets or a bad frame. Or maybe it's just a screaming deal, I don't know, but be weary.

This truck is far too old to get a new frame under the recall, so inspect it very carefully. Specifically, you should hit the frame with a hammer, on the inboard side near the cats. Hard. If you can't do that, don't buy the truck.

If it's the head gaskets, this can be repaired, either on your own or at a shop. Take that cost into consideration.

 

This is great info - Thanks!

 

Try to see if there is documentation, but at 18 years and 200,000 + miles later, I doubt it has head gasket problems anymore, if it ever did. Check under the oil cap, shine a bright light down the fill tube and see what the condition of the timing chain area looks like. Look for oil and coolant leaks. When you're done checking all of that: scrutinize the frame or better yet yet, pay someone to put it up on a lift and do it. If it's original and coated with a thick, shiny coating of something unknown: walk. Mileage, time climate and location are the biggest enemies of the frames.
Make sure the 4x4 system works in all settings.

I would finally add that 2005 4cyl Tacoma's don't have any of these V6 problems except for the coolant pipe that runs behind the engine which leaks and leaves a pink crust of coolant all over the place when it gets old. It takes about 150,000 miles to get serious enough to fix it. My son has a 2005 AC LB 4-cyl manual. Purchased with 143,000 miles, (with a new frame just installed) now has 260,000 +-. Clutch master and slave cylinder at 160,000, alternator, , coolant pipeclutch and T-O bearing, alternator at some point later. Brakes and misc other routine wear items. The 2.7 uses no oil and I don't think it ever will or have any other issues.

Good luck, and Welcome to TacomaWorld.

 

Rust. Headgasket. Early frame mounting area for motor mounts was weak. Combine that with a worn stock mount that isn’t very good results in knocking around and punching a hole through the metal that is hard to repair.

And the infamous TOB system issues.

every paint code fades clear by now. But white has more issues and earlier.

Theres a free recall to replace leaf springs due to faulty metallurgy.

if you plug a $30 OBD2 scanner in that sees all readiness monitors are in fact set, that tells you the truck has been driving.

if they are not set, that tells you seller is hiding things and cleared any faults before they have enough miles/time to pop back up again.

certain undercoating or paint can hide the appearance of rust underneath.

 

What they said.... and take a hard look at the cooling system, all that plastic gets brittle as it ages and the rubber hoses get soft.

 

I was wondering about the years/mileage and when the head gasket issue shows up. Thanks for the info.

 

I think 05 and 06. Rearing its head high miles past 100k. Not sure if 07 affected.

 

I would be very leary of buying that truck because of the low price,sounds like the owner put a good price on it so he could dump it fast.BUYER BEWARE !

 

Hi OP, did you go check out this truck? It would be interesting to know n

 

I decided against taking a look at it. It just felt too good to be true, especially for a car lot.

 

You could go look at it,but just be aware and check everything on the truck.

 

maybe they don’t know the value of it and typed in 2wd while pricing idk
Or it has an issue to find that may or may not be bearable

Sometimes it’s easy to spot
Drove a truck at a used car dealer. It was sketchy. Pulled into a parking lot opened the hood to look closely. Undisclosed crash damage. For the same price as not having crash damage.
Base model zero options price higher than a good package. Easy pass.

 

You snooze, you lose..Not surprising that it has already sold. I won't hesitate to buy any year model 2nd Gen Tacomas if it checks out. Buying a model with so called possible head gasket issues doesn't scare me. HG issues can occur across all year models and if buying an older model can save me an extra few grand, I throw that money in a high yield savings acct for a HG issue repair that will likely never happen.

 

if they used a different HG early such as composite vs MLS then that isolates failure to those years

engines with MLS typically never need an HG unless driven broken like failed WP

 

I have an 05 trd sport with almost original everything minus the frame recall. Runs like a top with no coolant issues. I wouldn’t sell it for under 15k. This truck could’ve been a steal and I agree that a HG repair on these trucks isn’t that big an issue. Probably not an issue at all.