2007 Tacoma -- Worth Looking At?

That would be a great deal where I live, especially if 4X4. Of course frame rust isn't an issue in GA. My 07 has 255,000 miles on it and has been great.

 

make sure to cycle the 4wd, too - they were notorious for eventually not working. also, check brake lines where connected on the frame and look for power steering leaks. The pulleys on the front of the engine tend to get muck-ed up over time as well and need replacing (I have a brand new tension arm if someone wants it). Look at the rear bumper/hitch connections, too.

 

Update: I looked at the blue 2007 Tacoma in the original post. Looks good in a distance in photos, but up close it's pretty rough -- rust chips all over the hood, smelled like a cigarette (no offense to smokers), the underside looked okay but I didn't study it hard because by the time I got underneath it I was over it. It was lifted more than it looks too, which is not what I personally want. So a big pass on it.

HOWEVER, I did look at a 2004 Tacoma TRD. It looked like a 21 year old truck. The frame looked okay, but there was some rust. Main rust I saw was in the drivers side suspension: upper and lower control arms, and ball joint, and right behind the brakes. Dealer said he'd check out the rust there and "take care of it." I'd expect some, but it looked like a lot to me. Hood latch was broken so that would need to be fixed. Drove well and inside was nice. Engine purred (3.4L V6). Aside from the rust I wouldn't hesitate. Some photos below...let me know what you think.

 

Suspension rust is nothing. Looks like black fluid film on frame, which can be a very good thing. Poke around the frame though with a screw driver or such to be sure. Otherwise, very nice indeed!

 

Personally, I'd walk on the red one too. Rust thru the bed from underneath, frames been coated/painted, poorly I might add, bad Ju-Ju....

 

Kinda, some of the 1G were reframed..I want to say 01-04 it was possible, depending on overall condition it was reframe or buy back.

 

It looks like the rear section of the frame has been plated, see the expected rounded profile of the frame in front of the spring hanger and the sharp profile behind it.

Also the frame has been coated with - something... Under the something there was some pretty deep rust.

 

Thanks for the comments and helping out a Tacoma newb. I have decided to walk away from both. Just too many unknowns in the red Tacoma and don't really feel like spending that much where there are a bunch of questions.

The search continues.

 

It's ok you can just Goolgle common rust areas and give them a knock with your hand. A lot of scumbags will cover the frame in black spray paint or "undercoating" to hide issues but you will definitely be able to feel and hear the bad spots if it has any. Good luck!

 

Run Forest Run ! Looks like the frame has been coated with something. Lot of surface frame rust, what lurks inside the rails ?