New from Seattle, looking at 1997

Hey All. Long time fan of Tacoma's, never had one. I drive an '93 Mr2 and am an active member on those forums.

Anyways, wanted to get opinions on a truck I am looking at. It is a friend of mines, he doesn't really drive it, as he lives several thousand miles away. It sits with 4 year old, out of state tabs.

It's a 1997 extended cab 4x4. I *THINK* it is the 2.7l. I have the vin and googled vin codes and I think I got that figured out. Was made in Cali.

The paint is shot to shit and faded, truck has pretty much never been washed. But its straight. Has a brushguard, fog lights, canopy. Inside is decent shape. It has 217,xxx miles on it. When I look under the truck, I can see oil collecting on the undercarriage areas. It's not HORRIBLE, but noticable. I meant to check the oil but I didn't get to. The clutch pedal is VERY hard to push in. It's not impossible, but it is much, much stiffer than my mr2. Is that just a Tacoma thing? And what else should I be looking at? The tires are petty much bald and need to be replaced. It is a 5 speed. And has the 4wd stick too. Tbh, Idk how to use that xD. But that's what the internet is for if I buy it.

So what all should I be paying attention to while investigating this truck? I superlowballed him an offer, but I think I might be able to pick it up for $2500.


Thanks for any info, sorry to be the newbie poster.

 

I'm reading the first gen buyers guide as I type this.

 

Welcome from GA. Sounds like a deal if you can get it for that, w/o seeing it anyway. Good luck!

 

Do the hammer test on the frame behind the front wheels and along the sides of the frame. 215,000 miles on a 15 year old truck for $2,500! Jesus, I was happy I got $75 when I sold mine. I wouldn't go a nickel over $450.

 

I offered him 1500 to start but he would have nothing of it. lol.
You really think that's to much? It seems low compared to what I see on CL and the like.

 

Here's a local one for sale that is not extended cab, but in better overall condition. (Assuming). It's 3,500 more, with similar miles. http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/3121005158.html

 

Sight unseen, it's a parts truck at best if he hasn't touched it but if its rustfree that's a good start.

215,000 miles means it probably needs EVERYTHING. A rule of thumb is to add up the cost of everything you think it needs....then double it and you'll be in the ballpark of what it will cost.

IMO opinion, buy a better truck for more money with documentation of work done. You can go broke very, very quickly and have no money AND no truck. I want documentaion. A high mile truck that has been looked after is WAY better than a low mileage truck that hasn't been.

 

I have an email to him I'm gonna try and find out everything that has or has not been done. Do you know anything about the clutch pedal being super stuff? And the truck has been driven, he ...lol... just never got tabs when he moved. Now he lives in Alaska and his buddy uses the truck once a week or so. I'm gonna to drive it around a bit in the parking lot and a side street here...very carefully with it's tab situation. xD

 

I guess check the fluid in the clutch res. Use may free up the clutch. Hey, if you can drive it around, get it warm, it stops, idles, goes into reverse (and doesn't pop out of the gears) and you're happy with it....go for it. I just think it's alot of money for the truck. He should be jumping for joy you (or anyone) offered him $1,500. It's your nickel. Just add it ALL up; tires, brakes, exhaust (full exhaust with cat) Is the windshield cracked? Theres another $300; just sayin' Good luck.

 

so where does your friend live? east coast or closer like say, Japan?

 

He's involved in nature conservation stuff, currently Alaska, then South American coming up, then to Iceland I think. They move around.

 

I drove the truck a few months back, seemed good. That clutch I will have to investigate, though.

 

Make sure you check that frame. Don't want to get your hopes up and get something that smashes like potato chips with a hammer.

I just bought a camper shell off a guy who had 330,XXX on his. Still runs strong. Not a guarantee this one will make that though.

 

Just went out and looked at the frame. It looks good from what I can see in the near dark. There is light surface rust where two parts of the frame meet, but it rubbed off with my hand. Seems like an easy Ospho fix. Thing pulls like a motherfucker to the right. Idk about the clutch, to used to driving my deuce, been awhile since anything else. Engine sounds whirry, but, my friends tsx did aswell today, could just be hearing an engine in front of me instead of behind me like Im used to.

 

Right caliper is probably siezed. Again, at this stage you'll be rebuilding the entire truck. Is it REALLY worth it? If you buy it for $2,500 (sorry, I think that's crazy) you're going to be putting at LEAST 2k into it (wait until the tranny goes for a sh-t and the rear end from zero oil changes) you can probably buy a real nice truck for 5k-6k. It's your nickel.