2005 Pre Runner Possible Purchase

I am looking at a 2005 Pre Runner. 140 K miles.
I know there is some consideration about rusted frames. I spoke with the owner (from 150 miles away) about this and he said very light surface rust and no flaking or perforation.
Based on that I drove the distance to check it out. Overall excellent plus condition.
Looked it over, spotless, never know it had 140 K Miles inside or outside.
Excellent condition overall. Well taken care of over its life. New rear springs, new Bilsteins all around, new $5100 transmission, new steering rack gators, $1700 worth of new tires etc. Inside unmolested, spotless. This vehicle is in Redding Calif. one of the hottest places in Calif and over 100 miles from the ocean and 30 miles from the closest lake. Very little rain. No salted roads.
I once again talked to him about rust so climbed under between the right rear wheel and the passenger door. Saw nothing. Everything else such as exhaust drive shaft and so on in excellent condition. Road test proved the vehicle far better than expected.
I put down a small deposit and would return with another driver so I could drive it home.
Meantime I am getting nervous based on a few youtube videos about rust. As I am going to pick up the truck this coming Tuesday I am thinking perhaps I did not give a more thorough look at the frame.
Dilemma, do I tell him ( 77 year old retired firefighter Forest Service Ranger) I want to look under the truck again but may face potential backlash with the appearance of insulting him because he is other wise a very straight shooter with 2 Lexus, newer Tundra, newer Tacoma, exquisitely restored and hot rodded 1975 Chevy truck..
I run a risk of offending him but do not want to make a very expensive mistake.
Any suggestions?

 

Nah you'll be fine, just be respectful and say you'd like to give it one more look-over before finalizing the deal. I'm sure he will understand. Welcome to Tacoma World.

 

If you saw nothing but light surface rust in the area you looked at, you're probably fine.

 

Thanks, "Respectful" is the key word.

 

Thanks,

Very light surface rust and no rust was what I saw.
But, I think I will take one last look.

 

If its a california car and has not spent a lot of time in the snow; sierra mountains, you should be fine with any rust damage. It is a first year tacoma and the head gasket issue is real. Its going to be a big cost involved if they do go out, just sayin.

 

"If its a california car and has not spent a lot of time in the snow; sierra mountains, you should be fine with any rust damage. It is a first year tacoma and the head gasket issue is real. Its going to be a big cost involved if they do go out, just sayin."

Thanks for the reply.

History of the car : Sold originally in San Francisco. Very soon after it went to Folsom Calif way inland at the foorhills of the Sierras about 1000 ft elevation. Known for 300 plus sunshine days per year.
From there it went to Redding Calif. also way in land and known for hot hot hot summers and mild winters.

I will be going there today to make one last inspection as advised by Gts Pass Toyota in So Oregon,, where I have purchased 6 of my 17 Toyotas and had 11 of them serviced there since 1998.
I'll be concentrating on the frame so have , for the second time, brought moving blankets (thanks Harbor Fright) and my flash lite and a few tools. Pending that it passes.. I'll be driving it home
and off to Gts Pass Toyota next week for an inspection and a check=up on known faults and .. thanks for the tip.. head gasket concerns.

A bit of advice, if you live in or visit So Oregon and need to service your Toyota, I urge avoiding the Evil Empire, the Toyota dealer in Medford AKA Lithia Motors, my opinion is avoid them at all cost. Grants Pass Toyota is far superior and 30 minutes up the I5.

 

I have an 05 with 153K miles and I am just waiting for the head gasket to show its evil face. The 05's and early 06's have a weak head gasket. Keep alert for it.

 

Got an early 2006 model with 192,000 miles on it. As far as I know, original head gaskets. Nothing in carfax about replacing them.

 

I'd rather risk offending someone versus getting stuck with a lemon for not doing my due diligence.

Top of my skull I've heard the area near the catalytic converters is a spot to check.

My 2010 rotted on the passenger outside rail right below the door badge and passenger bottom where the exhaust hanger attaches. It could have had more but I didn't crawl underneath it. I pointed those 2 out to the dealer and don't think they went further, as they said once they find one spot that fails they stop and the outside rail one was about 1x2 inches. Maybe take it to a shop that will lift it and do a thorough underneath?

 

"]Got an early 2006 model with 192,000 miles on it. As far as I know, original head gaskets. Nothing in carfax about replacing them.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I will.