Buying a 1990 with 400k miles?

Hi Folks,

I'm considering buying a 1990 Toyota Pickup with around 400k miles on it (the engine was rebuilt 200k miles ago). The most recent owner seems to have taken good care of the truck and has replaced a lot of components (listed below). I would love to know your thoughts on what I should look our for and what major issues or required maintenance I could likely expect over the next 50k miles.

I'd be doing around 10k miles per year (mainly for baja/desert camping trips).

Thanks a lot for your help!

Here are the details from the seller:

1990 Toyota Pickup SR5 V6 5-Speed Manual Transmission
4WD
Original engine had 200k on it
Rebuilt Engine has 200k (it is a 3VZE out of a 1992 4Runner)
All new leaf springs
Marlin crawler short shift kit
New OEM clutch bracket installed

Only rust is on windshield area from a previous botched replacement.

No leaks. Doesn't Burn Oil. 16-18 average MPG

Within the last 30k miles:

• Timing Belt/Tensioner/Main Pulley Bearing
• Alternator Belt
• Power Steering Belt
• Water Pump
• Radiator
• Thermostat
• Coolant Flush
• Clutch Master Cylinder
• Clutch Slave
• Center Link
• Tie Rods
• Lower Ball Joints
• 32 X 11.5 X 15 BFG All Terrains with Cross Drilled and Slotted Rotors with Toyota Brake pads in Front with plenty of life
• Valve Cover Gaskets
• Valve Adjustment Done with only two shims used so the valve seals are still in great shape
• Aftermarket Aisin Manual Locking Hubs that spin freely
• Front Diff from a Newer T100
• Front Sway Bar from a Newer T100
• Bilstein Shocks All Around
• Marlin Crawl Built Transfer Case
• Aftermarket Intake
• Aftermarket Power steering Pulley and Reservoir
• Flowmaster Exhaust That Dumps after Cab
• Clutch
• Spark Plugs Wires and Dist. Cap
• Transmission Fluid changed with Redline GL4 MT90
• Rear Diff Front Diff and Transfer case all used Motul 80W90 Gear Oil

 

It has one of the worst motors toyota ever designed in it, 3.slow. I have owned 4, and they had issues with headgaskets, heads, exhaust manifold leaks, Oil pan leaks, stupid vaccum ADD, leaky injectors, broken injector plugs, front and rear main seals and everyone leaked at the PS pump.

Only thing going for it is that it is a manual.

It looks like a lot of the failure prone stuff has been replaced, but I would only buy it if it was cheap and I was going to throw a 3.4 in it.

 

Thanks for your advice. You think I'm likely to have a lot of problems with 3VZE even though it has been rebuilt (e.g., the head gasket has been replaced)? The seller is asking $4,500. Sounds reasonable to you?

 

Thats a hard pass for me. The 3.slow was a horrible engine as stated above.
Save that money. For not much more you can find something way newer with a reliable engine.
Regardless of how much was rebuilt on the truck.

 

4500? He gotta be joking

 

The rubber parts are 20 years old. Door seals etc. Were the hoses replaced, including the run to heater core in the cab? Does the AC work?