Is it worth buying??? Old School Toyota

1989 Toyota Pickup DLX 4x4

22RE 5Speed

144k miles on truck, engine/trans/transfer rebuilt at 120k

5 1/2 Pro Comp Lift

5:29 Gears in front with a Detroit True Track
5:29 in Back with Detroit Gear Locker
Marlin Crawler Transfer Case 4:70 to 1 Low Lock Low Gear Set
9000 # Warn Winch
35" Tires

***Truck has been weld repaired*** (Sellers words)

The guy is asking $2800 for it. Its in great shape exterior wise and interior wise with some rust on the rocker corners. However, the frame is frusty, and there is an area of the frame which has already been welded.

Having said that, what would you offer for it, if anything at all? And also, how plausible and safe is it to weld the frames on these things?

I really like the truck, but trying to be reasonable and practical about it. I was thinking of offering him maybe $2200? But then again, the frame comes into play

What do you all think?

 

Lol no. Just a very indecisive individual when it comes to vehicles. I see a vehicle I like, then I want to buy it. Really was content for awhile, but this truck is just down the road from me and I happen to see it. I've always loved the look of the old school toyotas. I am 21 now, since I was 16 I think I have had 13? vehicles... I can't ever make up my mind!

 

"Weld Repair" scares the shit out of me.
Frame? Body? Salvage title?

Why was the drivetrain rebuilt at 120k? 120k was barely broken in... my '94 went over 200k and it didn't last 3 days on the dealer's lot after I traded it for my Tundra.

I'd be worried about this one. It's got over $2k worth of 4wd parts and accessories... it's too cheap. It's either unsafe, has some major hidden problems, or has been badly abused.

 

Jeez... I'm 49 and I'm only on vehicle #11.

 

Yea the weld repair was in relation to the frame. The gentleman who owns it is a welder and said he did welds to it, due to there being holes in it.

The drivetrain was rebuilt because he said he was going to try and get into offroading and wanted something that was built. I can't remember why he said the motor was gone through, but he did have a reason for it (just cant remember wtf he had said).

I'm going to run a carfax on it just to see if its been in any accidents. However, he claims he has it priced so low due to the frame welds...The vehicle looks to be taken care of, body is straight and interior is clean... BUT, as you said the weld repair scares me as well. Is it plausible to weld the frame with plates and it actually be safe to operate??? That's my biggest concern.

 

If the frame repairs were done right, the frame could be stronger than day 1. A lot of people box a rusty frame and never have an issue.

 

I'm not sure about the title status, I want to say no because he had the welds done himself after he noticed a hole. The repair was along the frame rail on the passenger side (I should have took a pic of it), about 4 inches long give or take. I looked at the rest of the frame, it was rusty, but I couldn't find any holes in it.

And as you said, I'm really considering not buying it, I guess my question is whether or not it is actually a safe and legit way to patch a frame by welding it and adding plates to it...

 

Lol you sound like my dad

 

51 here and only had 14. Rich speaks the troof man-stay away from this one.."weld repaired"?? cmon man spit it out just say what happened to it.

 

You know, I've had a lot of people tell me that, but I've also heard a lot of people tell me welding the frame actually weakens it...

 

I agree...you got to ask yourself why would the engine, transmission, and transfer case need rebuilding at that mileage. Those old school yota's went forever. My 88 4 Runner had pretty much zero issues and still ran like new when i sold it with over 300,000 miles. I think i had it tuned up twice.

 

Ya... I'm at 14 if you count the two company cars and the '76 Datsun pickup that I borrowed from Bro-in-law while I was in college before I got my grandmother's '67 Chevelle (283 2bbl 4 door )

 

That was actually my initial question to him about all of it. But he claimed that he was wanting to build an offroad rig, so he had everything done that way, which makes somewhat sense to me given the lockers and gears he put into it.

I'm going to test drive it tomorrow, or monday so I'll know more about it then. However, just really trying to figure out if the welds are safe? He says he is a welder by trade (but who actually knows), but he seemed to know what he was talking about...

I'm kicking my self in the ass right now for not taking pictures of the weld

 

Those particular Chevelles actually depressed me-I feel for ya. But they did their job well-have had one in the family-with a bore of a 6 banger that used hella oil.

 

I was actually surprised about price myself, but then again it's been welded. But as you said, atleast he is being upfront and honest about it. I'm not very familiar with all the parts on it, but I have to imagine they are worth a few dollars.

Just for fun, I had my brother text the guy and offer him 2,000, the guy said the lowest he would go is $2400, which I didn't think was to bad.

But if the welds are a safe way to repair the frame, I may strongly consider it

 

If and only if the welder sucks. As long as fresh steel was welded to a solid spot in the frame and good penetration occurred, the frame will be just fine. If the frame is C-channel you can weld patch plates on each side and box it from the back and get a great end result.

 

Sorry, rookie here when it comes to frame/weld terms. But what does C-Channel mean?

 

If the guy is a welder I'm sure he did a good job on the repairs. I would never put my own life at risk by doing a hack job...

 

Ah gotcha! Thanks for the image! He said he has had it for 5-6 years and did the weld about 5 years when ago he bought it. I'll try and get a pic of the weld tomorrow to get your opinion on it. I don't know much, actually I don't know anything about welding, but the weld/patch he did on the frame looked solid. There was no cracks or rust on it. Like I said it was about 4-5 inches long across the outside passenger frame rail.

Having said that, is it safer in other areas, and more dangerous in certain areas to weld on a frame of that of a 1989 pickup.