Looking for a 4 banger.

Hey guys, I'm still fairly new to the forum but have been browsing and learning a ton. Right now I do not currently own a tacoma but I'm looking. I'm looking to get the 2.7L because when it came right down to it, I couldn't think of a reason to get the 3.4L. I have used past trucks for daily drivers and the occasional fishing holes that can be hard to get to. I don't haul anything heavier then maybe a 4-wheeler or motorcycle so I think the 4 banger will do me well. Plus I love the fact that it has a timing chain. My budget is low which means I will be looking at higher milage trucks so not having to worry much about a timing belt is a piece of mind for me. I do know some of the common places to look and the hammer trick for frame rust and of course general things like clutch, brakes, tires, etc. etc. 4x4 is essential to me only for the fact that I will be moving back to Ohio next summer (ETS from the Army) and the winters can be a little harsh. Well just wanted to introduce myself to the 4 banger community.

This one is looking the most promising. High miles but I ran a carfax came back clean.

1997 Toyota Tacoma 4 X 4 $5500
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4546128055.html

 

I think $5,500 is a good deal for a standard cab 4X4. It looks to be in excellent condition. My 1996 2WD in similar condition sold for $4,000 last year.

 

I didn't think the price was too bad, however, I haven't looked at it in person yet as I'm in Afghaistan right now. I should be home next week so hopefully it's still there. I got my fingers crossed. Nice truck. How many miles did it have on it when you sold it?

 

Well the guy just sent some pictures from around the leave spring shackle area. I would post them but my photobucket account keeps freezing up when I try to upload the pictures. There looks to be a little surface rust in little specs but nothing I'm too concerned about. I will do the hammer trick as I know they can rust from the inside out.

 

It had 160k miles on it and was my work truck for 17 years. It was also well maintained and in excellent mechanical condition. From the pictures, yours also looks well cared for. Maybe you could have someone back home speak for it on your behalf so as to hold it for you until you return.

Hey, just noticed that you're an Apache guy. I was a CH47 Chinook mechanic in Vietnam. Stay safe.


Greg

 

I love these trucks. My dad has an 08 tacoma 2.7L single cab 4x4 and loves it. He was suprised to see that the little 4 banger has more HP and torque then his 97 ranger with the 3.0 V6. I may have an automotive savy buddy of mine go check it out just to make sure it is as solid as it looks.

Nice to see a fellow army aviation guy on here. Thank you for your service. The Vietnam vets deserve the utmost respect.

 

Thanks, man. It's a family tradition.
My Dad was a Army Air Corps B17 mechanic in WWII.

Greg

 

What do you guys think of this rust? It seems like there is more rust on the leaf springs then there is on the actual frame.

 

The more I look at it the more I think this might be rusted for the inside out but I guess there is no way to tell until I actually look at it in person.

 

That looks like light to normal surface rust for a 97 model. I wouldn't be worried about rust issues based on those pictures.

 

Appreciate the advice. I really like the way the truck looks. I just hope it rides and runs as well. I'm still new to tacomas so I wasn't quite sure on the rust.

 

So if I did buy it and hit up the surface rust with a wire brush, what would be the best thing to spray on the area to keep it from rusting again?

 

That frame looks pretty good IMO, not a ton worse than my '03 that has lived in San Diego. Did you get a location history of the truck? If it spent its life in Austin, should be good to go (less exposed to road salt). Good luck on your search and stay safe out there man.

 

According to the carfax, it was sold brand new from a dealership in NC. It was there until 2008 when it moved to California. In 2012 it was registered in South Dakota for 3 Summer months before it came to Austin in 2012. Not sure what NC weather would do if it was close to the ocean with all the sea salt in the air but the frame looks solid from the outside. I just wanted to see what some of you guys thought as far as potential risk of internal rust.

 

Im sure you know from working on aircraft, they only real way to deal with rust is to remove it completely. Im sure there are varied opinions, and you can see on these forums that some go to great extent to treat frame rust (removing the bed, etc.).
I'm from Ohio originally too, so I know how the winters can be. Before you move back, you may want to look into treating and sealing it up to defend from that salt. Browse through the site, you will get some good info.

 

Ok thanks for the input. I probably could get my hands on some good CPC compound from work to use on it as long as I'm able to get in the tough spots to remove all of the surface rust.

 

Damn that truck has been around.

These first gen. Tacos don't have fully boxed frames in the rear. It might be a pain and require a flashlight, but your buddy might be able to grab some pictures of the inside of the frame by laying under the middle of the truck and aiming at the inside part of the frame rails.

 

you can get an idea of the frame shape from this picture of a horribly rusted Tacoma with the bed removed:

https://885fa5ce61295ebf3c84-35b073...f2.rackcdn.com/reviews/toyota-tacoma_5705.JPG

 

Well I found out yesterday I will be back in the states a lot earlier then expected so I told my buddy to hold off. I will look at it in person and if it sells before I get to see it, then it wasn't meant to be. I enjoy vehicle shopping and I truly do hope this one is the one for me but I appreciate all the advice in this forum.

 

Well that didn't work. If you google "tacoma frame rust" you will see examples under Images