Need Some Opinions About Possible Future Purchase

Hey guys I am in the market for a 01-04 double cab 4x4 and am not having very much luck finding one. I stumbled across a 2002 with 216k miles but it needs a new engine. The guy selling it is asking $4500 for it and it is in NC so I would have to have it shipped to Texas. I figured if I can talk him down to $4k and then 1k for shipping plus I saw about 4k to get it on the road again then I would only be $9k into the truck instead of 12-13k like all of the other double cabs for sale around here. What do you guys think? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

About 2 years ago i purchased my extended cab 04 with a blown motor. I found a complete 69k mile 3.4L from a salvage yard in AZ off of eBay for $1400 shipped. I replaced all the maintenance items while the engine was on the stand. I installed it and it's been a great dependable driver, I love this truck. $4500 seems high to me considering it has 216k miles and it needs a motor, but the

$151 4door QAA is Compatible with 2016-2020 Toyota Tacoma 6 Piece Stainless Body Molding Insert Trim Kit, 1.5" Width MI16172

4door first gen 4x4's do hold their value. Why did the motor blow? How's the frame & undercarriage?

 

He said the motor when bad because the lower end crankshaft bearing. He did say there is rust on the frame but I think it would be covered under toyotas from recall. He lowered the price to 3500 but I think I could get it even less. Here are some better pictures of it.

 

I think I would pass on that one.


John L
Bethlehem, GA
01 Tacoma DC 4wd

 

Need to see a lot of pictures of the frame.

"Some rust" is very subjective.

 

Personally I'd never buy a vehicle that I hadn't seen myself.

Ask for the vin and run it through Toyotas reacall finder. Only certain area Tacomas are available for the recall.

 

Thanks for all advice guys. I am going to pass and just wait for something in better shape.

 

I would pass.Be patient in what you're in search for.Hopefully it all works out for you!Just seems like you'll have to much to deal with when your anxious to already be on the road/highway.

 

I agree, but for the RIGHT price that would make someone a nice project. I only paid $500 for my 2004 xtra cab TRD. PO had it towed into my work with a blown motor. Once we confirmed & informed the owner that the motor needed replaced he quickly responded that he wasn't interested in making the repairs and that he would sell it to our local pic-n-pull junkyard. I couldn't let that happen so i offered him what the junkyard would, $500. Of course he had to apply for a new lein release, he lost the original. But that gave me time to inspect the truck from top and bottom before money exchanged hands. I pushed it in the shop and put it on the lift and throughly inspected the frame & undercarriage for any rust issues while it sat at my work waiting on the deal to be finalized, luckily no rust was found.

 

Justin i like your avatar. I have 2 rescued pitbulls.

 

Yea I agree 4500 is a tad steep. Honestly if I bought a taco with a blown motor with the intention of replacing the engine I would throw a 4 CYl cummins diesel into it. If you can talk him down to 3800 or around that is jump on it!

 

That truck looks like it's had the crap beaten out of it. Pass, be patient and keep looking for a local truck. Inspect it yourself make sure the frame is in good condition.

 

Ok guys I am considering this truck again because double cab prices are outrageous now. I can get it for significantly less than 4500 and it has been approved for a new frame under the frame recall

 

Will Toyota do a new frame on a non running truck? Or do you have to jump right in and get the motor handled first? Do they care about mileage? Or do they care should it be the rest of the body has rust from being run on the beach?

I don't know, just asking. Reading around here it doesn't always seem a gimmie that a frame will get done for someone.

Do you have a shop, tools, time and skills to DIY? Source for used parts as needed? If so, it may be a nice base for a project. At some very very low price.

If you're going to need to pay someone to do whatever needs doing, and you can't personally examine the vehicle in advance, I'd pass.

While you may think it's a deal compared to local prices, you'll think less of it if it turns in to a steaming-pile-of-money pit, sitting in your yard and not moving.

And remember, when you're all up and running, you still have a 12yo 200+k truck with a replacement motor of yet undetermined vintage (assuming a running drop in, not a rebuild). If it's a keeper for you, doesn't matter. Otherwise, it probably does.

 

The truck currently runs and drives so it can be driven into toyota. The frame replacement is already approved for the truck so thats good to go. Also my friend brought up to me that I should see how much a motor is from toyota since they have to pull the motor to replace the frame and it seems like a new motor is about 3200 from toyota. I could also get suspension stuff and have them put the new suspension on while they are putting it back together.