Purchase or pass?

I have been looking at a 97' extended cab 123,xxx miles and truck is in great shape......except the rear section of the frame. I am not a current Yota owner so I'm looking for some advice and whether or not this truck is worth the purchase. I know I can get it for less than $4k.

This truck wouldn't be driven daily and maybe a few times a month.

I can get some more pictures if needed.

 

the rust is the obvious concern, unless you're just going to use it as a farm truck and don't care. 4k isn't bad for a low mileage truck and worst case you can patch spots or make it a flat bed

 

I'd pass on it for 4k. The areas where rust really lives, you can't see. And what you can see, is pretty ugly imo.

 

My son-in-law has farm trucks that don't look that bad underneath. What you can't see will come back to haunt you. I'd pass and keep looking.

 

RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN

 

2 wheel drive?? from the pic-thats what it appears.. 4K is a little high!

 

location has a big factor in price--where are you located?? 4cyl or 6

 

Tires look relatively new--take that into consideration--size vs price--those look to be NEAR a value of $800--ask the owner

 

Sure, the back tires might be worth $1600. You just have to walk back a couple miles to where the rear axle fell off to find them

 

good one!

 

OP??? any opinion???

 

I'd avoid for 4K

 

last pic shows the front drive-shaft so 4wd

 

Even if it was a Ferrari for 4K, I still wouldn't buy it with that much rust.

 

Yes-4X4--now I see it! My pic is a little blurry!

 

No. Again, not for $4K. Frankly, I wouldn't want possession of it under any circumstances.

 

You can do better!

 

V6 3.4l, 4x4. Tires are worn prett bad actually and need new ones. As little as it would get driven they would probably last a year for me if I did purchase it.

$4k is top dollar for this truck in mint condition. I figure after I showed him the rust (which he is unaware of) and without new tires I could get him down to around $2500-3.

Truck would be primarily used for hunting and some highway travel.

If you guys say pass, then more than likely I will. Just didn't know what options there are with a frame like this. It's only on the rear section maybe extending about 1' forward of the rear fender well.

Truck is originally from Iowa and ended up in IL. 17 yr old has it now in KY where I live.

I read some of the threads about rusted frames and saw that most of what you guys do is replace the entire frame which can be up around $5k +.

Does anyone ever reinforce or splice frames? I'm a newbie so don't murder me on that question.

 

Honestly, the frames on these trucks fail right where the can and bed meet, which is pretty much right where you mention the bad framing starts. Personally I would avoid it.

 

I would say pass on it, unless you want to put a whole new frame under it. That's some pretty bad frame rust, and the scary thing is, it's definitely worse looking on the inside.