Purchasing my first Tacoma (what to look for)

I’m getting ready to trade in my 2021 F150 lariat for a 2011 Tacoma on Monday, pending anything terrible during the test drive. Anything in particular I should look for that would make me pass on this deal?

The one owner carfax is clean, the PO took it to the local Toyota dealer ever 5-7k miles for upkeep and only has 119k on the clock. The truck is having the control arms being replaced hence the delay. From the quick walk around it looks pretty clean for a 12yr old truck. The obvious things like frame rust all checked out and looks like it’s been up kept with undercarriage coatings. Just want to make sure I don’t miss anything before I trade in my perfectly new F150 and end up with a headache!

looking forward to being a Tacoma owner!

 

Check the frame closely,look at the box sections by the cats and the sections for the rear spring mounts. If it's undercoated with a rubberized product I would be wary of it hiding the rust. Best to get some pictures and posting them or have someone check it out if your not familiar with where to look. Then there are the usual checks like drivability,funny shifting,vibrations and pull rt or left while diving and braking.
Depending on when it was first put into service the frame is warranted for 12 years,might want Toyota to look at it,but they are not always very good at telling you it needs to be replaced.

 

When I bought my 2011 from the dealer last year I did all the checks and etc…. They also changed out my UCA’s with new ones before I took delivery
Took them right off 30 miles later after I took delivery lol. Anyone need new OEM UCA’s?

 

I got my truck with higher miles and it did well at the time besides a bad blower motor resistor.
Yes things have broken/worn out after adding miles in my possession but at least luckily I'm generally able to figure it out.
Rather than the game of hide and seek inspecting a used car if an owner hides issues

The stuff for German cars doesn't really apply here.
-service history? Probably just got oil changes
-TSB's? The Toyota ones suck; it's out of warranty anyway
-diagnostic scan to check for faults? Probably won't have any.

if it looks like the truck was their baby, then they probably did the oil changes.
Check for frame rust, undercoating, crash damage
CarFax usually doesn't say shit

and pick the one you want. Color, ACLB vs DCSB, pre vs post facelift, auto vs manual, TRD OR 8" vs. TRD Sport 8.4" etc.

With that kind of miles ("low" for these trucks) it probably means one thing.
The owner enjoyed it only needing oil changes, then fell for the meme of 3rd Gen. If best case scenario
I think it's not until AFTER that mileage point, that stuff will start to break, such as one thing you pointed out being LCA bushings

on a basic level, you can drive it, get in and underneath it to look around
Or, if the truck looks so good that you want it bad, perhaps you can take it to a specialist for pre purchase inspection, but that costs more money than you laying on the floor with a flashlight

also cold start. If there is an issue when cold, if they run it to warm up first before you arrive, you won't hear it.
But on a truck like this? Very unlikely.
You'll also probably see worn out fluids that need changing, because the average person never does anything harder than an oil change.
Brake fluid, P/S fluid, so on and so forth. Not a big deal because 1. the truck ran with it anyway, and would probably still run if you replaced those fluids with Pee
2. time for some doable DIY maintenance, same as any other car that's more affordable due to year/miles not being brand new depreciating off the lot

Kind of surprised you're coming from Ford. They look good. Wouldn't it be a downgrade?
I mean a new Ford truck, I imagine is more powerful, luxurious, etc.

 

If it's a 4WD, make sure it shifts into/out of 4Hi and 4Lo without issue. You can do 4Hi on pavement on a straight road, light turns. 4Lo on a quiet road where you won't stop traffic, or better yet on a dirt/gravel road. Switching between 2Hi/4Hi can be done while moving up to something around 60mph, between 4Hi and 4Lo is done stopped in neutral. Ask the owner how much he/she used the 4WD system.

And if it's a 2WD, disregard the above. Hope it all checks out!

 

Definitely check the frame like stated above! Can't stress that enough! Posting pics of the frame for other members could give you insight on whether or not it looks to be in good shape. Other than that look out and listen for the usual creaks, jerks and such.

 

Yeah it’s a downgrade for sure from the ford. I have about 10k positive equity and switching will allow me to pay off the Tacoma in a year and then bank that money for my “fun” car in 2 years. It just frees up some cash for us and if I’m gunna get rid of the ford I told my wife it will only be for Toyota so that our kids can beat it up and learn to drive it in 13 years!

 

So picked up the truck for overnight test drive last night. Put it on the lift and frame is clean. First big worry gone. However on the ride home the truck was producing a howling/squealing noise while driving. It stopped when truck was not moving and at idle. Going to check it out today but my first thoughts are bad wheel hub bearing or carrier bearing. Would this dissuade anyone from purchase of this vehicle?

 

Nope...bearings are easy to change. Make them grease the Ujoints, change both diffs and t case fluids, and then drive it again and see if you still hear it...if its a pass along truck to the kids, these trucks are about bullet proof. The frame would have been my uneasiness about the whole deal.