Questions about problems I see with a potential purchase

Hello! New to the forums, and very likely a soon-to-be owner of an 05 Taco TRD Sport!

I wanted to pick your guys brains a bit with a couple problems I saw on a truck I may be purchasing in the immediate future.

When taking it on a test drive I noticed that the wheels have a wobble to them, and that the steering wheel needs to be turned about 45 degrees counter-clockwise to remain straight.

The truck is lifted a couple inches and has beefier tires on it (I could call and get the specifics, it's not listed on their ad and I'm not in possession of it yet to confirm myself.

Now, don't just think the resolution is the first thing that comes to mind, an alignment.

I checked the carfax on it and it's had one done pretty recently. The fella selling it is an auto shop owner whos said he did one himself, that "it's just how the truck is".

First-off, I think that statement in itself is...questionable. that's not just "how it is", maybe it's how it is RIGHT NOW..I digress.

My question for you fine people, what are the common things that could cause this?
I've watched a lot of videos and scoured the forums for some answers, and found that the camber bolt could need to be replaced, that there could be an issue with a part of the steering assembly, and user "Dirty Pool" suggested a few years back to:

"In a nutshell, in this order.
Disconnect the steering column/shaft from the steering rack.
Center the spiral cable (under the steering wheel).
Center the steering rack in its range of travel.
Reconnect the column/shaft, keeping it all centered.
Install steering wheel straight.
Do alignment, correctly.
If steering wheel is slightly off at this point it can be centered by turning both tie rods equal amounts in the same direction. One direction or the other to bring the steering wheel to center."

What are other things I should check, or do, to correct this issue?

 

Frame for rust. Red flag on the” just the way it is” attitude from the guy that did the wheel alignment.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World. If I were buying a vehicle from someone who presumably owns an auto shop and they can't even do an alignment or tells me "that's just how it is", I would laugh in their dumb face and run away as fast as possible. HUGE red flags and likely a sign they don't care about maintenance even if they tell you it was done.

 

Here's an image of the frame. I got on the ground and looked all around it and it seems pretty solid, no bubbling or flaking, a bit of brown showing through here and there.

 

Big pass on that truck. The seller is an auto shop owner and he can’t fix that? Something major screwed up and the seller is a liar. The lift was likely poorly done. Find another truck.

 

I agree with this, however I'm between waiting for another one to come up or take this one. This ones seemingly in great condition overall and spent most of its life in California with maintenance being done on it every 4-6k, sometimes sooner.
I'm not against waiting it out, however I don't really care what this guy says as long as it's sound and can be repaired where necessary as it's already been maintained really well until he got his hands on it. Unfortunately finding one from outside of the salt belt thats been maintained, has little to no rust, with the full cab is difficult & often outside of my budget (though could save up more).

 

Image is not great but to me it looks like the frame was coated with something to look okay,it doesn’t look ok. I would run away from that truck.

 

That's unfortunate to hear, but I completely understand it. I'll wait to hear more opinions before making a decision. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

 

Alright, thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. It's disappointing to hear, but I'll find another!

 

Sounds bad, you should check mine out instead

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-2014-trd-sport-4x4-dcsb-super-white-richmond-va.851935/

 

It could be the intermediate shaft. I had mine replaced 2 yrs ago, and in reading the how to I determined it was beyond my ability and time to do. Part of it was making sure the wheel wasn't off kilter afterwards.

What year/miles/cost, OP?

 

Aye, I can appreciate the plug lmao! Unfortunately my budget is around 10k at the moment, seems I'm gonna have to keep saving & looking around!

 

2005, 230k miles, 10k :/

 

Even for the price that concerns me enough to walk, given the lack of giving a care it seems they have.

 

Yeah, as I read through the replies here its opened my eyes on how little of a s*** they give. When I popped the hood there were still leaves towards the windshield, they've really gotten it off the trailer & parked it on their lot & said "What you see is what you get."

 

Not going all out on prep for a 2005 is one thing I guess but the other stuff....

 

We can't guess accurately, but at that mileage and age I'd not be surprised if an entire front end refresh was needed. Or something was bent. Or assembled wrong.

Side note. Many 05s had head gasket issues. Without a detailed service history I'm not sure I'd have one on my shopping list.

Suggest looking for a 13, 14 or 15 and saving up whatever is needed to get you there.

And spend a lot of reading time here to get to know more about various models and quirks

Good luck

 

I've heard that re the 2005 and I think some 2006 engines, but was it all or just the V6?

 

Alright, thanks! I'll be browsing the forums now that I know they exist!

 

Truck drives like shit, that's just the way it is.

Oy