Tacoma Bad Motor

Hey guys, new to the Tacoma world here. I've owned a couple of older model Yotas but never a Tacoma. I've been looking and I found a Tacoma here in my hometown with a bad motor. I'm not sure what year model it is, somewhere between an 05-09 (I assume). It's been used as a service truck for a forestry company so it's not gonna be perfect. Exterior is in good shape, no bad dents or dings. Interior is probably a 6 or 7 out of 10. Has an auto trans, which is still in good shape. Truck has been sitting probably a year. Already has a nice ARB winch bumper installed with winch. Just curious if anyone has any ballpark figures they could throw out as to what it's worth with the bad motor? Guy said he'd sell but wants me to give him a price. I don't know if it's worth $10,000or $2,500. Obviously I'm hoping for the latter. Any help would be appreciated

 

Offer him whatever your budget is minus the cost of an LS swap

 

I'd really rather go back to a stock engine, I'm looking for a daily driver/road tripper/mild expedition build. And like I said I don't have a clue what to offer him for it. I'd hate to insult him but I'd also hate to offer him twice what it's worth. It's been used pretty hard and I'm sure has over 200,000. (He's supposed to be sending me all the info on it, I'll update when I get it)

 

I would start by going to your Toyota dealer and getting a quote for installation of a rebuilt motor, then price the truck you can use kbb or someother site and subtract the cost of the quote.

edit: I would also subtract the cost of rebuilding the trany. I would not trust what they say and even if it does work it could go out very shortly give the rough use it received.

 

When you can't even tell us the year, no one can come close to giving you a price.

Can you do a motor swap yourself?

How do you know the trans/differentials and accessories are good if it doesn't run?

Have you examined the frame for rust?

He's not going to have a line of buyers. Some of us will buy/build stuff like this. Most will not.

Basically you need to figure out the current trade in value of the truck that year/condition, but running, and subtract the cost of obtaining and installing a used motor, + another grand or so to fully service the rest of the vehicle.

 

Sitting for a year, no engine, and a logging truck which means it was beat to hell. Unless you get it real cheap, what could the upside be on this other then a possible huge headache?

 

Logging trucks are beat to shit until they're beat to shit. There's a reason it's been parked, it's right and properly fuckered.

I'd consider it a scrap wagon and not be interested in it for more than a couple grand, tops. If it's not worth repairing don't be buying someone else's $.03/lb.

 

Does this happen to be in Alabama?

 

The likelihood that this is a huge steaming pile is very high. I wouldn't be offering more than the cost of a used ARB bumper.

 

There is no way that the engine is blown and everything else is great. You have to try to kill a toyota engine. My guess is no maintenance has ever been done and the thing is ready to have more stuff break as soon as you drop big $ on a motor.

I would pass.

 

The truck has been sitting a year?

Pass.

 

Used engine will run you over 3k plus shipping online. Also if you can't drive it there could be thousands of dollars in other repairs needed, brakes, tranny, differentials, etc etc etc. I work in the woods for a living and when a forestry trucks gets over 200k it starts to get expensive, especially if it's a company truck. If you can get it real cheap (2-3k) and can do the work yourself you might come out alright.

 

Another option (besides buying it super cheap) is if you have another truck with a bad body (wrecked) but great driveline. A two into one deal as it were.

Takes time, facilities, tools, knowledge, but can make a nice serviceable piece if you can pull it off.

*IF* the frame on this truck were solid, that alone might make it worth picking up for the right price. There are nice trucks out there with shot frames.

 

Not sure where the truck is, or the op lives, but you have 3.5 more weeks for a 2nd gen to be covered for frame replacement (dec. 31st) if it's located in Canada. another thing to consider.

 

I'd just go ahead an lowball him... it'll be a lot harder for him to find a buyer than it will be for you to find a truck.

 

Maybe it was "Forestry Service" as in owned by forestry worker who chose to use his own truck?

 

Yeah, i removed my post. I read the OP again and realized he said forestry company, not service.

 

Just say no.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. Little more info on the truck I should've included earlier. It's an 08, was the personal truck of the owner of this forestry contracting business (tree planting, firebreaks, prescribed burning etc. not logging) until about a year before it crapped out when he gave it to his employees to drive. I've known the truck since it was brand new, I've been aquainted with the owner for awhile through our similar work. The body is in great shape, no dents dings or scratches, interior is HOG nasty, but not ragged out. Seats in great shape, dash in great shape. "IF" I purchase it, I won't be paying enough to be a huge gamble. Roughly about what I can part it out for if it winds up being a steaming pile of trash. If I can buy the truck, rebuild/replace the motor and fix whatever issues have arisen from being used hard for the last couple of years all for less than 10,000 I don't see the issue? That's about my budgetary limit and I'm not likely to find a second gen 4x4 in any kind of decent shape for less than $15,000 around here. And for whoever asked, yes, it is in Alabama.