Too much rust - or just about right?

Team!

Looking at joining the USA Tacoma family (1999 SR5) and want a second opinion - I've researched the hell out of frame rust and found a truck within my price range, but has one spot of rust that is a bit dubious to me. I tapped all along the frame and sounded solid throughout, with some (expected) surface rust.

It's by the right leaf spring mount. (Current owner has painted it). Pictures attached of spot.




Photos at this link are general condition of frame.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vUeU6f4KRyyix312A

It also appears the the truck has been rear-ended in the past (before previous owner) and has been repaired. Repairs look good - should I be concerned? They purchased the truck 1 & 1/2 years ago from a dealer, and put 15k miles on it.

Should I take the leap? or keep looking?

If I do decide to purchase will be getting a inspection performed before buying.

I could go either way on this.

 

walk away, unless 5 k or less and be ready to spend 2 k to fix it. Unless your a great welder.

 

Where is the truck located and where has it lived? Run a carfax/autocheck. From the pictures, I'd say no. Buy once cry once

 

All comes down to price and mileage

3.4 Engine ? Timing belt time??

These are great trucks once it is brought up to speed there is always neglected areas of maintenance.

If you can do the work yourself not bad if you need to pay for everything it gets expensive

The fact you lack the skills to inspect the truck yourself does not bode well for a truck this old

 

MD truck.

The reason I'm looking for a truck is to renovate my new house. A bit tight on cash, so just looking for something that'l perform for a couple of years and then sell it on.

Mileage - 185k

2.7L

They're looking for $4500. Could probably get it lower.

Would have to get others to complete work. Have got no metal working equipment here.

I have to get the truck inspected to transfer it, so was going to do it before buying anyway. Second opinions are always good too!

 

the thing is that these these frames rust and rot from the inside out, so what you cannot see is worse than what you can see.

Second pic shows that it was already patched up. It doesn't look too bad because owner did paint over the rusty frame, but don't be fooled. This frame is on borrowed time. If you don't plan to keep it for a long time, it's okay, but you'll probably resell it at a loss because of the bad frame. Get it for real cheap or pass, as this is not going to be a reliable truck and you will most probably have to sell it at a loss if you do not fix the frame

But given you're tight on cash, better spend the little you have on a better truck, as you do not want the frame to break in half on you or a huge chunk of it falling off, rendering the truck unsafe to drive

 

I am in maryland, I can help you look at a truck if you find one.

I bought mine for 3k with 185 k, so they are around.

 

If you just want a truck to fix the house it would be cheaper to buy a used full size domestic. If you want a Tacoma because you want a Tacoma keep looking. Rust is evil.

 

look on offer up, there are quite a few for sale in maryland.

just watch the scams, if you cant go see it and they want anything other than cash run away

 

Unless you really want a Tacoma !!

Buy a Ford F150 or your favorite flavor and be done the full size bed makes hauling 4'x8' sheets of drywall and plywood so much easier .

the 40" on our beds between wheel wells makes the job interesting

 

And it looks like that rear suspension could use some work if you're going to haul with it. If you have something to pull it with consider a 4x8 trailer. I was looking for a 1st gen Tundra for hauling duty and couldn't find one that I wanted to buy within my budget. Got one of those HF folding trailers and currently going through paint, bearing packing, etc... before putting it together. With paint and registration/licensing, and little upgrades probably be into it for about $550ish. And I can fold it up and put it in the backyard when I'm not using it.

 

Forget the truck condition/deal, if you are just buying it to use for remodeling, get an old Ford or GM 1/2 ton. I think you'd end up regretting getting a small truck and need to buy a trailer.