Trading for an older taco

Ive got a 2003 prerunner 4x2 xtra cab, but ive been wanting to trade for a manual + 4x4. After looking around craigslist i saw a 1997 tacoma 4cyl 4x4 manual, but the seller says that the topend was rebuilt and is running on 120,000 miles (330k on speedometer) says he has the receipt for the rebuild that his dad did. Id like to know if its even a good idea to trade for a truck that is 5 years older than mine
His truck: https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/1997-toyota-tacoma-updated/6194364396.html

 

Gotta ask yourself why someone would willingly trade down from a 4x4 to a rwd.

If I were you, I'd sell my truck and buy a 4x4 in two different transactions.

 

That truck looks haggard as hell. It has the wrong grill, the fender flares are off a later taco and it's in Rancho Cordova the hot bed of shitty used vehicles that have been pieced together.

 

Lowball him, take the 4x4 parts and convert yours.
Part out the rest or give it your old parts and sell it as an auto prerunner.

 

I don't think you want any part of that truck man. It literally shows every red flag out there.

 

Thanks for the insight guys, thought id come here for some advice and i got it it thanks!!

 

Yeah it might be easiest to sell yours. Then buy a stock condition vehicle. Then mod to your heart or wallet's content...

If an older truck was minty and didn't have tons of miles it would be to good trade, but I don't see that happening necessarily

 

It has good frame. That's 1000 dollars right there .
Besides that that truck almost screams "aftermarket". My guess is that anything was replaced it was not OEM.
Not mentioning the paint is shit and from dings it looks like it has quite colorfull history.
So if you did not set your mind yet I concur with what others say.

 

This is just my personal experience but in my older toyotas every time I did a top end job it wasn't very long after your gonna be doing a complete motor. Not sure the condition of your truck but that one looks rode hard. I'd pass on that deal. Why you need a 4x4? I'd might put some money into a good selectable locker and see if that doesn't fit your 4x4 need. I've seen plenty of people wheeling prerunners with lockers and doing ok. Not exactly keeping up with 4wd but holding their own

 

Before weighing in - would need to photos and description of the truck you would trade him.... If yours is in better/more acceptably modified condition I would pass- need to see both ends of the deal before weighing in.

 

apparently struts off a 99 give 3" of lift