what is going on with this '97 2.7L 4x4?

Hi all, first post, looking for some advice.

For many years I've driven a 1999 2.7L 4x4 stick, my Dream Truck, it was a love affair I will never forget. Recently got in a bad crash with a distracted teenager, now it is with the Taco Ancestors. RIP.

Thinking about buying this 1997 2.7L 4x4 stick to replace it. Trying to figure out what the previous owner was doing to it exactly. Someone stripped the interior completely (including the rear window?) as if intending to install a roll cage in the cab, but didn't. Then there is a roll bar in the bed, inside the topper. What's up with that? Owners say they know nothing, "got it from their parents."

Any insight? What should I be looking for, besides the quality of the welding/fastening of any modifications and replacements of seats and seatbelts etc?

Thanks in advance!

 

It looks like they wanted their Tacoma to identify as a 4-runner. You should be looking for a REALLY good price, like less than $1k to make that hot mess worth your time and effort.

 

It's a trial rig.
I would not want that as my daily driver.

 

Thanks yall but can you say more about why it's such a bad idea? I believe you, I just dont know much about it. Mileage is low, frame is good, if it checks out mechanically, I'm thinking I could re-do the interior and turn it back into a daily driver?

 

If the price is right I'd drive it right now. Sweet truck

 

Do you want an interior? If so I'd say pass unless there's a clean one in a junkyard near you that you can get everything from. Looks like they were trying to turn it into a first gen 4runner.

 

An Idaho truck with an original good frame would be pretty unusual IMHO

It doesn't look like it was built to sit inside all winter.

Is it a decent suspension, or a Big Lots special?

And blaming the build on the 'rents is a new twist too.

 

That roll cage looks like the factory one out of a 1st Gen / 80s 4runner.

Also seems a bit fishy that the owner got it from his parents but doesn’t know what they were doing with it. If it really was his parents you would think he would know all about the truck

 

That’s methed up.