Worth putting another $2000 into this truck?

I purchased a 2008 Tacoma a year ago. It is a Access Cab, SR5 with Fisher Homesteader snowplow. I paid $16,000 from private seller. It had 77200 miles, the Underbody rust recall was done and the body is really good shape.
I had new front brakes installed and 6 months ago, I had to install a new alternator. The A/C is either leaking or compressor has gone bad, not major issue. It now has 78500 miles, it runs great and the body is still looks clean. I mostly use as local work truck.
Now when I went to Toyota to get it inspected, it failed because they say I need a New Rack, Lines, Shaft, Tie Rod Ends and Front End Alignment. They quoted me for these repairs of $2300. I know that's high, so I am getting more estimates.
My question to all Tacoma experts, is this truck worth putting another $2000 into it?
Thanks in advance for your help!!!

 

These things go over 300k miles if even decently maintained, definitely worth it.

 

Not worth it to go to the stealership, they just bend you over. Buy the oem parts if you need them. The stealership is gonna say you need this and that but theyre full of it. Just diy. I personally dont trust mechanics cus ive been burned by all of them even the “honest” ones.

 

Thanks. I have always taken care of my vehicles inside and out. You will never see burgers wrappers falling out of any of my cars. LOL
As for DIY, I wish I could. Don't have tools or place. Bad back is also problem. Go to check around fir some more estimates, Thanks again.

 

Power steering rack failures are not uncommon on these trucks, at least not in my experience. Plenty of threads on the topic if you poke around on here. I had to replace mine a couple years ago, and it ended up being a bear of a project just due to the age and mileage of my truck (2007 w/ ~150k and lots of salty Ohio winters on the clock at the time I did it).

If I recall correctly, I was probably about ~$600 into it with parts/fluids alone, but it took me about 3 days to get everything sorted out. My time is becoming more valuable as I get older, so it wasn't trivial.

The dealership is going to charge a lot, but they will usually also guarantee their work (and the parts) for at least some amount of time.

I'd also probably shop it around a bit, but I'd expect a decent quality job to be $1,000+. Sounds like your truck is in a little better shape than mine was (mine needed a frame swap back in 2016), so hopefully it is a bit more straightforward for whoever ends up doing the work.

Good luck!

 

Nope not worth it, I’ll give you 2500 to take it off your hands. Definitely worth putting whatever it needs into it

 

My first and most important question relates to the phrase I highlighted above. When you say that the "underbody rust recall was done," what do you mean? Was it simply inspected and coated or was the frame replaced? There's a big difference there. If the frame was only inspected and coated, I'd take a close look underneath before sinking any money into it - especially if you live where road salt is used. If the frame is rusted out, sinking any amount of money into it is probably a waste of time.

 

$16K seems like a lot for a truck that old even with the low mileage. Your options are $2K to keep it running or lose the $16K. I have a lot more miles, but if I could get 1/2 that for my 2007 I'd be surprised. I'm at 221,000 and would not hesitate to put $2K into mine to keep it running. Of course rust isn't an issue for me.

 

Underbody was inspected and coated. Good advice, going to shop around and get opinion on underbody.

 

It's not the body (or underside of the body) that goes. It's the frame.

 

I don't understand what you mean when you say the dealer "inspected" your truck and told you the rack "failed"? Was it leaking or did you lose power steering before you took it in? Why do they say it needs to be replaced?

 

Nothing more accurate than a DIY alignment

 

ive done my own steering rack inner and outer tie rods, just get a marker and then get it aligned. I always align my truck at the shop, I cant do it but you can do the steering work ik op cant cus his back.

 

First, when I said underbody, I meant frame. As for the fail, my inspection failed because Rack was leaking. Thanks.

 

Hard to tell from here if you are dealing with an honest dealer or not but I wonder if it is a significant leak or just that they found a wet spot. Was the fluid level going down? Anything dripping on the driveway? If it is really leaking I say sure, it's worth getting this truck fixed.

 

Is it leaking power steering fluid?
Have you tried a stop leak product?

Get some foaming engine cleaner and go to a carwash. Then you can either see where it's leaking from, or go get an inspection somewhere else with a clean bay

As for everything else you listed, do you know what any of that means? Do you have a friend that knows and can inspect it for you to tell you the truth? The dealership will chang your blinker fluid if they think they can get it over on you...

 

Definitely worth it! You have the right idea to get estimates from reputable mechanics instead of the dealership.

 

Find an honest shop or well reviewed one to handle your repairs, if needed, second opinion for sure, and it’s definitely worth the investment, now more than ever in this inflated seller’s market.
I should add that dealerships are desperate for used second gen Tacomas, they try to buy mine every time I bring it in. There may be some conflict of interest occurring. not trying to make you paranoid, the repairs may absolutely be warranted.

 

That doesnt aound like a high price to pay for a dealership to fix it.

 

Didn't notice any leaks in drive. It's 6 degrees a with windchill of -10 degrees and I'm not crawling under to look right now. Lol. All the advice has been great thanks.