JackCrank

Hi YotaTech,
Been lurking this site for ages (owner of a '93 22RE Xcab Pickup RWD since '09) but this is my first post. Been searching around but can't seem to find exactly the thread I need.

A friend of the family is selling his '95 Taco 4x4 Xtracab (I believe it's an SR5) for $3700. The exterior and interior are in fantastic shape, not a scratch on the thing. It comes with a basically new cap as well.

Here's the kicker, it's got 240,000 on the clock and lives in VT. I know that my '93 pickup basically turned into a giant ball of rust and tears living in nyc during the big snowstorms and salt a few years ago and I've since had to replace both control arms, the entire suspension system, the exhaust system, and the friggin parking brake spring. I also know that 95-00 Tacos had that sorta-recall/warranty issue thing about being poorly finished and more susceptible to rusting out where it counts.

Assuming the chassis is in decent shape, what kind of things should I be on the lookout for with such a high mileage vehicle? What would you do in this case? I've only had 4cyls and never bothered with the 6 so I don't really know it's issues. Also, I've only owned pre-95 so I'm not sure what real improvements were made. Is this the kind of thing where i should count on a clutch replacement, a new head gasket, and constantly fixing small issues for the next few years?

I've also noticed that people say that the 2.7 motor and the newer suspension really makes for a better truck. Can somebody explain exactly why? From what I've heard it's just smoother driving and easier to work on? This truck will spend a majority of its time in NYC with trips to the mtns and beach on the regular. Must be able to climb extremely steep snowy hills and drive on sand though.

Help me Yotamasters!

JackCrank

Nobody?

'884Runner

So which engine does this truck have? The 2.7 is the 4 cyl 3rz and the 5vz is a 3.4 L v6. Both are dependable engines. Ive personally owned a 02 Tacoma with the 3rz and it was always dependable and much more responsive than the 22re trucks Ive owned. Never owned anything with the 3.4 but I would like to. My uncle has a 4runner that he still daily drives with over 370,000 miles with just normal maintanence (lots of highway of course). Long story short, its going to depend on how it was maintained but both are great engines.

Just read the subject line again. So it does have the 3.4. I would think as long as its had regular maintanence it should be a good vehicle ( ie timing belt change, regular oil changes, etc).

JackCrank

It's the 6cyl 3.4 SR5 package. It's been a daily driver in vermont so not a mudder but definitely driven. I'm using it 100% city/hiway.

JackCrank

Just got these shots from the owner. Now i'm definitely worried.





After replacing all the leaf springs, the shocks, the struts, 2 control arms/ball joints, and the parking brake on my current truck, I'm really trying not to do that again.

If you had to guess, what would I need to put into this truck to keep it running for another 10 years with 240,000mi already on the clock?

warpigg

i wouldnt pay more then 1200 for that. that thing is worse then mine frame wise and i have holes in my floor i can put an arm through, and i didnt think they started selling the v6 till later on in the tacomas but i could be thinking about the 4runners

JackCrank

Thanks man, I told the guy I was gonna pass. I guess my next question is, what can you do about frame rust? It seems like there are so many good trucks out there with chassis rust? Can a dealership do a weld job or am I heading over to my friend's to learn how to MIG?

My goal here is basically to get a truck in good working order all around and then move from there.

warpigg

honestly around where we are on the east coast the best we can do is find a decent frame and then find a decent body and put them together, but learning mig isnt that hard i learned by myself and im only 20 ive been welding since i was atleast 15. and with a frame like that on that truck best thing to do would be to take the cab and box off and go through the frame and fix the holes and paint it with some good frame paint.

JackCrank

Man, I'd love to say yeah, I can do that but frankly, living in nyc space is way too expensive for me to be able to take on a project like that. I'm already paying $150/mo for a single motorcycle parking spot with room for one roll cab toolbox. I know the basics of MIG and oxy but again, ˟˟˟˟ gets real expensive to house and store, especially in a place with crazy laws about gas like ny.

warpigg

you can always use a mig machine but use flux coated wire it wont be as clean a weld as with argon but when like you said theres gas laws. and i here what your sayin about havein no space.

JackCrank

That's what I learned to MIG with and I wouldn't trust a gasless weld on a 120v machine for love or money. Sounds like a great way to wind up on the side of the road. Which I've already done... twice... with busted rusted chassis problems.