Flite

I've been reading up on this whole frame rust/buy back issue and I'm wondering if it's even smart to purchase a truck from these model years. I found what I thought was a pretty good deal on a really high mile '00 3.4l 4x4. I'm going to look at it again tomorrow and I'm going to ask about the frame inspection. If the frame is in good shape, what if it rusts some time down the road? Would I be S.O.L.?

Side note, just how reliable are these 3.4Ls? This truck has around a quarter million miles on it, but appears to have been garage kept. Even the interior looks new. I'm just looking for reliable transportation to and from work, and maybe an occasional beach trip.

omgodzilla

bbuy it

camo31_10.50

you should be ok..we got a 2nd owner dodge 1/2ton 4x4 with 240,xxx..and it runs like a danged ole dream..of course it had a new motor in 2001 (went from a 5.2 to a 5.9..lol)..nvm..trash my post..lol

DailyDrive

Are you serious?

89needsatranny

what do you mean? ^^ i have a 3.0 with almost 1/3 a million miles on it and its reliable as hell. even on trips to the shore (180 mi. round trip) and i never worry.

id say if its fairly cheap, yeah jump on it. you can expect another 100k easily out of it no prob if it was really maintained and garage kept its whole life.

Flite

Yes I'm being serious. I've got 3 other cars, but I need something to do housework with. I know it would be a high mile vehicle, but I've also seen higher mile vehicles that were very reliable. 2 of my 3 cars are fairly new and fairly nice (Honda S2000 and Acura RL). I wouldn't have a quarter million mile vehicle as my sole transportation, but I am considering it for a basic trash hauler/hardware store runner/work commuter.

if you'd like, but it seems a valid question to me. Are there any outright common problems with high mile 3.4s? I know the 3.0s were under powered and had head gasket issues. I haven't heard anything to look for with the newer 3.4s aside from the frame rot thing though.

DailyDrive

You guys are confusing past reliability with future reliability. Any car with 250k has very poor projected future reliability.

Lumpy

I don't know, if it's a good price go for it...I have had really old cars with low miles and younger with high and old with high. Depends on what you want to do with it. My 01 LS has 150K, the 92 pickup has 130K, the 95 4runner has 106K, and the lil lady's crown vick has 120K. Were taking the Lincoln to Myrtle in 2 weeks. Since it's not your only vehicle and you have a good price I say go for it. Just be aware that you maybe tossing some cash in her to keep her going.

Check KBB and see how much it's under and go for it.

Kiroshu

ok anyone who compares anything to a toyota is already retared. Its high mileage yes but the 3.4s are ledgendary and consdered the toughest v6 toyotas ever made. Just make sure you change the oil when supose too and it should be fine. Its up to you though the price better be kinda low for the mileage though. I've seen lots of 3.4s with 200k and ever a few 300k ones i've seen. Its obviously mostly highway mileage unless the truck was just drove 24/7. I'd say if you want it you got nothing to worry about but you do ahve routine mantince that you have to follow. Don't expect it to be perfect its whole life you may have to do alil work on it. how cheap?

whokrz

I had 200k on my 97 4runner with the 3.4 when I sold it. I still ran good and passed smog.
I sold it because it is expensive and a pain to work on. It was only a matter time until the engine was going to need rebuilt. I now have a 90 4runner with a 22re it is cheap and easy to work on. The 3.4 is a great engine don't get me wrong I changed the water pump, timing belt, 1 fuel injector, and the oil. It always ran great.

T4L

If it's a good price and it's an xtra vehicle for the dirty work, then I say go for it. Remember, though, even a reliable vehicle is gonna break sometimes and the more miles it has, the more likely a breakdown becomes. Good luck. Also, the frame warranty should be for 15 years....so, 2015.

Flite

For those asking, the one I'm looking at is almost $2000 under blue book, and it really doesn't look like even a 100k mile truck. It's really in good condition. I'm going to bring it home tomorrow to check it out a little more in depth and I'll go from there. Maybe I'll even throw a picture or two up here.

I did stumble upon an immaculate '92 Nissan hardbody 4x4 with 140k miles... I know I know... Nissan. When I say immaculate though, I mean it's really in near showroom condition. We'll see I guess.

Thanks to all of you with constructive comments, I appreciate it.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

i'd take a 200K toyota over a 140K nissan any day......the 140K nissan is probably way cheaper than the Toyota..but I have had a lot better luck with Toyota than nissans over the last 25 years of driving

bain

I dont know....my 87 Nissan has 295K and purrs like a kitten But the Toyota is in a league of its on. Drive the truck for a few and you'll know its dependable. If it mostly highway miles you have nothing to worry about

Teuf

What's a Nissan?

Flite

^ haha


So I take it this frame thing isn't as bad as it appears to the average observer. I'm going to go get the truck here in an hour or so, I guess I'll report back after a test drive.

jimig

I would haggle down the price a bit more , then after you get it, take it straight to the dealership for a 150% buyback for the frame. Seems logical.

Flite

I don't think they're going to come down very much more.

And I thought you could only get the 150% buy back if you purchased the truck prior to the launch of the buy back program. From what I can tell, if I had frame damage on this one some time down the road, I would only get fair market value for it.

Flite

Here's a couple pictures of the frame. There's no "bubbling" rust, just this surface stuff that any car has. This is the worse spot as well. Most of the frame looks new. I suppose exhaust heat makes this the worse place. This is the right frame rail by the forward leaf spring hanger.







And the truck itself:









Everything works, 4wd hi and low, clutch bypass, e-lock rear, windows, A/C, clutch feels good, drives smooth, no leaks, steering's tight, etc etc. I mean, it's a $5000 truck and if I didn't know better, I'd guess between 60-90k miles. I might pull the trigger.

Flite

Here's a couple pictures of the frame. There's no "bubbling" rust, just this surface stuff that any car has. This is the worse spot as well. Most of the frame looks new. I suppose exhaust heat makes this the worse place. This is the right frame rail by the forward leaf spring hanger.







And the truck itself:









Everything works, 4wd hi and low, clutch bypass, e-lock rear, windows, A/C, clutch feels good, drives smooth, no leaks, steering's tight, etc etc. I mean, it's a $5000 truck and if I didn't know better, I'd guess between 60-90k miles. I might pull the trigger.