First time post here and hopefully soon to be first time Toyota truck owner. I am looking at buying the 85 linked in the craigslist add below (I've also attached some pictures). I've already went an looked at the truck twice and despite how rough it looks on the outside, it is actually in really good shape. The cab and frame are 100% rot free, they sport some surface rust here and there but generally, very clean. The bed is starting to bubble in the lower seam on the driver side and on the wheel well on the passenger side, but underneath, the floor looks perfect and all the rails are in good shape. Its pretty much everything I was searching for in one of these trucks, factory straight axle, 5 speed, efi, single cab, and it even has a factory sunroof. The only drawback seems to be a pretty consistent rod knock, present from ~1200 rpm on. Its not so much the knock I'm worried about, as I am not against an engine swap, or even rebuilding, both of which I'm capable of doing, especially since it won't be my primary vehicle. I'm more curious about the value of the truck as its sits, it is in Massachusetts, so rot is a notorious issue on trucks that have spent there lives around here, which this one hasn't ( it came from California a few years back ). Also, these trucks seem to generally be hard to find in good shape around here, for perspective, there is maybe four or five other trucks around that seem like they would really be worth going to take a look at. The current owner currently has it posted for $4500, but I have a feeling that was before the rod knock became apparent. Given condition of the engine, and the general tlc (tires, brakes, fluids etc...) it needs before I can put it back on the road, a friend of thinks that if I could talk the guy down to 2500-3000, that it would still be a decent deal. He has already owned more of these trucks than I probably ever will, so I'm inclined to believe him, however, I figured it can't hurt to ask for some other opinions. Should I start lower than 2500? Is there a price I definitely shouldn't go over? Any advice helps.
Thanks for Reading
-Alex

https://worcester.craigslist.org/cto...482081041.html

 

Sunburnt, wind rash paint.
Leaking axle.
Molding carpet.
Visible rust (expect more you didn't notice and will find later) on body and under carriage.
Signs of leaking near the heater core.
Blown engine...

These are your major bargaining points off hand..

You've been out to see it twice, he has you by the balls. Good luck!

 

I see a $1500.00 truck that needs help. I would start and $1000.00.

 

Thats not worth $2,000 even. Its going to be a basket case when you open it up. There is way more rust on that than you see. Almost certainly all the undercarriage bolts are rusted in. The bed is done. Rust is probably on the inside of the doors as well.

 

On second thought I would offer 500......

If you want a clean truck, be willing to travel. I bet you could find something real nice in NV, AZ or comiefornia for around 3K.