Have you any pictures to post? I'd love to see how nice a free truck is.. Compared to my $4500 one..

 

Inspect the freeze plugs that you can easily access for signs of corrosion. If you see any, consider changing all of the plugs- a serious job. I say this because these engines require Toyota's special secret sauce antifreeze. The standard stuff that almost every other car uses mucks things up. If Gramps took this car to the dealer for service, then you ought to be OK. But flush the cooling system anyway. And the brake system.

 

Take it! Like everyone else said, the 3.0 is a decent engine when maintained. I have had three yotas ('99, '10, and my current '90). This one is may favorite. I bought it just over a year ago with 254k on it. It now has 261k. When I bought it, it was bone stock. It now has 33" BFG M/T's, 2" of lift in the front, and 4" in the rear (saggy leaf springs). I wheel it every few months and keep up with the other Tacomas that I go out with. Don't discard that little truck for it's age, it's still got a lot of years and miles left in it.

 

What else should I order for this thing? Currently its over heating so I want to go through that whole system.

Radiator is rusted out, which is reason why I am ordering a new one.

Here is what is in my shopping cart at rock auto so far.

 

By the way...

Here is the truck

 

Lookin' good so far!

 

The hood latch and hood bump stops look like they could use some adjustment. Should be easy to make it pull right down in line with the fenders and close up the gap in front.

Looks like it has manual hubs - that's a plus.

Go here http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/ for a copy of the official FSM. Make it your friend.

 

For free thats a steal! Plus its ext cab! Cant beat that! I agree the 3.0 isnt the best engine Toyota ever had, and I always look for a different motor when yota shopping, but its still a decent motor, and I would take a 3.0 yota over a ford, chevy, dodge, etc any day. Also, I wouldn't concern to much about lifting it and throwing big tires on it, yeah it looks cool, but these rigs are pretty incredible on most trails stock, I suggest make sure she runs good and start wheeling her, then as you break her/meet her limits upgrade what you need. Or if you plan on using her as a DD just drive her as is.