This is my first post and I just wanted to check with the experts to see if this is a good deal or not. I have always wanted an older Yota truck and I think that I've found a nice one. PLEASE, I need your help to let me know what you guys think before I go out and buy it. THANKS GUYS!!

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/6204131197.html

 

It appears to be a good truck !!!

The fact the timing belt appears to be done might be agood sign

Then having no idea of your skill level 22 year old trucks are going to take work .

There are always areas of maintenance that are neglected .

If it lived in Texas all it`s life frame rust should not be a problem.

Have the Ball joints been replaced ??

What is the brake system in need of.??

What parts of the steering might need replaced

If you can do this type of work yourself I tend to spend $1000.00 in parts or more .

Have all the codes been cleared so once all the tests run again will you have a problem .

Only a up close and in person look and test drive will give you more information .

We all have different things we look for The fact there was no pictures of the engine bay and under the truck tell me the owner was more concerned with appearance then performance

 

Thanks for the help wyoming9. So I asked the owner a couple more questions about the truck today. It has been a Texas truck all its life but down south at the coast and he said that it did have some surface rust underneath. Which leads me to believe that there was rust on the panels so he had it line-X'ed. So I might have to pass on this one. Anyone have a good lead on a solid 86-95 Yota?

 

This is the surface rust he was talking about.

 

Here are a couple of the engine.

 

It comes down to what work you can do.

Any truck that old is going to take work

Not quite as bad as a Truck from the great Rust belt But the under side of the truck could use some attention .

The fact the bolt is missing from the fuel filter bracket is interesting

In any case good luck in your search

 

that truck is actually a 95.5, Tacomas came out mid model year
throw some basic items at it like u joints etc
you might consider replacing those LED head lights unless that have the DOT stamp on them. But if they have good output run em.
Truck is priced decent

 

In my area we would say what rust?

 

I live in the North East

That frame qualifies as "Rust Free"out here

 

Make sure the leaf spring hangers and the shock absorber hangers are not rusting off. The one you show looks good. I got rid of my 2000 Tacoma because the frame went to hell fairly quickly. Look up rust treatments on Eastwood.com and paint the frame and use some Internal Frame Coat. I'd have to get rid of those headlights and clean the engine bay. Otherwise I think that is a GREAT truck for $5500! It's obvious the former owner loved it.

 

Indeed, northeast resident here. That's nothing that cant be treated with a good wire brushing, prime, paint, and undercoat. If you end up purchasing though it wouldn't hurt to take it to the dealership and see if they'll honor the frame recall.

 

Living in New England I would say that's a REALLY clean truck. I just bought an 03 a few weeks ago that got a new frame in 2012 and it's already rustier than that. Personally I prefer the way the older trucks drive as far as ride/handling is concerned and I like the looks better but finding one up here worth buying is tough. But the drivelines from the later trucks sure are nicer for daily drivers. Would love an 89-95 SR5 extended cab with a 3.4 in it. That would be about perfect. But my little regular cab 03 will do for now.

 

New Hampshire here too, hard to find clean rigs up this way. Luckily mine had a recent frame replacement done by the previous owner. Undercoat the hell out of it every fall.