Hi All...Sorry for the length of this post. I've only owned one Toyota in the past which was short lived so I never really got to know it.
Soon I will be buying my fathers truck which is a '93 extra cab 4x4, 5 speed with a 3.0.
I am wishing to learn and prepare for what I will want or need to do to it once I get it. Both for maintenance and to help maintain resell value (if I ever need to sell it that is)

Truck history:
- He bought it around '96 with about 50k or so on it I believe. It was like new and he was second owner, grandpa driven before him.
- At around 80k miles the dealership put in a new factory motor due to head recall (he had to pay a little extra for that and also had new clutch put in at his cost)
- Had normal oil changes / fluid checks done, he bought new tires, had starter and battery replaced, not much more that I can think of done work wise.

How it's been driven:
- My dad is the slowest driver I have ever seen...lol I doubt the truck has ever gone over 55 with him behind the wheel.
- He has probably never drove it off pavement besides perhaps a gravel driveway once or twice.
- He goes 2 miles too work and back each week day and MIGHT get to 3rd gear but never over 20 mph on those roads.
- I take it out once in awhile and try to hit the highway when I do, just to check on it and run it in higher gears...maybe once every 3 months or so.
- 4 wheel drive has been used when needed in the snow, maybe on average 10 miles a year if I had to guess.

Mechanically:
The truck now has 112k miles on it (so 40k on motor and clutch) . The only items I can see or feel mechanically is the clutch may feel a little soft and unfortunately I am seeing some oil seeping out of valve covers on both sides and the headlights SUCK...lol

Cosmetically:
- Has aftermarket wheels (wondering if stock wheels would be preferred to future buyers?)
- Drivers seat has tears.
- Tailgate needs painted
- Decals have peeled in some places
- Needs buffed and waxed
- Stock radio may be dead or sucks real bad
- Has had exhaust pipe leak for years (he likes it that way)
- Makes a creaking noise when turning wheels sharp (guess this is normal and I will grease it)
- Clearcoat peeling in places on canopy and missing one window

That all being said I am wondering if anything mechanically should be addressed when I get it other than the valve cover gaskets?
Clutch may be fine for all I know...is there a way I can tell? It's only got 40k on it.

Should I try and find stock wheels to put back on it?
Should I buy a decal set off Ebay and try to redo the side graphics by myself?
I have been on the hunt for a good drivers seat but have never came across one...will keep looking.

Thank you.

 

Nice lookin' truck.

Do you want to flip this truck or keep it? If you're thinking of driving it for a while, don't buy anything (like wheels) with the idea of helping resale value.

Fix the exhaust leak. That can kill you. Before you replace the valve cover gaskets, use spray-on engine cleaner and a garden hose to get as much oil off as possible. Then start it up and look for the leak. It might not be where you think it is.

The creaking on sharp turns is because your "groan stopper" caps are shot. https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/pro...rm=45619-36010 About $6 at a (online) dealer, and you'll need four. Some can get by with a glob of grease, but for the money just do it right.

As for the rest of the stuff (seat, radio, waxing) feel free to do the stuff that will make you feel better. But your truck will serve you well without them.

 

40K miles can also mean "just got broke in". If by "soft" clutch you mean "easy to push in and release", then I wouldn't worry about that. I consider that a nice driving clutch. If it's slipping then that is a different story, but only 40k? Not if it was replaced correctly and was replaced with a new clutch.

As scope said, you need to replace the exhaust. Depending on the rust, it might be just the muffler or from manifold to exhaust tip. If you are going to do the work yourself, then - just in case - you need to be prepared to do some fitting and for me, it was a painful process while on my back under the truck. Finding OEM parts can be difficult for old trucks and non-Toyota part fitment can be a crap shoot. Though taking it to a exhaust shop can be a bit iffy also. The last time I needed to change out from manifold to cat, I took it to a shop where they promptly cracked the manifold. They don't take responsibility for old cast iron. So I ended up on my back anyways.

Did your Dad keep the truck in a garage most of the time? If it was kept out in the open, like my 93 has been since the day I bought it in 93, I would not put a buffer wheel to the paint. At least not until I dound out how good the paint has held up.

It's a nice looking truck - I don't see any rust in that pic.

-jim

 

agree with above, fix the exhaust and steering stops and leave it as is and original as possible. Knowing the history since it was 3 years old, the extremely low mileage and the originality already give it max value IMO. I would double check with Dad to make sure he didn't keep the wheels! Oh and Congratulations, this would be a dream come true for someone like me! My dad has a '92 2wd he bought new, I may get it someday but I'd have to lose about 50 lbs to be comfortable in it!

Jeff