Saga for Finding a 4x4 First Gen with Low Miles in Florida

Yeah that's a serious stack of washers. I don't know the underside of these trucks well enough to know what he was fixing there...

Frame looks fine. I don't know what the requirements are to get the "Farm Truck" license plate in Texas, but look into that. A friend of mine here in Montana has a similar year Tacoma as mine, with ~170,000 less miles than mine. His was a ranch truck most of its life. It's amazing how much worse shape it's in than my truck. Mechanically and visually.

 

I’ll make sure to ask him how he treated the truck whether for work or as a daily driver!

 

Hmm. Kinda looks like there was damage there. Like somebody dropped something heavy, bent the bed, caused some rust. That stack of washers was part of their repair/body work to get the dent out of the bed. That fact that it's still wet from his car wash makes me think there's a bolt through the bed, into the frame. There's a hole there letting water through.

None of it is a deal breaker but be aware, this truck was used hard.

My truck.

 

Thanks for the reference, his ask is $8750 so not too bad. Might be a little weary though since it does look like it was a heavily used work truck.

 

Steal: Got to the listing 9 minutes after he posted it! I might have to let this one run though since I start my internship tomorrow, I offered 7k if he lets me see it first. Also has the step up which I think is aesthetically weird imo.

 

Looks like I’m checking it out tomorrow after work as long as the frame is good!

 

Good luck! I think the step sides are a great look on these.

 

A steady stream of them! I understand the desire to get something, but it seems pretty clear that they'll keep coming up, so bide your time if possible.

 

Well the deal for 7k is definitely there and I want to see if the sidestep looks better in person to be honest. Worth driving an hour and a half out of my way to check it out!

 

Got some frame photos from the guy in Texas, looks really solid. Some points of slight concern but overall no dealbreakers:


Found out the washers are actually from a gooseneck plate which will be removed before sale. Was only used once on the truck to tow a trailer up and down the property. So nothing in terms of damage. Owner said he uses his stuff rough, but keeps things in good shape. He hasn’t had the truck for super long either. Gonna throw this picture down here too from his original inquiry:

 

Also the owner of the step side tundra might be a big hack. Refuses to send me pictures of the frame and is kind of being a dick on marketplace. Think I’m just going to avoid the headache unless things change…

 

Hard pass at $8750. My opinion though.

Consider most sellers are full of it as well. Guessing he bought it for half that or less, found there is a market for 4x4 1st gen Tundras and has $$ in his eyes.

 

I agree, there’s probably better out there for the same price. Needs a lot of work done, I left the door open in case I change my mind but that’s if I’m desperate to find one, which I’m not. When the right one falls in my lap it will

 

If it was in state I’d consider it but it’s not something I’d fly out to Texas for!

 

HUGE UPDATE:

The guys who snagged the 2000 tundra have flaked! Looks like I’ll be taking it sometime this week… Crossing my fingers but I think the wait is over!

 

This is the one you went and saw?

 

Yes

 

Interested to see how this turns out!

 

After the last bullshit, temper your expectations.

If you need a pair of 77k-mile OEM sway at links - assuming seller was honest about the problem - holler. I have my take-offs, aftermarket suck, and OEM are $$$.

But more than that, while you’re excited and I know that has you jazzed, is it possible the prospective buyer took the truck in for PPI (prepurchase inspection) and that’s why he backed out, because of what he heard? I wouldn’t be trusting this guy after the shit he pulled, and “he flaked” is ominous, vague.

 

Yeah, me saying he flaked is my own lingo, what he said was they made an appointment with the DMV and the seller called the buyer multiple times but they never responded. He’s even going to match the price the seller gave them at $7500.

Part of me thinks this guy is truly being honest, but I need to obviously need to have my guard up

 

Well I hope it works out. At least in my part of the country, that's an insane price. I paid significantly more for a truck in not nearly as nice condition.

Flaking out happens. Technically I did it on the first Tundra I test drove. I was honest and did it quickly and shouldered all the blame, but I did back out. Guy was still lame to you, but if it's a great truck at a great price, probably worth swallowing your pride.

 

Be ready for anything. Including weird shit with the title. Make sure it's not a salvage title, makr sure it's actually his legal name in the seller side, make sure there's no weird shit. Ask questions at DMV.

 

I've got a two tone from the factory.

 

Not to veer too OT here, but I was surprised to see 2 two tone Jade/silver pop up somewhat locally today.

 

Funny enough I saw the same Jade-Gray two tone on my way to the office today! Wish I snapped a picture.

 

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...Radius=0&state=CO&zip=80201&clickType=listing

West palm beach, but truck has been owned in az and co. Rust shouldn't be an issue.

 

Looks good, has the right features, but bed does need some buffing out to get it shiny and white again, and someone drilled the dash (easily repairable) just above the cigarette lighter. Could probably recoup $600-1,200 on that cap.

 

Same thoughts exactly. I'd sell the cap for sure, and maybe the bumper if someone was interested. Maybe get $50-$100 for it. Still money though. Funny that they put it against a white back screen to hide the bed paint.

 

That may actually be the original bed. And I say that as someone with a white truck that was fully chalked when I bought it. If you let the paint chalk on these trucks - at least the white ones, which are single-stage / no-clearcoat paing - they'll take on the color of whatever dirt/dust road you're driving on regularly. And I've seen white trucks with caps tend to oxidize faster on the bed than the cab. There's a solid chance the paint is all-original and just needs a polish to get it back to white and shiny again.

 

My white one did this. Because I didn't care for the exterior for a while. Ended up buffing it out though. I've also heard you say this in the past and I'd too would rather have a white one with this, over the clear coat issues the darker colors like the mica green and red have. My 04 sequoia mica green clear coat is trashed due to sun damage and not being garage kept. And that's with washes and waxing often. I'm debating just spraying a durabek smooth texture over it and calling it good. Cheaper than a new paint job..