Hoping to own a 1st Gen soon!!

Hey Everyone! I've been a lurker for a few months on the tundra forum. I've had 3rd gen 4runner for 10 years, and I'm looking for a tundra of comparable quality and experience to my 4runner. Got some options I'm looking at, but most recently an ad in Minneapolis has my attention.

I'm having it inspected to today by a local mechanic, anything that concerns anyone right off the bat?

My main concern is frame rust, and I'm hoping I get some detailed photos by the end of the day.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ctd/d/minneapolis-2004-toyota-tundra/7781959510.html

 

Great setup. Shame about the passenger door but repairable. That drivers shock bucket is rusty AF. I’m willing to bet there’s a lot more where that’s concerned.

 

Just got the pictures from the inspection, not sure I should upload all 35 of them, but I'm sorting through for the rust specific ones for feedback.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Thanks Jim!

just got some photos, apparently the suspension is new including tie rods.

has a knock sensor code but the mechanic said it doesn’t have a knock and sounds and drives great.

the rust is my main concern, I’m pretty decent a car repairs but I don’t want to weld a frame. (At least I don’t think I do) I’m really good a wire wheeling and coating frames. The mechanic said there’s no structural issues and he tapped around and none of the rusted spots were hollow or rotting. He gave me a thumbs up, but I don’t know his tolerance for rust. He said it’s for sure go 10years.

still looks fairly rusty, anyone have experience with this amount of rust? Can I save it?

 

Nope

 

I think the mechanic has a pretty high tolerance for rust. I’d pass on it.

 

That first picture is very concerning.

 

Yeah, I specifically asked him about that spot and he said its just paint showing the delamination and not steel, but its hard to believe that base don the picture. Is there supposed to be any sort of gap between those flat pieces in the first place?

 

Pass

 

That's a hard no. Move on. You'll find something cleaner and thank us later.

 

Not sure if your just lookin in Minneapolis or live near Minneapolis

 

Thanks!

I'm actually in Utah, I'm looking for a double cab, and I do want a shell at some point. My budget is max 14k right now, I'm willing to fly and drive it back as long as frame pictures are compelling enough.

 

I just check KS and there are quite a few on there. These two looked the best

https://cars.ksl.com/listing/9395482

https://cars.ksl.com/listing/9494472

 

Thanks!

I put those on my list for checking out here close to me. Mileage is higher than I'd want, but I'm not sure how picky I can be with my price range.

 

Good luck with your search. Here’s one I just stumbled on. No pictures from underneath but, the interior and exterior look pretty amazing for 275k. With the mileage, there’s got to be room for the guy to come down on the price.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/d/santa-rosa-toyota-tundra-sr5/7782905697.html

 

Thanks!

Its a fun search I admit. thrill of the chase if you will.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Good luck in your search!

 

Thanks everyone! I passed on this one with a few others in my sites, I'll post any other concerns or questions if they come up. Everyone here is super helpful and I appreciate it.

 

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/milwaukee-2006-toyota-tundra-trd-off/7783715802.html#

 

I wouldn't worry too much about mileage as long as everything else checks out. I just hit 330k on my sequoia and when I got it, it had been abused and neglected. in 75k miles, I have done suspension, fuel pump, one spark plug coil and fluids.

 

That's great to hear, I'm looking to get a minimum of 10 years out of this vehicle purchase, more is obviously great. I put 140k on my 4 runner in 10 years, and I will likely have the same amount of driving.

 

This one looks like it could be a pretty good deal but needs some more info. From what we can see in the pictures, the frame doesn't look too bad. I'd request some more detailed pictures and more of them. Also, I'd inquire about the new transmission. A rig with 215k on the clock needing a new trans is a bit sus.

 

I think these frame photos look great! This one is in my dad's neck of the woods so he'll be confirming the condition this week. Screaming deal so I'm trying not to hold my breath.

 

Update for everyone just to give other hope.

I looked at 3 additional tundras with bad rust. Finally got one down in Phoenix. I honestly didn’t realize what the frame was supposed to look like until then. I may have over paid a little for it but having a rust free frame has made working on it so much easier. Not to mention the piece of mind for the investment of upgrades and maintenance.

Thanks to everyone helping me steer clear of some lemons and helping me exercise patience.

Pic after the front end rebuild.