How bad is this rust?

I’m shopping for my first Tundra. I’m not familiar with much other than that they last forever. I’m eyeing this one, its maintenance records are decent and the timing belt was done in 2021/ 30k miles ago. It looks extremely well taken care of. But it’s the rust that I’m unsure on. I’ve seen a lot and called about a lot that have had frame repairs. To me it doesn’t look too bad but I’m also not knowledgeable of all the parts under a truck so maybe there’s something too rusted that I’m not catching. What’s yawls opinion? Good to go or stay away? I’m about a 7-8 hour drive from it, so that’s why I’m asking for help here.

 

Someone has been doing some coverup, and that last picture, the crossmember is literally falling apart. Walk away dude.

 

Yeah, that last picture was the most concerning for me. Smh, I ain’t ever gonna find a truck in my price range it seems like. Thanks for the advice. I guess that’s why they dropped the price another 2k today.

 

I’d be concerned. There’s not enough resolution in the pics to see everything you need and for certain areas like the crossmember, the boxed section up front and the evidence of rot behind the rocker panels have me concerned. Probably not worth the trip if you don’t know what you’re looking at and how to treat it.

 

Yeah I’m gonna stay away from it. I’ve got a few more I have to call about because no pictures were posted underneath. Hopefully I’ll be posting back this weekend with a new to me 1st gen

 

What part of the county do you live in? There's literally hundreds of rust free west coast tundras that will cost you less $$$ than one with rot. Expand your search and buy a plane ticket. Don't settle for rusty truck!

 

Good luck, be patient. There's one out there for you. What's your price range, and where are you located? You can find them out here in the West/Southwest if you're willing to travel, but prices are going up for good specimens. I would entertain ridiculous, stratospheric offers on mine!

 

where? specifically

 

Ask them to take better pics. Those look like they were taken from a 2005 potato phone.

 

I’m in TN. I’ve been using CarGurus and Edmund and using a 500 mile radius. I would do the plane ticket option but it would cost me a lot more as far as child/pet care while I’m gone. Only trucks I’m finding are up north.

 

You’ll probably find quite a few listings in that area on Facebook Marketplace.

 

My top out is 12k out the door and I’m financing 10 tops and Navy Fed will only let me purchase from a dealer. There’s a ton of private owned ones around me smh but all the dealer owned that come up in my search radius are way up north from me in Tn

 

I do but bank won’t let me purchase from a private seller smh. I’m financing part of it

 

You're going to buy a 19-25 year old truck from a dealer?! Bad idea, IMO. You've got to find another way to get the cash. Not only are you going to get ripped off buying from a dealer, but you're potentially setting yourself up for all kinds of hiding of sins, AND you're making interest payments! And NO dealer is going to warranty a 19-25 year old truck. A $12K stealership truck would probably cost you $7-8K privately. Not trying to tell you how to spend your money, but this plan is crazy. Again, IMO.

 

It was apparently rust-proofed in past. Would need to do it once again.

 

My initial plan was to buy from a private seller but found out when I went to buy one I couldn’t. I don’t feel extremely concerned about buying a well documented Toyota from a dealer, I bought my 13 avalon from a real janky lookin dealer and it’s still running strong at 225k with no repairs since I bought it at 105k. But it was well documented. It’s just proving extremely hard to find a well documented tundra that’s not rusted out. I agree, getting a title from someone who knows the truck inside and out would be best option though no doubt.

 

Washington and Oregon have ton of rust free 4x4 1st gen tundras. So do Cali, Arizona, New Mexico, ect.

 

That seems really restrictive. Is Navy Fed qualifying you for more than a local bank or credit union would? When I buy a vehicle from a private party my credit union just requires an "Intent to Sell" document. It's exactly the same as a Bill of Sale (in fact I use a Bill of Sale template) but the wording gets changed to "I agree to sell" rather than "I did sell".
It has the names of the two parties, the make, model, VIN, and purchase price. The credit union checks the blue book value (they'll finance up to 100% of blue book value) and cut a check in the seller's name, and give it to me.

EDIT: Stop looking in states north of you. Pick a city 200 miles south of you and search in a 500 mile radius of that. FYI: most dealers list their vehicles on Facebook Marketplace.

 

Atlanta and north GA in generally are chock full of great specimens, as is north AL (Huntsville) and I'm constantly seeing 1st gen stuff in Maryville TN as well.

 

Glad you passed on it. That transmission crossmember is scary looking. That, and the frame looked pretty well "pooched" in the rear close to the muffler (where the reinforcement plates are).

 

If this is going to be your only vehicle and you have to finance a $10k truck, you may not want a first gen. They are reliable but I can almost guarantee that after purchase you will be looking at another couple grand in maintenance. Ball joints, steering and suspension components, brakes and tb/wp are almost a given on these.

not trying to Dave Ramsey you but these trucks at their age are bulletproof but they do cost plenty of money in preventative maintenance that is usually over due by now.

may want to roll that maintenance money into a newer car if you’re financing.

 

Yeah I finally figured out that part and set my location to Alabama. I honestly didn’t check with any other unions or banks. I’ve always done business with NF and I’m just “comfortable” owing them the money.

Nah you’re good, I half way follow Dave Ramsey and I assume the responsibility of my actions. I’m in pretty severe need of a truck and 10k is just the most I’m willing to finance based off the monthly payment. We have other reliable vehicles, just lacking in the truck department. I have a regular cab 98 Ram but we have 2 kids so it’s too small. I plan on selling the Ram and a VW gti and throwing that money at the truck. All of our extra money is going towards paying down our credit card mistakes before my wife stops working to go back to school. We also are really wanting a Tundra to camp with since we definitely won’t be going on any vacations while on 1 income. I’ve settled on a 2nd gen that I’m looking at tomorrow in Georgia.

 

Want to thank all of you for your input. This forum is pretty great. Yawl will make owning a tundra a lot more fun and easier

 

What year GTI? You got a lot of VW folks on here, interestingly enough. I had a late-1999 VW GTI (2000 model year) VR6 manual I'm kinda sad I gave up.

 

If I had the VR6 I probably would have never neglected it. They sound so mean. I’ve got a 2005, it was pretty clapped out when I bought it, I’ve made it slightly more respectable lol. I bought a 72 Chevelle and just put all my efforts into it. Wife says I go through phases haha

 

In Houston, unless you have a history with em, most lenders won't finance vehicles more than 7 years old. Sounds like you have a decent plan, good luck to you and the fam!

 

As would any of us! Definitely one of my dream cars there. Maybe when I roll into the 60s I’ll finally get a 68-72! Damn sure hasn’t happened in my first half a century.

 

70 Chevelle SS and swap in an LT4 and Tremec would be sweet. I’d also have to update the suspension.