Need Advice for Possible Purchase

All, I found this 2005 Tundra AC at a local dealer and planning to check it out shortly for possible purchase, but thought I'd ask member thoughts. Carfax info shows two maintenance notes from Toyota and most other services done by Indy shops. I registered the VIN in Toyota and there's no service history listed.

Ball joints were replaced is 2007.

https://www.johneaglehonda.com/used/Toyota/2005-Toyota-Tundra-for-sale-houston-tx-d279b3c20a0e0a9171c5142a25b8e7c7.htm

Will check undercarriage for rust but considering its a Texas truck it's likely not affected, I think.

Exterior/interior looks clean.

I called the Indy shop which is by my home about some of their services and this is what they provided.

2021 - Valve cover gasket, timing belt, water pump, tension done at 101k miles.
2021 - front struts, rear shocks and stabilizer links

 

Priced a little on the high side for having certain less-desirable options (2WD and stepside), but on the other hand it's got low-but-not-too-low miles and looks to be really clean.

Try to figure out where it lived in Texas if you can--as you know, Galveston and Corpus, etc., aren't the same as Abilene. Post any other photos or info you get, lot of really smart dudes and ladies on here.

Edit to add: that maintenance being done pretty much right-on-time speaks to a conscientious prior owner.

 

Thanks. Based on carfax info where maintenance was done, it looks like the truck lived in Houston since 2005, in areas near me, Spring and Sugar Land, somewhat further away from the coast. There's no other info reference other parts of Texas. Agree their asking is a bit high as it's only valued about $11k on NADA.

As for the issues with front ball joints, is this a continuous problem even when their replaced at certain intervals?

 

I'd recommend reading the stickied post on LBJs and also the one on "So you just bought a....", which has some detailed info on LBJ replacements. The high-level answer to your question (in my experience on this forum) will be "depends on if they replaced it with an OEM part". Most folks think pretty poorly of third-party, non-OEM LBJs, but there are some possible contenders (see this thread). Call that shop back or find the Toyota dealership that did it and see if they can give you a part brand/number. That could give you some peace of mind.

To your very specific question, my understanding is that part is replaced because of a defect in many 1GTs, not necessarily a routine-maintenance item unless you're a serious off-roader.

 

I confirmed with Fred Haas Toyota Country that they replaced the LBJ per the Toyota recall in 2007, using replacement parts noted in the recall

 

Wow. That website was not mobile friendly. Are you looking for a stepside? It’s a special flavor of Tundra that not everyone can fully appreciate. Also limits your bed accessories options. Price is what it is these days. If it’s not what you were looking to pay and not the exact truck you wanted, pass.

 

I checked out the truck but didn’t bother to test drive it.

I was able to see it even before the selling dealer even reconditioned it. the interior and exterior are not maintained. Driver side seat side ripped and held together with duct tape. Trash and carpet stains everywhere, engine compartment filled with tree debris. Chips on hood showing rust. I know these are all fixable. Looks like it’s been sitting under a tree for a while.

the frame appears free from rust

decided to pass

 

Looks great to me, and the price is good too IMO, price NEW trucks. I would still grind them on the price, just because, see if there's any wiggle room, but a low mile Tundra will disappear pretty quickly. There's a lot of miles and years left in that truck, probably. Good luck.

 

OP, follow this thread if you don’t already: https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-for-sale-finds-on-other-sites.40093/page-18

 

Also, remember those floods in Texas a few years back. Hopefully Carfax shows no flood damage. Looked at a Tundra a few years back that had come from Texas, no flood record or insurance claims but it had a distinct sediment and rust line in the engine bay where it had spent time submerged.

 

I do remember that time it was floodin down in Texas. All the telephone lines were down.

 

I thought about pushing them on the price but didn't like how the interior looked extremely dirty. The exterior, I think it could clean up nicely with a good detail. The engine bay as well. I didn't find the sticker for the timing belt, but again the Indy shop confirmed it was done. It started right up with no issues. I know they would want to recondition it and then add that to the price as well. :Like many houston dealers, this location put add-ons on for the truck, Lojack and Permacoat for over at a cost of $1k They're crazy! It also had a yellow sticker on it that stated "not for sale" which I asked about. the sales guy said its something with the paperwork which takes time until they can legally sell it. I am going out of town next week, I'll see if it's still there when I return. Maybe I will take another look.

Thanks Jason, yes, I have been following this thread as well.

 

"Something with the paperwork which takes time until they can legally sell it"?!

What, was this sitting under a tree in some old person's yard, and is being held up by the estate after he died? Or maybe it has an abandonment title or something?

Anyway, I don't blame you for walking away, but I will say, interior stuff is pretty easy to fix. I personally don't like stepsides, and finding a bed in specific colors is a pain.

Clearly it had some significant leaking, if you look at the front crossmember, compared to the lower control arms, it has a nice, healthy coating of oil all over it. I'm assuming valve covers were leaking.

I don't think the price is horrible, but with that body style and 2WD, unless it was nicely optioned I'd expect $11k-$12k.

 

Man, that step side bed looks.......like something.....yeah.