2005 Tundra - 186k Miles

Hi everyone, I’m new to forum and Toyota - would appreciate some advice.

I’m looking at buying my newly licensed son a truck, he loves pick ups and has shown some interest in Ford, I’ve always heard great things about the Tundra but always thought they would be out of my price range for him as a first truck. I’m not a truck guy myself and have never owned a Toyota - so here goes: I found a 2005 Tundra for sale with 295,000 KM’s (185k miles). It’s a Quebec driven vehicle, so harsh winters, although in our area, salt is generally not used on the roads (in this specific area). The seller of course is saying it’s great shape, I’m waiting on some service records (he has indicated he has put $3k in it recently), a rocker panel is showing some rust but the body looks pretty decent. The asking price is $7k CAD (~$4,900 USD). The check engine light is on, which he says is the O2 sensor (I’ll confirm when I plug it in), but is there anything specific I should look out for - any eye sight indicators that would lead to believe there may be some major issues? I realize that there are some things visually that can’t be diagnosed, but is there anything I should look at specifically or easily in a driveway that would be concerning? I am not afraid to put some money in to this, especially given the price, but just looking for some guidance from some experienced Tundra owners.

I’ve added some pictures from the listing just to give an idea of the vehicle.

Appreciate any feedback,

Thanks
Mike

 

Welcome. Read this thread to start.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

The biggest thing to look for is frame rust. You need to get under that truck and thoroughly check it for rust. Check the spare tire crossmember. Look inside the box portion up front. Some sellers will paint over the rust to hide it. Poke around with a screwdriver. Even though salt may not have been used in your area, who knows where that truck has been.

Also, those drop in bedliners are notorious for trapping moisture and causing rust. You need to lift that up and inspect under it.

Also, find out if they have proof of a timing belt replacement in the last 9 years or 90k miles. Don't just take their word for it. Someone bought one recently that the seller claimed had a new timing belt. The belt broke and grenaded the engine.

Good luck!https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

 

Hard to say on the rust point. Looks like the frame was coated, and there's not enough pics of key areas, just the longer parallel framerails, which typically don't rust horribly bad (and those look OK-ish). The condition of the trailer hitch, if OEM, says a lot about what you may find on the crossmember above the spare tire, which is known to rust out, along with the leaf spring mounts. If the rockers are rusting out, I guarantee you the wheel wells under the fender flares are rusting out, and you'll probably find some bed supports rusted out, and open the tailgate then lift the bedliner up from the center (it should lift up a good 12" and with a flashlight look under it for rust.

Thread linked above covers a ton of things. Be sure to test 4WD function if rusty. And test the A/C system and heat. Those are the big-money items, other than timing belt.

 

Also bring some tools and remove that fugly Chrome mustache even if you don't buy.