Is 2nd Gen Worth It?

That looks like them, though no idea on the ARP part number, I used OEM. Also, now I think about it, it was 2004 that was the crossover year, but still bookmark that site! It's great for looking up part numbers.

 

Thanks Shifty. The ones I have posted above were a little cheaper. These already shipped so hopefully they will be here soon.

 

Ok. I now have the LBJ that come from Toyota. In the next couple days I will have the new bolts, the Aisin timing belt kit, Denso Iridium plugs, and my new head unit (with rear camera). Now that I have the truck I have had time to look over the entire vehicle. It will need a heavy, heavy detail but overall is in pretty good condition. The frame was coated by Toyota at some point and after looking it over it is in really good shape. Just basic surface rust. The very next thing on the operating table will be the upper control arms. They are pretty rusted out. At the same time as doing that I am going to put in the Bilstein 4600s and the 2" leveler. Beyond that I will have to play it by ear as to what else I need to do. Thank all of you for the help and knowledge, it is very much appreciated. I'll upload some pictures once I get a chance to caught up on things.

 

If the frame was coated by Toyota, it means it was in bad enough shape at one point and the owner gave Toyota two choices: Replace the frame, or put lipstick on a pig. Based on what you've said, they chose lipstick on a pig. The coating Toyota used didn't actually fix or even stop the rust, it just covered the damage for a few years while the frame continued to rot inside.

I hope I'm wrong, but what I just described is typically what we see here. Over. And over. And over again.

I would not use strut spacing "levelers" to level your truck. It sounds like that's what you're describing. Cue @FishNinja.

 

Could be. The reports from the dealer say no major rust found. I don't trust dealers for much of anything. I've seen rusted out frames before though and this one doesn't look like those. Ultimately though, I didn't pay anything for it, and yes I'll lose the investment of parts I'm putting into it if something should happen, but that's the gamble. Time will tell.