2005 Tacoma 4x4 5ft 4.0 Manual (Price Estimate)

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. Please forgive my straightforwardness and lack of group etiquette.

I’m looking for some direction about a “fork in the road”.

I’ve had my tacoma around 5 years now, but have drove it off and on for ~3 years. My Tacoma is a 2005 4x4 5ft bed 4.0 Manual with ~220,000 miles.

My Tacoma’s temperature gauge has randomly been raising and going back down lately. I replaced my thermostat and flushed out my cooling system around 2 months ago and it seemed to help, but it has recently started back up again. There has also been a bubble in the coolant reservoir. All signs point to having a blown head gasket.

As much as I love my Tacoma and don’t want to let it go, it’s become a liability. I’m in the military and need a reliable vehicle. She is my daily driver as of right now. I’m not in a position to fix it myself, the mechanics I’ve taken it to say they won’t do the job because of the mileage, and replacing the engine isn’t a guarantee for a reliable vehicle.

My question to you all is how much do you think I can sell her for (with a 99% chance of a blown head gasket)? What path do you think I can get the most value for her?

Thank you all for your help and your advice.

Here are some pictures of her:

Update:

Head gasket replaced and running smooth. Ended up taking it to a different Toyota dealership and they agreed to do it. Ended up paying ~$3,800 for the overall project. (Which included the replacement of the head gaskets, water pump, fan clutch, serpentine belt, oil change, and coolant flush) It took a total of 2 weeks. I understand it wasn’t the most ideal replacement when it came to cost, time, and education of doing it myself, but man does it feel good to have her running smooth once again. (For the time being) I want to thank everyone who supported and encouraged me not to give up and sell her when she was down. Keep everyone updated with my taco journey.

 

Nice looking ride, the 2005’s and early 2006 had head gasket issues. Never heard of a garage refusing work for high mileage lol
As for a used engine, the salvage yards probably will not have any laying around. But still check, The cost of a replacement engine or just a head gasket would be cheaper than a newer taco for sure

 

Sorry to hear. Most likely a head gasket issue. It’ll cost you between 3-4k to do the job depending on where you go and that’s if everything goes well. You also have the option to replace the engine for a lower mileage one if you’re lucky enough to find one. As Geeves77 said, it’s cheaper to fix it than buying a new one right now, but for the condition it’s at right now I’d say it’s somewhere in the 8-10k.

 

It’s pretty beat up cosmetically: paint faded/clearcoat gone; seats soaked with sweat, missing knob, cover torn; etc. Also, with that high mileage, that will scare away most of the potential buyers.

There are definitely people that will buy it, but it will likely be at a lower price than you think it’s worth in this still inflated used Toyota market.

Is it an actual Off Road model or just a peeling sticker on the bed sides? One easy way to tell is to post a photo of all the switches on the left side of the steering wheel.

 

Then fix it. It is a reliable vehicle.

if you’re in the military you have access to a hobby shop.
which have rental tools, mechanics on staff, and extended stay ground storage/wrench bays.

you can change the water pump and verify the cooling system is properly filled.

the tester tool to check for a blown headgasket is like $20.
Or you notice the coolant level going down, white smoke, sweet smelling exhaust, clean combustion chamber during borescope ($25), etc

 

Id keep it if it was mine. Like @TacoTuesday1 said you could do the water pump on post on a Saturday and go from there. Finding an engine is gonna near impossible and if you do they’re expensive. Just ride it out until the wheels fall off

 

Here is a Pic of the switches

 

In my years of wrenching both at home in the enthusiast crowd as well as professionally,

I have not once come across it seen as a solution to replace an entire engine due to a failed head gasket
As opposed to simply replacing the gasket(s)

Replacing engines (long block) is for when a vehicle has something like rod knock and a ton of abnormal metal particulate


Junkyards overprice Toyota parts for no reason. A 1GRFE has about the technology of a wooden sawhorse from Home Depot but you’ll find asking prices of $2500

 

Good for me to know where the stock CSC switch goes. I was planning to try it up high.

OP, where are you located? Perhaps someone in your region can recommend a qualified mechanic who can help on the cheap?

It’s a nice truck but you can still buy DCSB MT new so that’s probably what I would do if finances allow it. Since MT was announced for 4th Gen I suspect many nice 3rd Gen MT’s will be available as people scramble to get the latest edition.

 

You can sell it,but just make sure the buyer is aware of the problem.
Also you most likely won't get much for a high mileage 23 year old truck in so so condition with a major engine problem.

 

My coolant reservoir tank has been overflowing. When I flushed out the coolant and put a new thermostat around 3 months ago, I had filled the coolant to the “full” line and she wasn’t taking no more. About a week later she was overflowing and had a constant rolling bubble in the coolant reservoir tank. As of now the temp gauge has been raising slightly over 3/4 and going back down randomly. At first, it was only when the truck was idling and a stand still, but recently, there is random spikes even well driving.

What method of testing do you think would be most accurate?

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

I’m stationed out in Fort Bragg, NC.

 

another thing that's going to dictate price is under truck rust condition... got any pictures?

 

Just have the head gasket replaced and be done with it! I know that sucks but is by far the cheapest option for you likely with your situation. Additionally that is a really nice truck. Sure it has some cosmetics on the roof. But uy some Official Toyota Seat Covers give it a good detailing and a new shift knob would have that truck looking even better. I would fix the head gasket and drive the truck. Seriously the most cost effective option in today's market.

 

Damn, lots of shaming about the knob. OP I’ll send you my stock takeoff if you want to keep the truck.

I’d probably use it as a trade in to a dealer assuming it’s drivable since they can do all the work.

 

I know I’m going to sound stupid, but what’s a stock takeoff?

And yes, it is drivable.

I tried to take it in to the dealership to get a quote to replace the head gasket, but they said they wouldn’t do it because of the mileage on the truck.

What do you think would be the trade in value at the dealership?

 

Stock shift knob

everything is negotiable. Trade in price is especially soft. Find comparable used listed for sale in your area. I’d bet they would list for 12 or 14 after cleaning it up but I don’t know. They would probably give you 4 or 5 without much effort. Everything in between is the negotiation. Get a great deal on a new truck and maybe let them have the trade cheap? Or if they stick it to you on the new one, stick it back on the trade?

 

1 Dollar Bob...

 

In its current condition 5-7k. Fix it and keep another 200k miles.

 

The stock take off is his original shifter knob that is the same as yours that he likely replaced with an aftermarket. The dealership wont replace the head gasket because its a nice truck and they want it. They know they can give you crap for it. Fix it, do the things I mentioned and then likely sell it for around 10 grand in today's market. All while giving you little money on a trade in and selling you a new overpriced vehicle.

If they wont replace the head gasket, find a shop that will. I assure you mileage on that truck is not the real concern.