2nd gen Buyer’s Guide?

Hey, looking to join y’all. I’m actually still debating between buying a new 3rd and used 2nd — I just know the used is the “smarter” move.

What should I be looking for and looking out for? I know to avoid 05s, I know if it’s an (05)06-08 to inquire about the frame recall (and obviously look for rust/rot/critters in ANY vehicle), and to check the function of the 4wd, as well the horn/keys/remotes/lowering spare/etc.

What else?

Alternatively, if you or anyone you know is selling one: must be 4wd and double cab, single owner or as few POs as possible, and the fewer external mods the better.

Thanks for your time!

(also, what’s the biggest tire size you can run stock? ((kidding))

 

If the previous owner does not know if the frame was replaced, how can I check via the VIN?

 

https://www.toyota.com/recall?srchi...V0z2tBh0xkADcEAAYASAAEgL0__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I'm going to jump into this guys thread, because I also am looking for a buyers guide. I'm just looking for more information about what to look for other than the basics.

I'm thinking of looking at the rig below.






She would need a little work, or maybe a lot of work. I'm not too worried about the mileage, it's the rust and anti-slip message that worries me. I just love the color though.

Problem is, I already have a high mileage truck that need work. I currently own a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 with 250K on it. She runs great, but have an EVAP leak that I just can't nail down. She won't pass inspection. I was planning on selling it, but I really like driving it. I could keep it, but do I want to dump money into it? Would this Taco be worth the time and money over the Dodge? Maybe? I just don't know. These seem to be just as solid as the same year 4Runners. I was looking at buying on of those a few years back.

So, let me know what to watch for with the 2nd gen rigs. Thanks for any info.

 

might be helpful to read through this thread and make a punch list from it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference-guide.438945/

 

The anti slip and CEL turn on at the same time, at least in your picture that's what I see unless you've had it running and that's not the case.

 

Any 2nd gen, not just the frame replacement but make sure it's had the inspection and coating applied by Toyota. If not you're SOL. If so you get a final inspection no later than 12 yrs from first date of usage of the truck and if it fails then you get a new frame.

 

Don’t buy a wrecked or a rusted truck is a good start.

 

I just recently spent a couple months shopping for one and finally made a purchase. I was looking for a double cab, manual, offroad package, non-black exterior that didn't have a rusted out frame and under bits. Here are some of my lessons learned and advice:

- If you want something real specific, open up your search area and be ready to travel. I live in Texas, flew to Nevada to purchase mine, and drove it home. You can get an independent shop near the seller to do a pre-purchase assessment for $100-200. Or, get a lot of photos and videos from the seller until you feel comfortable. Phone calls with a seller go a lot further than shooting texts back and forth. Imagine the seller and how much of that they have to deal with from tire kickers.

- Don't trust the stickers on the side of the truck. A lot of owners of these trucks interchange stickers and badging. Don't trust the stickers...look for features. There was a truck I looked at with TRD Offroad stickers on the side, but I noticed it didn't have the e-locker button or the e-locker on the diff in the rear, it also had a scoop hood, so it was actually a TRD Sport.

- Be patient. There were very few trucks for sale at all in the list I was looking for. I searched daily on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and elsewhere. I found those two were the best places as opposed to eBay or cars.com but you have to sift through a lot of non-relevant results to find what you're looking for. I will tell you in my searching I noticed there are a lot more automatics for sale than manuals.

- For me, I kept my searches to the west. Everything I found east of Texas was too rusted out for me. It's good to know the climate in the area it's lived in and how that area treats their roads. For instance, there's a lot of snow in Colorado but those vehicles look pretty good, as opposed to ones from even Kansas or the northeast.

- There are some differences between 05-11 and 12-15 that may or may not make a difference to you. Many of us 05-11ers spend time and money to convert our dash bits over to black parts out of 12-15 trucks. If you really like the black interior bits and don't see yourself as the type to tear your dash apart or paint dash parts, then you may restrict even more to a 12-15 truck. But the more specific your search, the less likely you find what you're looking for.

- Just be patient. Enjoy the process. Don't settle.

 

That's a lot of great advice, thanks. I'd love to travel out west for a truck. Maybe I can convince my buddy in Arizona to help out?

 

What are they asking?
I was asking $9k for my 05 dbl cab sport 4x4 with new frame and 218k miles months ago before keeping it

 

They want $7500 obo. It's pretty cheap, but maybe a lot of it's a project.

 

I’d pass on it. $7500 would fix your ram

that truck is toast

 

Just based on the way the rear bumper looks, I can't imagine what the rest of it looks like underneath.

 

The truck you posted, run the F away. I'd bet it has a bent frame in the back and people that don't fix damages tend to not take care of anything else if it's a reasonably newer vehicle.

That thing screams money pit.

Never a new model year, never a damaged and not repaired vehicle, the best tend to be late runs before changeover to a new model, crawl under it and inspect it WELL. Wear old clothes and bring a hammer and good flashlight. Tire are expensive, deduct $1000+ right off the bat if tires are worn.

 

If you're test driving a 2nd gen and it feels like a 3rd gen it's probably in dire need of a throttle body cleaning. Bring a set of allen wrenches to take off the secondary air pump cover and check filter condition, if falling apart will likely have issues with it. There's quite a few out there that will clear the code and sell/trade to avoid that expense, but once it starts you're screwed. 2nd gen avoid 05, personally 05-10 3rd gen I'd avoid 2016 for sure and possibly to 18, there were some issues w transmissions

 

You guys are right about the rust blue one. I did some Craigslist digging and found this 2005 Double Cab TRD.





The best part....



Only 120k for the same $7500. I'd like to have a newer truck, but out of everything to look at (mileage, condition, price) the year is lower on my must have.

 

Avoid 05-06 models. They had higher headgasket issues that got resolved in 07+

12's had issues with the secondary air injection system so if you're wanting one of the 2.5 gens get a 13+

Some 4.0 motors developed an oil leak on the timing cover behind the power steering pump so look out for that.

And the obvious, check the frame.

 

I remember reading that 04-05 4Runners also have head gasket issues. I'll keep that in mind. I didn't pull the trigger on an 04 4Runner years back because of that issue. Thanks.

 

That looks WAY nicer, IMO.

The Toyota Techs would need to chime in, but I would imagine for the '05 head gasket issues that would have been figured out by 120K, but I don't know.