New to me 2003 Toyota Tacoma

I sold my 2017 4 banger, moved states, and bought a 2003. You can't beat the old body style imo. She's lived in CA her whole life so no frame rust and the original owner (elderly man) took great care of her. My original goal was to buy a first gen but the prices were outrageous in 2017 so I settled. Sold the 2017 and picked up this beauty.
2003, 4X4, Trd Offroad, 94k miles, one owner
Can't wait for the mods to begin!! Thanks for looking

 

Just beautiful

 

That is a sweet looking older ride.

I do see a very serious problem or issue though, it's not in MY driveway.

 

Wow. What a gem and looks to be in almost mint condition

 

lookin good. Here's one to ya

 

Awesome score! I’ve never cared about double cabs but that one’s so nice I lust for it.

 

That's a GOOD shade of red and I usually hate red on vehicles. Very sharp. You have the same optional factory running boards as I do-they're good ones. Very sturdy. I'm 230 and can walk 'em as I dust the truck down.

 

Thanks for all the positive notes, it's much appreciated. When I first went to check out the truck I was in awe with the meticulous maintenance and how much care he took.

 

haha im 215 myself and was a lil sketched out at first but the running boards are solid!

 

My guy haha!! I drove up to Santa rosa to pick up some tools and got approached if I was selling the truck, I appreciate the comment!

 

How much you pay, 20?

 

I would honestly put an immobilizer switch somewhere on that truck or it's going to make a unwanted run for the border if you are not careful.

 

I paid 16, moving from hawaii, where "tacoma/toyota tax" is stupid expensive I wasn't against paying more than what it's "worth." Guys back home would try and sell a 90s toyota pickup for 10k+, which to me makes no sense whats so ever. After speaking to the seller and him telling me his other offers I couldn't say no.

 

The biggest plus to me was that the truck was unmodified, that was the selling point

 

Yeah that's something I want to look into, I'm planning on keeping her for my kids haha when I have some

 

nice score, 16k is a good deal for a DC 4x4 TRD packaged truck. 1st gens are in high demand right now. 94k miles on the truck is another plus. I tell people if a 1st gen Tacoma has less than 100k miles on it , the rings haven't even set yet. Biggest issue you need to look at is timing belt and water pump kit. Replace all the idler bearings and pulleys associated with the timing belt. Also need to check the lower ball joints.They are the achilles heel of these trucks. It looks like it's been garage kept, judging by how nice the paint looks. Should last you another 20 years, if you keep up the maintenance like the original owner did.

 

Thanks for the comment, timing belt/water pump was done in 2016 at about 55k miles, and the balljoints were replaced by toyota during the recall I believe or sometime after, balljoints looked good tho. I have to check out the pulley system and bearings more in depth but everything looked good from my inspection. I have a decent mechanical background and growing up with my dad owning a 89 toyota pickup and T100 I'm somewhat familiar with the 3.4L, he was wrenching on that thing it seemed almost every weekend.
Yeah the seller since day one had the truck garaged. I was originally looking for a 2nd gen because I wanted the 4.0L, but this deal came up and I couldn't say no. Thanks, planning on passing her down

 

Man, how’d you find that a great deal like that? I’m searching thru the roof but everyone wants a premium. SMH.

 

I was on a jobsite and I was talking to the homeowner if he knew anyone selling older pickups or suvs they dont need, since I've been using my gf's altima to get around. And he gave me the info of the seller saying he had a tacoma he was about to sell, after work called the seller and drove up to check it out.
I feel you tho, I was looking on every car site for a decent price but every deal is gone in a day

 

That's a sweet-looking truck! I'm currently saving to buy my dad's 2003 he bought last year with only 78K on the clock.

Here's the link to the thread (I'm a new member): https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-member-here.721259/