About to Sell a 2000 100, 208K miles, rusty, NE truck, CHEAP, need some input.
I am just about to buy a new to us 100, and will be looking to sell our 2000. This is going to be a real project for the right person, and available at a very low price.. We bought this, certified used, in May 2002, with 39K miles. Currently has 208K miles. Been my wife's DD for 10 years, and has made two trips from New England to the Rockies. Never been off road. It runs well, and strong.
The major issue is rust. This is a New England car. We live just north of Boston, on the coast. The biggest rust area is around the top of the windshield frame, under the windshield gasket. We had a windshield replaced about 5 years ago, and it wasn't installed properly. It took years for it to raise its ugly head. To repair properly, this is going to take a lot of grinding, welding and painting. I've been given a few rough estimates of about $2K. It also has the fairly typical upper rear hatch rust, and it's significant. I would recommend swapping in another rust free one. I've looked into that, and the cost is about $800. There is a touch of rust developing at the base of the drivers side rear quarter panel, front edge behind the running board. Underneath, it's what you'd expect...rust everywhere, though the frame itself is still solid, IMO.
This truck had impeccable maintenance and looked new until about two years ago, when my wife began to need to drive it every day to transport her 91 year old father. It was literally the only one of our vehicles that he was comfortable in. As a result, the detailing stopped, etc. It should clean up reasonably well.
Here's the very honest list of what it needs, IMO:
1. The rust repair around the windshield, and the windshield itself. The windshield has a pretty small circular crack in it. Lower passenger side. It runs from the door pillar back to the door pillar, and is about the size of your fist. This passed inspection in my state, so I have not replaced the windshield, as I think it will require the rust repair for a shop to do it. In the meantime, I have three strips of Gorilla Tape sealing the top of the windshield gasket. Works OK, and doesn't look bad. When it is not sealed tightly with the tape, and it rains hard, it leaks.
2. The heat/and AC unit is not working. I am pretty sure that it shorted out due to the windshield leaking. That's my guess. Recent failure, last month or so.
3. The rear hatch.
4. Truck needs a TB, major service. Had it's first TB at 95K miles. I have ALL of the parts for the service, including the TB, idlers, plunger, WP, thermostat, serpentine belt, new radiator hoses, plugs, cam and crank seals....the works. All there. I couldn't take it out of service, even for a few days to get this done. It's been 40K since the AT, diff's, etc were drained and filled.
5. I would count on replacing the entire exhaust system, wear and rust. Both manifolds have the usual cracks. I have a replacement set, which are NOT cracked, from a 2003, including all of the bolts, gaskets, etc.
6. The radio head unit needs to be replaced, or at least I would replace it.
7. The top edges of the door panels, front and rear, and nicely duct taped in patches {tan and brown} as one of our dogs munched on them all when left unattended that one time. Never was bad enough to source a new set from a wreck.
8. A few of the interior lights are out: The D light, "night indicator lights for the cargo area window switches, one of the seat heater lights, etc.
The good news, or recent work:
1. Brakes. 5K miles ago: new pads, new rotors all four corners, new front calipers, new parking break cable and service. {$1300}
2. Both O2 sensors replaced 3K miles ago. Truck began throwing a code.
3. Tires are in very good condition. 265/75R16 Bridgestone AT Revo 2's with about 10K of wear; Bought five, so one's a spare, and has been rotated in.
4. The transmission failed at 130K miles, and was replaced. Six years ago. Zero issues since. I think it's absolutely fine.
5. Starter was replaced at about 95K miles, under the extended warranty.
6. Shocks replaced at 120K. Still seem fine.
Seems almost strange to mention, with the rust, but it's never had an accident, and the only resprays have been on the bumpers, and on a rust repair on the hatch, before it came back.
It's green. Paint is in decent shape, with a number of very small scratches, couple of small dings, etc. Tan seats are in good, but not mint shape. Bolster on drivers side is worn, but not badly. There is one place where the stitching has let go on the drivers seat. Passenger seat has a small cut in the leather...has been there since we bought it, and is not cut through. Rear seats in almost perfect shape. NO third row seats. Carpet needs a good cleaning. Should clean up fine, no odd stains. Have the carpet floor mats F, R and cargo, as well as F&R factory rubber mats.
SO....what's the right price for it? I'm thinking of something like $3500, thinking that with with some hours thrown at it, it will be a usable vehicle for quite a while....even if you didn't want to fix the rust and replace the hatch.
If you have the time and the room, it could be a great project. Not for me. We have a rust free 100 about to come home, which happened very quickly, and it's going to have methodical and frequent rust treatment, and where any windshield replacements will be done very carefully, and correctly. We're going to do all that we can, based on where we live.
Any thoughts on this? It's hard to explain that as rusty as it is, it's had a lot of good care, and I think still has a lot[STRIKE][/STRIKE]s life in it.....for the right owner.
Thanks, MS
. lastly its seating on some horrible 22” wheels 
, that need to be change soon. 
