Real time purchasing question.....

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If Body, paint & interior in good condition budget a minimum of ~$1,500 for parts to baseline. Mechanic probably pulled grease caps and did a quick inspections of hub. Snap ring gap widens as bearings loosen. If bearings loose a long drive could damage steering knuckle spindle(s). If TB not done water pump not either. This indicates poor maintenance so propeller shafts (AKA rear drive shafts) lubing may have been neglected also. If spark plug not done, you can assume the coils are on last leg. If you buy & drive home; start trip by change oil if black and lubing shafts & spider joints if they look dry. Drive short runs with long breaks nursing home. Drive with very lite foot, as acceleration will put load on T-Belt. Have a backup plan to trailer home if...
 
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Thanks for the tips! I came to an agreement with the guy and I'm flying out of ATL at 630 tomorrow morning.
The guy is separated from his wife and it sounds like she's been the only one driving it for a while. Based on the maint history that shows :princess::wrench::meh:

So I would call this a rescue mission for sure! I'm gonna be nervous as hell driving it back, so I'm definitely going to take it slow and steady. I'll take breaks every hour and inspect. Limping it back 11 hours :steer:

Leather isn't great but isn't torn, just the usual brown lines and some cracks. Also a scrape on the gas cap door and right above it that's pretty visible. Looks like someone had a difficult time getting into the garage :princess:

Also a crack in the bumper on the DS corner. He has tape on it right now. But what do you want for 4K? Is what it is and with some guidance from this side of the house I'll get her back to respectability :clap:
 
Worst case scenario is I rent a vehicle with a hitch and a U-Haul vehicle trailer and pull it home if something happens.

Flying so I can't take my tools with me either.
 
I'd check to make sure the spare tire is good (on my son's 2000 TLC, it had the original spare tire from 2000, 14 years later), and you receive all the tools (including any keys for wheel or spare tire locks).

Picking up a small basic tool set at Sears or Home Depot, once you get to where the vehicle is located, might not be a bad idea for the ride home.

I know there is a pdf of the FSM for a 2004 floating around here, it may not be an exact match, but you might want to have a copy with you on a tablet/phone/laptop.
 
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I, for one, am hoping the best for ya! I agree with jLB. I'd buy a Harbor Freight Metric kit at the destination. You can always return it if you dont/do use it when you get home! HA!! Double check that the jack tools are there/AAA is up to date. Not wishing ill.. Just boy scouting the possibles.
 
WarWagon said:
Worst case scenario is I rent a vehicle with a hitch and a U-Haul vehicle trailer and pull it home if something happens.

Flying so I can't take my tools with me either.
Click to expand...

Just want to say good luck and update the forum if you have problem along the way. There might be forum member close by that can help you real time.
 
I am excited for you!

Thought I made out okay for a locked 99 with 246k on the clock for $6k with Toyota maintenance records in January. Some rocker rust, 7k miles and $1,100 later, I am still finding parts that need replaced. The best part is that I am still well under my initial 100 series budget!
 
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Good luck - keep us updated!
 
I scanned back through the thread and didn't see where the truck is located. Knowing your route might keep some folks on alert, should you need any help along the way. e.g. If the truck is in the Northeast, you're probably coming down 95, right through Richmond, VA where my garage full of tools is located.

Safe travels!
 
Thanks Labcab.....and I'm headed torwards DC right now! Not celebrating yet till she's back in GA, but........

image.webp
 
ponytl said:
if it was clean with good leather I'd hop in and drive it... do a full service when you get home... if it's gone 285k I'd wager it'll make it another 750 miles... sounds like a good price and at this age everything you will have to do you'd want to do on about any 100 you purchased anyway... pretty hard to kill these things I'd be more worried about the cooling system ... heater T's , water pump, radiator... than i would the Timing belt
Click to expand...

^
!________ my thinking too. Just sold a 1999 Toyota Sienna Minivan with 139K miles and original timing belt.
My cousin has a 2004 Tundra with 140K miles and original timing belt.
I do think that its time to replace and should go another 750 miles.
Personally, I think Toyota's Timing Belt change interval is a little to aggressive as they are better quality
than that.
 
2001LC said:
Congratulations..

Anyone notice the antenna is on the DS..
Click to expand...

Well technically, no it's not. There's no steering wheel on that side :).

(I noticed the image was reversed due to the shirt and the flag on the hat, didn't catch the antenna or steering wheel 'til you mentioned it.)
 
2001LC said:
Congratulations..

Anyone notice the antenna is on the DS..
Click to expand...

He's got his camera in selfie mode, which takes a mirror image, so the antenna, Teq and flag are all backwards.
 
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