You talked me into it--now what do you think of this one?

[tucker74]

Isn't the Toyota logo supposed to be centered on the upper tailgate, as well?

Nope - only on '97. Good looking rig if you ask me.

Tucker

 

[Romer]

I bought my truck on ebay. I did not use an escrow service. What I did was had a local person who knew what they were looking for , look it over for me. I think bid and won and flew (you could drive) to Texas, looked it over in person and THEN paid them with a check. I did this within 48 hours, so leaving a deposit was not required. Go to the Club section and post in the local club a request for help to look it over.

Lompoc huh? I spent about 2 months there and not at the prison.

 

[e9999]

JAG, if you're that keen on it (not a good thing for a cool-headed buy of course ), go down, ask here for somebody local to LA to go with you and give it a good lookover. Only way to tell for sure. Btw, I bought mine when it was on ebay, went there the day I saw it on auction, took 3 hours to inspect it and bought it on the spot. Guy just took it off the auction. Got it for less than the starting ebay price!

 

[ed97fzj80]

Lompoc also has some pretty good youth soccer teams. I come over there to referee the Five Cities tournament each year -- it's one of the more enjoyable tournies out there.

That is a really nice looking truck -- almost too nice to make into a trail rig.

I think Eric's on the right track with driving down and having a look at it. The seller also has it up on Autotrader, and his asking price is in line with KBB estimates.

This one needs rescuing.

 

[justagirl]

This one needs rescuing.

You think the poor truck knows what rims he's wearing? I sure hope not.

 

[Riad]

Looks nawice and shiny. This may sound like an echo of what is said in the posts above but I will say it anyway. Carfax report will give you some thing/some where to start but definitely get a list of services done to it. Try to determine/find out if it is still running on the original head gasket. I'd step away from it if the answer is yes. Otherwise, try to determine when the head gasket was replaced. Look for any coolant leak(s). Hopefully you have read all the newb guide(s) by now.

That's all. :hillbilly

Good luck

 

[elmariachi]

This one needs rescuing.

I can only imagine the interior.

 

[landtank]

this is what that truck will look like when you're done with it.

 

[T Y L E R]

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the light colour Rick ..

 

[NorCalDoug]

looks reasonable, and appears well taken care of, but the big mechanical issues (Birfs, HG etc) should probably still be looked into carefully to avoid bad surprises. I didn't read it all very carefully, but one thing seemed possibly off to me: He said IIRC that both cats were replaced for $600 or so. Now, I have vague recollections that CDan mentioned the OEM cats at about $1000 each (?). If that is correct, it is possible that the cats he put on are not OEM. This could get to be a sticky issue since I recall reading that there are no aftermarket cats that are ARB compliant. IOW, If the above is correct, it is possible that the cats are not Calif smog-test compliant. Not that the truck wouldn't pass, but that could well become a sticky issue with a big bill down the road. Maybe worth asking about?

The rig is in California now. Assuming (as it should happen by law) the vehicle is smogged PRIOR to the sale, this will not be an issue.

Just make sure the seller does what he/she is legally bound to do and the fact that the CCs have been replaced will not be a problem.

 

[justagirl]

The rig is in California now. Assuming (as it should happen by law) the vehicle is smogged PRIOR to the sale, this will not be an issue.

Just make sure the seller does what he/she is legally bound to do and the fact that the CCs have been replaced will not be a problem.

He did just have it smogged. I have to ask about the head gasket . . .as e9999suggested. There are quite a few more with diff locks on ebay right now.

 

[landtank]

I have to ask about the head gasket . . .

I don't see where this has much bearing on the purchase descission. If it was done, do you assume it was done correctly and feel better about the truck?

Do a search on E9999's purchase evaluation threads from a couiple of years ago, he can go overboard!

 

[NorCalDoug]

I don't see where this has much bearing on the purchase descission. If it was done, do you assume it was done correctly and feel better about the truck?

Do a search on E9999's purchase evaluation threads from a couiple of years ago, he can go overboard!

Understatement alert!




Whatever you end up getting, make sure you get it checked out by someone who knows these vehicles -- a quick trip to a dealership to let them give it a once-over might be a good investment a hundred bucks or so...

 

[Beowulf]

He did just have it smogged. I have to ask about the head gasket . . .

Forget asking. Check for bubbles in the overflow at 3k RPM as described in many posts. If it's good then don't worry about whether it's the original or a replacement. You'll never be lucky enough to find a nice truck with locks and a properly replaced HG.

The eBay listing said he has "title in hand" and you found that it has a lien on Carfax. I would ask just to be sure you are on the same page.

Good Luck on the purchase!

-B-

 

[mickey_rubicon]

Looks pretty clean. Lots of real estate for more stickers. Hmmm. I only have 2 4WD vehicles right now, and I have always had 3. Maybe time to sell some stock.

 

[justagirl]

Looks pretty clean. Lots of real estate for more stickers. Hmmm. I only have 2 4WD vehicles right now, and I have always had 3. Maybe time to sell some stock.

No, no. This isn't the vehicle for you.

 

[justagirl]

Forget asking. Check for bubbles in the overflow at 3k RPM as described in many posts.

Will do. Thank you.

 

[Romer]

Good luck and thanks for supporting the site with a silver star.

 

[e9999]

you would likely be able to tell quickly if the HG is questionable, with the bubble test Beo mentions above, and also looking for crusties along the gasket..

and I have to disagree with Doug. I don't believe for a sec that the smognazis would leave somebody alone if they find out he'd have an illegally modified system, just cuz the rig passed a test earlier. Worth checking IMHO.

and, yes, there will always be more. Don't rush into getting this one if you're not fully comfortable..

 

[NorCalDoug]

...and I have to disagree with Doug. I don't believe for a sec that the smognazis would leave somebody alone if they find out he'd have an illegally modified system, just cuz the rig passed a test earlier. Worth checking IMHO...

whatever...

disagree with whatever you wish bub...the rules is the rules...

Here's the official word straight from the horse's mouth regarding vehicle sales (all the off-topic stuff has been snipped):

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/vr_info.htm

Provide the purchaser with evidence of a valid smog certification, if applicable.
Smog certificates are good for 90 days from the date of inspection. The smog certification is not required if the owner or buyer signs a statement that smog certification was submitted with renewal fees within 90 days prior to the transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

A smog cert is NOT required for a vehicle that is 4 or fewer model years old.
A smog cert is NOT required for a vehicle manufactured before 1976.

For this 80, simply make sure the smog test occurred AFTER the cats were replaced. If you're super suspicious, take it to a smog shop and ask them to verify.


What's with all the scare tactics and paranoia Eric?