A couple of days ago I pulled the trigger on an old Gen3 -'02 Limited, 188K for $1700. Picking it up early next week sometime (Thank you AAA Plus, 100 mile towing!) Been on the lookout for a while for a good value in reasonable condition to restore to driving condition.
This one has been sitting for a while with a broken alternator belt, due to a seized alternator bearing. Bearing was freed with penetrating oil, but it's still really stiff in one spot. Put a good battery in it and it started right up and the engine sounded excellent. Ran it up and down the street briefly, seemed to drive fine, though the brake calipers are rather stiff. Tree branch fell on it while it was sitting, and dented the roof, broke the rear roof rack cross-beam. Will need to deal with that for ski racks and/or Thule box. Glass is all good and the hatch opens though, so fine by me!
I've already ordered a Denso rebuilt alternator and all belts from Rock Auto. Been looking at the Tundra brake upgrade, which I'll do if the front brakes don't loosen up, or I need to replace the rotors. One of my primary uses is towing, mostly 1100 pound boat trailers, with the occasional 3500 pounder (braked). So a brake upgrade wouldn't be a bad idea if I have to spend $$ there. It's also straight piped, which needs to change! It actually sounds pretty good, but every suburban soccer mom in town will be hollering at me to slow down, even at 15 MPH. Ask me how I know
Other than that, it needs fluids & filters of course, the ACC panel redone, a thorough detailing inside and out. Might be some sort of taillight issue. Frame & underbody is relatively decent for a 17 y.o. Massachusetts truck, but I'm looking at rust control options, leaning towards Fluid Filming it a couple of times before next winter.
Once it's running and sorted, I'll keep my eyes open for a used SnoWay 22 7 1/2' plow, just to do my own driveway. This will primarily be a working truck for me, light towing & bit of light plowing. It joins a stable consisting of a couple of Saabs ('03 sedan & '02 convertible) and an '04 turbo Miata. The Saab convertible might go, as that's a lot of cars for just my college-aged daughter and I! I do like having a multitude of tools (vehicles), to choose the right one for a specific need!