Anyone near Buffalo, MN that could check out a truck?

[hstexan]

Not sure if I can post this or not, so if it needs to be moved or deleted let me know.

Figure if you're close $50 could cover your gas and an hour of your time.

Looking for someone familiar with the 4th gen's to go check out a truck for me.

Basically just make sure it's in proper working order. No rust on the undercarriage. Make sure the transfer case works as it's supposed and isn't seized up from not using it. Doesn't make any sort of funky noises or feel like it's broken. Don't really need a full PPI work up, but at least some sort of knowledge that it is as advertised.

It's a truck I'm considering flying up to buy if it checks out, but I don't want to buy it sight unseen without at least getting a pair of eyes on it.

If you can help PM me and I'll send you the short list of things I wanted looked over. Thanks

 

[CXS]

No rust on the undercarriage in Minnesota? Highly doubtful.

 

[hstexan]

A man can dream


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1999LTD]

A man can dream


I'm 45 minutes from buffalo. PM me

 

[gomoboo]

Don't buy a vehicle from Minnesota. Period.

 

[Utopia]

I bought mine out of WI. A little rust on the under carriage. But this is the north. I have seen one year old cars with rust. It happens.

 

[hstexan]

I bought mine out of WI. A little rust on the under carriage. But this is the north. I have seen one year old cars with rust. It happens.

I actually bought my IS350 from a dealership in Madison and I've had no problems with it. I guess it's more that I'm worried about detrimental rust or corrosion of the frame and parts in the engine bay.

 

[CXS]

A man can dream

I hear ya! I lived in MN for 25 years so have some experience buy there's always a chance! Good luck though you might want to look in CO where rust isn't a problem and 4Runners are plentiful.

 

[hstexan]

I hear ya! I lived in MN for 25 years so have some experience buy there's always a chance! Good luck though you might want to look in CO where rust isn't a problem and 4Runners are plentiful.

There is one in CO that's a third choice because it has about 30,000 more miles and is listed higher. Second choice is in CO too, but no pictures yet so haven't confirmed its shadow mica. Also a bit more money, but less miles so it's worth it. This one is miles I can deal with and a price that's worth pursuing if it's in good enough shape to last me 8-10 years with minimal headaches

 

[CXS]

Hope it's a good one, always nice to find what what you're looking for!

 

[Barefoot]

Having previously lived in Mass, I'd say that someone from MN's opinion of "hardly any rust" and someone from Texas' opinion could be very different.

 

[hstexan]

Got some pictures of the undercarriage. From what I can tell it seems the worst of the rust is on pieces that look more like protective covers/skids and what is shown in the fifth picture. Any more familiar with the undercarriage have some input? Would this be enough to scare you away?

 

[gomoboo]

Brake lines, fuel lines, suspension parts, steering, on and on...I stand by my original post, but it isn't my money.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Wait, so that's how the rear tire carrier is supposed to work? My PO had their rim on backwords.... Now I feel like a moron.

IMO the rust isn't that bad. Just wire-wheel it off and spraypaint the rest.

 

[Utopia]

That's how mine looks. I am starting to work on it this week actually. Not a big deal IMO

 

[hstexan]

That was my opinion as well...I expected worse.

It would be easy to pass it up, but I've been having a hell of a time finding a shadow mica limited 4x4 with a V6. Seems most of them are V8s or have mileage about to push over 200K.

 

[Erkelbot]

I live in MN, and although it IS possible to keep a car nice here, most people blow and don't visit the car wash enough in the winter. That truck isn't half bad for being in the area, and I would argue it's mostly cosmetic to the skids. If you were really bent on buying it, This would be an easy cleanup job with some POR15 and a wire brush. Especially because you're bringing it back to TX where metal doesn't die -- it's the interior that finds itself in trouble...

 

[hstexan]

I live in MN, and although it IS possible to keep a car nice here, most people blow and don't visit the car wash enough in the winter. That truck isn't half bad for being in the area, and I would argue it's mostly cosmetic to the skids. If you were really bent on buying it, This would be an easy cleanup job with some POR15 and a wire brush. Especially because you're bringing it back to TX where metal doesn't die -- it's the interior that finds itself in trouble...

Interior pictures I've seen looked extremely solid and seat condition was nice with no tears that I saw. Panels looked clean, but I think if it's available when I get back next week and I bite I'll still have 1999LTD check it out in person if possible

 

[Erkelbot]

I think I know this truck. Agreed that the pictures look good for what you can see with their pics and ad. I *would* say that a man who takes care of their truck on the inside generally takes care of their truck on the outside, but dealers can do a lot with detailing to make the interiors look good. Still, I think it looks like a well taken care of truck at first blush.

 

[miller507]

Looks like surface rust to me, good enough to use in you favor when talking price.

Few hours with a wire brush and a couple a beers, you got yourself a nice looking rig.