2ndhandyotaman
Member
Hey guys, hope that everyone is well. Last month I sold my '01 SR5 and immediately regretted it. I've looked at a few 4th gens, which I like for the extra size and more powerful engine, but the reality is that a nice one is still financially out of reach at this time. I've gone back to searching out a 3rd gen again. I didn't realize how nice my old one was until I started looking at the piles of rusted/neglected crap that the local wholesalers/curbside "dealers", posing as owners, are trying to sell at ridiculous prices.
Today I went to look at a '97 limited with a bad motor. We got the thing to start, and the motor is indeed bad. The rods sound like they're ready to blow out of the side of the block at any second. The body has less rust than the '01 that I sold and the frame is probably better, (although the one that I sold was by no means a rust bucket), no rust had eaten through the body panels or the frame, just lots of scaling rust. One of the big pluses- 4.30 R/P w/ functional elocker.
As I was looking, scratching me arse and thinking ( in that order ), the guy shows me a '99 SR5 base model that he's also selling. He's a dealer, makes it known up front. Not hiding anything, so at least I found someone who will at least admit to being a licensed dealer/wholesaler.
The '99 runs/drives but has bigger rust issues, inner rockers are toast and the rear upper wheel wells are bubbly. I test drove the '99, made notes and told the seller that I wanted to think it over. No pressure from him, which I appreciated.
Here's a quick break down of pros/cons on both.
'97 Limited:
Pros:
Cons:
I'd do LBJ's just because there's no way of knowing if/when they've ever been done
'99 SR% base model
Pros
Cons
I'd also do LBJ's on this one, just to be sure it's fresh and safe.
pros and cons almost equal out ( in my mind ) Mileages are very similar. I was able to drive one so I have an idea of what I could be getting myself into. The other is a crap shoot, I was able to move it back and forth in a field, I know that the elocker works and the trans shifts quietly between R and D. 2wd/AWD button works.
The '97 can be mine for $1K. The '99 will cost $2700. Giving the amount of work each one needs, I feel that the '97 can be up and driving for the cost of the '99 before any repairs are done to the '99. Both need some love. Im leaning towards the '97 because I think that I can get it driving for less money which would leave me room to do some basic mods.
My end goal is to have an overland/base camp vehicle. I'm ok with pulling the rear carpet and having the area bed lined, for utilitarian purposes.
Please feel free to offer opinions. Maybe I'm missing something that would sway my opinion to one over the other. The elocker wouldn't be the main reason I'd go with the '97, just to get that out of the way.
Today I went to look at a '97 limited with a bad motor. We got the thing to start, and the motor is indeed bad. The rods sound like they're ready to blow out of the side of the block at any second. The body has less rust than the '01 that I sold and the frame is probably better, (although the one that I sold was by no means a rust bucket), no rust had eaten through the body panels or the frame, just lots of scaling rust. One of the big pluses- 4.30 R/P w/ functional elocker.
As I was looking, scratching me arse and thinking ( in that order ), the guy shows me a '99 SR5 base model that he's also selling. He's a dealer, makes it known up front. Not hiding anything, so at least I found someone who will at least admit to being a licensed dealer/wholesaler.
The '99 runs/drives but has bigger rust issues, inner rockers are toast and the rear upper wheel wells are bubbly. I test drove the '99, made notes and told the seller that I wanted to think it over. No pressure from him, which I appreciated.
Here's a quick break down of pros/cons on both.
'97 Limited:
Pros:
- minimal chassis/body rust
- functional e-locker
- multi-mode 4wd system ( I like the ability of having an AWD option)
- newer cat back exhaust system
- newer CV shafts
Cons:
- needs engine
- needs tires
- rear heater bypassed
- needs radiator
- leaky rear axle seals
- front leather seats not in the best condition
- no key fobs
- smaller "hidden" storage area in the rear.
- hack job done on a trans bypass for an external cooler. ( I saw this and checked for strawberry milkshake, no evidence of contamination)
- sun roof ( don't like them, never use them. It's just a hole in the roof waiting to leak and cause misery)
- salvage title. more work to get through MD state inspection, but doable. The vehicle was an abandoned salvage.
I'd do LBJ's just because there's no way of knowing if/when they've ever been done
'99 SR% base model
Pros
- motor runs well, trans shifts well
- base 4wd system ( could be a con- depends on what you want)
- newer style dash layout ( I personally like this style better)
- good condition cloth interior
- no sun roof
- no fender flares
- no signs of leaky rear axle seals
Cons
- needs V/C gaskets
- needs t/belt service since there's no way of knowing when/if it's been done
- rotted out inner rocker panels, bubbles on outer edges of outer rockers
- bubbles on rear wheel wells at top, not rotted through yet
- rear heater bypassed
- heavy scaling on rear of frame
- rear diffy has heavy scaling
- rotted rear brake backing plates
- no service history
- no key fobs
- clean title
- larger "hidden" storage area in rear
I'd also do LBJ's on this one, just to be sure it's fresh and safe.
pros and cons almost equal out ( in my mind ) Mileages are very similar. I was able to drive one so I have an idea of what I could be getting myself into. The other is a crap shoot, I was able to move it back and forth in a field, I know that the elocker works and the trans shifts quietly between R and D. 2wd/AWD button works.
The '97 can be mine for $1K. The '99 will cost $2700. Giving the amount of work each one needs, I feel that the '97 can be up and driving for the cost of the '99 before any repairs are done to the '99. Both need some love. Im leaning towards the '97 because I think that I can get it driving for less money which would leave me room to do some basic mods.
My end goal is to have an overland/base camp vehicle. I'm ok with pulling the rear carpet and having the area bed lined, for utilitarian purposes.
Please feel free to offer opinions. Maybe I'm missing something that would sway my opinion to one over the other. The elocker wouldn't be the main reason I'd go with the '97, just to get that out of the way.
Last edited:
