Bought a Taco instead of a 996.

fastfredracing · 07-19-2012, 08:11 PM

Had a customer call me , and wanted me to help him flip a 2003 Tacoma he fell into . He got it for under a grand, needs a clutch ( does not move) , and supposedly an 02 sensor. Inside is dirty but will clean up nice, outside is real nice, but wheels have never been washed and are pitted , ugly , and black.
He wanted me to put the truck, back together, and he would provide the truck,, and the cash for parts, and we would split profit.
I was looking for a replacement for my Shop beater jeep, so I made him a nice offer, and he took it. He made a nice chunk of money, and I still got a sweet deal.
Had one of those epic nights trailering it home tonight. Had to squirrel my truck, and trailer through some of the hilliest, narrow, winding ,cars parked on both sides , not nice neighborhood Pittsburgh city Streets. The truck was actually in a nice neighborhood, but in trying to avoid the real hilly narrow streets, I had to go though pretty much one of the worst neighborhoods in the Burgh. There was one moment, where we had to squeeze through a straight shot of about 6 cars on both sides . I had less than 2 inches on either side, and had to stop , and back up several times, all the while , the boys in the hood, were making comments , I think I shat a little.
I'll post up some photos in the am. Just got home.

Jagshund · 07-19-2012, 08:16 PM

Can't talk about a trip through Pittsburgh without mentioning the word s-h-o-t!!

Put some pics up when it's been bathed.

futuresoptions · 07-19-2012, 08:19 PM

Ain't snipe from Pittsburgh?

speeder · 07-19-2012, 08:49 PM

He'd slap you for that. He's Philly thru and thru.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Hope you checked the frame out good.
Here's my 2003 tacoma

Oracle · 07-19-2012, 09:15 PM

No Worries, Toyota will inspect it for free and apply the rustproof for free! or will buy out your Taco at 150% of market value or they can pay for the frame replacement!
You can actually make good money!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete3799

Hope you checked the frame out good.
Here's my 2003 tacoma

futuresoptions · 07-19-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

He'd slap you for that. He's Philly thru and thru.

<---- Quickly monkey rolls to avoid said slap!!

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oracle

No Worries, Toyota will inspect it for free and apply the rustproof for free! or will buy out your Taco at 150% of market value or they can pay for the frame replacement!
You can actually make good money!

I wish.
I took it in for the frame recall in 09 and was told mine was OK.
Then they sent a request to bring it in and have the frame sprayed with some miracle
preservative which i never got around to doing.
So because i didn't get the frame sprayed they said tough luck.

fastfredracing · 07-20-2012, 04:48 AM

Well aware of the frame issue, I crawled all over/under it before I even shook his hand ,and made the deal. The frame looks suspiciously cleaner than the rest of the chassis, and undercarriage. It may have been replaced, but it was def. undercoated.
Have to finish up putting a flywheel in a customer's Surbaban today, then this goes straight on the rack, to remove the trans, and replace the clutch. I'll post up some in progress pics throughout the weekend. And to think I was going to take it easy this weekend, nonsense.

VincentVega · 07-20-2012, 05:04 AM

Nice trucks. I learned to drive a stick on a ~'90 and still chuckle when I see one.

Front corner painted?

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Your frame looks a lot better then mine.
I fixed it....new cross member,fuel tank strap,and a lot of welding
Pretty sad when the original exhaust out lasts the frame.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Congrats Fast Fred! That's a nice ride! The Taco isn't bad either!

fastfredracing · 07-20-2012, 05:21 AM

Thanks Baz!, I love my 2500 hd. Last night was the first time I have hauled anything heavy on a trailer with it. It rocks. Way more powerful than my old 454 dually, better on gas, and I was able to manuver/ and climb through all those city neighborhoods with ease . A/c blasting, I cold maintain 70 mph up the long climbs on the interstate heading back to my house.

stomachmonkey · 07-20-2012, 06:48 AM

Nice get.

I would have been all over that as well.

Has it been sprayed?

Aft of the B pillar looks a shade darker.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-20-2012, 09:45 AM

That's a great looking truck. Around here any clean Taco 4x4 is an $8k minimum truck, even with 200k+ on it. It does look like the right door and front fender have been resprayed. I bet with some work you can get those wheels looking presentable, worst case you can rattle can them with silver wheel paint and I bet they'll look good.

fastfredracing · 07-20-2012, 09:53 AM

I did not notice the paintwork until you guys pointed it out, it was dusk when I got there, and i was really looking for undercarriage rust, and stuff like that. There is a tape line in the door jamb, I actually think that the right rear quarter, and bedside were what was sprayed. Still looks, good, and this is going to be my new beater.
I'm a geek, already looking at a 2-3" lift, and maybe some decent wheels/tires, There is a lot of room for me to not get upside down on this one, so I may dress it up a little. I have had a ton of cars over the years, but I have never owned a small japaneese pickup, and have always lusted after one, so I may have a little fun .

stomachmonkey · 07-20-2012, 09:59 AM

meh, the respray would not have been a stopper for me nor would I care if I got it as cheap as I think you did.

that thing is showroom new compared to the last beater Bronco that I had.

aigel · aigel's Garage

A buddy of mine bought a car in the twilight and the next morning he found a huge dent on the roof! LOL!

At the price you paid, it could have different color body panels, you'd still get ahead!

G

fastfredracing · 07-20-2012, 04:44 PM

Even in my old age, I can still blast out some work in a days time . Got the flywheel back in the Surburban, diagnosed , and replaced a crankase control valve, on an x3, put 4 tires on a corvette, then unloaded the taco from the trailer, put it up on the lift, and ripped out the trans. I'll have this thing back on its wheels, and running before lunch time tomorrow. Clutch was down on the rivets on the pressure plate side, but did not gouge the flywheel side

Rick V · 07-20-2012, 04:52 PM

Two summers ago I was in one of the "better" (yes I used quote marks) sections of Pittsburgh in my Boxster, I made a wrong turn going to Children's medical center, and was not too thrilled with some of the comments, I was hearing. I even had one guy stop in front of me going through an intersection and make a comment. Guess he didn't figure I would get out of the car. You can keep that whole area up yonder where it is.
Nice grab on the truck Fred