2002 Toyota Tundra...good buy?

[gregk24]

My brother is looking at purchasing a 2002 Toyota Tundra. I am not overly knowledgeable with the older Toyota trucks so I am turning to the BITOG crowd for advice. It has the 4.7 V8 and auto transmission, and is somewhere in between 160K-170K miles (less than 170K, just don't remember the exact number). It DOES have a timing belt, and the current owner does not know when it was changed. We also know the cat was changed during the current owners ownership. Also, I have heard of rusting frames with some Toyota trucks, would this one be one of the affected units?

So, break down...
1) It DOES have a timing belt, is this engine (4.7 V8) an interference engine?
2) Is this year affected by the rusting frame issues?
3) any other issues with this model?
4) is $2500 a good asking price?
5) how much would a timing belt job cost on this engine?
6) does this transmission have a drain plug?

This seems like a good deal to me, I make it no secret that I am a fan of the Japanese offerings so that is a plus. Toyotas of this era seem to be pretty rock solid, so as long as everything checks out and there aren't any glaring problems I am recommending he move forward with the sale. I did let him know that he needs to factor in the cost of a timing belt replacement, as well as the cost to change out fluids etc. Ill try and get some pics posted, the outside seems to be clean.

 

[Nick1994]

Yes, interference engine.

Do you know the owner of the truck?

Because otherwise, $2,500 is too low IMO. They might be hiding something and trying to get rid of it.

 

[SatinSilver]

The rusty frames were mostly with the Tacomas. But I saw an ad the other day for a Tundra that mentioned the frame was replaced. If this Tundra spent a lot of time close to the ocean then yes it could be rusty. The frame would be my biggest concern. Supton on here knows a lot about them and has one although newer. He doesn't seem biased about it and tells the good and bad in detail.

Yes, agree with the $2500 being way too low! I'd be very skeptical at that price. Is this an ad on CL? Link for ad?

 

[Jimzz]

Tundra has rust issues as well.

But for $2500 either it needs something big or that is a steal. Get a mechanic to check it out but if nothing is obvious then buy it quick.

 

[Andrew1972]

My parents have a 2000 with 110k with only two issues since new which were rotten frane(Toyota replaced) and starter which was $650 to replace as it's buried in engine.

Timing belt yes, for them it was cheap since cab was removed they worked on timing belt for minimal labor.

It's likely effected by frame but your locale maybe not issue.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Yes, interference engine.

Do you know the owner of the truck?

Because otherwise, $2,500 is too low IMO. They might be hiding something and trying to get rid of it.


Yes, we know him. He is a friend of my brothers and lives in NC. So as far as i know there would be no exposure to salt / beach etc.

 

[Tomioka]

Lower ball joints separating, leaky exhaust manifolds, brakes prone to warpage and frame rot are some of the top issues for these trucks. One way to to tell if the timing belt has been changed if there is a timing belt replacement label on the timing belt cover or anywhere on the engine. The transmission has a drain plug on the pan and a dipstick.

I had an indie toyota mechanic do the timing belt, water pump, seals, tensioner/idler pulleys on my 01 Tundra for about $1500. It would take me two days and many googling how to do it if I were to do it myself.

 

[zzyzzx]

I'd verify that it's an interference engine and has a timing belt, since Toyota stopped doing that a while ago (maybe 2002 is before they stopped doing that). Friends don't let friends buy vehicles with interference engines that have timing belts.

 

[simple_gifts]

I maintain a 2002 v8 for a friend; I have been looking after it for 8 years; been rock solid reliable from 110K to 205K; have done OC's, ATF changes; O2 sensors, tuneups etc. within the last month it needed a steering rack (rusted)


1) It DOES have a timing belt, is this engine (4.7 V8) an interference engine?

See above

2) Is this year affected by the rusting frame issues?

There was a recall; dealer put on a pretty decent undercoating @ no charge

3) any other issues with this model?

Cracking exhaust manifolds IIRC

4) is $2500 a good asking price?

Too low IMHO

5) how much would a timing belt job cost on this engine?

$800-$900 @ the dealer; not a job I would ask a place not familiar with the engine to do.

6) does this transmission have a drain plug?

Yes, a drain gets 4 qts; 12 total system capacity; it specs DexIII

Be wary that this thing will be $$$$ as it ages. Where does your brother live; is rust an issue?

Quote:

Friends don't let friends buy vehicles with interference engines that have timing belts.


Sorry 2UZ-FE is a great motor.

 

[gregk24]

Here is a picture...

 

[Tomioka]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
I'd verify that it's an interference engine and has a timing belt, since Toyota stopped doing that a while ago (maybe 2002 is before they stopped doing that). Friends don't let friends buy vehicles with interference engines that have timing belts.


They kept the 2UZ-FE 4.7L until 2009 (they didn't switch over to the 1UR-FE 4.6L until 2010). Toyota began the switch back to chains in 2004-2005 in the 2005 Tacoma V6 (and xR-FE engine family naming scheme which is a naming throwback to the old 22R engine.)

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
I maintain a 2002 v8 for a friend; I have been looking after it for 8 years; been rock solid reliable from 110K to 205K; have done OC's, ATF changes; O2 sensors, tuneups etc. within the last month it needed a steering rack (rusted)


1) It DOES have a timing belt, is this engine (4.7 V8) an interference engine?

See above

2) Is this year affected by the rusting frame issues?

There was a recall; dealer put on a pretty decent undercoating @ no charge

3) any other issues with this model?

Cracking exhaust manifolds IIRC

4) is $2500 a good asking price?

Too low IMHO

5) how much would a timing belt job cost on this engine?

$800-$900 @ the dealer; not a job I would ask a place not familiar with the engine to do.

6) does this transmission have a drain plug?

Yes, a drain gets 4 qts; 12 total system capacity; it specs DexIII

Be wary that this thing will be $$$$ as it ages. Where does your brother live; is rust an issue?

Quote:

Friends don't let friends buy vehicles with interference engines that have timing belts.


Sorry 2UZ-FE is a great motor.


We live in Fl, the truck is in NC. Thanks for the info!

 

[The Critic]

At that price, I would buy it tonight as long as it had a clean title and no flood/collision damage. Even if it did not run...

 

[gregk24]

Probably looking at around $4500 total for taxes, tag / state transfer, timing belt and other misc fluid changes etc. We will be in the area this coming week so we plan on checking it out then. Will be looking for frame rust, as well as checking the fluids to see if they show signs of neglect.

 

[maximus]

Salvage title? If the seller is your brother's friend, he should look elsewhere. Doing a large transaction like that with a friend is never a good idea.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Here is a picture...



If the actual owner of that truck wants just $2500, it's probably broken in a major way.

A relatively clean Tundra Access Cab V8 is worth probably at least twice that.

I think it's probably a scam ad. Quite common on Craigslist.

 

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted By: maximus
If the seller is your brother's friend, he should look elsewhere. Doing a large transaction like that with a friend is never a good idea.

Some years ago I sold a car to a friend. It was my '86 Volvo 740 Turbo. I wasn't getting much for serious offers, but had been offered $3000 less the cost of maintenance the new owner should have done himself. That was too low for a really good car so I offered it and sold it to a friend for $1500, with complete dsclosure of everything wrong with the vehicle (original turbo, stuck sunroof, a couple of wires visibly worn through and were affecting power window operation, possibly needed a diff fluid repacement). I told them to expect to pay $1000 per year for maintenance. My rationale was they needed a good safe car for their kids to learn to drive and if I was going to "give the car away", I was going to give it to someone I liked. They kept the car for 5 years and their kids learned to drive in it. It gave them very little trouble. The only problem they had was that the kids were really annoyed when they finally sold it.

I also sold a '76 Buick Regal to my young nephew for $1500. He kept it for several years, put 100,000 miles on it and did only basic mainteance. He had to replace a power steering hose. He eventually sold it for more than he paid.

So my car sales to friends have worked out quite well. I would only sell them a really good vehicle, I'm completely open about everything I know about or even worry about, and the price is always very low. I sleep well at night knowing I've done a friend a favour.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Here is a picture...



If the actual owner of that truck wants just $2500, it's probably broken in a major way.

A relatively clean Tundra Access Cab V8 is worth probably at least twice that.

I think it's probably a scam ad. Quite common on Craigslist.


Its not a scam, they guy is a friend and just giving him a good price.

 

[meep]

that's an amazing price. Tundras hold their value very well. Mine is worth about $500 less than I paid for it 6 years ago. And it's been bulletproof with very little maintenance. Myself and at least one of the 2 previous owners towed with it (at least 3500 lbs) so it has been worked over its 10 years as well.

The only big things to watch for are frame rust, which is easy to check for (surface rust is fine), and being aware that the ones up thru 05 have a 4th gear planetary that can grenade if it's being worked hard, (tow duty) and shows (per internet) by 150,000 miles.

That and they are a little thirsty. But such a smooth V8, doesn't miss a beat, and don't worry about the T belt. It needs one every 100k, then is good. Dealer charged me $750 when I bought mine to do it. Pay the $ and move on. Or do it yourself. I'm not sure if any special tools are needed for this one but the access to the engine is really good.

These are big, scrappy tacoma's basically. Mine with the TRD rides a little rowdy compared to an F150 or 1500. Super simple to work on, easy access to everything.

I'd jump on it for that $ or even twice that. Around here could will fetch 8 grand....

 

[gregk24]

Called the dealer, $840 for timing belt and water pump replacement. Seems like a good price to me.