Is it worth restoring these older trucks?

[JeffKeryk]

The T100s were long running trucks. Construction workers loved them due to low operating costs and durability.
I always wanted one but ended up with a Tundra after 3 22RE pickups.
I only bought the 3 22RE pickups because my family kept bugging me to sell the trucks to them.

I think it would be really difficult to find a decent T100 nowadays.

 

[meep]

there's one up my street, beautiful forest green single cab 2wd. It hasn't moved since I moved here in 2010. They put it atop rollers so it could be slid around the carport. It's covered in at least a decade of alabama pollen, rust free, oem through and through. I'd thought a few times of making an offer and getting it for my son, but due to stale gas issues I was pretty wary of getting into it. IF we were lucky, it would handle a tank refill and maybe a new fuel pump. More realistically, it would need that, possible professional tank R&R, and new injectors as well, to get it to start up.

 

[zzyzzx]

You can buy OEM Toyota parts cheap from the Chinese on e.bay

Obligatory:

 

[Silver]

I've been considering this for my next vehicle for the simple fact that newer vehicles are too expensive and complicated to feasibly maintain. And quality is generally no better, sometimes worse.

 

[wtd]

It really depends. I can tell you after having picked up the kids GMT400 or OBS I can't believe the prices for nice clean ones. Well, prices for those and square body GMs. The prices are through the roof but they have a pretty religious following. I have seen clean ones like my kids with similar miles 150,000 to 170,000 selling for 8000 to 9000 dollars if they have little to no rust, but still need some type of work. Trucks are not my thing but lots of people love them. I know don't if the following for the early 2000's Toyotas is like the 73 to 98 GM trucks but if it is I would buy a few clean ones and park them.

The GMT400 trucks, Tahoe's, and Suburban's are very popular around here and you see a ton of them running around. I've noticed the higher prices for the trucks as well. I've had a lot of people want to buy my 98 chevy K3500 reg cab, long bed. They have even left phone numbers under the windshield wiper.

Parts are still plentiful for these and aftermarket companies like LMC carry a lot of stuff too.

 

[Jake_J]

Body work is very costly and time consuming, so unless you're very good at body it's generally better to buy a truck that need some mechanical work over body work. I'd prefer a higher mileage non rusty Tundra that needs some wear and tear items over a low mileage one with rust issues.

 

[john_pifer]

To echo others’ comments, find one that’s been in the South all its life.

I have a 2007 Tacoma with 235,000 miles. It’s been here in Tennessee all its life, and I’m on all original suspension parts. Yeah, the dampers are worn out, and I’m considering buying a set of 2016+, since they’re a direct swap, and will be an improvement.

But this thing has never even needed to be aligned. Nothing’s worn out aside from the dampers.

 

[brages]

Frame rot on Toyota trucks in this time period was a big problem, so check the frame thoroughly.

They seem to hold value very well, which is to say they continue to be desirable to buyers, if that is what you mean by "worth restoring"...

 

[supton]

Can the OP buy from a southern state?

Seems like a lot of work. If it's what you want to do, and you know you will like the truck, then why not. That said, nobody ever accused a Toyota truck as being high mpg.

 

[dblshock]

Obligatory:

No way, this guy is promoting...he's a fake.

Toyota sources parts from many locations, parts evolve over time all that packaging
and stampings would discourage counterfeiters and then he never mentions the parts performance.

 

[Delta]

Frame rot on Toyota trucks in this time period was a big problem, so check the frame thoroughly.

They seem to hold value very well, which is to say they continue to be desirable to buyers, if that is what you mean by "worth restoring"...

Frame rot is still an issue on the newer trucks. The latest frame recalls go all the way up to 2017 trucks. One of the reasons I got rid of my 2009 Tacoma; the "coating" they did was doing more harm than good. I'm gonna start taking bets on when they recall my 2021 for improper factory corrosion protection.

 

[DGXR]

Nice 1st gen Tacomas are highly sought after. So if you are doing the restoration for a flip/profit, I'd say it's worth the trouble, you'll make some money. Obviously if you are doing it for yourself then you like these trucks and they are great. So yeah, either way it's worth the trouble.