Is this a good used truck to buy

Tiny
MATTHEWDODD92
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP
  • 150 MILES
I need some honest help. I'm young and have tried so hard with other websites for help. I don't have much income and can't afford to take it in.I'm looking at buying a 91 Toyota truck v6 5 speed lifted on 33s and here are the details: the motor oil and tranny oil looked clean and at the right level, truck started right up and idled good, temp gauge stayed right under 210, has no leaks, drives nice and tight, shifts great. I heard about the Toyota v6s and how they have head gasket problems. Truck has 150k. I'm leaving for college to Arizona I'n a few months and need to know if the truck will be reliable? Also the tranny is missing 5th gear but all other gears work great and there is no noise or grinding it's smooth. I just want to cruise the truck. Will the truck be ok to drive with just 4 gears?
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 AT 6:49 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
The truck will drive fine with only 4 gears. But, we don't know why it has only four gears. It could be a broken gear or something bent not causing it to go into gear. There may be some of that broken material in the gear box, which may find it's way into the rest of the gears. The good news is that it's not that hard to find a used transmission, and they're relatively easy to bolt up. The fact that you have 33's on it means you don't need 5th as much as you did with the smaller stock tires. But you will miss it on the highway and going down hills. That motor is good for 250K+ if you take care of it, and never drive it once it gets hot. They blow head gaskets when people don't realize theyre getting hot and keep driving them before fixing the problem. I love that truck and would buy it in that condition, if the price is right mind you. If you brought me the new gear box, I would have in in in a few hours tops. So it won't break the bank if it does go for good. What are you planning to spend on it, is it inspected? How are the other important things like brakes? Also, if you get it, find out if it has synthetic oil in it. If it does, you should use it, but if it doesn't, do not put synthetic oil in it! These old motors do not take kindly to it, and you will blow engine seals.
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Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
MATTHEWDODD92
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I really appreciate the reply thank you very much. The owner said that the 5th gear pin broke but hasn't had any problems since. I looked at it myself ad I know what I need to look for I'n a vehicle but wasn't sure about the motor thing or the 5th gear missing so I was asking. Any sugestion on good Motor oil or what weight I should put I'n it? Thank you
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 3:00 AM
Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
10W30 in the winter, 10W40 in the summer. I like Castrol GTX for the price and the performance. Remember, NO synthetic unless it's already in it, you will blow oil seals if you do.
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Friday, September 30th, 2011 AT 6:03 PM

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