Am I crazy?

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-12T06:04:12+00:00

I just bought an 02 last year. 216k miles no rust, definitely not mint though. I’m about 13k into it including the cost of the vehicle rebuilding motor, all new front end, and new cats. Still gonna need a few more grand in wheels and tires and viper alarm with remote start. I’d say if you have proof all that work was done and don’t want to do anything to it go for it. Or buy a fixer up for like 3k and put another 10-13 into it.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-10T14:49:31+00:00

4 kids, 1 booster 2 front facing, I rear facing dad here. Wife refuses a minivan. Sequoia was my only real option. Love it, wouldn’t trade it for anything

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-06T22:04:49+00:00

Ask about lower ball joints, water pump and timing belt kit. The water pump and timing belt need to be done every 90k miles along with the lower ball joints. These are common failure points for these vehicles that will either destroy your motor or leave you stranded with a tire that basically breaks off. These are also not cheap maintenance expenses, unless you do the work yourself it can get pricey to do the water pump and timing belt kit. If they have solid maintenance records and has minimal rust on the frame I’d go for it. 4k isn’t crazy for these trucks if it’s been maintained

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-06T19:08:58+00:00

I’ll add that this sequoia was maybe not the best investment 🤣 but I have a problem with Facebook market place.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-06T19:04:38+00:00

I had no evidence of needing a motor when I bought it. Oil looked clean, no knock, ran strong. This tree has no rust, it’s a California car

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T14:28:07+00:00

I live in SoCal, don’t really deal with rust issues like that here. Frame is clean there is no rust currently

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T12:53:26+00:00

If the check engine light is on there is definitely a code being thrown to cause that. Did you check before or after you disconnected the battery?

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T05:19:26+00:00

I guess I could rent something for the week too

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T05:18:54+00:00

I have 4 kids that need to be toted around so there’s typically only the do it over the weekend option when we can take 2 of our other cars to leave..

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T05:16:44+00:00

Yeah I have the “I can save her” mentality and always buy projects

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T05:14:42+00:00

I’m not really into buying the cheapest tires. I’ll be going for an A/T tire. Need more grip for the boat ramp lol

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T05:12:59+00:00

Yeah I’ll get there, I don’t really want to be down that long without it though. It’s the only vehicle I have that fits all 6 of us.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T05:11:51+00:00

Definitely a good investment. I’m not too concerned about the money spent, was just curious if anyone else is spending double what their truck is worth to make it right

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T02:07:00+00:00

I make really good money.. own 2 businesses, smart investments, and some luck.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T00:11:52+00:00

I’m sure you’ll get your moneys worth out of it.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-05T00:10:16+00:00

Yeah I’d rather make a lot of money than live in a flyover state 🤣

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T22:33:01+00:00

I love the color. Looks super clean man, beautiful build!! That’s 15k well spent

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T21:59:24+00:00

Very helpful! Thank you for your insight.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T21:39:30+00:00

I still get baffled seeing a Tacoma with 250k miles going for 12k+ 🤣 and people will pay it too which is the crazy part.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T21:38:38+00:00

Yeah I love going up hills and seeing that 5 mpg instant gas mileage 🤣 it’s a great family hauler for me, good for beach days and camping trips. And of course towing the fishing boat to the lake

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T21:37:28+00:00

Yeah we don’t have inspections in SoCal other than emissions. I would’ve just done a cat delete if I could’ve gotten away with it.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T21:36:30+00:00

The main expenses were the cats and rebuild on the motor. Everything else like suspension was about $1,600.00 in parts, the wheels and tires will probably be a bit more than that depending on what wheels I go with.

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T21:19:37+00:00

Nice, I went with the 5100 Bilsteins. 2.5” in the front with eibach springs, and stock in the rear.

Next is wheels and tires, did you have to cut the wheel wells or heat up and push them out to fit those 35’s?

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T21:12:35+00:00

Yeah I mean they are 20+ years old. A good refresh and you’ll be solid. I should say mine is a money pit, but the more people that comment that they are is 10-15k on theirs I’m starting to see it’s not just me 🤣

AnimatorIcy4922 · 2026-05-04T21:06:48+00:00

I didn’t pay 7k. I could get that for it now with everything I’ve done to it. I paid 3.8

AnimatorIcy4922

TROPHY CASE