Hello all, new guy here. I'm a ol' gear head from way back with more than a "few" cars, trucks, bikes and boats. After studying many different sites on the web this one seems to be the best!
I would like your valued opinions on this truck, I'm possibly going to buy it for my 16 year old son for his first truck. He will help pay for it by doing yard work in our area. It will have to pull a 10 or 12 foot enclosed trailer with a 500 hundred pound mower in it and some other misc yard tools.
To those of you who own these type of trucks, would you buy another? or switch brands? Does it tow OK?
It has 4.0L V-6, 5-spd man with 34K miles, one owner, silver color, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), front impact airbags, AM/FM stereo with CD player, 4 new tires, spray in liner, and light tint. Never been wrecked and all maintenance has been done on a timely basis. The tires are new. I offered him 10,000 bucks, he was asking $11,000.
........so whats yall think?
Thanks

 

As long as your son knows not to slip the clutch when towing, then he should be fine with that truck.

 

It sounds like a good truck, but over the internet we can't really help you out much. Take it to a local mechanic and get them to look it over.

 

Thanks yall ! I'm a fairly good wrench myself so the inspection would be performed by me.

here is one of my favorite rides, 1965 VW "high bug" flew up to Colorado and drove it 1000 miles back home

 

I have had my 03 for 3 years.
I love the way it drives and the size of it. Engine, transfer case and tranny seem fine. Mines a 5speed with the manual transfer case.
I have been disappointed with the durability of the rest of the truck though.

112K miles.
The power window on the passenger side has never worked consistently.
The handles on the doors come loose and have to be tightened.
I had to replace the clutch slave cylinder at about 55K. Only 40 bucks, but; PIA as it's inside the bellhousing. I hear it's expensive if you don't do it yourself. Had to have the rear end rebuilt at 100K because of bearing failure and roaring noise coming out of it. Just had to replace both front hubs as 1 was loose and you could rock the passenger side wheel back and forth and the driver side was making noise. It's all quiet now. Emergency brake cable on the driver side since it was kinked and rusted inside. froze that brake drum up and had to replace shoes and the drum. Both tailgate cables broke at the same time. Rusted as well. All this in the last year, except for the slave cylinder.

I drive the heck out of it. I like it, but; again a little disappointed.

 

Thank you for the input

 

I think the truck should pull the trailer just fine. Just make sure your son understands how to drive a stick well with a trailler. Truck sounds like the exact truck that I want.

 

Here is the link, up for grabs. http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1139581665.html

I am going to move over to a Toyota , thank you all for taking the time to reply and give your input, this is a great site with lots of participation

 

sad to hear... it looks like a good truck

 

For the money and knowing your kid is only 16, I'd opt for the ranger. Mine is an 02 and has had zero problems. I used to tow my 18' fiberglass bassboat all the time with no problems.

 

EH!! If it looks and drives solid and you sound like you know your stuff I'd go for it. Actually i would perfer a 5 spd with towing and i dont think that 4.0 will strain too much just pullin some lawn equip. Then again i was 16 once too and i know i would be hittin some trails or whatever pretty hard too when dad wasnt lookin...lol! Other Than i think you good to go!!

LOL i hear what you sayin and i am in no way tryin to come down on ya, but at 112k sound like it lasted pretty well. Imagine if ya bought that new and didn't have to do anything until 112k. Also i think they had a recall on the rear ends in the Level II's in 02-03, Plus i'm a big goob on pervenative maint. but even then thing's go out from wear and tear, eh but then again it is what is and luck of the draw ....lol!!!

 

Sad to hear you went with a yota, but they are good trucks too.

 

#1 but that caust ya a lot of mo to fix when they break

 

That sucks. In this economy, I wouldn't buy foreign unless it was the only choice or there was a huge gap in quality or price. (There isn't)

Also, remember like the dude above said, they do cost more for parts and repairs. . .

When I was talking about being disappointed in the truck, I was comparing the the wife's Jeep (TJ) and son's Jeep (Comanche).

I still love the truck though.

Oh well, good luck either way.

 

get it for your son. it's a great truck for towing and in general.

 

Thanks again guys, we just got home from picking up a 1988 Toyota 4X4, 5 speed. one owner, 161,000 miles for 2700 bucks. This will be a good first truck, I sure liked the 2004 but I don't think we do are kids any good by buying them a fancy vehicle for their first ride. He will be paying for this and learning at the same time........thanks again.

 

makes sense lol hope he has fun with the yota

 

Great buy with the Toyota. That thing will out live both of you.

 

da link http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1146080167.html

 

fail. its been deleted

 

sorry

 

Pics or you never bought it! LOL