finally got one after about 3 months of active searching and test driving a 1/2 dozen or so. got a 2000 quad cab 4x4 with a 4.7. pretty good shape! couple of bumps and bruises (it IS a 10 year old pickup truck, afterall), but nothing to worry about. no rust anywhere (surprising for michigan!).

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got a few things i gotta do to it.

1. got to replace the smallest/cheapest truck tires ever to be put on a 4x4 truck! luckily i have a good set of BFG AT's that happen to be the same size rim so i can just swap them in and i'm good to go (i'm pretty sure i got enough clearance).
2. got a pretty good power steering leak going. the previous owner said he already replace the PS pump, but the fluid is definitely coming from the PS pump area, so i dunno. line maybe? i figured i'd replace the line and the pump both at the same time. i've heard this is a common problem, any suggestions/words of wisdom from the experienced? any good writeups on the site?
3. got a noise coming from the front left, i'm suspecting a wheel bearing, but it could be tire noise (i'll know for sure next week when i get the new tires put on). i've heard this is a common problem, any good writeups on this?
4. i have a tape deck installed in it. a TAPE DECK. haha, that's just unacceptable.

 

You're right about the tires, they need to go, and about the power steering pump, make sure you fill it with ATF +4 transmission fluid, and not power steering fluid. I made that mistake arleady with another truck. On cold mornings, the pump would groan for a few seconds, and the steering wheel was locked in place during the groaning. Just an FYI if you didn't know about the proper fluid.

 

how many miles?

 

Judging by the headlights, i'm guessing 120k plus.

 

lol really? it all depends on weather. my headlights look 10times better than this new civic in my parkinglot.

 

as for the power steering pump leak, check the lines and the mesh screen inside the reservoir. if it has a substantial rip like mine did you will need a new reservoir.

 

ha, it's 150k. how could you tell by the headlights?

 

good to know. i never would have checked the reservoir. i can only see so much as is. i'll know more when i tear into it.

 

They start to show age around 90-100k, and it looked like they were on there way to needing replacing/buffing.

I was guessing 140k, but I'd rather undershoot a little.