I'm buying a used Hardbody

mrhardin · Apr 27th, 2004, 09:22 AM

I'm looking at buying a 95 Hardbody. 2WD, 158K miles, body is in very good condition. I know it needs a new valve cover gasket, no big deal there. Just wondering what other issues I may be looking at as far as maintenance. What is the interval for changing timing belts? If the timing belt breaks, are the valves crushed? Any suspension or steering issues I should look out for?

Thanks for any responses.

KA24Ewoog · Apr 27th, 2004, 10:10 AM

I have that same truck and it has just turned over 206,000 miles...starts and runs like new, shifts like new, 85mph on the freeway, and the A/C will freeze you to death. I just keep it maintained per the book, and most of it is a breeze to do..changing out tranny fluid and diff fluid and so forth.
About the only things thus far that bugged me about it was changing out the thermostat and the PCV valve.
Tune-up, belts, etc. are fairly easy to do, I think it has a timing chain instead of a belt internally. I've had no suspension problems yet and it gets used like a truck should. Everyone I've ever known that had one really liked it.
In my experience, little things here and there but nothing major yet. It's been a great truck and one of the best vehicles I've ever owned.

uncnissan2004 · Apr 27th, 2004, 10:14 AM

so could my engine light be a timing belt, thermostat or PCV valve problem? where is the PCV valve located?

jadcock · Apr 27th, 2004, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncnissan2004

so could my engine light be a timing belt, thermostat or PCV valve problem? where is the PCV valve located?

No, the check engine light won't be the timing belt or the thermostat, and probably isn't the PCV valve. First off, which engine do you have? That will help us answer a lot of your questions. The KA24E (2.4L 4-cylinder) doesn't have a timing belt, it has a chain, so you'd be good to go there. The VG30E (3.0L V-6) has a timing belt, which needs to be replaced every 105k miles.

Why would you suspect a thermostat problem? Unless the truck is running hot, the thermostat should be working fine. The PCV valve might be in need of replacement, but its location depends on which engine you have.