I bought a 2001 TD5 6 months ago and really luv it. This site is the best source of info I have seen anywhere. I read for weeks on what to look for before parting with the $$. A few items to look for that I have found -
still learning daily about mine and as stated, read this site and you will be much better prepared for the experience of owning one.
- warping in the exhaust manifold, apparently they all do it but it is not expensive to get fixed.
- Centre diff lock - check it has the internals so you can get it activated if required.
- have the oil pump bolt checked
- wiring loom is very efficient at moving oil into the ECU - check this.
- Service history - mine had books and also every receipt ever spent on it and showed the trans had been serviced regularly.
- engine mounts do get soft - mine has one that could be replaced
- oil leaks - i have been lucky and have none, or not since I dropped the sump to fix the oil pump bolt
- MAF - a good clean pays dividends
- EGU - use one of the blocking kits available and you will notic the difference.
- chipped
- I was getting terrible economy initially but when I did a few of the above it improved dramatically and is now better than my sons Hilux
jack

