I’ve been doing a ton of research and looking at various pick up trucks (full size and mid), along with SUVs. I narrowed it down to the F-150 (next to impossible to find one not rusted out), Honda Ridgeline, Ford Explorer V8 (2006+), Xterra, 4Runner, Pathfinder. I wasn’t even considering the H3 until I saw an ad for one on Kijiji.

They were asking $5k, as-is. I spoke with the guy on the phone and asked him to send me more pics. Overall it was in good shape, with a couple rust spots that needs repairs.

I offered him $4500. He declined. Oh well, it was a 3 hour drive away.

So anyway, I was driving by a shop as saw a white one parked out front, so I thought I’d check it out. I figured it’d be overpriced (turns out it was a customer selling it privately). It’s an ‘07 with 236kms (I’m in Canada) with an asking price of $3500.

It has some rust that will need to be repaired, but no holes, so I think I can handle that. Couple broken door handle end pieces. The drivers seat when plugged in drains the battery, so the fuse is pulled, but it won’t pass the safety without it, so I’ll need to sort that out.

I took it for a drive and it drives well. No bumps or rattles or noises from the motor. Idled smoothly.

So far the only two things I could find that would fail the safety is the drivers seat and the parking brake isn’t working.

It’s had some recent work done including a ball joint in the front, two front upper control arms, and rear brakes, not sure what else. Oil looked clean, all fluids were full, it seems to have been well maintained, aside from the neglect of cleaning it, and the interior needs some attention (the guy used it as a work vehicle wtf).

Anyway, long story not so short, I offered $2800 and the owner accepted it.

I have it in the shop for the safety, so I’ll see what they come back with before paying for it. If all goes well, I’ll be grinning.

One thing that’s kind of a bummer is that it doesn’t have the rear locking differential, but I think that’s ok. I’m not planning on doing major off-roading.. just some off road trails n such.

I think overall this is a great truck for $2800. I’m working with a budget of $5k max, hopefully less, so if it does need a few things, that’s ok, and I can do most if not all of the rust repair.

I’ll post some pictures when I buy it, and maybe I’ll do some progress pics as well as I restore it to better condition.

Thanks for reading! I look forward to learning as much as I can so I can make the most of enjoying this fun vehicle.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Welcome...

Post those pics when you close on it.

 

Oops, I forgot to post the pics. Here’s a couple:





im getting the body work done dec 21

 

nice pickup for 2800 CDN- Congrats!

 

Thanks! I’m really enjoying it so far. There’s so much I want to do to it, but I’m working with a tight budget so it’ll take some time.