Can you drop some 1st gen Tundra knowledge on me?
- Thread starter Viggen
- Start date
speedtre
Explorer
Frame rust as you mentioned, so check before you buy closely.
There was a mid-year 2002 brake upgrade (bigger calipers/pads)....post upgrade is better obviously
Early transmissions were not really up to snuff for a rig that towed heavy and often, but were otherwise fine for infrequent and/or light towing.
Aftermarket support is not great. It's not like Tacoma's where you have 10+ choices for any given upgrade, you might have one, two or none.
I believe the 2005-2006 was the upgraded powertrain/transmission (245 to 282 HP and 4 to 5 speed transmission).
I'd love to find a 2005-2006 low mileage crew cab 4x4 for a decent price, but that is hard to find down here.
I had a 2002 TRD access cab (pre brake upgrade) and loved mine and wish I still had it despite the brake pulsation that never went away.
Here it is after I sold it to Go4Lo and he improved it...
surlydiesel
Adventurer
Timing Belt at 100k. Check the front CV's for leaking boots. Frame Rust in the "rust belt" areas. I had an 02, awesome truck!!! Wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.
-jorge
-jorge
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
I was doing some research on them a while back...
It sounds like the early ones (2000-2002) had some incidences of brake issues and that the brakes were upgraded later in the generation. The frame cross-member rust issues were most prevalent in the 2000-2003 model years.
In 2005, the powertrain got some attention and the power numbers from the 2UZ 4.7L jumped. This, combined with the 5-speed automatic the new 2UZ was mated to makes the 2005-2006 (access cab and regular cab) the towing champs of the 1st gen. The earlier 2UZs with the 4-speed auto weren't slouches though--they hold up their end just fine.
The double-cab debuted in 2003, and was actually bigger in all dimensions (including width) than the access cab and regular cab--closer to the dimensions of the 2nd-gen. It's a versatile configuration, though.
Although I much prefer the interior styling of the T100, the 1st-gen Tundra is a pretty amazing overall package.
It sounds like the early ones (2000-2002) had some incidences of brake issues and that the brakes were upgraded later in the generation. The frame cross-member rust issues were most prevalent in the 2000-2003 model years.
In 2005, the powertrain got some attention and the power numbers from the 2UZ 4.7L jumped. This, combined with the 5-speed automatic the new 2UZ was mated to makes the 2005-2006 (access cab and regular cab) the towing champs of the 1st gen. The earlier 2UZs with the 4-speed auto weren't slouches though--they hold up their end just fine.
The double-cab debuted in 2003, and was actually bigger in all dimensions (including width) than the access cab and regular cab--closer to the dimensions of the 2nd-gen. It's a versatile configuration, though.
Although I much prefer the interior styling of the T100, the 1st-gen Tundra is a pretty amazing overall package.
Viggen
Just here...
So, strength/ efficiency differences between the later 2UZ and 4AT/ 5AT?
I am not too concerned about towing. I never do it. I am looking at an extended cab model. I have a 3 month old daughter and my wife and I are only having one so the double cab is not needed. The dimensions also seem a bit more East Coast friendly as well (being very similar to a DC Tacoma).
Only having a couple places to get parts from is no big deal. It would not be a serious build. No long travel front or anything like that. 33s or 34s and still make a comfortable daily. I am thinking more about a truck rather than an SUV for access to a bed to put crap into.
I am not too concerned about towing. I never do it. I am looking at an extended cab model. I have a 3 month old daughter and my wife and I are only having one so the double cab is not needed. The dimensions also seem a bit more East Coast friendly as well (being very similar to a DC Tacoma).
Only having a couple places to get parts from is no big deal. It would not be a serious build. No long travel front or anything like that. 33s or 34s and still make a comfortable daily. I am thinking more about a truck rather than an SUV for access to a bed to put crap into.
utroda
Observer
I have a '00 with the 2UZ, and it has enough power to do anything I really want. I currently run 33' BFG TA KO, and get around 18MPG highway and around 16 city. Also my wife uses it from time to time when she goes looking for displays for the house or shop and she really likes it and its not to big she can't handle.
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
I have a 2002 2wd trd
Really they have no huge quirks.
Timing belt around 100K
The tranny does not like to be pushed to the limits all day long
The earlier ones eat front break pads (very easy upgrade to fix)
Rear suspension is a bit soft for hauling heavy loads
In all, I love my truck and plan on keeping it for many more years. It has never broke down or given me any problems in almost 200,000 miles. They hold there value and sound amazing with a good exhaust system. After market is pretty slim, but that a good thing.... keeps you from blowing cash on it and makes the wife happy.
Really they have no huge quirks.
Timing belt around 100K
The tranny does not like to be pushed to the limits all day long
The earlier ones eat front break pads (very easy upgrade to fix)
Rear suspension is a bit soft for hauling heavy loads
In all, I love my truck and plan on keeping it for many more years. It has never broke down or given me any problems in almost 200,000 miles. They hold there value and sound amazing with a good exhaust system. After market is pretty slim, but that a good thing.... keeps you from blowing cash on it and makes the wife happy.
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
(Oh, it will also do a great burn out.. even having 20" 295's)
bkg
Explorer
I've owned an 03 AC limited, 04,06,06 doublecab limited...
I wouldn't buy anything older than an 03 due to interior treatment.
The 4-speed has a weak OD and will need attention.
Frames are junk, including my current 06
JBL can be tough to integrate aftermarket head unites
There is zero storage behind rear seats I DC's
Mileage varies truck to truck... My last 06 would do as high as 19. Best I've pulled out of my current 06 is 15.5... Hand calculated.
I wouldn't buy anything older than an 03 due to interior treatment.
The 4-speed has a weak OD and will need attention.
Frames are junk, including my current 06
JBL can be tough to integrate aftermarket head unites
There is zero storage behind rear seats I DC's
Mileage varies truck to truck... My last 06 would do as high as 19. Best I've pulled out of my current 06 is 15.5... Hand calculated.
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
I whole heatedly disagree with the above listed points:
I have towed all kinds of trailers in mountains, desert heat, Florida humidity, going slow, crawling in traffic, hauling ***, up to the Max GVW and never had a tranny problem. All I have done is change the fluid every 20,000ish miles. It's no different than any other truck, don't push it to the limits every day and you'll be fine. I have had quite a few friends who have and 1st gens and none of them have had a problem. One buddy has the TRD supercharger on his and beat the ever loving snot out of it for years, never flinched. People have to remember, it's not a heavy duty truck, its a 1/2 ton designed to be comfortable and easy to drive, not tow a house through the Rockey's.
The only problem with the frame is they rust out when they have been up north for years, and Toyota has done a good job of replacing them ( mine is 100% rust free, despite countless trips driving down Daytona beach).
The JBL is junk to begin with. Just add a aftermarket head unit and bypass the factory amp, it will sound much better and be louder. I went a little further and went with a Pioneer head unit, Kicker separates in the front and read doors, and two JBL 8's in a Q logic box under the seat. The amp is under the drivers seat. It's is loud, has plenty of bass, and is not noticeable if you look in the windows.
Viggen
Just here...
Was there not a full blown frame recall like on the Tacomas? Around me, the Tacomas carry more of the Toyota Tax than Tundras do. It is really weird. As long as I can get a winch bumper and a well set up lift kit, I will be happy. IPOR is 45 minutes down the road from me so everything else, like sliders, etc..., for other things.