Can you drop some 1st gen Tundra knowledge on me?

[TommyG]

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.

There was. I intended to keep mine forever then it literally rotted out from underneath me. Ours was a 2006 with about 90,000 miles on it when the rust got really bad (last year). Bed floor, frame and body mounts just went away. This is not typical of them, according to the regional Toyota rep so take that for what it's worth. Toyota was willing to put a new frame under mine but would not touch the bed floor. I was game to fix the bed and keep it but my wife was scared of it. I still miss it. It was a great truck for us.

Main Line Overland built up a black one for overland use and it turned out killer. Check out their Facebook page, I think the photos are still there.

 

[Viggen]

The frame issues are what would kill this for me, I think. I live in a place that heavily treats at the first rumor of ice/ snow, and then drops a salt bomb on everything when it does. I imagine that the frame recall was a one time thing so if I found one and eventually needed a frame, I would be S.O.L. Is this an incorrect assumption?

 

[tyv12]

As much as some of them have problems in the rust belt or heavily salted areas, depending on where you live, in Alberta here i know they don't have much problem with rust if it's well maintained


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bkg]

I whole heatedly disagree with the abovet 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.

You disagree but then support my statement... /confused

I've owned 4 1st gens. Own one now. Plan on keeping it for a while. But I'm not blind to its problems. OD issues well documented.

 

[Viggen]

Is it worth searching out an '05- '06 over an earlier one?

 

[tyv12]

When I bought mine (an 05) I thought it would be much better with the vvti and 5 speed but have since bought an 04 sequoia and mileage and driving is pretty much identical omho. I have a dc, my dad has an AC, both are great but I was never a fan of how shallow the AC boxes are, almost a foot shallower


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[seanpistol]

I live where they salt the **** out of the roads and since the PO, who I knew, and myself have raken care to wash the under carriage at least once a week, frame is fine!

 

[dyogim]

If you go with the early first gens , look for an 04. Or go with an 05-06. Other than frame rust, biggest issue with the early models as most said is the transmission. The OD planetary gear had issues with the internals. For me, the needle bearing cage was weak, bearings came loose and the rest was history. This usually happened at around the 75k mile mark. If you find one with at least 100k, it's a good sign the transmission is fine or it was replaced. You can always get an early model and outfit it with an 04 transmission. 05-06 is a different model. I'vs had mine since 00 and love it. Only engine mod has been an aftermarket muffler. overall, perfect for my needs. I'vs done a lot to it and broken a lot, but most is all self inflicted. LOL!

If you are looking for one, I have a friend selling his and its already expo built. PM for more details.

 

[bkg]

Is it worth searching out an '05- '06 over an earlier one?

Depends on your needs. I prefer the 5-speed myself, but that's just me. Some other , albeit minor, cosmetic enhancements, too

 

[seanpistol]

The next time I buy a truck, I'll be going to California, Arizona, Oregon, or somewhere that doesn't use road salt to buy it. No matter what make/model it is.

 

[TommyG]

The frame issues are what would kill this for me, I think. I live in a place that heavily treats at the first rumor of ice/ snow, and then drops a salt bomb on everything when it does. I imagine that the frame recall was a one time thing so if I found one and eventually needed a frame, I would be S.O.L. Is this an incorrect assumption?

Hard telling. If it had not already been done, they might do it as it is a HUGE safety issue but that is a gamble. It seems like they are fine if you get a good one and just go to hell if you don't, just like the Tacomas were. We get the nasty on the roads here too. It did not seem to phase my Taco much but the Tundra was bad.

 

[character zero]

I was in the same boat...came from an 05 Frontier which was OK but a little cramped, picked up a 2010 T4RTrail Edition with KDSS which was a blas to drive but didn't fit the lifestyle with dogs/bikes and keeping dirt separate from the cab...spent a couple of months using carguru to search nationwide for an 05/06 DC 4x4 with low miles and found one with 38k on it, paid 19k shipped to TX. Best truck I've owned yet, right size, right power and build quality is there.

 

[FJR Colorado]

2006 is the best year, IMO.

But they're all good... just don't get one from the rust belt. I ended up with a 2006 AZ truck that had around 115K miles. Great foundation.

I also have a 2001 Big Tree. Also great, but the 4.7 is a bit weaker and it has the lesser tranny.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

You disagree but then support my statement... /confused

I've owned 4 1st gens. Own one now. Plan on keeping it for a while. But I'm not blind to its problems. OD issues well documented.

I love the "well documented" statement...lol. In all of the Tundra owners I have talked to (face to face, not the internet) not a single one has ever had an issue with the transmission. It's like any other truck, don't push it to the max all day and keep up on the maintenance. People seem to forget, the 1st gen Tundra is not a 110% macho man truck made to haul 8,000lb tractors every day. It's not a Super duty, it's not designed to pull a 28' camper through the Rockies and keep up with traffic.


To me the transmission issue is no different than the timing belt: exaggerated on the internet by overly cautions/paranoid/know-it-all's and people have run with it over the years (no offense intended, just a generalized statement). I am about to hit 200,000 miles. Not a single transmission issue, still runs cool and shifts firm. It tows and hauls regularly. All I have done is change the fluid regularly, slow down and turn off overdrive when pulling a hill (novel concept I know), and stayed in the right hand lane and not pushed it to the max all day. Much like not trying to rock crawl in a minivan... a little common sense will get ya a long way.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

The frame issues are what would kill this for me, I think. I live in a place that heavily treats at the first rumor of ice/ snow, and then drops a salt bomb on everything when it does. I imagine that the frame recall was a one time thing so if I found one and eventually needed a frame, I would be S.O.L. Is this an incorrect assumption?

Easy fix: Buy it in a state that uses no salt and crawl under the truck and check the frame and cross members. Get it home, prep the frame and cross members and coat them with POR-15. In the winter, keep under the truck clean as the other member mentioned. In the spring clean it good, check it for any rust and fix if necessary.

I painted my frame and suspension satin black and hit it with a soft brush every month or so , looks great and keeps things rust free.


I got mine in Atlanta Ga about 7 1/2 years ago, no rust, no door dings, no stains, in immaculate shape.