Looking for Input on 2008 Tundra

Hey everyone,

New member here looking at a 2008 SR5 with the 5.7 V8. Most important to me is reliability which is what led me to Tundras in the first place. This particular one has 54k miles on it and has been in MA,CA, and AL primarily. Main concerns are rust and the cam tower leak with the 5.7 V8. Truck looks pretty clean to me, should know for sure when I take a look at it next week but if anyone with experience with the 2008 year range could chime in with more things to look out for or thoughts on this particular truck I'd really appreciate it. I tried to attach some pictures so hopefully those work!

Thanks in advance!

 

Certainly looks nice, really like the color. Low miles too.

 

Some low miles for sure.
Got our 2007 DC with 130K miles on it. Runs like new, reliability not a question out at all.

Rust concerns, you need to get underneath or have someone inspect frame and maybe body parts as well. Rust will depend on amount or salt exposed to if any from road applications during icy/snowy winters.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I had the dealer check for rust but will be sure to look closely when I see it in person as well. Are there areas that tend to rust first on these trucks? Under the bed, wheel wells...? I’m hoping that since it’s spent most of it’s life in CA/AL it’ll be clean underneath.

Thanks again!

 

On my 2008 CM I'm starting to see rust pockets on the crease at the bottom of the tailgate. In Minnesota, that seems pretty standard for trucks (I see a lot of them as I live in the sticks). I did recently have a recall spray done on the frame in the last year, so undercarriage rust may be a moot point.

As a side note for reliability, the truck has been a godsend. I think I'm hitting 180k mileage and have only had to replace normal wear/tear plus water pump seal was leaking.

 

That is a great looking truck....looks like mine . Hope it works out for you. I got mine with 106,000 and now has 129,000. No troubles at all.

 

180K miles here, drives like new, not a single drop of fluid leak anywhere, cam towers bone dry. I believe the 2010+ had more issues with the cam tower leaks than the earlier ones.

 

When I bought my 2010 Crewmax 4x4 it has surface rust on some suspension bolts, differential housing and axle. Nothing on the frame or bed. Previous owner sprayed the frame with Fluid Film which I'm really thankful for. Check 4 hi, 4lo for proper operation and unusual noises from transfer case. Make sure transfer case engages/disengages smoothly. Feel for clunks in driveline from stop to go and vice versa. Of course check history for accidents or damages.

 

I honestly feel the first 2-3 years of the 2nd gen's were the best. New design and new powertrain for Toyota meant they were taking extra care to make them be as good as they could be I feel. I bought my 08 w/104k miles on the clock and without hesitation. Jump on it NOW, that's a great truck. I do have some bed rust issue but that's a KNOWN problem with Tundras, and I'm just gonna live with it. Not really that big a deal. Other than that, it's solid!

 

Thanks everyone for the replies and insight! I have it reserved and will be taking a look at it within the week and hopefully taking it home if all looks good. Thanks again!

 

why not look for a Tundra outside the rust belt? I'm sure you'll be happier. I know if I lived in the salt belt or areas they use salt, i'd be buying trucks from the west coast. Worth the trip IMO.

 

yep, 2008 good year. check rust and cam tower (less likely on a 2008). You also have the line x in the bed so that's a plus too as far as protection.

 

From what I can tell from CarFax and the like the truck has spent most of its life outside the rust belt in CA and Alabama and I’m having it brought up to Minneapolis from GA to look at then I’ll be driving it back home to North Dakota. Hopefully since it hasn’t spent much time in the rust belt it’ll be pretty clean. Luckily ND isn’t as ridiculous about salting as some states (I lived in Ohio and it was pretty bad). Thanks!

 

I love my 08. Only issue with rust.is the rust comes from under into the top side. Some people on here has had it even with a nice liner make sure to check under it for rust on the bed supports. Other then that get it you will love it. Here is my 08 with 82k miles .

Welcome from Indiana!

 

First year 07's too. 96K....no rust...no leaks...although I recently replaced a $20 power steering pressure sensor....

 

Curiosity if you don't mind me asking what are they asking for it?

 

Asking just under $23k. It's Carmax so probably paying a bit more for the convince but I've had good experiences with them in the past.

 

Welcome from NY.
Good luck with your search.

 

Bought one vehicle there, great ecperience but paid a premium for that experience.

Also sold s truck to them and got premium price.

 

Ya I'm hoping a get at least something for my old Ranger. If it can even make it the 4 hours down to Minneapolis to trade it in haha.

 

That's a good looking truck. Only other thing I can think of is the AIP issues, but that's one that you can't control. They make bypass kits for it as well, I just installed one on mine last fall. Other than that and what was listed before, I would say it looks good!! I have an 08, 4.7L with 144k miles and it runs great!

 

Recently bought a Silver '09 DC base w/ 98k on it.
Stock audio, no JBL, no SWC. Single owner had added Bluetooth which I removed when upgrading the stock HU - as it came with it - and I wired in a backup cam and dash cam
Price? <$13K

PS: Runs great !!

 

Took a look at the truck yesterday and it's in very good shape. No rust and seems to have been very well cared for. Bought it and drove it five hours back home and it did great! Thanks for the help everyone!

 

Glad it worked out. Time to enjoy!

and for mods, lol.

 

When I had my 2008 the only two issues I had were:

1. Bed rust around the bed bolts. It came from underneath and it was so bad that I had the bed removed and rust areas cut out and new pieces were welded back in before I had a Line X sprayed on.

2. The air pumps were also replaced not once but twice by Toyota.

I would ask if the pumps were replaced and check for the rust around the bed bolts.

Good luck!

 

Great find. As mentioned above the AIP'S were a major issue with the 2nd Gens. I had mine replaced @65k miles along with water pump. Another issue was the Charcoal Canister fiasco.
https://tundraheadquarters.com/water-intrusion-charcoal-cansiter-tsb/
Enjoy that Tundra

 

Bought mine from them too, paid too much but worth it to avoid flood etc. Mine was like new underneath...multiple friends with hi mileage/no issues 07-09 5.7 tundras sold me on it. Get the warranty for starter, aip, water pump. I bought a true 100k warranty from them, im good to 154k. Not too late, u can do an after purchase warranty buy. Enjoy it