Am I Crazy? 3rd Gen to 1st Gen...

Within the last few years I went from a 1st gen Tacoma 4x4 TRD to a 18 3rd gen Tundra CM Platinum. I've done a few basic mods - sway bar, ESP storage, pop/lock tailgate, color match handles/mirrors.

Overall, I like the truck and really enjoy driving it. But something is nagging at me and I keep looking at 05/06 DC Tundras. Part of it may be the fact I don't use the 5.7 to tow a lot or maybe it's the preference to a slightly smaller rig. I do like the look of the 1st gens as well. I've found a few nice looking 1st gens with <150,000 miles. I'm in the southwest, so rust shouldn't be a factor. I guess I'd give up a few creature comforts and some relatively maintenance free years.

Finances are not an issue either way.

Anyone done this?

 

It depends on your current Tundra's color.

 

I personally haven't done this, but you gotta do what makes you happy. I love my 5.7 and I don't tow anything.

 

Keep the maintenance in mind. I owned a 2006 AC 4.7L for 12 years that I bought new and drove it 225,000 miles. Absolutely loved it (my daughter bought it from me when I bought the 2018). The thorn in the side (for me) was the timing belt replacement every 90k miles. Also, annoying was the shim-under-bucket valve mechanism requiring camshaft removal to adjust clearances. Thankfully, I never had to do that but a few valves were at their minimum at the second check (done while in the middle of the second timing belt replacement).

It is a big job if you do it yourself and expensive if you have someone you trust do it for you. I also didn't really like the fact that is had drum brakes in the rear preferring discs all around.

Oh, and I have never had any problem managing too much horsepower...

Dan

 

Crazy? No. I bought my 2012 a couple years back because A. my wife and I needed a 3rd vehicle because we had a kid on the way and B. I wasn't going to finance something I couldn't use as a tow rig to pull my rock crawler around. While I love driving around in a nicer, newer, better looking truck because I can stroke my ego, I honestly prefer to drive my 97 Camry or even my 99 Tacoma rock crawler. It is nice having a truck that's under warranty but the Tundra isn't a big joy to drive.
I believe statistically we as Americans spend more time in our vehicles than anyone in any other country so in my opinion you gotta love what you drive. If they had the 5.7 in the 05 or 06 Tundra I would have picked one of those over an 07+ any day of the week.

 

Eventually our 5.7’s will need the maintenance that a much older gen 1 needs. Thats nature of aging vehicles.


OP- i hear your point. Ive considered going to a double cab taco many many times just to ease city driving and parking

 

This is true but, unlike the 4.7 with a timing belt and the shim under bucket valve adjustment, the 5.7 has valves that are hydraulically adjusted and the timing chain is a lifetime part.
There aren't many other reasons to go into the engine. I believe the 5.7 requires less maintenance than earlier trucks.
Sure, you still have spark plugs, serp belts, timing cover gaskets and cam tower leaks but, those are nothing compared to needing a new timing belt every 90K.

 

Yes of course, but the overall concept that older vehicles will always need more work. We don’t know what the common ailments will be on the 5.7 nearing 20 years yet.

 

Nope. Just do it. Access cabs are even better than DC. Weigh less. No problems with the air intake thingy bob because its not on the AC. Yes theres 30+/- more horses on the DC, but weighs more and has a smaller bed.

Members here who’ve driven both say the extra 30+/- horses can’t be felt. You get four full doors on DC just like a car. Access cab rear is small, but works in a pinch.

Both get crappy MPG just like the turd gens.

 

If both the AC and DC have the 4.7 V-8, the horsepower is the same at 271.

Dan

 

Maybe I dreamt what I wrote above?

 

No youre thinking vvti and pre vvti. Different top ends. Both engines feel the same in real life. The extra power with the vvti is toned down by computer controls anyways. The 5speed is a nice upgrade in 05

 

@Sunnier

 

I thought the size in my 1st gen DC was about as perfect as you can get. Plenty of cab room, full size bed.

 

1st gen you get tacoma size with V8 engine. Hard to beat. However gen 2 and gen 3 have way more space for when you travel with your crew and gear