Looking, many questions.

Newbie.

Finding a fondness towards a Tundra and 1st gen prices fit my current financial situation.
I appreciate patience and understanding as this is my first stop for Tundra knowledge -

What is the story on timing belts and water pumps needed to be changed on the regular?
Can this be done on my driveway in an afternoon with layman tools or is this a service station call?

I live in Wisconsin, salt is an epidemic here in the winter. Rust is inevitable on any vehicle, thought I heard something about a frame recall, not sure which generation it was on.
Is there a visual indicator of a ‘non-recalled’ frame?

V6, V8 4.7/ 5.7... pros/ cons any run away from or must haves? Most likely will do minimal if any towing. Would love to find a manual transmission any concerns with those? Manuals do seem like finding hens teeth...

Anything else I should look for?

I value any and all suggestions.

thanks again.

 

If you are mechanically inclined you can do it and there are some you tube video you can watch.

 

Welcome from NY.

If you are going to tow get the 5.7.

 

Timing belt, water pump, tensioner, pulleys etc. every 100k.

The guy I bought my tundra from did the timing belt in his driveway over a weekend so I don't imagine it any harder than any other timing belt which is usually just a few hour job. Its not hard, but has to done exactly correct or you destroy your engine. Which may or may not be something everyone is willing to do.

There is indeed a frame recall for 2000-2003 trucks. To qualify there has to be a hole at least 10mm in your frame, in certain places, from rust. You can enter your VIN with toyota and get all dealer service records.

I have the V8, 4.7. Its a nice engine but not excessively powerful. I wouldn't want anything smaller myself.

Tundras here at least, are a lot cheaper than tacoma's and so are a good option for poor folks like me.

 

The 3.4 v6 is anemic yet a solid, long lasting performer (new belt/pump at 100k needed).
The 4.0 v6 (starts in '05) is next up on power, still a little anemic for the weight (3900-4200lbs).
The 4.7 v8 has the most ump especially the VVT-i models starting in '05. You won't regret the choice, well maybe a little at the pump.

Lots to read but start here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Tundra

Luck and enjoy those Toyotas. : ^ )))

 

Timing belt is every 90k, wp is thrown in just cause. Should be easy enough with time and patience.

You'd have to put the vin in to see if the frame recall has been done. Your best best is to pick up a southern truck and avoid rust all together.

Our v8 is the 4.7 in the first gen. Non vvti in 00-04 with 4 spd auto, vvti in 05-06 with 5 spd auto. The v6 came with a manual or auto. If you want one with a stick I hear the 4.0 is the one to get but yeah, hens teeth is right.

If you do find a rust free truck peek at the frame closely to make sure it isn't just painted.

 

Damn, did we just gang bang OP with responses?

 

That’s fine... seriously I do appreciate a forum with engaged members.

Uh that didn’t sound right... I like forums where there is a passion for topics and everyone is eager to help other people out with their personal experience(s) on said topic.

I have been accused of “over thinking” things a lot. Lots of data can be either super helpful, like if a consensus appears or creates a paralysis by analysis.

I have wrenched a bit in my 4 decades of driving, mostly older vehicles. Cursed in this northern climate with being faced with rusted everything’s. Fortunately my experience as a machinist makes extracting snapped bolts relatively easy... but generally the bolt that snaps is the hidden one.

 

You can't overthink something as big as buying a truck....unless your rich.

 

You will never regret buying a Toyota Tundra. It has a record of reaching 1million miles. When I saw a low mileage (36K) 06 DC 4WD in 2017 I bought the truck.

 

Cheap gas....pretty well covered on everything else !

 

Look here for info on the frame recall.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/early-1st-gen-2000-2003-tundra-frame-replacement-faq.54331/

The 4.7L v8 (most common) did not come with a manual transmission, only an automatic. The v6 options got a manual, but they’re like hens teeth to find in 4x4, and pretty doggy in a truck of this size. They’re slow in a Tacoma, but brutal in a Tundra.

pretty hard to go wrong with one of these trucks as long as you’re not expecting to tow 10,000lbs and you’re okay with lackluster MPG.

 

After you stop looking for your tundra, cause you have one, you’re gonna find that you now will always be looking for the next gas station!
Good luck!

 

Every 90K miles or 9 years...they will last longer but it's not worth the risk of it breaking on the V8, it can ruin the motor. 3.4 V6, it will strand you, but won't ruin the motor. 4.0 V6 has a timing chain.

NEVER buy a truck from a state that salts without seeing it first. If you plan on keeping it for a long time, look to non- salt states, fly buy and drive. I went to CO and I'm from GA cause it's hard to find good ones. Great thread for finding Tundras..

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-for-sale-finds-on-other-sites.40093/page-2#post-1546741

5.7 is not an option on 1st Gens
V8s cannot be had with manuals in any year.
00-04 can be had with V6s (3.4) AND 4x4 (this is probably the rarest combination)
05-06 can be had with V6 (4.0) but not V6 AND 4x4...pretty rare too.

Number 1 issue is rusty frame as mentioned. If you find a truck that has had it's frame replaced, that does NOT mean the rest of it is free of rust...trust me on this. If AT, check for smooth shifting and if 4x4, make sure it shifts in and out of 4hi and 4lo. ATs are fairly reliable, but if they break they are expensive. 1st Gen Tundra's have been known for having issues shifting in and out of 4x4, but this is generally related to lack of 4x4 use. If it's used regularly or exercised regularly, it seems to not really be a problem. Check AC/Heat just because they can be expensive to fix. Rear-roll down window on Double cabs has the motor go out regularly. Part online is about $250 and not a hard job...really easy if you have a 2nd set of hands, takes an hour or less. The manual transmission with the 4.0 V6 had issues with throw out bearings.

Good Luck!

 

Agree with everything in the thread and only found five 2000 - 2004 V6 4x4 manuals on Autotrader... Rare indeed

 

Welcome!

I have a 4.7 2002, and a 5.7 2007. The 4.7 makes enough power for all but the heaviest 1st generation models. IMHO the 2ng generation needs the 5.7 because they are quite a bit heavier than 1st gen trucks. Rust is a concern, so find a rust free southern vehicle and treat the underside with Fluid Film or similar product. Worry less about how many miles the truck has on it, and more about how it was maintained and it's overall mechanical condition... I purchased my 2007 two years ago when it hat 270k, it now has 290k and I would drive it anywhere. I hope that helps.

https://youtu.be/cPfQcIXmFiU

 

I found one!

 

I am calling BS until we see the pics!

 

160k

 

Congrats and Happy New Year!!!

: ^ )))

 

Hello,

New here.

In case anyone else is looking.

 

Nice truck. Where you located at?

 

Not my truck. I just came across it while looking for my next Tundra. I am looking for a double cab so will try and post up any low mileage trucks I find.

 

Great find, add it to this thread..

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-for-sale-finds-on-other-sites.40093/