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Relia-build-ability

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by TootinTundra3.4, Mar 27, 2020.

?

2wd: lift or level?

  1. Lift it

    3 vote(s)
    23.1%
  2. Level it

    10 vote(s)
    76.9%
  1. Mar 27, 2020 at 12:25 AM
    #1
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    01 2wd V6 auto access cab new engine 280k on rest. This is gunna be the family truck for the next unforeseen amount of years and I already have used tranny in sight for the future but being new to tundra’s (yota’s in general) I wanted to pick your minds of mods or preventative work to keep this thing the most reliable, wondering if I should replace lbj’s soon or just save up a bit and get all new front suspension and control arms etc? Truck runs and rides better than most anything I’ve owned as it sits. No heavy off-roading but we got rivers and beach so gravel and sand, also I’ve heard some earlier 1st gen 2wd had elockers? Interested to find out if that’s even a thing on these or how to figure out if the trucks got one. And finally a non reliabuildability question... where the hell are you guys putting subwoofers and amps where they sound good and don’t take up a whole back seat?! Thanks all in advance!

    784532A4-B84B-4419-9A85-DF1CC3E9B0DE.jpg
     
  2. Mar 27, 2020 at 1:33 AM
    #2
    koditten

    koditten New Member

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    You want reliability, you need to keep it stock.

    If your control arm bushings are fine, there is no reason to change control arms. The bushings are the only wearable part.

    I don't know if there was a Prerunner package for 1st Gen Tundras.

    The Tacomas had the lockable diffy for their Prerunner 2 wheel drive trucks.
     
    Rex Kramer likes this.
  3. Mar 27, 2020 at 1:34 AM
    #3
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    20200323_083008.jpg

    This is my '02 V6 Auto. I have been curious about this myself. I'll dig up a side profile pic.

    Edit: @koditten posted while I was typing. Reliability is really all I'm after. Lol
     
    MrAristo likes this.
  4. Mar 27, 2020 at 6:36 AM
    #4
    SC T100

    SC T100 New Member

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    Honestly, to keep reliability as high as possible you need to change the lower ball joints (check the VIN at the dealer, you might get them for free), change the timing belt/water pump (use the good Aisin kit) if it hasn't been done i the last 90K, and keep up with maintenance. Don't let it overheat, and keep the oil fresh. Since you have an '02, you can do some trans fluid drains and fills, and don't tow with the overdrive on. And keep weights and tow weights within spec or below. That drivetrain is about as reliable as they come.

    That's it. It'll run another 280K if you keep up on everything, including little things (cracked hoses, small leaks, etc.).
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2020
    Darkness likes this.
  5. Mar 27, 2020 at 7:09 AM
    #5
    koditten

    koditten New Member

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    I think you are mistaken on towing in OD. O2 Tundra would have had the Tacoma transmission with the weak planatary gear assembly.
     
  6. Mar 27, 2020 at 7:14 AM
    #6
    SC T100

    SC T100 New Member

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    Yep..typo! Thanks. Meant to say don't.
     
    koditten[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Mar 27, 2020 at 12:17 PM
    #7
    speedtre

    speedtre New Member

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    No tundra has ever come with a factory rear locker...you can register your truck at toyota.com/owners and see if it came with the optional LSD.
     
  8. Mar 27, 2020 at 1:25 PM
    #8
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you guys for the responses! Very helpful and gave me lots of ideas, definitely gunna keep her mostly stock, nothing crazy as she’s the daily, but that might be what it is I never thought Toyota incorporates LSD but after gettin engine in the truck in Springfield we went up to the mountains and she spun both tires in the snow I was pretty surprised, but I can feel some groaning from the lbj’s on slow mph turns, poor trucks prolly never had much changed lol and she’s a 2001 I might have mistyped there year earlier thanks all!
     
    koditten likes this.
  9. Apr 28, 2020 at 10:35 PM
    #9
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    Should I stay Toyota genuine? Or go for some moog parts?
     
  10. Apr 28, 2020 at 10:41 PM
    #10
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

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    Only Toyota. Moog will only last about 1 year.

    LBJs are absolutely critical on 1st gen tundras, 2nd gen tacos and 3rd gen 4runners. On these designs when one fails, it is catastrophic - the front end will immediately drop to the ground - not good if it happens at 70 mph...

    Toyota parts will be pricey but they have been redesigned to avoid the original part's failure points.

    Luck and enjoy those Toyotas.
     
  11. Apr 29, 2020 at 4:08 PM
    #11
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    Gotcha, rather spend the extra now than replace more later
     
  12. Apr 29, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #12
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    If you are going to go through the front suspension anyhow, it shouldn't hurt reliability a bit to level the front end. You can run 5100 shocks and pick up the front about 2". Then the next time you need tires if you can move up to a 265/75/16 all terrain tire.

    Where people cause problems with suspension is lifting too high, going too wide on tires, or lifting too high on old bushings and joints without resetting the tension on the arms.

    You have 2wd, there isn't much to break up front.
     
    TootinTundra3.4[OP] and Tundra2 like this.
  13. Apr 29, 2020 at 6:41 PM
    #13
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    That’s what I was figuring was Bilsteins up front and ad a leaf level in the rear with bilsteins, figured since she might tow here and there little extra suspension in the rear would help. Isn’t there a 1 inch kit for the rear? I figure ball joints and bearings would be first (kinda gotta go in chunks) then I’d start on suspension, then prolly run the tires till I need new ones
     
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  14. Apr 29, 2020 at 7:41 PM
    #14
    Tundra2

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    This is what I've got planned for mine. I have everything but alcan leafs. At 18 years old I'm figuring its time to put some love into my truck. She has has only left me stranded once. The alternator went out.

    Here is what I got today.

    Soon I will inspect bushings, and what not to see what needs to be replaced (UCA, LA, ball joints.)
     
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  15. Apr 29, 2020 at 7:58 PM
    #15
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    Damn those rear springs and shocks definitely needed some love lol definitely checking those parts, my undercarriage is surprisingly clean for the miles but I think it’s been a Cali rig most it’s life and probably 90% of that was freeway/highway, can’t wait to get some parts ordering!
     
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  16. Apr 29, 2020 at 8:05 PM
    #16
    Tundra2

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    I was surprised how clean everything else was on mine. (Honestly, I had no idea it was clean until other members here pointed it out to me.)

    My truck used to regularly tow an enclosed steel trailer probably from the 60s. Heavy mf. Loaded with gear? I don't even want to think about how much it weighed.

    I have recently had one ton of gravel in the bed, and it sank. I looked like I had that stupid negative (rake?) The front of the truck pointed in the air. How do those people see to drive?

    I was only on a 3 inch difference at most and I couldn't stand it.
     
  17. Apr 29, 2020 at 8:08 PM
    #17
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    If your truck has an open diff, you can add a lunchbox locker from powertrax. Easy peezy, locker traction!
     
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  18. Apr 29, 2020 at 8:11 PM
    #18
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    Haha! I know what you’re talking about, the “squat” only things rusted on mine are leafs and exhaust, but really not bad, only surface, I’ve only got mine to “squat” an inch or 2, lol, atv in bed while towing, but I’m definitely glad I decided to get a new engine in her and keep her going, solid bones
     
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  19. Apr 29, 2020 at 8:13 PM
    #19
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    hell yeah I'm definitely looking for a little more traction, basically I take this thing up the mountain as far as she likes then the quad the rest of the way, lol, gotta get some al terrains though these road tires are ok for now
     
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  20. Apr 29, 2020 at 8:13 PM
    #20
    TokerJoker

    TokerJoker ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

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    Howdy from DFW and nice truck :thumbsup:
     
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  21. Apr 29, 2020 at 10:40 PM
    #21
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    Registered my truck on yota/owners.com and couldn’t find if it had lsd option but did come to find out it was an original Oregon truck (my state) and start of use date was on my birthday back in 01 haha
     
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  22. Apr 30, 2020 at 2:46 AM
    #22
    imDementeD

    imDementeD New Member

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    There should be an LSD sticker on the diff if it has it.

     
  23. Apr 30, 2020 at 11:19 AM
    #23
    TootinTundra3.4

    TootinTundra3.4 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you @imDementeD ill definitely have to crawl under and check it out
     
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