1st gen tacoma owner thinking of buying a tundra

Hello there!
I own a 03 tacoma v6 trd and have owned my truck for 11 years. I'm thinking of upgrading to a tundra because i would like the ability to tow a travel trailer.

I'm looking for advice from anyone who use to own a tacoma and switch to a tundra. Are you glad you bought a tundra? do you miss your tacoma? Anything you like more or worse about tundra?

I think 1st gen tacomas are built better than 2nd and 3rd. Do u feel this way about tundras? is there a year that you recommend buying (1st or 2nd)

I'm not the type of person that likes to buy a new truck every few years. I want something that i know will last a long time! My tacoma has 250,000 miles on it and i feel like it can go another 250!! Do Tundras have this same reputation?

Any pros or cons are appreciated!! Thanks!!

 

I've got an 01 (and 02) taco and my 05 tundra. 1st gen tundra compared to 1st gen taco. just imagine more power and bigger, but drives very similar to a Tacoma. but because of the Tacoma diff. you're limited to 7300lbs MAX for towing.
the regular cab with a bed has been amazing for getting things done vs the double cab beds. the v8 is peppy and torquey. towing my Mercedes home you could barely tell it was there (until you braked).

i feel like the 1st gen tundras are just the right size. 2nd and 3rd gens are great, but they're MASSIVE

 

I've got a 1st gen taco 95.5 2.7L 5sp 4x4 w/manual hubs on 35's and a 05 tundra 2wd.

1st gen Tundra is roomier, better ride (stock height/suspension) and gobs more power. No question the v8 will tow better. Great upgrade.

If you get an early year model with the smaller calipers/pads, upgrade them. Especially if towing.


If you plan to hit trails the Tundra is slightly large for the smaller more technical stuff and has a worse turning radius.

Size wise though, nowhere near as bad as the massive 2nd/3rd gens. 2-3 friends have had them, lots of power with the 5.7L for towing.

 

I echo everything they said really. I was shocked at how much my Tundra reminded me of just an oversized taco.

 

Hello yes I had the Tacoma TRD long bed crew cab and it was a wonderful vehicle I did trade up well I moved to Alaska and I wanted something a little bigger so I did buy a tundra trd crewmax and I am happy with it and I wonder why I stayed with a smaller truck all of those years but don't be afraid it's a great vehicle

 

Thanks for the great advise!! Ya some tundras look huge so its good to know that the 1st gen are smallest. Im looking at smaller camper trailers less than 4000 so i think a tundra should do great! I like torque so that's nice lol! thanks again this helps!

 

Awesome! thanks for the feedback!

 

Wonderful advice! thank you for your input!

 

Side by side the 1st Gen Tundra wins over the Taco in every category. Room, power, tow, haul, and price as used vehicle. A few friends tried first to do Tacos as a substitute to 1st Gen, but then ended up in Turd Gens. A lose lose for them.

What everyone else above says is spot on, too.

 

Agreed. I wanted a Tacoma (coming from 3rd gen 4 runner) but when I quickly discovered they were too small for a growing family AND I could get a bigger and better equipped Tundra for LESS money... It was a no brainier. That was 8 years ago though, might be getting harder to find good first gens.

The first gen double cabs with a 6' bed are the sweet spot. Newer DC back seats have less legroom and the crew max 5' bed just doesn't cut it.

 

I drove an 04 Tacoma for 4 years and just upgraded to an 07 Tundra.

The first gen Tundras, like lots of people have said, are like a slightly bigger, much better Tacoma. If you just want an upgrade, I would go that route.

2nd gen Tundras are like an entirely different truck. If you feel like you need a lot more truck, a 2nd gen with the 5.7 is definitely the way to go.

 

I was weary going from my 1st gen taco camping rig (had a pop up camper on it) to a 2016 Tundra, mostly since our main use for it is overlanding/mild off-roading to camp/ride bikes. I will say though that other than a learning curve for mild off-roading going from Taco to Tundra, I was pleasantly surprised. The Tundra, while much bigger, has a short front end that helps with downward sight for off-roading. Otherwise for me, the tundra is the same width as when I had the camper on the taco, so I haven't noticed a huge difference concerning width.

Also just depends on how clean you want to keep the paint on your tundra, I have stopped trying to care after coming to terms with what I use it for haha

 

I've pulled a 28' TT (6400#) with my '00 V8 TRD model. No sweat. Trailer brakes are your friend. But plenty of power. 4000# would be a piece of cake. I'm pretty easy on it though. No full throttle pulls or panic brakes. Lots of room to start and stop. Compared to the Taco, this truck will make you smile more. You'll find very few compromises with the Tundy. It's right sized.

 

I think an 05-06 access cab with VVTI might be the sweet spot. After driving that double cab a few weeks ago I can tell why people like the additional power. It was noticeable. The downside is the sealed transmission and those stupid air pumps that always fail. I would just avoid getting one with VSC.

 

There's something to be said for the simplicity of the pre VVTi motors with no air pumps. Some of the "power" that you feel in the 05-06 models is the 5 speed trans with a different gear spread. The benefit of the VVTi will be in the upper part of the RPM power band where I rarely drive mine. Near identical torque figures. Would love to have the 5 speed with my motor.

 

I have owned 3 Tacoma’s personally before getting a tundra and as has been said it feels similar but has tons more power and rides better than my Tacoma’s did too. The tundras are still very maneuverable. I like mine tons better. The 4.7 is easy to work on, and pulls bigger tires better and stays in overdrive easier than any taco. Plus it just sounds a lot better too!

 

Good points. I felt like that DC accelerated smoother across the entire RPM range though. No idea how to quantify that though. And this is coming from someone that was skeptical of the people that said VVTI was god's gift to man.

If I were the OP I would at least try to go 03-04 or newer so you get the bigger calipers. I think they improved the lower ball joints at some point too.

 

Stupid question sorry. What is VSC?

 

That's not a stupid question. It doesn't get discussed much. It's vehicle stability control. Some of the 1st gens came with it but it wasn't super common.

 

OK good to know. Thank you. Why should one avoid getting a 1st gen with that?

 

Most view it as an unnecessary nanny device that doesn't add any real value. Also, it has a special master cylinder/booster combo that is insanely expensive if it breaks. I think it's almost $1000..? Can't remember the exact number but it's a lot.

 

Ah i see. Yes nannies are annoying very happy mine doesn’t have any. Yes more things to go wrong. Gotcha

 

I like that the 2000 model is about as tech advanced as a 92 model. Power windows and locks. Cruise. ABS. That's about it.

 

Great! Thanks for your opinion! Much appreciated. Do u think they last as long as a tacoma?

 

You can tow a travel trailer with the 3.4 you have now. We hauled about 4k worth of travel trailer through the rockies with a 3rd gen 4runner.

The 4runner is better offroad, real locker, Tight turning radius, shorter wheelbase and skinnier size.

The 4runner is better in urban environments because it is smaller. I try to avoid those places so that doesn't matter much to me.

At first I would have said I liked the 4runner more on the highway, but after the front end rebuild suspension and a ton of inside rattle elimination, I definitely prefer the tundra now. It drives and the doors sound like a proper Toyota.

The 5 spd is definitely something That I am getting used to, but overall the whole drivetrain is much smoother and quieter. When I need the 4runner to do work things get loud. The tundra is overall much quieter.

I towed many thousands of miles with the 4runner but I have only towed a 20 or 30 with the tundra. Most of my towing happens in the warmer months. With that said there was a huge improvement in comfort towing with the tundra. Climbing hills is much more relaxed. Passing semis are a bit less harsh.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-official-1st-gen-towing-thread-any-and-all-things-towing.81071/

 

Great advice thank you! My truck can tow a trailer but I would have to make a lot of upgrades to it.. also will definitely be traveling over mountain passes and I know it won't be ideal.. it's a really tough decision and I'm not sure I can go thru with it. I love my tacoma soo much! I'll check out the link you shared thanks again!!

 

Most of the "upgrades" your taco needs will also be needed and transferable to the tundra, specifically the brake controller and the weight distributing hitch. If you don't have a 7 pin then you will need to add that to the taco and if you go to a tundra it will most likely have that.

 

Did 1st gen Tundras have a 7 pin as a factory option?

 

Mine did. I assumed most came with a tow package but maybe not?