New Owner of "High" Mileage 2nd Gen Tundra

Hi,

Long time Toyota owner, but first time owning a Tundra. I had been looking for the last couple months for a clean double cab 1st gen 4x4, but couldn't find one, or one that I thought was worth the asking price.

I found this 2008 CrewMax 4x4 with 283k miles instead, and as you might expect, the price was about the same as a clean 1st gen. All my research said that while the 1st gen were great trucks, the 2nd gen were even better. Factor in the cost of a Timing Belt and Water Pump (seemed like every 1st gen I looked at needed that), and I quickly convinced myself this would be the better option; regardless of higher mileage.

It has been well maintained by previous owners at the local dealership and the records prove that fortunately. After working from home for the past year, I expect to only drive around 5-7k miles a year. At that rate, I'm hoping this will last another 5-10 years if not more.

With the help of this site and others, I feel like I have a good chance. Already done a few things to it, and taking it in next week for the infamous needle bearing (have the ECGS bushing ready to go).

If anybody is in SW Idaho and wants to see a clean high mileage 2nd gen, let me know. (I know, I need a better picture..)

 

Nice pic ~ thanks for sharing . . .

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome! Mines an 08 CM with 156.000 on it and the same color. Looks good!

 

Where is it? Blends in with the WHITE snow...

 

Sounds like it's not even broken in yet.

 

As a matter of fact..

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Idaho, and thanks guys. Looking forward to adding a few personal touches

 

Welcome from WTX! I spent a few months out in Boise/Meridian and enjoyed exploring the area. Enjoy your Tundra

 

Great find Let the MODS begin!!!!

 

Welcome from riot central, (Portland). My 07 just turned over to 96k

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

Welcome from Georgia.

I purchased my '07 a little over 3 years ago when
it had 270,000... it just rolled past 298,000 last month.

 

Welcome

 

I take it no major issues so far?

 

The first 270,000 miles were undocumented, and the truck was not accompanied by any service records. I knew this going in, so I negotiated a low purchase price and took a chance. I did have to replace the fuel pump during the first month of ownership, but it's been problem free since then except for the P0456 code for an EVAP System – Small Leak that I have not tracked down yet.

 

Great color, Welcome from Phoenix.

 

Nice truck. Welcome from Twin Falls. Good call on the ECGS bushing. I just did mine and it wasn't too bad. Nice and quiet now.

 

Thanks, think you're the closest so far!

I really hope the bushing fixes it. It's not terribly loud, but still irritating. We hope to take the truck on a road trip this next week after it's done.

Do you recall how many miles you drove on the bearing before replacement? Any tips you'd offer regarding install?

 

I bought my truck in November with 153k miles. The truck only has 159k now.

I noticed the noise from the needle bearing shortly after buying it. I know the bearings go out quicker on lifted vehicles. My truck had a spacer lift when I bought it.

If you haven't already you can put the truck in 4wd and if the noise stops then you know it's for sure the needle bearing.

As far as tips for replacement, you're going to want the removal tool ECGS sells. Watch the YouTube by Timmy the Tool man as well. Be careful while separating the upper ball joint from the spindle, you don't want to damage the wire to the wheel speed sensor. Be careful removing the dust cap over the axle nut, go slow so you can reinstall it without any damage. The CV axle was hard to get out on my truck, I used a long pry bar to get on a ridge in the casting and tap with a hammer. I also had to use the "slide hammer method" in conjunction with this to finally pull the CV out. Getting the new bushing started was a bit tricky, you want to drive it in straight. Once I got it started it went in pretty easy. Pay attention to how each strike feels/sounds. That's how you'll know the bushing is home is by feel and the change in sound from your tap to drive it further. Don't worry, I think it'd be really hard to drive it too far. If you lose more than a couple dribbles of diff oil make sure to refill! Good luck!!! It's really not too bad of a job.

 

I wanted to follow up on this, I was pressed for time before a road trip and took it into a local mechanic to swap out the bearing.

He told me it was a pretty straightforward job and the cost reflected that ($170).

I'm happy to report the noise is now gone and the truck handled the 800 mile road trip without an issue.. Other than some poor gas mileage (13 mpg @ 80-85 mph).

The odd thing to me, and believe it's been reported by others, but the needle bearing looked great with no signs of damage. Makes me think it is something that is more of an annoyance than a necessity to fix, but still glad it's done with.

 

Glad it worked! Yeah my needle bearing didn't look bad but it sounded bad. I've got my Tundra out on a trip now too. 900 miles in, about 1200 to go. Getting 15 to 16mpg with the 4.7L. swapped to Amsoil in the front, rear diff and T-case. Swapped to Valvoline full synthetic in the tranny. Seemed to help mpg a little.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/passed-400-000-miles-today.61639/page-4#post-2191107

 

Welcome from Colorado! Having owned a 1st gen for several years and recently having acquired a 2012 CM, I can say IMHO you made a good decision on going with the gen 2 over the 1. I found that the 4.7 was a little bit of a dog in the mountains when the truck was loaded down, and the interference motor always made me a little nervous even though I checked the timing belt religiously. Great motor, have it in my LX470 which has 260k miles on it, just didn't fully meet my needs. So far I have been extremely impressed with the gen 2, I'm sure you will love it.

 

Thanks! The interference motors always made me a little nervous too (irrational I know as I can't remember when I last saw a timing belt break).

If nothing else, the difference between 1st/2nd gen Crew Cabs interior space was worth it.

Had 2 adults and a toddler in the back seat of the CrewMax for the trip and no complaints about room.

Hoping it lasts as long as the thread referenced above by @MTRock (over 430k now)

 

Welcome!