"Upgrading" from a Tacoma to a Tundra.....what to watch for.....

Hey all, just joined. 10+ year owner of 2 Taco's (love love love) Going to be upgrading my travel trailer to 6500-7000# (just over what I feel comfortable with the Taco) and therefore now looking to switch to a 2nd gen 4.7L 4x4 Tundra for it's towing capacity (would I be better with the 5.7L ?). Rumors be what they are, do I have any specific issues I should watch for? I've heard of tranny's etc in the 2nd gen trucks. I did so much research before i bought my first Taco over on TacomaWorld and thought I would tap into the Tundra communities' wealth of knowledge as i set out on my search for my next Toyota........
Thanks a ton!

 

2nd gen Aisin trannys are bullet proof. Go with 5.7L. You won't regret it. Welcome from Colorado.

 

Definitely would want the 5.7 hands down if you are towing that much.

I'll let the 2nd gen guys chime in on what to look for.

 

I like my 4.7 but would have went with a 5.7 if i didn't find such a good price on the 4.7. I'd say if you are pulling 7K lbs frequently, go with the 5.7 with tow package and 6 speed tranny. The 4.7 will also require timing belt replacement at 100K but this wasn't a problem for me as I would do a water pump on a 5.7 at some point anyways.

 

I would go with a 5.7. I'm at 260k 2wd tow package

Personal experience, my 2nd water pump is at 235k and is starting to leak or its probably the bypass hose that bends up top that is leaking. 1st one was replaced under warranty at 25k.

Transmission does complain when fluid is dirty, I wouldn't assume and replace all fluud, there's a few how-to on this site..

Starter may go about 210k more or less. I've replaced mine

Front calipers will start sticking about 220k depending on where you live may be sooner or later. Mine are sticking, so they will both be replaced soon.

OEM Radio knobs may appear inoperable, but condensation builds in ball bearings, so you will need to spin the knobs left and right to get them to properly function properly again.

Plastic bushing on the tail gate. My low profile cat took care of mine, bushing can't be replaced, has to be the entire hinge. Tail gate handle, lube up the rods or handle may break. Haven't had an issue with the tail gate strut, due to the missing bushing, lol..

This is just my list... I'm sure others may add more. Mine still runs strong,

 

For any Tundra/Tacoma, rust will be your greatest enemy.

Obviously the frames must be checked over well for rust, but also check the underside of the bed.

The seam sealer Toyota used hardens over time, and allows water to creep in between the bed floor and cross beams—especially the critical beams where the bolts hold the bed on!

So check this close from beneath! A bed-liner or spray-in-liner can just cover up the damage occurring from the bottom up.

I’m dealing with rust hole repairs in the bed of my 2008 Tundra just this week.

ToolCat

 

If you’re expecting to be able to easily tow or haul heavy right out of the gate, don’t. You’ll need to beef up your rear suspension at minimum to prevent poor handling that comes with sagging under a heavy load. The rear leafs on the Tundra were built for articulation so that both rear wheels stay on the ground on all kinds of terrain.

Pay attention to your numbers. Lots of people here won’t go a pound over, but some of us spend a great deal of time near, at, or a bit over GVWR. Proper preparation/mods is key.

Absolutely get a 5.7L if you plan on towing. It will be a night and day difference from your Tacoma.

 

Wow, appreciate the replies. 5.7 it is! I'm now hunting for a 2010-2013 quadcab 4x4 with under 150k
My current Taco is pristine at just under 200k
So, I should be watching for the frame rust issues (similar to the Taco's), waterpump, ect. I'm pretty meticulous about my vehicles and well always seems to be a crapshoot with buying 2nd hand, just doing my due diligence! Appreciate the replies

 

I went from a '14 Taco to a '21 Tundra. One thing that will take a while to get used to is the decreased visibility around the A Pillar. If I'm at a 4 way stop, the Huge side mirror and A-pillar can completely block out entire vehicles. I have to lean forward or back to see around them

 

Good luck with your search!

 

Curious: would a 4.7 still be viable as a mule if gears were swapped with 5.29s......?

 

5.7 all the way. Resale down the road will be much better as well. Throw some air bags in the rear if you plan to tow often.

 

I just did what you are looking to do. I have a 2001 Tacoma that just didn't have enough to pull my camper. I researched for a long time and decided on a 2007-2009 Tundra 5.7. I felt like the cam tower leaks were problematic enough that I wanted to stay away from them. I ended up with an '08 CM 4WD. I absolutely love this truck. Other than the gas mileage, which honestly isn't that bad for the size of truck it is, it's perfect for what I need it for. Like everyone else, I would highly recommend the 5.7 for towing. I added Sumosprings on mine and they have been just fine. Can't go wrong with airbags either.

 

I own both - 2007 SR5 Tundra CM, 4X4, 5.7L, 75K - 2015 Tacoma Sport. Both have been bullet proof. I use the Tundra almost exclusively for towing, an RV and horse trailer - 6-7K. I added Air Lift air bags. Since new, the Tundra has been trouble free - routine maintenance, all driveline fluids replaced at 50K. A couple of batteries and sets of tires. No rust. Terrible mileage. As with any pre-owned purchase, a careful inspection and comprehensive test drive. good luck.

 

Thank you Martin! Cam tower leaks, surprised that wasnt mentioned before. How do you inspect for that defect pre-purchase? I too am very very leary of these probs. I had a Chevy Avalanche once that developed the 5.3 L Vortex oil consumption problem (ended up trading in as repairs were virtually a whole rebuild) Dealer claimed "1 quart per 500 miles is completely normal" "never heard of this oil consumption issue" SOB's
Anyways, guess I have some reading to do re - cam tower leaks
BTW- jbrnigan you mentioned fuel consumption... more than 15-16 mpg?
Thanks again everyone!

 

open road, no load (speed limit) - 18-20 mpg....... around town - 14-16 mpg....... towing 6-7K - 9-11 mpg

 

Lots of information on here:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/cam-shaft-tower-seal-leaking-please-read.20102/

 

See car care nut review who is a toyota master tech lots of good info in his vid.>>>>https://youtu.be/l2OAHImTgA8

 

Have had my second gen for 5 years now also came from a Taco. Check for rusting issues underneath truck & bed liner if it has one.. My only issues have been fuel pump related im on #3 now..

the tundra has stranded me a few times the Tacoma never did.

 

Gotta say, reading the forums about these cam tower leaks has me really questioning the Tundra.......

 

If you are agonizing over cam tower leakage, buy something else. Toyota has made almost 2M Tundra's since 2005 (most 5.7L). The incidence of systemic problems (maybe excluding rust - which is not mechanical) is not statistically significant. Vehicles break. Abused and high mileage vehicles break more often. A thorough inspection and comprehensive test drive is your best insurance against buying a problem. But, absent a "certified", pre-owned dealer vehicle with a warranty, there will be some risk, whatever you buy, caveat emptor. Knowing that, be prepared for repairs. I own 3 Toyota's, a Highlander, Tacoma and a Tundra. All have been extremely reliable. If and when one breaks, I'll just get it fixed (or fix it) and move on.

 

Cam tower leaks are VERY easy to identify with a quick look thu the front wheel wells. I saw several trucks with the leak when shopping for our Tundra. I chose not to purchase any of those Trucks.

Also, many here who have the leak report that it does not even leak enough to ever drip and have decoded to just let it go.

This is not a leak like on my wife's jeep. Where you loose over a quart of oil before it starts pouring out of the vee of the block, and then down onto a carpeted splash-guard under the motor.

...just sayin

 

I totally agree, I just noticed that the later (2011 and up) were the ones that were having the Cam Tower issue. I didn't really see any '07--'09's with it, so stayed in that range. From what I read, most aren't fixing unless it gets really bad or they are still covered under warranty. I am by no means an expert. I wouldn't not buy a Tundra based on a Cam Tower leak problem that may never happen. What vehicle would you buy then? Ram (transmission issues), Ford (5.4 engine issues), Chevy (transmission and engine issues).. They all have something. It's a "pick your poison" deal. The Tundra is a solid truck just like the Tacoma, I have both and have been happy. I have friends that drive all of the others and have all of the issues I stated above. Honestly OP, just do your research, check the truck out before buying (get a PPI), just like you would any other vehicle and send it..

 

I consistently towed ~6000lbs on a 3.5L V6 manual Tacoma. It was work on longer trips.

Go with the 5.7L V8 Tundra w/ the tow package 100%, it's an animal compared to my Tacoma. I want to say 2015+ SR5 "upgrade" package Tundras and higher have 38 gal tanks, which I would also strongly recommend for towing. Stick to stock size on tires if you're focused on towing performance.

 

Thank you, really really appreciate the replies. Now on the hunt for a 2009-2012 5.7 DC under 125k!

 

You’re gonna love it.

The overwhelming majority of cam tower seepage isn’t even enough to change the reading on the dipstick between oil changes, let alone leak out a puddle in your driveway. It’s more annoying than anything. It’s an issue because people expect near perfection from Toyota, and Toyota never addressed the issue with a recall.

 

this is the general consensus i got from all the reading i did before i bought mine. the only reason anyone knows about it is the smell. it's not like a rear main seal leak or something

 

Update on this thread......
New to me 2018 5.7L CM airbags canopy (2018 last year with tranny cooler) just under 100K. Feels like a beast coming from my Taco! Dealership serviced since new, have the service record. Visual on the camshaft towers dry dry dry!
Thanks everyone

 

If the cam towers have made it 5 years and 100k miles without leaking, you will likely never have a problem. Just getting broken in!