Discontinued years/phased out parts

Was thinking about this the other day in the shower and wanted to know other's thoughts?

My tundra is definitely the oldest vehicle I own soo.. and I have never run into these sorts of issues in the past as I mostly bought new. But having looked online, at least for the earlier 1 Gen models such as my 01, more and more OEM parts have been or have started to become discontinued and no longer available to order from either the dealership or from their suppliers.

I am assuming that random parts in inventory are just a surplus of parts that once they run out stay out of stock.

Obviously this is the nature of the beast and I don't expect a company to keep making parts for something 20+ years old, but...It seems our tundras love OEM parts, often being superior to aftermarket parts and also sometimes the realistic option.

So I beg to ask, should I consider getting into the mindset of starting to slowly replace parts of my 01 tundra even if it's not currently needed, on the thought process that when it comes time to fix it those parts may not be available? Should I start stocking up on, or ordering multiples of crucial parts even though I don't really have the spare room to store it right now?

This problem seems to even hit the aftermarket vendors. Granted, there are not really much for my year anyways but even the most popular options have all phased out my year. For example, I missed the @dirtydeeds , Doug Thorley, JBA long headers, market back in the day, and finding one used for my year seems to be as rare as finding a TRD supercharger kit lol.

Obviously I know ebay, Amazon, salvage yards, and forum marketplaces exist, but thats no guarantee your getting a quality product or that it will be available when the time comes.

Just wanting to know anyones thoughts on this or if i'm just overreacting and that there will always be aizen timing belt kit or a OEM LBJ kit avaliable online in the future lol.

 

I don't know the answer but I've wondered the same thing. Toyota has picked some really strange parts to discontinue such as the master cylinder and brake booster. Denso recently stopped remanufacturing our alternators. But then they have decided to keep making less important parts like window trim. I'm sure some pencil pusher somewhere is making these calls.

There are two types of people. Some won't replace anything until it breaks, even ball joints. This is fine unless you're in a really remote place which some of us like to go to.

Others like me would rather slowly replace parts as I can afford it. I focus on parts that have the ability to leave me stranded if they break.

If they ever stop making lower ball joints we are screwed. I could see the value in stocking some critical parts if you're planning to keep the truck a few more decades.

 

I face this with my SC400, I've been looking up part numbers that match other Toyota models, like the Tundra as some gaskets and parts cross over with the Tundra, Sequoia and Supra. Alternator crosses over, with a slight mod like clipping 1 of the mounting points. Interior parts are all pretty much gone, just some random shops here in the US, and amayama and another site from Japan still stock some parts, but shipping is a different beast. And yes, I know, It may decimate all with some overnight parts from Japan.... LOL.

 

I've got a few parts sitting on the shelves for "I'll eventually need it" purposes. And if I don't, resale is gonna be f'n awesome.

 

" The year is 2035, where Tesla has taken over the world with their transformer cyber trucks with laser guns . Toyota no longer exists, and with it, its entire inventory support for all models..."

..Anyone wanna set up a raid to go attack shifty's complex for parts?

 

Psh worst technical ever after we black out the sun to try to stop the robots, everyone knows Land Cruiser trucks and Hiluxes (and, for us, 1GTs!!!) will be the techincals populating our Mad Max future.

 

Been wondering the same. I've gone through this with my 2001 Impreza coupe. They didn't make nearly as many of those as 1st gen Tundras, but in the last 5 years things like trim pieces, interior bits, headlights and a lot of other common parts are no longer available. If you do find NOS, the prices are usually insane. There is one Import shop that sells a lot of OEM parts, and they bought up a lot of the stock and were selling parts for 3x the cost (or more) of what you would have paid new from the dealer.

 

I propose a motion for everyone in the community to pitch in to mass buy lbjs and store it in a sealed temperature controlled vault in Antarctica.

 

Antartica will be a hot desert by the time I need LBJ’s again but I do like Mad Max thought or even Book of Eli….bunch of scavengers

 

We should do a massive group buy on the total chaos uniball conversion!

 

I’ve only stocked up on Toyota Red coolant when it was discontinued and Mobil 1 ATF when its on sale.

I can’t afford to stock up on parts as i don’t have any place to put them and i don't know if i’ll have my truck more than a year from now.

 

If i had to stock up on anything it’d be wheel bearings and dust backplates for the front and rear wheels. (mine are shot). Maybe a skid plate as well.

 

I would bet parts will be around for a very long time for these 1st gens. Look how many are still on the road! Some of the "allocated" items are harder to get... (throttle bodies, brake boosters, clock springs etc), but they are still within reach if you can wait and have the patience to call a couple/few dealerships.

 

If you haven't replaced your hood latch, buy a spare now (lexus part on fleabay). Even if "you're careful" with it - shop broke mine last year. Leave it in the bottom of your console with all those 'spare' screws you found when you removed the dash.

 

Got a example link?

 

I've thought about this as well...Doesn't our truck share a lot of commonality with other Toyota/Lexus models in many of the standard parts (starters, alternators, belts, etc?) That, and what Mr. Badwrench said, so many are still on the road. First Gens everywhere here, no one ever sells their's! Sure are where I live...In the past 3 years I've owned mine I've replaced the radiator, starter, differential carrier and timing belt, all OEM Toyota and had no issue finding parts. Even the drain tube at the bottom of my HVAC box that disintegrated was available by order. (replaced it myself with some stock heater hose and a zip tie, lol). Hmm...

 

This is the part. There seem to be a lot out there but the last time I waited on an old NOS part for my bike, they were gone within a year and used part was 3x what the new was.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203140767610

 

When I have more cash I'll be stocking up definitely. Stuff like the Aisin water pump timing belt kit, LBJs, wheel bearings, hoses, alternators, starters. But for now I fly by the seat of "what's needed and can I get by without replacing." If the critical parts are gone by the time I can afford to drop the coin then I guess it'll be time to dive right into a TBI Chevy for a whole nother kind of headache.