Cleanest 1st Gen?

I have just picked myself up, what I think could be the cleanest 1st Gen Tundra in North America!

One owner from new. 150,000kms (93,000 miles)
2000 Limited Access Cab.
Fully taken care of by a Toyota Dealership in Edmonton, Alberta. Even undercoated every other year, and only driven in good weather.

The elderly gentleman who I bought it from backed it out of his garage for the last time and got upset handing the keys over. It’s a perfect example.

I bought it to be able to add a four wheel camper to the back, but now I’m worried about doing any kind of modifications to it, I was hoping to upgrade the suspension, wheels, HD leaf springs etc. But is it too nice ?

 

Welcome to the forum!

I won't believe it until I see pictures of the frame, inside the framerails, rear diff. If you're in AB, I expect it to be quite rusty inside the frame where they can't coat. Undercoating tends to hide rust to boot, and can exacerbate rust depending on what coating is used from what I've seen on here. Low mileage can also be very bad news on these trucks. https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

Looks very nice on the outside though. Good find. Hope you didn't pay more than 19k CAD if 4WD or 16k CAD if 2WD. Shocked the paint doesn't have obvious clearcoat fail. Must've been parked indoors out of UV light. Keep it waxed with something that blocks UV!

I wish you could take the trophy on cleanest, but there's someone on here with a two-ton green/beige AC like yours that I think may take the trophy ... https://www.tundras.com/threads/two-tone-pics.51186/page-2#post-2470097

 

Hopefully this truck is ok! I’ve been driving it for the past 6,000 miles with no issues. I want to baby this truck. I’ve just had it serviced by Toyota and given a good look over, frame is fortunately in great shape! And there was nothing to note.

If this was your truck, and you were in my position what would the Top 5 things that you would be doing now?
p.s Timing belt was done 10,000 miles ago.

 

Welcome aboard!! Great looking FGT specimen, it’s even the right color. If you’re gonna tow, make sure you have a suitable hitch, 7 pin wiring harness and brake controller. Trucks like these are not meant to be museum specimens, use that sucka. Just know that the common lift, wheels and aggressive tires all make for a worse tow vehicle. Number one on my list with any new to me vehicle is maintenance. I don’t care who’s been taking care of it before me, I’m checking all the fluids, plugs, seals and bushings. Great to hear the timing belt was done, you can move on to steering and brake fluid as the radiator had to be drained to do the TB. Those tires might be in great shape, but cold be old based on how little the PO drove it. Check the date code on the sidewall. Pics of the Canadian frame or we won’t believe it’s not a barnacle wagon. Enjoy the new ride!!

 

You definitely picked up a good looking truck! That said, you bought it to use it and fluid circulation is a good thing. Tire and ball joint inspections would be first on my list. Enjoy your find!

 

What does the brake fluid look like? Fine scotch or black coffee?

 

Good to know! It’s now our daily driver so it’ll be getting used a lot, tires were recently changed so they are good. One thing I did do was change rotors and pads. I checked the brake fluid seemed fine.
When it’s not -25c outside I’ll get a few photos of the underside for you all.

 

Wow! Best color too in my opinion.

I'll probably be dragged into the street and caned for this, but leave the suspension alone.

I tried to upgrade and slightly modify mine with great parts from reputable companies and I ended up creating a headache for myself. It was never as good as factory when I was done *(my opinion, individual results may vary, some assembly required, batteries not included etc...).

 

Top 5 things I would do? Well, given you still haven't told us if 2WD or 4WD I can only guess on that... Would you mind telling us that tidbit of critical info? I don't recall if Limited came w/V6 or not, but that's kinda important too, v6 or v8.

Change all fluids: Brake, coolant (use pink/red only, every other color is a problem), oil, front/rear diff and transfer case if applicable, transmission drain and fill with the correct fluid (you need to check, since it varied across years), washer, blinker, etc. Note if you have LSD rear DO NOT use synthetics without consulting here first, chances are you'll be sorry (chatter).

Drive line: If 2WD, confirm trans crossmember for cracks (didn't really impact your year, but ..) and if 4WD NLGI-2 moly in all zerks following the correct procedure, don't just pump and go. Check if 4WD works, if applicable. Check actuator vent tube condition.

Verify: E-brake works and all lines are adjusted taut, rear brakes inspection for shoe wear and operation, front brakes wear and operation. Look at radiator, how do plastics look? Verify the crankshaft position sensor was properly routed behind the bracket it should be when timing belt was done, else you'll be in a world of hurt later when the belt rubs it. Confirm the cv axle boots are intact and aren't slinging grease. Confirm the valve covers don't show signs of oil along the base. Confirm the bellows of the rack aren't leaking, check bushings while at it. Look under the driver side of dash to see if somoene is an asshole and installed an aftermarket alarm in there, either at the dealership or the PO. Check ends of all vacuum hoses under the hood.

Suspension check: Push-pull/slap test to verify wheel bearings and balljoints in front. Inspect upper and lower balljoints, paying attn to whether the LBJ appear OEM or not, bolts are tight, cotters intact. Check bushings on swaybar links. Inspect the struts in front and their lower bushing, inspect rear shocks and their upper bushings, lower bushings. Check your lower control arm bushings.

Misc: Clean and overhaul battery terminals. Clean, beef up and lube tailgate mechanics. Consider replacing wipers. If radio is aftermarket, I'd want to inspect and see if the PO and/or their installer hacked the factory harness. Consider cleaning the MAF appropriately, using CRC MAF fluid, and disconnect the negative battery cable before you start so the engine can re-learn after.

I think that's about what I'd be all over. Trying to think through anything else. I'd probably want to check to see if there are/were any windshield leaks too, and check for rodent stuff.

Most of what you need to know is in the very first link I posted in the 2nd reply of this thread.

 

I forgot to add that it’s a V8 4WD. Everything on it is OEM, Toyota have given me a print out of all the service history which is nice! I had them check/change any fluids when it went in for a check over/ service.
I put a new battery in it as it gets super cold here in the winter, and I’ve also added a trickle charger for the periods of time in the winter when we don’t need to use it.

 

The truck looks fantastic! So can you give us more details on the 4 wheel camper that you’re thinking about installing? It is just a lightweight canopy, or is it a heavy fully furnished slide in travel camper?

 

This is the style camper I’d like to get. It’s a four wheel camper, weight is around the 1000lbs mark.

 

For the build I’d like to do to my truck, I’m taking inspiration from this build.

 

I don't know, my 2001, 1 owner California 2wd is pretty nice, 104K and zero rust. Yours is nice too.

 

Here's my vote @912



But yours look great!

 

Yep. Yours came to mind when I heard cleanest in North America. Hard to believe your paint is still that nice.

@Luke111 yours is very nice too. Congrats!

 

Nice Find.... good on you! Chuck you got a good one also.... Y'all might have a better one than me... lol

 

Mine is not to shabby for a stock truck.

 

If you get a slide in camper the bare minimums mods are-
-multiple ambler colored LED light bars,
-720 degree pagoda awning,
-instagram account

 

Nah, just a bunch of molle

 

Hey this looks great and so does yours Luke. On this truck is that the factory grill and bumper with the plastic chrome or is that painted to match? I guess zooming in its still orig chrome. Anyway...Looks great!

 

Vinyl wrap. I think he has a ton of info in his build thread about how to do it and which to buy for that specific paint color. Here's 912's build thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/2005-double-cab-4x4-daily-driver-warning-pic-heavy-little-ot.75017

 

Thanks. Will read up on his build.