Upgrades Recommendations.

Hello all, I'm sure there's a thread for this already. But I have a 2003 tundra and I'm looking for recommendations on what I should upgrade first. It is mechanically sound and for being in Michigan it has a solid frame (frame was replaced in 2012 with a frame recall) I know there's some stuff I need to replace but it's cosmetic mainly. Thank you all in advance

 

'Glass bedsides & fenders.

 

Yeah that's part of the cosmetic stuff I'm planning on replacing. I'm wanting an off-road beast build but not showing any signs of it. But also being awesome on the streets as it's my daily.

 

Ever seen the 2011 movie cabin fever? First thing I thought of was the weird deteriorated lips scene.

Good luck with your upgrades!

 

Read this first: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

Once you do, you’ll know what is critical based on maintenance history, and you can start with that.

Next, decide what you want to use the truck for, to help understand what mods should come after.

But you’ve already said a couple of things that don’t normally jibe with reality, i.e. “truck was in Michigan” and “has a solid frame”. Those two things don’t compute. You may want to share pics of the typical rusty spots for input.

EDIT: Man the photo on mobile doesn't do justice on how bad that thing is rotted out

 

That body condition would scare me if the new frame spent 12 years in Michigan.

 

Well the frame was replaced in 2012 because of the recall

 

12 years ago. We've seen frames on here less than 3-4 years old, untreated, with holes already in them. We've also seen great jobs of sellers coating frames with stuff so the rust isn't orange anymore. If you're not adept with frames, we've reviewed a bunch on here.

Post some pics of the typical spots before you dump money into anything.

 

Beat I got at this time

 

The truck is going to drop body panels like an oak tree loses its leaves in the fall. Rust belt claims another victim.

 

Yeah unfortunately it needs both fenders and the bed but cab is solid. I'm planning on changing the fenders and bed.

 

Look really carefully at those cab mounts. You may not like what you see.