Returning to Tundra 2017 or 2021

You’ve never monitored transmission temps towing or you wouldn’t feel this way.

why did they ever put a cooler on if it wasn’t needed?

 

But wouldn't a trans cooler give a new spot for a rock to fly up and put a hole in in. This would cause it to loose all fluid and then burn up the transmission.

 

Except when you remote start it. Then it shuts down on ya . Doesn’t happen on the older models

 

Aftermarket front bumpers work better on older models.

Aftermarket rear bumpers work better on newer models.

 

I agree that brakes and rotors should last well beyond 20k miles. That was my experience with my 1st gen. But this past weekend towards the end of a relatively long downhill, my '21 Tundra with 26k miles had the type of front end shake that I associate with warped rotors. Got home last night and haven't checked anything yet, but I have a good idea where this is headed. I'm far from an aggressive driver, and haven't towed anything with the '21 Tundra. Sounds like I'm not the only
'21 owner dealing with brake component issues at relatively low miles.

 

They were just hot. Use the trans in S mode to avoid having to rely on the brake as much.

 

Fair point and yes I do downshift/use S mode where I feel it's appropriate. But I have done the same downhill before in the '21 in similar temperatures without downshifting and had no issue. It's a long grade but doesn't seem like it's that steep of a grade to necessitate downshifting. I also had recently noticed slight shake in my '21 going down a different grade - and I drive this grade often in both my '21 and '05 Tundras. Never had any front end shake in my '05 until well over 100k miles. I hope you're right though.

 

My brakes going surprised me, but I DO have a regular hill I hit a few times a day that I ride the brakes on, it isn't a long hill, but it added up. Most of my driving is at 30-50mph and not in a city so not much stopping. I think when I had loads of stone in the bed, that is when they wore faster than normal. That said, I have never had pads last near as long as half of you claim, so maybe I am the problem!


As for the tranny temps, whatever gauges they have on my truck, they all show where they should be, even when towing. I know you can add gauges that pay more attention to those temps, but I guess I never had an issue, and I never tow more than 30-40 minutes at a time. If I was going to tow regularly I wouldn't be be buying a Tundra, the truck with the worst towing capability in the full size class, for years. People pulling big trailers and stuff with these are silly to me. Get a f-250 and be done with it.


also general question, after 3 years and 170 messages I am still new, what is the threshold for that!?

 

So as far as I know you don't have any gauges for monitoring your transmission pan or torque converter temperatures. I know my 2018 doesn't, and I've never heard they added that later on in 2019-2021.

To monitor these temps, you'd have to hook up an OBDII scan tool that allows you to view the temperature sensor data (most use Scangauge II or III).

Considering many who've monitored those temps on 2019-2021 models (those without the transmission cooler) have seen really high temperatures during normal driving, I'd bet your's has gotten fairly high with even short duration towing. Whether or not that could lead to shortened transmission life is a whole nother debate.

 

You can edit that message whenever you’d like under your profile settings.

 

It has happened twice to me in Colorado. They get hot and will feel like they’re pulsing. After they cool down, it’s gone. Unless you’ve got some deposits on your rotors. Do a couple hard stops down to 10mph from 60mph, and you’ll clean that off.

 

For me - it’s almost unavoidable towing going down 8% grade if you’re keeping it over 50. I’ve felt the brakes pulse over a dozen times through the life of the truck under this scenario - still on factory rotors without any issues when they aren’t smoking hot.

 

I’ll just add the truck doesn’t tell you the transmission is hot until it’s over 300F - that’s a lot too late in my book.

 

It so freaking annoying tapping on that silly button if all you need is to crack window open. Physical keys all the way down to turtles

 

Seeing ATF color in my 2019 (no ATF cooler) just after 19k miles and no towing, and knowing the 2021 was used for towing, I would buy the 17.

 

I put the start-x kit on my '17 last year, then did the same for my mom and g-ma (both have push start Ravs). It is a nice little quirk that my truck doesn't shut off when I get in, just have to slide the key into the ignition. Seems to work a little better than theirs as well.

Not much to add that hasn't already been said to OP. Sometimes I wish I had an '18 or newer to get the few extra TSS features, but the other differences (headlights, carplay etc) could be handled with part upgrades. Good luck @mundra I hope you find the perfect Tundra for you!

 

I love my 21. No tranny cooler is a nonissue.

 

That’s a good point, I do miss throwing the key on our Sequoia and rolling all the windows down.

 

Wife's 2022 Sequoia is key-less, and I hate that aspect of it. The rest of everything rules in 2nd Gen Sequoia, of course.

 

Not much to add that hasn't already been said to OP. Sometimes I wish I had an '18 or newer to get the few extra TSS features, but the other differences (headlights, carplay etc) could be handled with part upgrades. Good luck @mundra I hope you find the perfect Tundra for you![/QUOTE]

Well after reading all these posts I logged on earlier today and found a 2018 1794 with 21K miles one owner for a $44k. I have looked nationwide for weeks and everything seems to be low 40's and up for the platinum and 1794 models with sunroofs. I want a few specific options like power folding mirrors and sunroof. My garage is deep enough to fit the truck but my doors need me to fold the mirrors. Now I get the LED lights and the tranny cooler getting the 2018! It is smoked mesquite in color. I just was not feeling the 2021 with new brakes this soon and the 2017 I was going to add the LED headlight and fog lights. Ya'll have been extremely helpful! I am anxious to pick up my truck in a couple days.

 

Every single vehicle I buy gets a 1/4" grid hardware cloth placed directly behind the grill within the first week of ownership. Protects everything really well from stones and insect splatter. After 20 years, A/C still nice and chilly. Costs like $20 and an hour.

 

Congrats OP! Send pics when you have it!

 

Good idea.

 

I've always done the same with window screen netting. Even keeps fescue seeds out

 

Clogs too fast from insects on a road trip, bad airflow

 

I've never had an issue. Keep it smooth and flush and all will fall down.
My side by side came factory with a metal version that's removable in front of all coolers

 

By even keeping fescue seed out, it means it is way too fine of a filter. It will clog very easily with bugs, leaves, seed/pods, "cotton" from Aspen, Cottonwood etc... and then effect the airflow to the radiator.

Also netting will do exactly nothing in regards to preventing damage from pebbles/stones and other heavier debris.

 

2017 all day!

 

I'm a little different. I don't like to adding any upgrades to vehicles. They are a depreciating asset. So I like to keep them stock and don't want to be fooling around with it. So I love my 21. The CarPlay works fine, back up camera, I even like the rear cross traffic detection, large fuel tank, power seats are a must. What I wish it had was LED headlights. No trans cooler also isn't an issue as no one is posing any issues. I may still get one, don't tow, and really easy driving.

MPG isn't that great. I'm getting 17.3 and only drive 8k miles a year. In 5 years we may see plug in hybrids that get over 25mpg, who knows. This could also be a truck that last the rest of your life and just use it for truck stuff.

I just keep mine maintained and really enjoying it. I'm sure any of them would be fine. One with low miles will cost more especially a 21. Mine looked brand new, but I like keeping it stock, removed the front spacer lift. I do wish it had another way to unlock and start. The App is crap for mine as it wouldn't even have remote start and I would never pay a subscription.

By far the best thing about older gen Tundra is it stays out of the repair shop. That's by far my #1 priority.

Edit: I just look at how much a vehicle cost over 10 years. If I got a new vehicle I would likely upgrade every 3-4 years. But with the 21 Tundra may just keep it over 10 years and just get another vehicle in 5-10 years. I didn't mind paying a little more for a 21 with 11k miles. It all looked new. Zero risk of odometer being rolled back no risk of extreme driving. Sorry if I didn't phrase something just right. I'm prob in the minority and won't spend $ to make it louder or jack it up.

 

Had a 2018 and now a 2021. Would buy either again without hesitation. 40K+ miles and not brake problems here.