Advice on Purchasing a 2021 Tundra

Hey everyone!

I have wanted to purchase a 2021 Tundra 1794 for the past few years, and well, the time has finally arrived. I plan to keep this truck for the next 20 years, so I want to make sure I get the one I want. I'm not in any rush since my 1999 4Runner with 250k miles is still going strong.

Below are just a few questions I have:

1. Are there any differences between the 2020 and 2021 models?

2. What is the best leveling kit to maintain ride quality? I think I've seen people say they have used the stock TRD Pro struts before. Is that an option if I can find some that are used?

3. What things can I do to improve the ride quality? People have talked about upgrading shocks and adding the TRD rear swaybar. Does that sound correct?

Also, I'm open to any other advice on what to look for. I want one with under 50k miles since I plan on keeping it for a while.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

Not sure there is much you can do in the way of ride quality improvement. 2nd/2.5 gen Tundras ride fine.

In theory, the TRD rear swaybar will help it handle better in curves and such. Not sure how much it would affect ride quality.

They are good trucks. Just be patient and you'll find the right one. Under 50k miles shouldn't be too hard to find. Good luck!

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! There is nothing significantly different between the '20 and '21 models. I have the rear sway bar and my ride quality is great as is. I hope you can find a good deal on one. I still get offers for just a little bit less than I paid for it new.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Thanks for the advice! I agree the ride is great from factory. I just remembered seeing a few guys talk about how to improve it a year or so ago on here. Does anyone recommend a leveling kit and what size tires I can run?

 

all this and more is here on the site...check out the 2.5 gen forums, wheels tires, and lift sections and dont skip the "stickies"

Suggest you review differences of lift types- level/spacer, full coilover, bracket....knowing the difference will influence your choice based on your truck use.
Also learn about tires- specifically load rating and tire weights.

Tons of great and helpful info here.

 

Is the TRD package worth it? I know it’s mostly skid plates and different shocks. I’m just having a hard time finding something the southeast.

 

I have the TRD Off Road package on my 1794. I do like it, as I like the blacked out LED headlights, the 18" wheels, etc. With that said, I got it because that's what they had. It would 100% not be a deal breaker for me.

 

best advice is to be Patient, Mu 2016 took around a year to find, Then my newest one took about 7 months. I was looking for a 2018 1794, because first year with the new Gauge cluster and last year of the trans cooler.
I know I could add a trans cooler, but I'm getting old and don't like crawling around on the floor as much as I did on my 30's and 40's. Found a 2018 with less than 21,000 miles. Should have this truck for 15 plus years

 

Found this about the TRD off-road and TRD Sport'

Suspension - TRD OR is off road tuned Bilstein 4600’s on all 4 corners, TRD Sport is sport tuned (better on highway) and has front and rear TRD sway bars. If you get the TRD OR I highly recommend putting the rear sway bar on, its night and day difference on the highway.

Tires - TRD OR is 18” rims that are black and silver and have ‘off road’ tires, although they’re very tame for so called off road tires. TRD Sport is 20” silver rims with highway tires.

Body - TRD Off road has chrome bumper caps, front and rear, chrome grille surround and hood bulge. TRD Sport has colour matched bumper caps, grille surround and hood bulge, and it has the hood scoop.

The interiors are also different because you’re comparing a Premium trim (Off Road) and a regular trim (Sport). Premium ones, there’s also a Sport Premium for a little more bucks, have leather seats and a couple other add ons; I think blind spot monitoring is one but I’m not sure it’s not on the regular Off Road and Sport trims. Check the mirrors when you’re comparing the 2 trims to confirm the blind spot monitoring.”

 

I didn’t know the TRD package came with blacked out headlights as well. I do like the 18” wheels as well.

 

My TRD OR came with chrome bumper caps up front but painted in the rear (I think because it's a 1794 with BSM which isn't compatible with the chrome rear bumper). I swapped the front ones out (plus grille and grille surround) to be color matched. I like that you don't have to bother with that on the TRD Sport, but to my knowledge the TRD Sport package isn't available on the 1794, where as the TRD OR package is.

 

Do you have any pictures of your truck? The only mods I want to do so far are a leveling kit, tires, a different grill, tint, and a bed cover.

 

Sure thing. One picture to show it as it was when I bought it, and then a more current one.

 

That’s sharp looking! I definitely want to do that grill.

 

I have a Limited non TRD and when I added the rear swaybar, it was a night-and-day difference. I immediately felt much more comfortable on turns and could take 270° freeway on-ramps at 10 mph faster.
I also swapped the stock, hollow front swaybar with the solid TRD one, that difference was less noticeable.

 

https://www.tundras.com/forums/ is where you will find a bunch of subforums. Wheels and Tires is a good one. Suspension is another. You will find good sticky"d (top of the board) threads with lots of info compiled over 15 years to help you determine what is best for you. Lots of pic threads in these to showing ppl's setups.

 

Do you have a link to them? I’m guessing they are the ones that came with the TRD Pro models?

 

How common is the cam shaft tower seal leak? Ive been reading the post on it the last few days. This would be a hard pill to swallow if I have to pay for this repair after buying a truck.

 

Good luck with your purchase. I enjoy driving my truck every day knowing it will start and get me wherever I want to go. Don't get caught up in some of the maintenance concerns, wouldn't even give those a 2nd thought, SOLID truck. Pics below on the day I bought it and later added AT tires. Traded in my 2018 for the 2021.

Traded: 2018 SR5 Tundra MGM 4x4 CM Off-Road.
Current: 2021 SR5 Tundra MGM 4x4 CM Sport.





Edit: Added a GCS transmission cooler to my 2021 because I knew I would be buying a camper. Just bought this this week. Time to put the truck to work.

 

I think 275/70/18 is about as big as you can go without doing some plastic cutting/removal. I went with Cooper Discoverer AT3's. If you look hard you can still find some, but it was discontinued this year after Goodyear acquired Cooper.

I had Bilstein 5100's installed up front to level- middle notch.

I have always liked the way the truck handled, and I think the mods only improved things.

 

That’s good to know! Everyone I talk to says these trucks are good for 500k and more.

 

Andre goes through a few when he bought his just a few days ago.

https://youtu.be/SocOVw4gjvE?feature=shared

 

He also just posted this one too that gives a good insight on some things he doesnt like. All things that aren't detrimental in my opinion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Q5ZlpI9Bo

 

https://www.sparksparts.com/oem-parts/toyota-trd-rear-sway-bar-ptr1134070 is what I found on the forum real quick.

If you shop around by that part number you may find better deals. I know there is one on Amazon that is cheaper that some forum members have bought, no way to tell the lifespan on those ones, though.

Yes sir! They are very easy to install.