Should I buy a First Gen manual V6?

Hey there, long time listener, first time caller. I’ve been looking for a first gen Tundra for a while. Recently, a V6 with manual transmission and manual 4x4 came up for sale very close to me. It looks like it’s in good shape, frame seems solid, guy says the timing belt was done 50k miles ago. My plan with any truck I bought was to immediately do the belt and LBJs, so I could probably hold off on the belt for the moment but do the joints right away.

I guess my question is fairly general— does the V6 have enough power? I don’t really plan on hauling with it. I’ll be mostly carrying firewood/mulch/dirt/whatever in the bed, camping in the bed (not gonna be doing any major off roading, but want to be able to confidently manage muddy/not super maintained gravel forest service roads) and using it as a daily driver.

The manual transmission and 4x4 are appealing from a longevity standpoint, as well as the better mileage from the V6. Are these reasonable things to trade for the power of a V8 truck given the things I’ll be using it for? Are there specific issues to look out for on a V6 manual truck? Any insight is appreciated!

thanks!
Jack

 

@Bmktw2

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-with-v6-worth-buying.98245/

 

Yea, i think you’ll be happy. The v6 doesnt really get better milage, the truck is still pushing the same amount of wind, and the 40hp you’d be missing really isn’t necessary.

 

To echo @Sirfive , just know your limits and work within that range and you will be none the happier.
I think most tend to over-estimate their truck's ability and then be disappointed about it's non-performance, but in reality, it is just unrealistic expectation which is scary.

I would love to have a first gen 4x4 Manual, V6 or V8 don't matter that much when you are dealing with a 20-some-year-old truck.
EDIT: typos. Damn it, can't type today to save my life....sigh

 

I could equally enjoy the V6 manual vs my V8 auto, just in different ways. I do tow heavy things, so kinda need the torque of the V8. Love the sound too. Probably wouldn’t have gotten the larger tires with the V6 either. But I like ripping a manual

 

The 3.4 5VZ is very durable - yet is limited in power (Hp/tor) to about 180ish and only develops 90ish at 3Krpm and under 110 at 3500. So as a result it mid-speed acceleration (30-50) is Really limited (some say it has No Guts yet is a Wonder of an engine).

The 2UR is no comparison to the 5VZ in power and acceleration. And yes they will get similar fuel efficiency so to me the extra power is worth the auto trans and slightly extra fuel consumption - Luck deciding and Enjoy.

 

https://youtu.be/LSN9t-PSaTc

 

I wouldn't even hesitate buying one if it's in decent shape.

 

I've got an '03 Tacoma with the 5vz, 5spd, and J-shift manual transfer case, and I think you'll be just fine using a similarly equipped 1st Gen Tundra in the ways you wish to.

Sure the V8 option will have more power and torque, but rowing through the gears outweighs that in my opinion (especially for light duty applications like you plan for).

Another point not raised yet, is how nice a manual transfer case is for offroading. I like being able to go in and out of 4Hi immediately and not waiting for some electronics to decide when to engage/disengage the front axle.

 

Expectations will play into it more than anything else, like others have mentioned. I had the 3.4L in my 98 Tacoma and it was a great engine. I don't love the thought of it in a significantly bigger truck like the Tundra...but if you aren't towing or hauling heavy weight, it'll be just fine.

I find my V8 to be a bit sluggish getting the Tundra moving from a stop, compared to the Tacoma. My Tacoma would jump right up and move. But I think that was actually more the transmission than the engine. Probably a manual transmission V6 Tundra would be peppier from 0 to 20mph than an automatic V8 Tundra. But once at highway speeds, and definitely towing/hauling, the V8 wins.

All that said, I did tow a 3,000lb camper trailer thousands of miles with my Tacoma.

And back to expectations...I came to my V6 Tacoma, then my current V8 Tundra after years and years of driving 4 cylinder Toyota pickups. They didn't bother me at all. No big deal to downshift on hills. Not the end of the world if you can't maintain the speed limit driving into a headwind. They get you where you need to go.

I have no doubt the V6 manual Tundra has more power than those little 4 cylinder pickups.

 

Personally, I never liked the 3.4L V6 manual T100 my brother drove which is similar, but that’s only because I don’t like the short range in 1st before I have to shift into 2nd.

I’m much happier with the V8 automatic.

Try before you buy is my suggestion. You’ll know right away if you like it or not.

 

It's definitely no granny gear, but yeah. I don't know what transmission the T100s had, but the Tacomas were geared for offroad. That first gear in my Tacoma was perfect for how I used the truck. Lots of offroad, lots of towing.

 

I wish my Tundra was a manual (apparently Toyota didn't make a Tundra V8 manual).

My recent search for a dump truck is hampered largely by my desire to find one that's both gasoline and manual shift.

Manual all the things!

I'd still look it over really well for rust. Have the transmission oiled/lubed to be sure. I hope your buy goes well and please post us some pics when you get it.

 

I think it is partially dependent on where you live. I had my T100 when I lived at 8000 feet and 0 feet. I found the power it produced to be fully adequate driving around the flats of south carolina, but it was kinda lacking when I lived in Utah. Keeping highway speeds with long uphills at altitude was a struggle. I aboslutely prefer the power of the v8 in my current tundra.

 

Well, I went and looked at the truck, and the frame was shot, so I’m gonna pass on it for that reason. Pretty bummed, had gotten into the idea of the manual! Thank you all so much for your input, really appreciate it! The search continues…

 

Congrats at dodging a bullet!

Yes your search will continue. It's always best to take one's time, get the best product rather than get into a hurry and get stuck with a ton of repairs later.

 

Don't think I ever saw you post the year of the truck or where your located but it could be recall capable and you could get a brand new frame for it.

 

Yes, one could get a new frame, but that's a complication and risk I think is best avoided.

 

I guess you haven't pulled the trigger cause I haven't said anything


Yes.

I love the 2uz but manual and 4x4 makes up for the v6

I'd be allllll over that cause you don't need a v8 to do cool shit on trails with the homies

 

I agree there is some research involved, but this is what I did, mine was just bad enough that I got a frame.

 

I haul quite a bit of firewood in the bed of my v8 access cab. Even though i swapped in a lower 4.10 ring and pinion, and have a fairly small 215/85-16 tire, the v8 still is sweating quite a bit when ascending hills when i have a load in the bed or towing a trailer. I can’t imagine how much more of a challenge it would be for the truck if it was a v6.

 

Just swap out the frame with some pressurized wood, metal corner brackets and lag bolts and call it a day.

 

Years ago i bought a 1982 honda accord 4 door from a local auction. It was rusty as all get out. The frame was so rotted that the previous owner shored up the unibody frame with pressure treated 2x4’s! I could also punch completely through the side of the body with my fist. All that didn’t really matter since we only needed the car for one day.

 

It will require higher RPMs. The 3400 is good for that

 

For my heavy loads in my v8’ed tundra while going up steeper grades, i’ll have to drop down into 2nd and have my RPM between 3400~4000k.

 

I pulled my 3,000lb camper over a lot of steep, western mountain passes with my 3.4. It's only if someone insists on going any speed, with any size load, over any hill, that this stuff really matters. Lots of "underpowered" trucks with get the job done. Now sure an old, tired 4 cylinder is a different thing.

With the 3.4 and 3,000lb trailer on mtn passes it was 3rd gear, 45mph, flashers on. Just like the semis (which I don't think many would claim are underpowered). Had power to spare, and I could have easily gone well over 45mph, but it was a loose rule of mine to not push the rpms much higher than 3,000.