Thinking about buying a second 1st gen

Going Sunday to check out a green 2000 4.7L 4WD with 177k miles right up the road from me. Guy only wants $5000 for it. Says the frame is clean (we'll see about that). Only issue I can tell from the photos is the clear coat on the hood and maybe roof are shot. My 2005 Tundra I bought last year has been really good to me. I use it for work daily, but I've fallen in love with it so much I'm selling my T100 for 11k to fund another one for non work activities.

My question is, this would be an excellent deal, but is there a reason I should opt for VVTI over the non VVTI? I want to make sure I'm getting the best version of this engine. Anything in the non VVTI engine concerning over the VVTI?

Thanks in advance. Photo of my 05 for looks.

 

VVTi has more HP/TQ. It also has more extras, in the way of the secondary air injection system, which leaves less room for rodents to nest. Intake is taller, and doesn't use the fallible gaskets the earlier years did.

Non-VVTi is simpler on emissions. But has extra crap like the fuel filter that can cause problems if you don't use OEM filters.

Remember the 2000-2002 had the issue with weak planetary gear.

I feel like all this is covered in here, realistically.

 

Do all VVTi engines come with the secondary air injection system? Edit: yes!

Personally, after owning a non VVTi truck for a long time, I don’t feel the need for it. However, a 5 speed transmission sounds really nice. I do frequently wish that my transmission had an extra gear.

As simple and reliable as the non-VVTi, 4 speed transmission combo is, the VVTi/5 speed combo is probably a better powertrain in every category. Doesn’t mean that the non-VVTi is bad though…

 

Yea I've read through the entire thing. Was just curious if it's worth hanging on for another 05-06 or just springing for this one. I guess I'm taking a chance on the planetary gear thing.

 

I think the SAI system is fine. I think people over-hype the problems. I think half the problems people have are due vacuum hoses for the solenoids or the solenoids themselves or the known TSB for code P2445. Yes, the pumps do whine sometimes when they're on their way out. But I think in general, it's far less a problem than people make it out to be. Having the extra speed on the transmission is nice too.

 

Planetary gears failing should only happen if you’re towing with OD on. Turn overdrive off when you’re towing/hauling something, and you should be fine.

 

My biggest concern (after frame and timing belt and LBJ) would be the transmission.

Granted, the planetary gear eating shit may be "the shifty` version of how other people feel about secondary air injection", but ... you know, to each their own.

If the frame is clean, you could probably buy that truck, clean up all the little stuff that usually gets neglected, polish it up nice, and resell it for $4k in profit, honestly.

If I could have any truck again in the future, and wanted non-VVTi, I'd probably aim for a 2004. 2003 at the latest. I think the 2004 has the best of both worlds though, you can get them with steering wheel controls and other nice perks and amenities you find in the 05-06, but without VVTi.

 

I don't tow at all, but idk if the previous owner has. I'm trying to get away from buying and selling vehicles so much. I've done it a lot over the past 2 years. Want to get something solid and stick with it.

 

I wish we knew an actual solid number of how many 00-02 trucks have had the planetary gears fail. I feel like I don’t hear about it often.

Like how “so many” 2000s Porsches have bore scoring issues, when really less than 1% were effected. Not that this is the case with the planetary gears- I’m just really curious to know.

 

Hearing all this, I'm probably gonna hold out and get another clean 05-06. I'll have 11k and maybe built on it a little more. Get something with 200k or a little less. I was searching for a first Gen Tacoma but the frames on those will rot through just looking at them.

 

Even tho all 1st Gen parts are becoming NLA(no longer available), if I had to choose today, I would go for 05/06 DC LTD. I’m not tickled by VVT nor TPMS but I’d deal with it.

 

I tow heavy. Like HEEAAAVY. And my planetaries are just fine so far (knock on wood at 278k miles).

 

My TPMS light is on and I just ignore it. I thought about pulling the dash and getting rid of that light bulb.

 

Another advantage of the older 1st gen’s. No tpms light

 

You can't in the 2005. LEDs are soldered to the board.

But you can easily get around it, there's at least three ways if it's periodically flashing. It's absurdly easy to do.

Clear TPMS codes with OBDLink and a wireless OBDII dongle.

or

Replace your TPMS sensors with Denso units, you won't see it again for 10-15 years.

or

Ground a wire up under the dash to make TPMS think all is cool.​

I don't recommend the third option, but it's an option. I don't know why people struggle with this so much, or make such a big deal out of it sometimes.

 

I’ll throw in a different POV. I have a red 2000AC. It’s been super dependable but like all the red and green trucks of that vintage the clearcoat has failed on the hood and roof and tops of the fenders. The 2000 as non-VVT is easier to work on. In terms of power, it has plenty but I only tow boats and jet skis not a large camper. Be sure to heed Shifty’s warnings regarding timing belt and LBJs. Be aware some parts like emissions hoses and brake adjusters for early FGT have already been discontinued and I’m sure more will be in the future.

 

Whoa whoa whoa, hold up. I'm a fan of 00-04 for the simplicity of no vvti and having a trans dipstick, but if the right 05-06 came along I'd scoop it up. The hp is nice, but the trucks are heavier. The extra gear isn't a deal breaker either due to the gearing and final drive. We all get differing mileage, but generally an 02 and 05 will get the same. I wouldn't sleep on the first first gens.

 

I hear you. I'm still on the fence.

 

Nope, if some dipshit wrecks my truck, once i get outta jail, i’m getting a t100 and swapping in a 1gz.

 

Another piece here since SAI and a lot of other stuff has been mentioned...

If your cam tower seals leak... Non VVTi can be replaced via timing gear removal I believe. VVTi... You have to remove the cams from the freaking head. Total bummer. Not sure how frequent or infrequent this actually happens on the 2UZ...

 

Oh, and there's also the extra VVTi solenoids at the top of each cam tower that will leak.

I think if they would've put the 5AT in the 03-04 instead of the 4AT, it probably would've been damn near the perfect truck.

 

Why do the ‘03-04 folks need 2 first gears?

 

In AC form, right @shifty` ?

 

I mean, they didn't start DC until 2004, so if 2003 there's no option

 

Everyone wants to do it double in the low end.

 

You know... the v8 4runner had the non-vvti 2uz and the 5sp trans. So there is an OEM ecu option if you're willing to do the wiring/swap.

 

It's been stated that if the planetary gear failed, it was in the first 50k miles. We've only had one member have that issue. Here's his post.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/transmission-problem-01-tundra-4-7.50732/#post-1330609