5VZ Tundra Fun

Hi guys, first real post on the forum! I’ve been doing some research but I figured I should probably ask the experts.

I’ve already installed an exhaust cutout before my muffler, after the O2 sensor, And I’ve replaced radiator, belts, water pump, belt pulley, and rear o2 sensor.

So far I’ve absolutely loved the cutout, even with the slight torque drop at lower rpms, It even backfires when I downshift! (I’m in my early 20s if you couldn't tell).
I’m thinking about doing the deck plate and ISR mod, since they are cheap and I love sound mods, but I was wondering if There are any power upgrades short of the supercharger that I could do that would take advantage of the extra airflow?
I have an OBD 2 scanner that gives me live data on my CarPlay unit, and I don’t have an issue with computers, programming, etc. I do live in California but I have a guy who will pass smog for me

Any thoughts?

2003 3.4L V6 Tundra Regular Cab

(also my intake evap hose is cracked, let me know how urgently that should be fixed)

 

All I can say is
You should have had a V8



Oh and welcome.
Some expert will stop in and give advice, I'm definitely not that guy

 

Welcome aboard!

 

LOL, it was a hand me down work truck, I just want to make it as fun as I can since I have all the maintenance up to date, and it’ll run for a long time.

 

Unfortunately Yota doesn't like to be manipulated, the best thing to do is what Toyota says, when they say to do it and use Toyota parts. If you follow that, it will most likely outlive you. Tuning, cams and other stuff is difficult on these trucks and impossible to find aftermarket products and just to make it even harder, you have the oddball V6. If your lucky Tundra2 will show up, I believe he has a V6 and could chime in.

 

I wouldn't talk so openly about paying to get your truck smogged illegally on an open forum. Never know who might be an LEO on here. It's all fun and games until you get referred to a CARB ref.

Before you do anything else to the truck, stop and ask yourself what you want out of it long term. $4K+ for a supercharger that still won't put out the same power as the stock V8 is a lot to dump into a 22 year old work truck. If you want more power and better reliability, you should probably sell your V6 and get the V8 now, because no matter how much money you dump into it and how loud you make the exhaust, it's still gonna sound like a V6 and possibly go through head gaskets as well.

Now that that's out of the way, post up some photos. We like photos and don't get too many regular cabs around here.

 

I mean to be fair I haven’t actually done it, I just meant I know a guy who could do it, but I can see your point. Thanks for the heads up!

 

Here ya go!

She needs a wash and some hubcaps, but not too bad

 

Sort of Related, ISR mod is now Complete!

 

The basic distilled fact is this, these are awesome vehicles, but 5vzfe is not an easy to modify engine. I’ve seen turbos get some power, but so much downstream changes. These trans are only good for maybe an extra 100hp before who knows. Then we get to axles and gears breaking. I support your lust for speed, I’d humbly suggest a different platform for what you seem to want to do. A Chevy truck from the same era will respond better to your hp requests and you’ll get more return overall. Anyway senile ramblings over, enjoy your truck

 

5VZs really don't like to be run at higher RPMs for long periods of time. SC is about your only option for power. But before you go into spending beaucoup money on an engine that was designed from the manufacturer for longevity and not power, look into gearing. Changing your rear gearing will pay more dividends that trying to mod the bulletproof 5VZ.

 

Ooh, I hadn’t even thought of that! I’ll definitely do some research and see what’s out there, thanks!

 

Swap a 1uz into it. With the 5spd it be so nice.

 

Or go all the way and swap in an LS.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-cream-pie-a-2005-4wd-ls-5-speed-sas-conversion.50841/

 

You have to do some forum searching in the other builds section but there is a twin turbo 1JZ Hikux on here

 

If you look in the clearance section of Rock Auto you’ll find Dorman 5.29 (if you want all bottom end and no top end) gears for cheap. From the factory, your truck has 4.08. 4.56 is a nice step up

 

what if I wanted to go the other direction, and have a longer rear gear for stuff like highway cruising? Would that be a bad idea?

 

Then it would really be down on power/sluggish

 

I know that, but would it cause damage?

 

Not likely to cause damage. It’s just that your early posts were about performance improvements and tall gears will bog down your performance. Look bud, it’s your truck, I’ve just learned that those engineers at Toyota are some really smart folks, who built a really awesome truck the way they built it. Very few of us forum wrenchers, regardless of our collective knowledge, are better than the engineers that built our shit to start. This is one of the few forums without its head up its ass, the real dope is this, enjoy your truck with light fun mods or another platform for the performance mods you like. Peace oot

 

Are you mechanically inclined? If so, you can go to a JY and pull a 3rd from another Tundra, swap it with yours and see how you like it. If you don't like it, you can always swap back and you're only out the cost of the 3rd, fluid, sealant and time. Below is a list of what came in what and a link to a tread you may find interesting.

What's in your rear end? | Toyota Tundra Forum

2000-2003
3.91 - V8, 4x4, auto trans
3.92 - V8, 4x2, auto trans
4.08 - V6, 4x2, auto trans or manual trans
4.10 - V6, 4x4, manual trans
4.30 - V6, 4x4, auto trans

2004, Regular Cab or Access Cab
3.91 - V8, 4x4, auto trans
3.92 - V8, 4x2, auto trans
4.08 - V6, 4x2, auto trans or manual trans
4.10 - V6, 4x4, manual trans
4.30 - V6, 4x4, auto trans

2004, Double Cab
4.08 - V8, 4x2, auto trans
4.10 - V8, 4x4, auto trans

2005-2006
3.77 - V6, 4x2, auto trans
3.91 - V8, 4x4, auto trans
3.92 - V8, 4x2, auto trans
4.08 - V6, 4x2, manual trans

 

You may not be able to cruise the highway in top gear if you go too low on the rear. Might drop you out of the powerband and need to constantly downshift to hold speed

 

Yes. Your motor doesn't have enough torque down low. Worse mileage, worse acceleration.

I'd recommend 4.30's (if currently 4.10 or less) or 4.56's.


Even my v8 I went to 4.10's over 3.91's, and saw an improvement in mileage on the freeway. Let alone around town.