2008 Sequoia questions.

Hi everybody, over here....on the dark side...


I'm going to be looking at a 2008 Sequioa 5.7 4wd, 225K, as a replacement for my Tundra as the family trip vehicle, I know it's not a tundra but should be similar enough that what you guys know about these should mostly apply right?

Mostly I need something with a bigger backseat for my growing kid than my tundra, and something that will have an easier time towing my camper than my old tundra.

My idea is to keep my pickup for just doing pickup things, and using the Sequoia for camping trips, etc.

In theory this Sequoia should have an easier time towing than my truck right? My truck does 'okay' with my camper....but it always feels like its working a little harder than I like to do it.

What problem spots should I look at when checking out this vehicle?

 

Sequoia will be better as long as its not a 32ft trailer. Typical 5.7 stuff to check for, nothing really different about the Sequoia. The air injection could be a potential issue though.

 

So what are the typical 5.7 issues? I've only been a 4.7 guy until now.

 

08, probably not alot.

At 225k if the starter hasn't been replaced you may want to start getting ready for a DIY, or a shop visit, it's expensive, also replace the pigtail at this time. It's cheaper in Rockauto than ebay.

Also water pump. My original one exploded at 25k. But the 2nd called it quits at 275k, so it lasted about 250k miles and it exploded in front of my house which was pretty convenient.

Transmission service, if it hasn't been done, start today, with a drain and fill. Every oil change thereafter drain and fill to get all that old fluid out, it's about 16 quarts, fyi.

Additionally, like your local bigfoot/sasquatch legend. There is a fail to start issue and it's as random as witnesses. I found the issue in Sequoias and it swiftly started with the Tundras as well. Most found the issue with the starter plug. I'm theorizing wiring behind the dash since I reset the steering wheel to a position where it consistently starts until it gets super hot 90+ degrees. Then it fails once and starts the next try.

 

Bought it. 2008 SR5.

So couple of stupid questions....how do you know if it has a factory tow package or not?

In 2H, is it FWD or RWD?

 

Bruh.... rear wheel drive.. factory tow package, transmission cooler, tow/haul button on the console, tow mirrors.. off the top of my head.

 

Nice!

Tow package will have a couple of giveaways: you will have a Tow/Haul button (put your hand on the shift lever and point your index finger to the front of the truck; that's where the tow/haul button should be), it will have a factory Toyota Receiver hitch with 7 pin and 4 pin wiring, and you will see a transmission cooler that looks like a small radiator on the passenger side next to the engine radiator if you pop the hood. They discontinued the transmission cooler around 2010 on the sequoias, which sucks, but yours should have it.

In 2H, the vehicle is RWD. One of the really awesome features of the 4WD sequoias is that 4WD is really AWD until you push the Diff Lock button. You can run it in 4WD at ANY time on ANY road surface so long as you don't engage the center lock (if you get in to deeper snow or mud, or where you want traditional 4WD, by all means, push the diff lock). You can even make full lock turns on dry pavement in the parking lot in 4WD (again, without the center diff lock engaged).

As noted above, I would make sure the fluids are up to service. Changing the front and rear diff fluid, transfer case fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant would be a great idea. I prefer a drain and fill for the transmission; the procedure is super simple but has a few particulars that need to be followed to check the level. It replaces about 4 quarts at a time; you can do multiple D&F's in a short time period to replace most of the fluid. I also prefer to use the factory recommended ATF WS fluid - Toyota or Aisin branded is great.

Transfer case and diff use a quality 75W90 synthetic; about 2 quarts each. 75w85 is the factory recommendation but is more expensive, less readily available, and 75w90 works fine.

 

Thanks for the answers! Yes, I have everything you mention so I do indeed have the tow package, which is great because my main use for this vehicle, is to replace my 2000 Tundra for family trips towing the camper. On paper at least, the Sequoia has siginpificantly higher towing capacity so should work well.

Previous owner gave me a stack five inches thick of service records I need to look through to see the fluid history.

Coolant is new, because a month ago he says the radiator was leaking and he had it replaced. With a Denso which is good and record of that shows a coolant replacement and also cooling fan clutch replacement.

 

That's good to hear.

We have a 2015 sequoia which is virtually identical. It's the family truckster and grocery getter, but we drive down a lot of dirt roads to get to hiking and biking locals and tow our 27' travel trailer with it a few times a year. It works great for hauling kids, dogs, gear, trailers, etc. We also get all five seasons so as soon as the snow starts flying, the Mrs clicks in to 4H and can leave it there until the snow disappears, even when it warms up a little or roads clear up.

One thing I have found with towing and having a few miles on the vehicle.. the rear springs sag a little bit (assuming you don't have the auto leveling suspension). I have new springs that will be going in the rear, along with air bags and possibly a 1/2" or 1" lift in the back. From the factory, the come more leveled out than most trucks that come with some rake to combat suspension squat. That said, it has towed just fine without new springs or bags, I'm just the type of person to upgrade some stuff...

Also, if you are looking at working on the suspension, the rear suspension is completely unique to the platform so options are a bit limited. The front suspension is nearly identical to 2nd gen tundras but you will get about an inch of additional lift compared to the tundra; even the stock setting for a tundra will put you around an inch higher than a stock sequoia. But you have a lot more options to choose from. There are still some sequoia-specific offerings.

We absolutely love our sequoia. It treats us well and does what we need it to do.

 

This one also came with air bags in the rear. The owner said he hasn't used them for a few years. I filled them last night and tonight one of them is still good but the other has gone flat. Hoping it's just a leaking fitting and not the bag itself. I have bags on my tundra which are really nice when it's loaded up for towing.

My mile long driveway, is what most people would call an overland trail, so 4wd is a must for any vehicle I have. Bringing it home for the first time last night had the tires spinning right away going up hill until I put it in 4wd. I noticed that unlike my tundra, there was no binding when turning so I assumed it had a center diff, I did see the diff lock button but wasn't sure what it was.

 

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