Things to look out for in a high mileage Tundra

Hello, I just joined this forum coming from Tacomaworld. I've had a 2012 tacoma that I recently sold and now looking to buy a used tundra. I am hoping to gather some info on the first gen tundra. I am looking to purchase one specifically a double cab 4x4 with hopefully around 125k-150k miles. I presume the tundra has the same reliability as the tacoma, I am mostly looking for the extra towing power in general.

Anything I should worry about with this kind of mileage? Typical wear parts, etc? I noticed the first gen tundra has a timing belt compared to my 2nd gen Tacoma timing chain. Any info would be great. I will search the forum as well

 

Timing belt (and water pump at same time) on those are supposed to be done at 90k, but are often put off until the early 100's. On my first gen I didn't realize it needed to be replaced until I had about 120k on it. Make sure that it has been done if you buy one in that range.

Had mine for 5 years and aside from the belt/pump the only thing I ever had to replace was U-joints.

Good luck in your search!

 

First gen tundra, timing belt, water pump, rollers for timing belt and cam seals. 90,000 or 5 years. This is a interference engine.

Rare ,the back seal or front seal leaks in these engines. It's a solid engine just don't supercharge it without major work.

Long as the service is done as per manual from Toyota rare you have any really pop up problems.

Only thing that goes bad is the aip in the engines 2004 and above.. some are recalled some are NOT..... Imo bypass it with the kit and your golden. EPA bullsh!t.

 

Welcome from CO!

 

Bienvenidos de Tejas!

 

Welcome from

 

Welcome from Las Vegas!! Good luck in your search for this 1st Gen you seek....

 

Welcome from Obx

 

Things to watch out for in a high-mileage Tundra.

- Too many bugs on the bumper
- Chewing gum under the seat
- excessive wear marks on the accelerator
- rusty hitch ball

that is all

 

Welcome!!

Have the brakes looked over. I had a gen 2 that caused me 3 brake jobs in a year. Other than that it was golden until I traded it at 125,000 for a 2016 gen 3 tacoma.

I'm now back in a tundra if that tells you anything. Good luck with the search!

 

Hey there, looking for something very similar, first gen double cab , have you had any luck yet?

 

I have to disagree with you on this one aspect, sir. Can I ask why you mention this one as being a bad indicator of poor maintenance/problems?
Whenever I buy a high mileage vehicle, people always say that it is "all Highway miles". One of the methods i use to determine the legitimacy of that statement is look for bug impacts on radiator, grill, bumper, etc. Usually if they are travelling at highway speeds, impacts with bugs will leave small 'nicks'. While driving at city speeds it is less likely that the 'nicks' occur.

However it is likely I am interpreting something incorrectly. I am curious now!

 

I admit I had to do some serious straw-grasping when attempting to compile a list of what might be wrong with a high mileage Tundra.

 

Also check the rear end for leaky seals. The drums may have to be taken off to do so. Rear wheel bearings and bent axles happen with the 1st gens, it's just a wider taco rear end with a V8 and lots of guys overload them. Wimpy payload capability. That's the main reason I moved up to the 2nd gen. Make sure you check for rust on the frame to

 

I have a 2002 Limited Access Cab 4.7 V8 with 217,000 miles. I bought it new in October 2001. It has been a great truck with no major problems except the drive line. Tundras have a 2 piece drive shaft with three universal joints and a center support. Long story short, I started getting a vibration in the rear wheels beginning at about 35 miles per hour. I asked the dealer to inspect the universal joint (I did not know it had 3) and they replaced one universal joint. This did not correct the problem.

I took the vehicle back to the dealer and they told me that I had a bent axle and wanted $6000 for a rebuilt rear axle assembly. I took the vehicle to a transmission shop (Cottmans) that did a lot of work for off road vehicles and they checked it out. In 10 minutes they told me that I did not have a bent rear axle as they put the rear wheels off the ground and ran the engine in gear and there was no bouncing in the rear wheels. They then sent the drive line off for to a specialty shop and they determined that one of the drive shaft members was out of alignment. Cottmans then acquired a new OEM drive line part and installed it, three new universal joints and a central support. Total cost was under $900 and that was 25,000 miles ago. The old 2002 Tundra with 217,000 miles on the clock drives like new. IMO, either the dealer maintenance people did not know what they were doing or they just shot me a large repair cost to get rid of me.

 

Alright, I am back on the search for a tundra.

What do you guys think of either of these? They both have had their timing belts replaced and one a water pump(not sure about the other). Do tundras have the rust problem like Tacomas did?

https://www.columbia-autosales.com/...---73k-truck-d8a5cc78d95f6f41be8b8b67a23a80a5

http://www.vancouvercarco.com/mobi/...-toyota-tundra-double-cab-vancouver-wa=629154

 

You can wash the bugs off the bumper.....what if they use cruise control all the time? Gas pedal wont be worn.........but you can't fix the sandblasting of the windshield unless you install a new one. Besides normal wear and tear parts, the only problem I had was the volume knob on the original radio stopped working and installed and aftermarket radio. Also, to rebuild a driveshaft with all 3 joints and a center support, and balance should cost no more than $200. I also heard the re upped the recall on the rusty frames, not 100% sure, but just worked on a 2003 Tacoma and the guy just got a new frame.....and he even got new leaf springs, something my Tundra didn't get. ummmmmm Welcome from RI and good luck..................and check out this beauty. I Know some like the double doors, I do myself, but a 2 door truck just looks so much better.

 

02 TRD OR AC with 135k. Owned since new. Only issues have been a Tranny at 35k (thanks Toyota for a 36k wty)...do not tow loads in OD regardless of what they say, you will eat the gear....punch the button and tow in drive! Replaced Timing belt & Water Pump at 90k and had one 02 sensor went out. Only other issue is the 4.7 drivers side exhaust tick (they have been known to crack exhaust manifolds). Only makes noise when the engine is cold so figured I'd let it go until it got worse. That was about 4 years ago and it is still a minor "tick" when cold. Manifolds aren't very expensive, but swapping on out is a PITA. Misc, light for "D" finally burned out, to lazy to pull the dash to replace it.

 

Frame rust

 

Squeaky plastic door covering on the inside, it drives me crazy, and make sure u have gas in the tank, tundra are known for their drinking problems

 

I cant stand the single door, but at least it's not a dodge single door, I want puke whenever I see one

 

I am back and have the opportunity to buy a 2006 tundra 4x4 with roughly 200k miles. I am a little wary about the mileage but if these are anything like tacomas it should still have plenty of life left. It's been a CA vehicle. Anything I should be concerned about besides typical maintenance, timing belt etc?

 

200k is nothing. Just basic maintenance and you’ll be fine. Check the lbj’s and when the timing belt was changed last, should be on it’s 3rd belt. Looks like a nice find!

 

Hi
Where are you located. I’m selling my 2004 Tundra V8 4wd DC. I’m in Harrisburg PA.

2004 Toyota Tundra V8 4wd Double Cab SR5 pickup. Nice Condition. No accidents. Low miles. Automatic - A/C - power windows - door locks - power mirrors - fog lights - keyless entry - Kenwood am/fm/cd/bt stereo with Kenwood subwoofer and polk component speakers - Spray on bed liner - Fiberglass carpeted cap - New front brakes and rotors - new rear brakes and drums - new TRD beadlock wheels - New tires - Bilstein 5100 shocks at 92000 miles, new frame/brake lines and related items, timing belt, and water pump around 85000 miles. Oil changed every 5000 miles with synthetic oil since I've owned it. Check engine light just came on (PO420) Truck runs great. Going to try replacing the oxygen sensor. Current mileage is 104000 miles. This is my daily driver so the mileage will go up daily.
Asking $14900.

 

That's really nice! I live in Seattle and mostly looking at trucks on the west coast primarily CA. Its also a quite a bit more than I want to spend. Thanks though!

 

What is aip?

 

What do you think? I have 2 in my area that I like...
Both 2004 dbls same color

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Helper.selectedEntity=c3590#listing=200390998

This one has a replaced frame and seems like it was well taken care of

https://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-toyota-tundra-sr5-4x4/6709591448.html

Thanks for the help

 

Are you specifically looking for an 04 or did they both just happen to be.

 

They both just happen to be... I want a tundra...and am looking to get out of my current vehicle soon. I like the size of the 1st gens but wonder if the 2nd gen DC has similar back seat space...