1st gen Tundra yay or nay

So currently i have a 2017 Tacoma nicely built. But ive come to the realisation that its not everything i "need" its more "wants". Ive been going back and forth for awhile now on selling it and ive finally pulled the trigger and listed everything to part it out and sell it. Now the real reason im here. I love the tacoma platform small, nimble, goes anywhere just turn the wheel. So i have been looking really hard into the first gen tundras because they are basically the same size but with a v8. Was wondering if i should just look the other way or what? I have no idea about 1st gen except what research I've been doing the last few days. Just mainly asking for advice, stuff to look for, should i consider straying away? Stuff like that. Any help appreciated.

 

Get the 5.7

 

Look for an '05-'06. They came with the 5spd. automatic and more powerful VVT-i engines with a lot more hp.

 

No reasons not to get one! If you're not in the Southwest, check for rust (as with any truck that vintage). Aim for < 200k miles, with service records showing the timing belt replaced at required intervals (or plan on spending $1100 - $1200 more than purchase price to do the timing belt, water pump, and maybe serpentine belt). If it's never had spark plug coils replaced, those might be needed too. I just bought one with 209k miles, so my money's where my mouth is.

 

Ive found quite a few i like with under 150k on them from about 7500-12000. Had my eye on a green limited that really caught my eye. Also to note im very mechanically inclined. Run a diesel shop multiple ase and degrees so fixing and up keep is my top priorities. The plan is to get a 05-06 i looked at the 2nd gen tundras but they are a full size and i really like the small size of the tacoma and dont need a full size. So the first gen tundra is the only thing on the list. Unless i go find a newer dodge dakota with a v8

 

Get a tundra for sure.

 

I'm going to have to break from the rest of the group and disagree. I'm obviously a huge fan of the first gen Tundra's(see my picture) but I don't understand why you would sell a really badass looking 2017 Tacoma for a potentially 13-19 year old Tundra. These trucks are extremely reliable but not bulletproof. After 13 years stuff just starts to break and needs to be replaced. Not to mention Toyota completely shit the bed on the frames.

If you were driving a 89 Tercel then yeah, I'd tell you to sell it. I guess I'm not clear on what the Tundra would do that the Tacoma does not?

 

Welcome from CO.

Why do you drive around with an outhouse?



J/K

 

Funny guy. It works when i need to go quick. Custom built fish house i got bored over the summer haha so thats what happened.

 

To be 100% i hate it haha no power, i only ever use 4th gear, i average about 11, i could deal without the $800 a month i pay although i already know i can pay for it so thats not really the issue. Finally got around to being a "adult" and bought my first house. ( should have went cheaper). To be honest i have no real reason to sell it other than im bored with it and want something different ha. Ive got a 1ton dually for the shop that does my heavy lifting. Ive got my car for road trips 30+ mpg whoop! And i really built the tacoma because it was the thing to do. And actually came to enjoy traveling around do different spots around the rockies and having the abilities to go where i wanted and set up camp wherever was pretty awesome. Long post . no real reason to sell want something different. Bored with the tacoma.

 

I guess if you're just bored with it then go for it. Since you live up north I wouldn't buy a first gen unless you know the frame has been replaced. I still don't know what a Tundra is gonna do for you that the Tacoma won't. They are similar in size and power. Even towing capacity isn't that far off.

 

Fair enough. I realize they are close on almost all aspects. I don't know I go new old new old on vehicles. Had older jeeps loved them, hate the new ones. Had a full size half ton it was ok. Oh well decisions decisions.

 

I think the only answer to this is....because V-8. They may have similar horsepower but the V-8 hp comes in much sooner with torque as well. He’s a mechanic, he can make an old tundra good as new. It will keep another one on the road and give it a new life. But I agree on making sure the frame and anything else susceptible to rust has been thoroughly looked over first. The 4.7 Will go 1,000,000 miles easy with proper maintenance. If he plans on changing the suspension (which I’m sure he will), it will be a good truck.

 

Get a 1st gen Sequoia

 

Thinking fox 2.5 or king 2.5 with 2.0 rear and alcans and shackle flip and some other stuff. Going for about 2" lift. Enough to run some skinny 33's. Not Going to run trails in Colorado with it like my tacoma. More simple stuff just to enjoy life not hear why tacoma y-pipe get smashed in on a jeep trail.

 

Thought about it. But i do need a pickup more times than a suv haha. I was really leaning towards a 3rd gen 4 runner v8 or Lexus gx470 but the first gen tundra keeps hitting the check marks as well.

 

He has a 1 ton dually for the big jobs. I hear ya though. V6 and V8 are not the same. I personally wouldn't get rid of a 2017 that's already been "built" to get a 15 year old truck in similar size. But it's his money.

 

Very true. I wish the Tacoma had the V-8 option. I would seriously consider it. 4.6 with a manual trans!

 

Threw it out there since you said you had a dually

 

Yeah dually cummins puts to the ground about 650whp and I say its a shop truck. if tacoma had a v8 i dont think id be even talking about this haha. I guess i do like my v8 engines. Maybe that's why i dont like my tacoma put a exhaust on it and be like honey to the bees.

 

Essentially im breaking "even" on the tacoma when it sells. Im selling all the mods that wont work for anything else i have and ill make money off that.

 

Don't get Fox on a first gen. Go with Icon or Camburg or King. Fox made an insanely flawed design on coilovers for first gen tundras that can and will smash your brake lines at the caliper.

 

All has been said other than the turning radius which is about a football field; that'll take some getting used to. Otherwise I have no complaints with my '06 Tundra, rear leg room in the dbl cab is pretty awesome for the family.

 

The only people I've heard be okay with the current gen Tacoma are people that never had a truck before and traded from a car because they wanted the "looks" and bed of a truck, but only plan to haul stuff home from Home Depot. Everyone else I know has been disappointed.

I have and love a 3rd gen Tundra.

I wanted a play vehicle, preferred a truck smaller than my 3rd gen, but didn't want to give up that V8. Or durability. 1st gen Tundra access cab (I value bed length more than back seat for off-roading/ camping) was exactly the right choice!

To me it totally makes sense you could dump the high monthly payments, recoup costs, pay cash for a 1st gen. That's a lot of house or mod money each month!

Keep me posted; mine is a '02 green Limited. Could be twins....

 

Yay

 

05-06 are proud $$$ if you want to buy one go for it. Crazy $$$ for used and not worth it IMO. People around here want $15-18k for theirs with 200k miles. Forget about it.

00-04 are great values $6-10k range and my Tacoma buddys love them. They went your route and sold less than a year after buying Tacoma due to power issues.

One bought upgraded fr9m Tacoma to a 14’ Rock Warrior and the squeaks inside the cab drove him crazy. He can’t believe how quiet the 02’ is.

Since you are mechanically inclined and have other vehicles, I’d say stay away from another thing to fix and maintain unless you want a project to keep you busy. These are great trucks and reliable for sure, but age is a factor. The age of these things requires TLC which you can handle. The size is perfect I agree especially 00-04’.

Buy and old FJ those thing are sweet!

 

If you are gonna buy, go with 04 to 06.

03 was a change year for a lot of things. They got a stronger transmission than previous years and a few styling changes on the front of the body. Mid way through the year they got bigger brake calipers. If you get an 03 you'll want to check calipers for a 13WL stamp.

05 and 06 have more power and 5 speed auto but to Hand Models point carry a higher price. Any of these options will save you money compared to a 2017 Tacoma. I'm in a similar boat saving for a house and glad I have no payments. Pay cash, drop the payments, have a truck that meets your needs.

#daveramseylife
#everydollarcounts

 

Can you explain this further? I have Fox on mine and dont see how they would smash the brake lines.

 

@seth419
Myself and 3 other guys from TS had the same problem. The hard line that comes out of the caliper hits the lower spring perch at full lock. If yours isn't close maybe you're lucky or maybe it's an access cab thing, none of the reports came from doublecabs.

Mine were hitting on both sides. One side hit right at the flare nut, the other hit the line just above the nut.


The workaround is to use brake lines with banjo fittings. Mine clear but if they ever did hit at least it isn't likely to burst.