Considering my first Tundra

Hey guys I am hoping to get some insight on buying a 2003 Tundra SR5 TRD package. I found one with the 4.7 v8 and 158,000 miles on it. It's a two owner truck according to carfax, no accidents, and looks super clean. Is there anything specifically I should look for at the dealership? I've contacted Toyota with the VIN to see if it was part of the frame recall, but haven't heard back from them.

Any tips would be helpful. Thanks!
buzzweiser

 

Welcome. Maybe @BestGen will chime in.

 

Appreciate it! I'm reading a 1st gen tundra yay or nay thread now.

-buzz

 

@Professional Hand Model, @Darkness

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from SE PA!

 

Thanks, Ohio here.

 

Welcome!

From Cleveland, Ohio

The early Tundras had chassis rust issues. If you can get it up on a lift and have a mechanic check it out.

 

Welcome, and be ready to buy gas.

 

You rang?!? Welcome aboard!

As others have mentioned, frame rust is/was the major issue with these trucks back east. Btw, how much are they asking $$$?
Also there was an air bag recall iirc...

 

They're asking just under 8k. Do you guys think it's a decent deal? The truck looks good and will be the replacement for a 1993 F150 I bought new YEARS ago, lol.

 

I know it'll be thirsty, but I don't think it'll be much worse than my old 300 inline 6. It's been getting 15 MPG for like 25 years.

 

I guess I could also mention this won't be my daily driver, yet anyway. It'll be my wood hauler, general errand and grunt truck.

 

Welcome,
I can't encourage you to spend money when your 1993 is the 300 online 6 I had in a 1985 4x4 years ago. They run forever.
Will you have a better truck? Yes but if it was me I'd pass and go with a 2007 or newer Tundra. Major changes were introduced in 2007. I don't know your situation now but save and get a newer model. I just traded in my 2013, drove hard for 6 years they have me 17k on my trade-in. Dents and scratches were everywhere. If you look at the miles your tundra has on it repairs are inevitable.
Good luck

 

The only reason I'm looking to upgrade is because my truck is a 2 wheel drive...Gets stuck pretty much everywhere.

 

Well that changes things, I would do the deal. Been there done that....

 

I think it's worth a look. If I can get confirmation the frame has been replaced it'll be hard to walk past.

 

Post up some pics after you purchase.

 

You might check get the vin call toyota frame recale may still be open but not sure .Tjats if it has bot already been taken care of .

 

I think the main things have been covered. The biggest issue is frame rot/rust and know that you have to change the timing belt every 90K. If that hasn't been done you need to be prepared to open your wallet or do it yourself if you have the skills. You don't have to wait for Toyota to call you back. You can log into Toyota.com/owners and input the VIN. From there you can see any work that was ever done at a Toyota dealership.

I have a 2002 and often wish I would have gone newer. If you got 05-06 you get a 5 speed auto VVT-I and more horsepower. Not a huge difference but wanted to mention it JIC.

An 03 with 158K in good condition for $8K seems like a great starting price. These trucks are extremely reliable but keep in mind that simply due to it being 15 years old stuff starts to wear out. You'll probably want to set aside $1,000 just to start replacing some of the worn out parts and give it a general tune up.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I've already priced a timing belt / water pump kit with new hoses. If I get it I'm also planning a spray in liner, probably some upgraded suspension or air bag leveling kit for the back. Thanks for your advise!

 

Great advise!! Check this out gang... This work was done at 130,000.

1
9/22/11

RECALLS
RECALLS ~|~AOF RECALL, REPLACE FRAME ~|~AOF ~|~AOR--REPLACED FRAME WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE NEEDS EXHAUST, NEEDS E-BRAKE CABLES-373.59 STABILIZER LINKS ARE BROKED AND NOT ATTATCHED TO BAR-534.42 CUSTOMER DECLINED ALL WORK TRANSMISSION FLUID IS DARK


Parts

Name Part # QTY
FRAME SUB-ASSY 040002660C 1
COMMON REPLACEMENT K 0400949334 1
LSPV 2 0400949534 1
COMMON REPLACEMENT K 040094980C 1
BRAKE TUBE KIT 5 040095050C 1
SHACKLE KIT, RR SPRI 044830C030 2
GASKET, DRAIN PLUG 1215710010 1
RING, O RADIATOR 1649221050 1
RETAINER, CONVERTER 1849538020 2
GASKET 2323241081 1
RING, DRIVE SHAFT SN 4342504020 2
TUBE, RR BRAKE, NO.2 473220C012 1
TUBE, RR BRAKE, NO.3 473230C012 1
TUBE, FR BRAKE, NO.1 473610C012 1
BAND SUB-ASSY, FUEL 7760134040 1
BAND SUB-ASSY, FUEL 7760334060 1
GASKET 9043012026 2
GASKET 9043024003 1
GASKET, EXHAUST PIPE 9091706083 2
PIN, COTTER 9538104045 2
PERFORM LUBRICANT 005301PL00 1
BRAKE FLUID 004751BF03 2
ANTIFREEZE GALLON W 002721LLAC01 1
ARM SUB-ASSY, SUSPEN 4806834020 1
ARM SUB-ASSY, SUSPEN 4806934020 1
WARRANTY PAY

1
9/22/11

STEERING/SUSPENSION
STEERING/SUSPENSION ~|~NEED TO REPLACE BUMP STOPS ~|~ ~|~COMPLETE


Parts

Name Part # QTY
BUMPER SUB-ASSY, FR 4830434020 2
BUMPER SUB-ASSY, FR 4830534020 2
CUSHION SUB-ASSY, CA 522030C020 2
BOLT, BODY MOUNTING 522170C070 2
CLIP 90467A0008 8
CUSTOMER PAY

2
9/22/11

SHOCKS/STRUTS
SHOCKS/STRUTS ~|~REPLACE REAR SHOCKS ~|~ ~|~COMPLETE


Parts

Name Part # QTY
ABSORBER, SHOCK, RR 4853109380 2
RETAINER, CUSHION 90948A2004 4

8/27/11

RECALLS
RECALLS ~|~90M REAR CROSS MEMBER ~|~ ~|~FRAME FAILED


Parts

Name Part # QTY
CUSTOMER PAY

2
8/27/11

RECALLS
RECALLS ~|~AOF FRAME INSPECTION ~|~ ~|~FAILED--ORDERED FRAME


Parts

Name Part # QTY



This was done at 58, 000

8/11/05

RECALL
RECALL ~|~CUST STATES DO RECALL 50J LOWER BALL JOINTS ~|~VERIFIED OPEN RECALL IN TIS ~|~RECALL COMPLETED INSTALLED LOWER BALLJOINTS AND SET TOE


Parts

Name Part # QTY
JOINT ASSY, LWR BALL 0400521134 1


I know it's a ton of info, but considering it's history is it a good buy?

Thanks again for all your help!
buzz

 

The highlighted parts are bit concerning but I just noticed that's from 2011. Maybe the new owner took care of all that? Not saying I'd rule it out completely but I'd want to see it in person. Lack of trans maintenance is a bad sign and could shorten its lifespan. The fact that it has a new frame is great though.

It's interesting that 8 years ago it had 130K miles and now only has 158K. So it's barely been driven the past 8 years.

I think you need to go get eyes on it.

 

I'm going to check it out tomorrow. The low milage is interesting, all that was off the Toyota owners site. I was concerned about the transmission fluid also and abs also. If the dash light is out on the test drive, and it shifts smooth, I'll likely just check the dipstick to ensure it's clean. If I buy it the fluids and timing belt will be swapped out within the first week. It's sitting on a Mom and Pop dealership, I spoke with them today. All that being said the asking price is like $7,900...What do you guys think a good out the door purchase price would be?

Thanks a tun (dra) for all your help everyone!
-buzzweiser

 

Make sure you crawl under it....I drove 800 miles to trade my 2017 Tacoma in on a 2006 Tundra in PA based on the fact it had the frame replaced in 2015 and I had the dealer send me pics of the new frame...it looked good in the pics. This was also a Carfax certified 1-owner, low mileage (91K) Tundra. The body and interior were MINT...like a 3 year-old truck, not 13. I knew I would not be buying it as soon as I crawled under it....everything but the frame was covered in rust...the brake shields were nearly rusted gone, I could pick rust chips a couple mm thick off the rear axle. The hood latch rusted through and was broken. When I finally got the hood open, all the exposed metal in the engine bay had nice coats of rust on it. I turned around and drove 800 miles home. 1600 miles in 29 hours... Good luck...hope yours is in better shape than that one I drove to look at.

 

I went today, the truck was beat up pretty bad, I was hoping I found a winner, but I'll keep on looking. Thanks again everyone!