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Help me decide on what maintenance to do please.

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by ToyotaJim, May 13, 2020.

  1. May 17, 2020 at 10:48 AM
    #31
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    2000 Limited TRD AC 4X4 Thunder Grey 270k miles. 2019 Limited TRD CM 4x4 Cement Grey 75k miles
    2000: Bilstein 5100's 16x8 589's with 265/75/16 and 1.25" spacers Flowmaster 50 series over the axle dump Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE topper 2019: ARE topper with full Bedrug kit and Vortex rack TRD shifter 1.25" wheel spacers (I like to live dangerously) Red tow hooks for that +15 grip bonus
    If your'e looking to just throw money away, then replace everything out of fear. If you're needing to be more fiscally responsible, then replace what needs to be replaced and do the preventative maintenance that's recommended. If you're not sure if it needs to be replaced or not, ask someone who is competent that you trust to help inspect it for you. Some things like water pumps are hard to get to and are replaced with the timing belts. A gas cap or other easily reached part should be replaced because it needs to be, not just because, unless your'e looking for ways to spend money. My truck runs great and gets the same MPG it always has but has 252k miles on it. Should I replace my fuel injectors over the fear that they are old and maybe clogged? I have no evidence that is true, so they stay and I use the money for more pressing repairs. Lower ball joints are a common failure point on these vehicles, but it doesn't mean yours are bad. Mine likely were just fine when I replaced them as they had no play, the boots were intact and they had been regularly greased. I get the argument that failure can be catastrophic, but when will you replace them again and why? they have no designated replacement interval, and the failures were likely for lack of inspection and maintenance. Best of luck with your repair adventures, I have truly enjoyed wrenching on mine and it has rewarded me with years of faithful service. Still makes me smile to drive it. These are great, well built trucks that sit in a sweet spot size and capability wise that doesn't exist in the market currently.
     
    pock, Stumplifter, myt1 and 4 others like this.
  2. May 18, 2020 at 8:08 AM
    #32
    rock climber

    rock climber New Member

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    Denso radiators are good quality
     
    Tundra2 likes this.
  3. May 18, 2020 at 11:17 AM
    #33
    ToyotaJim

    ToyotaJim [OP] New Member

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    @KNABORES you make good points about spending money on pointless replacements. My focus is on the concept that, on a high mileage (I'd consider anything north of 100k apparently well maintained miles, to be high mileage, YMMV, it could be 50k miles if poorly maintained) vehicle for which you don't know what has been done, it's smart to start tearing open the engine and replacing things or taking a look around. And given the effort of opening up the engine, you may as well start replacing some low cost and high failure rate parts that are within easy access. Belts, hoses, water pumps, thermostats, maybe radiator (if it's already drained and removed), etc. unless they are obviously new or in excellent condition. Anything where the cost of the labor to replace matches or exceeds the retail part price should get replaced where the condition is unknown, questionable, clearly old, or needing replacement.
     
  4. May 18, 2020 at 11:22 AM
    #34
    Pucks18

    Pucks18 Fleabit peanut monkey

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    @KNABORES woah wait, how do you grease your ball joints? I dont see any zerk fittings
     
  5. May 18, 2020 at 12:21 PM
    #35
    Pucks18

    Pucks18 Fleabit peanut monkey

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    U flush all the fluids ? Or do you just replace?
     
  6. May 18, 2020 at 12:52 PM
    #36
    Pucks18

    Pucks18 Fleabit peanut monkey

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    Nice man! Plus these trucks are just the best. Midsize plus v8. I wish i had the same situation. I bought mine used off craigslist and have a rear diff whine but thats my only issue.
     
  7. May 18, 2020 at 2:18 PM
    #37
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    2000 Limited TRD AC 4X4 Thunder Grey 270k miles. 2019 Limited TRD CM 4x4 Cement Grey 75k miles
    2000: Bilstein 5100's 16x8 589's with 265/75/16 and 1.25" spacers Flowmaster 50 series over the axle dump Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE topper 2019: ARE topper with full Bedrug kit and Vortex rack TRD shifter 1.25" wheel spacers (I like to live dangerously) Red tow hooks for that +15 grip bonus
    with a needle for the grease gun. It makes a small self sealing slit, not a hole, like a hypodermic needle. Hook to your grease gun and pump some in.

    needle grease.jpg
     
  8. May 18, 2020 at 2:29 PM
    #38
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    2000 Limited TRD AC 4X4 Thunder Grey 270k miles. 2019 Limited TRD CM 4x4 Cement Grey 75k miles
    2000: Bilstein 5100's 16x8 589's with 265/75/16 and 1.25" spacers Flowmaster 50 series over the axle dump Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE topper 2019: ARE topper with full Bedrug kit and Vortex rack TRD shifter 1.25" wheel spacers (I like to live dangerously) Red tow hooks for that +15 grip bonus
    If your going this route, replace with only OEM Toyota parts, otherwise your getting rid of some long lasting battle tested parts that may never fail and putting a weaker replacement in it's place. A majority of the parts on my truck have 252k miles and 20 years on them and work just fine with no signs of failure. Original starter. All original AC system. All original steering rack and pump assembly. Original transmission, never been flushed, GASP! I dropped the pan at 100k when I bought it and put a new filter in and replaced the 4.5 qts or so of fluid. Have drained and replaced twice more in the 150k since then. Towed a 7,500# trailer, pulled a few stumps, pulled a couple people out of the ditch, pulled some boats, shifts just as smooth as when I bought it. I don't have to worry about salt corrosion, but heat can kill some things down here.
    Obviously any part that clearly needs replacement should be, they should all be inspected.
    Wear and tear items like brakes and fuel filters and oil and spark plugs should be routinely replaced.
    But not everything under the hood needs to be replaced "just because" it's old or unknown. Inspect for wear and functionality and make a call. These parts it came with are some of the best available. don't sell em short. How come no one is replacing the crankshaft or cams or AC compressor or rear main seal as preventative maintenance?

    (kidding of course)
     
    ToyotaJim[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  9. May 18, 2020 at 3:46 PM
    #39
    MrAristo

    MrAristo Hounty Bunter

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    As everyone is aware our first gens are tanks. Just pure amazing Toyota quality build, especially during what many say are the golden days of the late 90s to early/mid 2000s for the Japanese powerhouse.. but regardless keep her up by doing timing belt, water pump, any seals that need it (prolly doesn’t) thermostat.. all this since engine will be opened up as is.. then you’ve got basics like check all fluid health, engine oil, transmission, brake, power steering, transfer case, and rear diff. In terms of suspension just LBJs, as you’ve seen others state how horrible it could be for those to snap.. but mind you, I’m on stock LBJs with 234k miles on my 01.. that’s coming though :D a reminder, I’ve seen your truck and post of how well taken care of it’s been.. she’s got a TON of life left, this will all just extend it!

    Also..

    IS THIS TRUE!? Totally believe it but wanna see some legible proof lol
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  10. May 18, 2020 at 4:11 PM
    #40
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I heard that Youtube Land Cruiser Specialist guy say it. Those have the same 4.7L engine. Not sure where he got the info but do know those engines sold in Europe, Asia, Africa, Japan, China, Australia, and USA.
     
    Stumplifter and MrAristo[QUOTED] like this.
  11. May 18, 2020 at 4:53 PM
    #41
    MrAristo

    MrAristo Hounty Bunter

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    You know your trucks are reliable when backed by the UN, off-roaders in Africa & Australia, and literally every terrorist group out in the Middle East.... just saying..
     
  12. May 18, 2020 at 4:55 PM
    #42
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I just realized our 4.7L engine was born and used in the Land Crusier beginning in 1998.
     
  13. May 18, 2020 at 6:44 PM
    #43
    Pucks18

    Pucks18 Fleabit peanut monkey

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    I bought one of those before and couldnt get grease to go through to it for some reason.. its a forever mystery
     
  14. May 19, 2020 at 4:56 AM
    #44
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

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    Just so you know, Toyota recommends those get changed every 30K miles, with the exception of coolant @ 60K.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-maintenance-guide.315/

    (Clipped from link above) Important Items regarding maintenance schedule:
    • Engine Oil change every 5,000 miles (or 10,000 miles is ok using synthetic)
    • Rotate Tires and check condition every 5,000 miles
    • Check fluid levels every 5,000 miles
    • Lubricate propeller shaft every 5,000 miles
    • Re-Torque propeller shaft every 5,000 miles
    • Replace air filter every 30,000 miles (check every 5,000 miles, change if dirty)
    • Replace cabin air filter every 30,000 miles (check every 5,000 miles, change if dirty)
    • Replace transmission oil every 30,000 miles for T4 or 60-90k for WS
    • Replace transfer case oil every 30,000 miles
    • Replace differential oil every 30,000 miles
    • Replace engine coolant every 60,000 miles
    • Replace spark plugs every 30,000 miles depends on vvti or not
    • Replace timing/serpentine belt every 90,000 miles
    • Replace brake fluid every 2 to 3 years or 24,000 - 36,000 miles.
     
  15. May 19, 2020 at 5:50 AM
    #45
    fhorton50

    fhorton50 New Member

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    I bought my Tundra in 2003 and it now has 333,400 miles on it. Except for timing belt's I haven't had to do anything to the engineor transmission. I decided to do some preventative work last fall and replaced all my control arms, ball joints, tie rods and steering bushings. After 17 years the rubber parts start to give up. I just recently replaced timing belt, water pump, fan bracket, crank and cam seals, valve gaskets with spark plug gaskets and carrier bearing, yours has a lot less miles and I would keep an eye on things before I jumped into too many things at once. The truck is almost bullet prood if you take care of it. I have my oil and transmission fluid analyzed regularly and they say mine is amongst the best they have seen. Just in case you might wonder I did all of it by myself with the help of some great you tubes.

    20200302_165110.jpg
     
  16. May 19, 2020 at 10:10 AM
    #46
    Stumplifter

    Stumplifter New Member

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    None.
    Frank, that sounds like a solid preventative maintenance tip.
    Can you provide more details on who and how ‘they’ analyze your fluids?

    tia
     
    ToyotaJim[OP] likes this.
  17. May 19, 2020 at 11:20 AM
    #47
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
     
    Stumplifter[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. May 19, 2020 at 1:14 PM
    #48
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Don’t forget Feather Dusting the Engine Bay every other month!
     
    Schcoman and bmf4069 like this.
  19. May 22, 2020 at 8:57 AM
    #49
    skunk

    skunk New Member

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    So the Denso radiator that I'd be putting into my 2005 DC is pretty affordable through Amazon, but I'm seeing a lot of reviews stating that it is made in China now as opposed to Japan for previous Denso rads, anyone know if this is something I should worry about or just go ahead with the Denso?
     
    ToyotaJim[OP] likes this.
  20. May 22, 2020 at 9:03 AM
    #50
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Go to DENSO site to confirm fitment and then link over to their online stores.

    https://densoautoparts.com/
     
    ToyotaJim[OP] and skunk[QUOTED] like this.
  21. May 22, 2020 at 9:07 AM
    #51
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    custom body work, Billies with taco ARB springs, Icon AAL, TRD FJ trail team wheels, 2019 Toyota 86 radio, Blacked out interior, Added factory power everything, heater mirrors, ETC
    Hoses? Typically mishubsho, Yokohama, Goodyear... there’s a lot of hose brands Toyota uses based on model
     
  22. May 22, 2020 at 9:08 AM
    #52
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Good to know for direct sourcing in the future.
     

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