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Hello! New to trucks and my first Tundra!

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Takeshi, Sep 6, 2020.

  1. Sep 6, 2020 at 8:14 PM
    #1
    Takeshi

    Takeshi [OP] New Member

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    Hello everyone! I've always been a car guy and I'm new to trucks but I've been looking at Tundra's and Tacoma's for a few months now and I just purchased my first Tundra yesterday! It's a 2003 Limited Access Cab 4.7 V8. My friend told me to look out for the infamous frame rust so I always asked for photos of the frame first before even attempting to look at any of the trucks.

    She's got 272k miles on her which is the highest mileage vehicle I've ever bought but the history looked pretty good, one owner, maintenance done and they had the timing belt replaced twice, the first one at 90k and the next at 190k back in 2016. The first thing I did to her when I brought her home was change the oil. I ordered a timing belt/water pump component kit and plan replace that also.

    The frame has some surface rust on there but it doesn't seem too bad. I'd like to take the bed off and start some repairs, weld some frame caps, clean up the rust and prep the frame so it doesn't continue to rot away. I think this would be a good Winter project to do.
    118957705_10103752904403282_5139139749574324761_o.jpg 118968505_10103752906344392_32980167414946868_o.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2020
  2. Sep 6, 2020 at 8:17 PM
    #2
    NCTundra18

    NCTundra18 New Member

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    Welcome from Western NC.
     
    Takeshi[OP] likes this.
  3. Sep 6, 2020 at 8:18 PM
    #3
    Ely010606

    Ely010606 New Member

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    Welcome from Nevada
     
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  4. Sep 6, 2020 at 8:27 PM
    #4
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    Welcome from NY.
     
    Takeshi[OP] likes this.
  5. Sep 6, 2020 at 8:28 PM
    #5
    YardBird

    YardBird Native San Diegan

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    Goldie1.jpg

    Welcome aboard from The Pacific South West.
     
    Pucks18 and Takeshi[OP] like this.
  6. Sep 6, 2020 at 8:41 PM
    #6
    Lovetrucks

    Lovetrucks Member

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    Welcome from Ontario Canada
     
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  7. Sep 6, 2020 at 8:51 PM
    #7
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    Very clean,..Welcome.
     
    Takeshi[OP] likes this.
  8. Sep 7, 2020 at 5:07 AM
    #8
    N84434

    N84434 In the Frozen Tundra

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    That looks great for 272,000 miles. You sure it's not 272,000 Kilometers??

    Make sure to heat the bed bolts With a propane torch from underneath before attempting to remove them. Also, use a liberal amount of a good quality penetrating oil before and after heating each bolt. You'll thank me later....
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2020
    ktundra, bmf4069, flyfisher and 3 others like this.
  9. Sep 7, 2020 at 5:25 AM
    #9
    Prostar 190

    Prostar 190 SSEM #9 I would rather be water skiing

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    Takeshi[OP] likes this.
  10. Sep 7, 2020 at 6:02 AM
    #10
    ToyAddict802

    ToyAddict802 #ShallowPockets w/BigDreams

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  11. Sep 7, 2020 at 7:20 AM
    #11
    Schcoman

    Schcoman From behind the Redwood Curtain

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    Welcome from True NorCal. Nice truck!
     
    Takeshi[OP] likes this.
  12. Sep 7, 2020 at 7:45 AM
    #12
    RitcheyRch

    RitcheyRch New Member

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  13. Sep 7, 2020 at 8:34 AM
    #13
    Stuck in the '00s

    Stuck in the '00s Experienced member

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    Another welcome from WI.
     
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  14. Sep 7, 2020 at 2:46 PM
    #14
    Takeshi

    Takeshi [OP] New Member

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    I wish it was 272k in kilometers haha. I'll definitely make sure to heat and use a ton of WD-40. I want to replace the rear bumper too since the paint is rusting through and there's a hole on the bottom of the bumper too and I'll to make sure to use heat and WD-40 on those too.
     
  15. Sep 7, 2020 at 8:17 PM
    #15
    bassman417

    bassman417 "Tundra Time". My favorite time of day...

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    Welcome from Vegas. Very Nice looking Truck.
     
    Takeshi[OP] likes this.
  16. Sep 8, 2020 at 9:35 PM
    #16
    Takeshi

    Takeshi [OP] New Member

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    So I brought my truck into work today and put her up in the air and the bed bolts do not look like they will come out without breaking so one of my coworkers who specializes in trucks suggested just cleaning up the rust from under the truck then using some rust preventative paint and just brush it all over the frame. I'm looking at possibly using POR-15? Has anyone had any experience using that on the frame?
     
  17. Sep 8, 2020 at 9:51 PM
    #17
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    Just my 2 cents, but i had bad results with the one time i used POR-15. They require you to buy and use their 3 step process and products, and after one year mine was peeling and bubbling off. never again.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2020
  18. Sep 8, 2020 at 9:52 PM
    #18
    Takeshi

    Takeshi [OP] New Member

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    Good to know, thank you! I'll keep looking around to see what the best option is. Winter season will be here in the next month or 2 so I want to prep up my frame before then.
     
  19. Sep 8, 2020 at 10:01 PM
    #19
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    Takeshi[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  20. Sep 8, 2020 at 10:04 PM
    #20
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    I don't live in a heavy winter state I don't think. Usually we only get a light dusting, but salt is a heavy factor here. Local gubbernments go stupid with the salt and even the first syllable of the word "snow"

    I pulled the bed, and ground as much of the rust off the frame as I could. Then I "painted" it with ospho metal treatment, then painted with primer, and paint. Rustoleum.
     
  21. Sep 9, 2020 at 4:31 AM
    #21
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    Squirt everything down with 2 cans PB Blaster Penetrant including frame, frame box, axles, and the under bed rails. Then rub it all down with grease using a sponge. Total cost less than $20.

    PB Blaster takes 10 minutes by just firing away at long distance. The grease rub a full day. Or you could break it into 2 partial days. Permanent. Recco the PB Penetrant refresh at least once a year to get the folds and nooks.
     
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  22. Sep 9, 2020 at 4:38 AM
    #22
    Bakershack

    Bakershack Critical of Noncritical Thinkers

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    Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Luckily we don't have to deal with the salt, or winterizing, or really even the rust issues y'all have up there!
     
    Takeshi[OP] likes this.
  23. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:17 AM
    #23
    ktundra

    ktundra rust be damned

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