FREE TUNDRA looking to repair and upgrade.

Hello all.

I was given a 2001 Toyota Tundra 4x4 for free on the condition that I would fix it up and give it another go at life ~200k miles. It currently has shot brakes, a crumpled hood (no engine damage), front bumper dented, rear tailgate smashed, rear bumper smashed and a shitty interior. All cosmetics, car runs excellent. I have a $4000 budget to fix the car up, but want to be as cost saving as possible . What are the upgrades I should do on the car and in what order? I have considered buying a coastal off-road front bumper. I also have a canopy that can be put on the tundra.

thanks for the help. I just got done fixing up a Prius for off-roading and am taking on this as my next project. Would love your input on where to source parts and what I should prioritize. Am I missing anything?

 

Welcome from NY.

Fix the brakes and the body damage.

Let's see the Prius and the Tundra.

 

Check the condition of the timing belt or find previous records. Make sure lower ball joints are in good shape as well. As far as mods I'll leave that up to the other guys.

 

Welcome!

 

Unmmmm…..is anyone else intrigued by this?!?!
“I just got done fixing up a Prius for off-roading…..”

 

Is it this one?

 

Get some used parts from the salvage yard or bang out the dents you already have and fill it, sand it, then Monstaliner the whole truck!

 

I’d go to a junk yard for parts. Do timing belt if it hasn’t been done, change all fluids. Brakes, lower ball joints an anything else you can spot that needs to get replaced.

 

How does the frame look? Biggest weak point on our trucks is the frame.

 

Facts!

 

#truth.org

 

I didn't see you share where the truck lived most of it's life, we must assume the worst. Before driving it, already listed above the two major concerns you must check.

- Go over the frame with a fine tooth comb, look for holes and major rust, a known major problem, may as well check for bends also given the damage.
- Check the timing belt condition and if it's overly shiny, any visible tears, splits, cracks, replace it ASAP, do water pump pulleys tstat etc while in it, ~$200 for Aisin kit, 4-6 hours of work DIY

Other than that, flush and replace fluids. grease all 8 zerks on driveline. Check plugs. Check the coils for cracks. Check brakes, adjust rear shoes while at it.

Body panels: Junkyard, junkyard, junkyard, can't stress enough ... junkyard. Call ahead, may need to stick with your door configuration (single/access/double)
Bumpers, interior handles, and misc other stuff: Summit Racing is actually a great source for that, get their free catalog, they'll send a coupon for % off

Once you get the truck drivable w/straight bumpers, panels etc. then look into suspension, wheels and tires. Given budget, you'll probably want to run used. There are already excessive suspension and wheel/tire threads in this specific forum. Check pics. Check the pictures thread up top of the thread list. Find what you like, ask those ppl quetions.

 

damn you even got the registered trademark there!

 

You're missing pictures of both vehicles.

 

Pictures would help.

 

I stole it from their Instagram

 

LMAO! Dude, you have gone over the edge on fluid film, there's no helping you now.

 

Hey all, thanks for the advice. Took a look at the tundra today and am happy to say that the timing belt was done 50k miles ago. As for body damage, the rear bumper wasn’t as bad as I thought. Here’s some pictures. I don’t have many pictures or the beloved Prius because the fucking cat got stolen right when I finished, I’ll try and find something.

 

Welcome and fluid film matters.. Lol

 

Meow! You forgot the photos.

50k miles, but how many years? I believe the recommended is every 7yrs or 90k miles. Or is it 9 years and 70k miles? I'm dyslexic and always need to look it up.