2017 Tundra possible purchase - help needed!

Hi - I need some help from the experts here. I am looking at buying this truck but don't know anything about lifts, air bags, drops, cv axle angles, etc....absolutely nothing. Can anyone tell what mods have been done to this truck based on the pictures and give me a general idea if things were done properly or if I should be concerned? It has 85k miles. Great maintenance history, it's just the mods that have me guessing. I have no intention of off roading, if that has any bearing. Thank you!

 

Looks like it has some potential for minor problems due to spacers being used for the lift. Basically the factory coilovers have been extended in length, however I don't see any bump stop change. This would cause the shock to bottom out prior to the lower control arm making contact with the bump stops and then the shock would likely bend over at the neck under full compression. Then under full droop, being too long without limit straps, could cause the upper ball joints to be pulled out of place. Next, the spare tire is probably not the right size either. That said, these aren't horrible trucks and this one could easily be corrected. Good luck!

 

^ Agreed. Spacer lifts aren't great, but it is simple and not horribly expensive to change that. They did go with an aftermarket upper control arm to correct the alignment issue that can happen with a front lift - spacer or other otherwise. But as @2mchfun said, they didn't extend the bump stops so that could be a issue with the front bottoming out and actually destroying the factory coil over assembly. Usually fine for a pavement princess but off road is no bueno.

The bags in the back look fine and it has the rear TRD sway bar which is either a dealer add-on or after purchase customer add on. They are a great addition. But all of the shock absorbers are the factory units. I'd plan on replacing them. Lots of options from entry level Bilstein 5100's to $4k Fox/king. Anything in that ballpark will be better than the factory Tokico units, IMO. The only thing that would drive me nuts in the exhaust dump under the bed; I'd get a tailpipe extension put on that as well as make sure they didn't straight pipe it. I mean, if you like it and it doesn't get you in trouble with the local LEO's then I guess it's ok, but the under bed dump is loud, annoying and dumps heat where you don't want it.

 

Easy to remove what you don’t like. If I still really wanted the truck, I would have no problem breaking out the tools when I got it home.

 

Thank you for the replies, definitely helpful. If I understand correctly the "issues" are not as concerning if I don't plan on offroading, is that right?

If spacer lifts aren't ideal, is there a way to figure ballpark what the expense would be to return everything to stock configuration? 5k? 10k? At this point, I'm trying to gauge if it's better to spend a bit more and find a newer truck with less miles if I'm going to end up spending another 5-10k in either properly completing the mods on this truck or returning it to stock.

Thank you again for all the help.

 

It's almost stock now. Just remove the spacers at the top of the front shocks, get a set of factory upper control arms, swap them in.(Easy to do). Leave the rear alone, nothing wrong with it. Put on a set of factory size tires if the current size is rubbing anything when flexed. If no rub, you could just get a matching spare. Have a like new set of factory upper control arms in my garage if you want to negotiate. Took them off when my truck was new to lift it. Also have a full set of factory shocks/coilovers like new for a crewmax cab truck.

 

If not off roading I would not do anything to the suspension. Tires are not the best street tires but look fairly new. I would try to find a buyer for those tires and replace. I don't know your location but if up north look for something with a milder tread that is good on snow and ice. MTs are generally heavy and not the the best on snow and ice. Also, those tires are 34s which will affect performance and weight will negatively impact MPGs. I would look at 285/55 or 275/60.

 

Thank you. I am in South Florida.

Still trying to decide if this truck is worth the $36,950 asking price or if I should spend a few thousand more for a couple year newer truck with the same amount of miles. Any thoughts?

 

I’d probably pass at that price.