Wanted 1st gen but landed on 2.5 gen

I finally bit the bullet and bought a 2018 SR 5.7l v8 4wd long boi for $18800. Took it for PIP and they said it needed new tires, driver side strut and oil cooler had a slight leak. Negotiated with the dealership and they gave me new tires, struts and fixed the leak. Truck has 156k miles (used by a business in Texas) and man it was dusty/caked up under so I am guessing used on a farm. Took it for an underbody wash but I may have to pressure wash certain points. The only problem I experienced is the 4wd not engaging and tpms malfunction (probably something to do with the new tires); will be dropping it off at the dealer I picked it up from soon.

I bought some sliders and bed cover
Someone was telling me to get the bilst 5100 (not sure why I would need it since new struts/granted the dealer gave me cheap struts from autozone or something). Thoughts and advice on what else I should add?

 

You made the right choice good sir. What turned me onto Tundra's was my Dad bought a 2003 Tundra TRD Off Road when I was in college, and I drove that truck on and off whenever I needed it for over a decade. It was a great truck but it was a gutless wonder. Also, the MPG was absolute dog shit. The 2.5 Gen with the 5.7L is such a better vehicle and just a better driving experience, which is why when the day came that I finally was able to get a Tundra I bought a 5.7L V8 Tundra like yourself. Night...and day.

Concerning shocks/struts, it depends on what you plan on doing with it. Since that is a work truck I would just go with the stock bilsteins for that beauty. That way you don't mess with your towing and payload abilities. My Fox Shox set up makes driving my Tundra wonderful, but my towing and payload is less and that is the trade off.

I personally would do an engine oil flush just to make sure there is no sludge from missed oil changes. That is just me. Amsoil has an excellent engine oil flush I have used and it is great. I would also just for shits and giggles change out all the fluids if you do not have records of the maintenance. The killer on these is poor maintenance especially engine coolant. BUT, if it was done you are set my friend. I love those 8 foot bed Tundra's. There's the ultimate work truck IMHO. Great towing, great load capacity, great reliability. The only thing the F-150 has on the Tundra as a work truck is the payload. Ford puts the stiffest possible suspension you can on their work trucks which makes them drive like absolute shit, but you can put 2250 lbs in the back of them. That's what a lot of people want. I think the Tundra is 1,650.

Concerning your 4WD not engaging....that could be an expensive problem. What people do not learn or know is these 4WD systems lubricate themselves by being activated. When they are not activated at least once a month they can seize up. Here in Texas during February 2021 we had a massive freeze that lasted 2 weeks with tons of snow and ice. I had a half dozen friends who had 4WD trucks use their systems for the first time, and they had seizing, and most had transfer cases fail and have to be replaced. That could be your issue. I would get it looked at. One of my closer friends who had his transfer case on his F-150 seize cost well over $2,000 to replace. Hopefully that is not the case!

Seriously though, I would try and get the original owner to help pay for it unless he sold it to you As-is. Good luck!

 

Same situation I started with. I originally wanted an 05-06 DC first gen but my gilrfriend talked me into a 2/2.5 gen. I definitely don't regret it, as I've used the 5.7 to its potential.

On the 4wd activation, the nice thing about the updates they made on the 2.5 gen is the use of a Borg Warner transfer case which uses an external 4wd actuator. Before you go crazy with taking it into the shop, try the tap trick with the actuators. Get a hammer and give the actuators a few love taps. Nothing crazy, it doesn't owe you money. Then try shifting into 4wd. Keep trying this, I used to take them out to a dirt road and give it a few tries.

 

As nice as the first gens are, the 5.7 is hard to beat. Looks like you did well.

 

I had a 2003 Tundra for many years and sold it spring of '24 after buying a 2016 Limited. I dearly loved my 1st gen and aside from timing belt, consumables, and routine maintenance it never needed anything else. I really thought I would miss it when I got my 2.5 gen, but I don't. It was a great truck and did everything I ever asked of it and more. The newer truck is much more spacious inside and out, comfortable, the 5.7 puts a smile on my face (until it's time to refuel 38 gallons).

 

Good job on getting the inspection done, looks like it saved you some cash. I would recommend starting off fresh with maintenance. Do everything you can yourself and pay for what you can’t do. I also recommend the Amsoil oil flush. I’ve used it with great results in my vehicle. Once you get the maintenance taken care of your set for a while. Congratulations!

 

Congrats and great OP with pic and details. I too would be interested in what upgrades are a “must have” vs a “nice to have.”

 

Nice truck. I'd be a little annoyed that the shop doing the PIP missed the 4WD not engaging