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My ongoing experience with the 2007 I bought in 2017

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by M14 EBR, May 20, 2025.

  1. May 20, 2025 at 7:35 PM
    #1
    M14 EBR

    M14 EBR [OP] Oh No, Rex Kramer!

    Joined:
    May 20, 2025
    Member:
    #135248
    Messages:
    41
    Gender:
    Male
    Repairs & Modifications since September 2017
    Maintenance is performed at the 'Special Operating Conditions' level.
    I am the 4th owner, it had 270,000 miles and zero service records when I rescued it.

    Repairs: Components that wore out.

    head & tail light housings
    door checks
    PDR
    clock spring
    fuel pump
    flat tray on passenger seat
    steering wheel
    drive shaft & output seal
    belt moldings
    gas & oil cap
    drivers wiper arm
    drivers arm rest
    drivers window & lifting mechanism
    AC damper servo
    3UR FE 5.7L motor
    cooling system
    transmission speed sensor

    Modifications: Performance & Convenience

    BBS Forged PRO 18" alloys
    Bilstein 4600 shocks
    OEM coil springs
    SOS Performance rear only leveling / lowering kit
    Air-lift bags
    Alcan leaf springs
    Hellwig anti-roll bar
    Dirty Deeds custom SS cat back
    DAP tune
    Line-X in the bed and over the rails
    Wet Okole set covers
    Husky Liners X-act Contour floor mats
    Head unit & speakers
    LED head & reverse bulbs
    Door mirrors
    UnderCover tonneau
    Ceramic tint
    N-FAB rear bumper
    Nerf bars / Steps
    TRD front anti-roll bar
    Debadged

    At this point in time the only future mod I have planned for the truck is to install the Auburn Pro LSD that I bought several years ago.

    The truck has a little more than 320,000 on it today.

    IMG_2668.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2025
    07 Tundie, Vsolano, TheBeast and 5 others like this.
  2. May 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM
    #2
    ZappBrannigan

    ZappBrannigan The mind is willing but the flesh is weak

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    Member:
    #23724
    Messages:
    2,535
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada, by way of Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2018 1794 MGM
    NVS light bar
    Wow. Honestly that’s a short list for those miles, damn.

    Nice short bed short cab too!
     
    M14 EBR[OP] likes this.
  3. May 20, 2025 at 8:47 PM
    #3
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2019
    Member:
    #35797
    Messages:
    4,772
    Gender:
    Male
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport D/C
    What about #15? :monocle:
     
    OldGuy03, M14 EBR[OP] and k0diak8o8 like this.
  4. May 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
    #4
    Millrat999

    Millrat999 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2024
    Member:
    #124891
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Chilliwack,BC
    Vehicle:
    2009 RCSB TRD OFFROAD 5.7
    I was wondering the same thing.
     
    M14 EBR[OP] and TILLY[QUOTED] like this.
  5. May 21, 2025 at 4:50 AM
    #5
    M14 EBR

    M14 EBR [OP] Oh No, Rex Kramer!

    Joined:
    May 20, 2025
    Member:
    #135248
    Messages:
    41
    Gender:
    Male
    One or all three of the previous owners did not change the oil and filter as often as they should have, and cooling system flushes were also neglected. I drove it 45,000 miles before the head gasket failed at 315,000 ...

    1307.jpg

    Once torn down damage to the cylinder was was noted...

    1312.jpg

    I replaced the original motor with a one owner low mileage motor that received all new gaskets including head gaskets, new FIPG where applicable, new timing components, new spark plugs, a new water pump, a new starter and alternator plus a lot of other parts before it was installed in the truck.

    IMG_1503.jpg IMG_1511.jpg

    I didn't realize just how worn out and down on power the original motor was until the replacement motor was up and running, it's a huge improvement.

    It's humble beginnings in 2017

    IMG_0908 (4).jpg
     
  6. May 21, 2025 at 6:53 AM
    #6
    ZappBrannigan

    ZappBrannigan The mind is willing but the flesh is weak

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    Member:
    #23724
    Messages:
    2,535
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada, by way of Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2018 1794 MGM
    NVS light bar
    In a Subaru, headgaskets are just a replacement item. In a turbo Subaru whole engines are just replacement items. No big deal, just throw another one in there and keep on trucking!
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2025
    OldGuy03 likes this.
  7. May 21, 2025 at 9:06 AM
    #7
    grave

    grave New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2021
    Member:
    #62509
    Messages:
    513
    SD CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 4.7 SR5 4X4
    haha ain't that the truth!
     
    ZappBrannigan likes this.
  8. May 22, 2025 at 5:10 AM
    #8
    M14 EBR

    M14 EBR [OP] Oh No, Rex Kramer!

    Joined:
    May 20, 2025
    Member:
    #135248
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    Gender:
    Male
    It was part of my original plans for this truck, but I am happy that I did not install a supercharger on the original motor. Speaking of supercharging here is a interesting side note, the low mileage motor that is now in my truck was a test mule for the supercharger kit XAT Racing currently sells. It was on the motor for about 20,000 miles of daily driving testing.
     
    OldGuy03 and Rathesun like this.
  9. May 23, 2025 at 1:53 PM
    #9
    Rathesun

    Rathesun New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2023
    Member:
    #96275
    Messages:
    62
    Gender:
    Male
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2013 Tundra Double-cab 5.7L engine
    It seems that you have done the work yourself, or am I wrong? That's a good-looking truck which now has received a life extension :)

    As I look at the 2013 Tundra TRD Off Road my wife and I inherited from our son (he passed away in March 2023), I know that sometime in the near future I will have to decide between replacing the entire 3UR FE 5.7L motor with a new Toyota refurbished one, or to have the entire engine repaired at the dealer's or an independent shop. I am assuming that the cost would be somewhere close to $20,000. But even so it will be money well-spend, since this truck can provide us (wife and I) with several more years of use since the body and is in great shape. These are the things with the engine I that are creeping in:

    a. Just minor traces of cam tower oil leak at Bank 2 (passenger side), and about the same (hardly noticeable) oil leak at Bank 1.

    b. Every now and then on a cold-start a short duration (maybe 2-3 seconds) puff smoke that is not completely white nor blue. Could be related to valve oil seals. It doesn't burn oil.

    If I were to have a mechanic tear into this engine to replace the cam tower gaskets, then I would also need to add the valve oil seals, replace the water pump, take care of the timing chain and tensioners, and there is not guarantee that the head gaskets will stay in good shape for another 100,000 miles. But if I have the shop replacing the entire motor, all I would have to replace is the water pump. This truck shows about 98,000 miles on the odometer.

    Yes, I understand that I can drive the truck the way it is now. I don't drive it very much, but it was my son's truck so "we" want to keep it for life. I will post a photo of it in the near future after I wash a thick layer of pollen that has settle all over its black paint this week. It is the "green-up" week in the interior of Alaska.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2025
  10. May 24, 2025 at 6:02 AM
    #10
    M14 EBR

    M14 EBR [OP] Oh No, Rex Kramer!

    Joined:
    May 20, 2025
    Member:
    #135248
    Messages:
    41
    Gender:
    Male
    I am sorry for your loss... condolences.

    I perform as much of the work as I can myself, but most of the big jobs are handled at my Toyota master diagnostic technicians home shop. I agree that refreshing or replacing the motor is money well spent if the truck is rust free and otherwise solid, if you can't find a Toyota tech to repair what you have then a Toyota refurbished motor with a warranty or one built by XAT would probably be your best bet. Good luck.
     
    MEGA VOL likes this.
  11. May 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
    #11
    Rathesun

    Rathesun New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2023
    Member:
    #96275
    Messages:
    62
    Gender:
    Male
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2013 Tundra Double-cab 5.7L engine
    Thanks!
     
  12. Jun 7, 2025 at 11:49 AM
    #12
    Vsolano

    Vsolano New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2024
    Member:
    #122539
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vic
    SoDak
    Vehicle:
    2010 5.7 V8 Tundra Grade
    Wheels & Tires Icon Thrust Satin Black — 17x8.5 25mm Falken Wildpeak AT4W — 35x11.5/17
    Great looking truck.

    I got my 3UR-FBE 2010 a year ago at 261k with good service records. I've done valve cover gaskets job on it and what I saw under was probably the cleanest engine I've encountered. I hope i can atleast get mine to 400k and get my money's worth. :thumbsup:
     
    M14 EBR[OP] likes this.
  13. Jun 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
    #13
    M14 EBR

    M14 EBR [OP] Oh No, Rex Kramer!

    Joined:
    May 20, 2025
    Member:
    #135248
    Messages:
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    Male
    I would classify my RCSB a modified Sport Truck driver.

    The truck is basically stock with modifications that enhance it's drive-ability.
     

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