New to the Tundra so I have some questions. Also, need something with towing power.

Hey there. I'm coming over from Tacomaworld and have a few questions about the Tundra.
I'm on my 4th Toyota pickup, I had an 83, 86, 94 and I've had my 2004 TRD for the past 6 years. I love Toyotas and I love my Tacoma but I need something that can tow. Currently I tow a 19' Airstream Bambi with my V6 Tacoma and although it will tow the camper I feel like a Tundra might be better suited for what I'm doing. So I'm looking for a V8, 4x4, double cab or extended cab.

There are a few 1st gen Tundras for sale in my area all with 140,000 plus. What issues should I look for with a Tundra with this many miles on it?

Specifically, there is one local that has a "leaking steering rack." How big of an issue is this and how much should I expect to spend getting it fixed.

Also, did they come in manual?

Thanks.

 

They did come in a manual. Not sure if it was the full year range or only earlier models.
Biggest thing is to see if the timing belt/water pump was replaced at 90k like it's supposed to be..

 

Yes, timing belt and water pump are very important if they haven't been done needs to be done asap. I had my 2000 tundra for 10 years and only thing she ever needed was 2 starters, 2 O2 sensors, timing belt and water pump. The engine was bulletproof. I'd stay away from the one with a leak. Never saw anything like that on mine and I had 1770000 miles when I sold her to my dad.

 

To be clear, a v8 never came with a manual trans...

 

Really? Whoops.

 

How much does your trailer weigh, I just pulled a uhaul trailer which I believe was around 2000lb, along with a 3800lb car and it pulled fine, I drive from Portland to Central Oregon over the Santiam pass and it pulled great. I had a 2013 Tacoma DC, and it pulls way better.

 

Towing should not be an issue with your Bambi trailer. Yes, the newer 5.7 is a tow beast, but for what you are looking to tow the 1st gen with the 4.7 will do just fine (just make sure you push the OD button when towing so you are towing in Drive, not OD). I've hauled my FJ40 to Moab a bunch of times, used a 70's Chevy 350/auto, a Ford 3/4 ton LWB Van with 460/auto (carb not FI) and my 1st Gen. The Tundra did the best job towing and got the best mileage of the 3 and that was loaded towing a 4500# square Box shaped FJ40 on a 16ft. Carson trailer so about 6k+ with no issues. Took a bit to get up to speed, but pulled fine even over the passes. Got 10-12mpg, but that was cruising at 75ish. The 4.7 will downshift on the hills, but I just let her rock and it did amazing. Your Bambi is fairly light and aero shaped so you should hardly notice it is there.

What to look for? Maint records...take care of them and they run forever. Make sure the timing belt was changed and hopefully they changed the water pump while they were in there as a maint. issue. Also 4.7's have an issue with an exhaust leak that seems to be a manifold crack issue. Mine has had a "tick" for about 3 years...mechanics say let it go until it is really broken as it is a PITA to change the manifold. Also, if it is a pre 2003 make sure it has had the brake TSB done as the early ones really need more brakes if you are going to use them as a truck (I believe all 2003+ have the bigger brakes). I also swapped out to drilled slotted rotors the last time around and that made a bit of a difference and the pads are lasting way longer. Only issues I have had with mine were a radiator (shop broke off the overflow nipple so they replaced the radiator) One O2 sensor went bad (they have a bunch of those, I think 4) and Toyota bought me a tranny at 35k due to a grenade OD gear (from towing in OD..they say you can, but don't, the OD gear is not strong enough for more than a Minnie trailer and you will actually get as good or better mileage towing in drive). My 1st gen is a work truck so is loaded close to max much of the time, gets mainly driven in the sierras so not much highway other than Moab trips, and has worked quite well. I would have bought another Tundra when I bought my Taco Pro, but I like the size of the 1st gens so bought the Taco (wish that had the 4.7!). My Tundra has about 130k on it but there are a lot of them out there with 2-3 times that many miles on them. Marlin Crawler has one that has like 300k on it and that puppy is hauling stuff all the time. Very well built trucks, and as long as you aren't afraid to let that little 4.7 cammer motor wind up they do great.

 

Couldn't find my original brochure, but if my fading memory serves me right you could get a manual tranny with a V-6 in the Tundra, but it would be pretty rare as were the very base V-6 Tundra's in general. Mainly 2wd base models. I'm 99% sure that 4x4's were only offered as a V-8 / Auto.

 

Thanks man, a lot of good info here. I actually ended up buying a 2016 Tundra with the 5.7. By far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. I was debating on the older Tundras but I got a good deal on a new one. I towed my Tacoma on a trailer back from where I bought the truck 300 miles and the Tundra did excellent.

 

Let's see it

 

Here it is...Towing the ol' Taco home after I picked up the new one.

 

Great choice! Enjoy that new rig!

 

I like that color

 

Thanks man...It's going to look awesome after I get my paint matched TRD Pro Grill, paint matched bumpers, bed rug, weathertechs, camper shell, etc, etc...The mods are on.

 

The electric setting on the IBC on these trucks does not work. If you have surge brakes then no problem. Everyone needs to let your dealer know. The more people that complain, the sooner Toyota will get a fix.

 

I'm so new to Tundras that I don't have one yet haha, but I did a search on lifted 1st gen Tundras & my old Tacoma pops up !! Go figure...

 

I actually seen a v8 manual 1st Gen tundra. It was rare I almost brought it for my father but he doe's not know how to drive manual

 

That wasn't factory... Toyota never found a supplier for the clutch to meet the requirements, it turn the manual in a v8 (2uz-fe) was never made.. @LOTSOFTOYS can confirm this...

 

I pull a 2012 Sportsmen KZ 290 camper with my '06 DC 2WD and it does fine. It's 31' long and 5800# dry. With my gear and all I come in about 6600#

 

I just got my first Toyota ever, a double cab 2006. I work with a bunch of long time Toyota enthusiasts, and all that have owned extended cabs say that they wouldn't own another, and double cab is the only way to go.

Just thought I'd throw that out.

The reasons centered around the doors opening inconveniently on the extended cab, and the fact that you can always use that little extra bit of room.

EDIT:
I just noticed how old this discussion was...
and on the first page of the forum.

I'm used to boards that turn over much faster! Sorry. lol

The other boards I frequent will have 2 or 3+ pages in a day. So responding to something on page 1 is not worth checking the date, you just know it's a current discussion.

 

H

Hey no worries. I'm a double can fan because I like the extra bed space. And I do a lot of camping. Crewmax looks nice and I wouldn't completely blow off getting one in the future.