1st gen transmission longevity

I’m looking into buying a first gen tundra and my only real worry about them is related to the transmission, I’m currently looking at one with 192k miles for 10k but it hasn’t had to transmission rebuilt yet and has no service history related to the transmission. My question is should the transmission still be fine on an automatic at this mileage or should I keep holding out till I find a lower mileage truck.

 

I live 4 hours away from the seller and can’t really find that out easily.

 

There are dozens of guys on here at 300k+ miles on the original transmission. These trucks aren't made by General Motors, the transmissions are typically good for several 100k miles.

If you're looking at an earlier model, do what @ColoradoTJ suggests because it'll have a dipstick. The later models like my '06 use a sealed transmission.

 

The later model first gens have a sealed trans (04+ I believe) so maintenance history would be good to know. My tundra 120 and sequoia 220 both are going strong, smooth shifts, no issues. Changed tundra trans oil at 100k, Sequoia was changed at least once so far, probably due for another. Solid vehicles!

 

So I asked the guy and he actually had the transmission serviced 4 years ago and had new fluid put in. He also claims it’s all good currently. When test driving it what should I look out for for any signs it might not be in great shape

 

What year is the truck you're looking at?

The early first gens shifted "hard" between first and second if you were really on the pedal. I've read a lot about it here. That's normal for the most part

If you're just cruising through town driving miss daisy style driving it shouldn't shift hard.

 

320K plus on my truck and transmission with no issues. I'd jump on the chance to get one with low of milage.

 

My 2004 DC has a dipstick. As far as I know all the '04's do. 2005-2006 got the new trans with the 5 speed and are sealed.

 

My 04 Sequoia isn't sealed, 04 Tundra should be the same?

What year is the truck? If it's not sealed maybe he would take a pic of the dip stick on a white towel so you can see the fluid color.

Make sure the other big 1st gen items are checked out too; frame rust, exhaust leak, timing belt etc..

 

Yeah my bad, 05-06 (+07 sequoia) is the 5 speed and sealed.

 

These things are gtg for double the miles, engine and transmission both. At less than 200k miles if someone posted about their transmission going, my first thought would be its still good and has been misdiagnosed.

 

What year is it? The 00-02 A340 transmission had a weak planetary gear as that trans was taken from the tacoma and the V8 was a little to much for it. This problem was addressed in the 03-04 and they moved to the 5-speed A750 in 05-06. It didn't fail in my 02 sequoia until 250k which is still good for a trans, but obviously not what we expect from Toyota. I could feel it beginning to go around 225k with a delayed hard shift (mentioned above) from 1st to 2nd gear when stopped.

 

It’s a 2001 SR5 4x4

 

Be sure to get good frame pictures and check it in person if you take the drive to look at/get it. It being an 01 it should still be covered for frame recall if it fits under the proper conditions.

 

Hard to say with a truck that old and with that many miles. My 2000 Tundra just went bad at 200k. No warning signs whatsoever. Still shifted perfectly until I pulled it out. It just had a horrible vibration from 50mph and up. Saw a lot of metal when I pulled the transmission pan and I changed the trans fluid about every 50k miles.

 

2000 4wd. 260k no problems. That said, I don't tow anything and no heavy loads. How a truck is used can e ais a significant factor beyond maintenance.

Since new my truck has had a noticeable shudder for a brief moment when moving from stop. It has also always had a noticeable bump from 1st to 2nd. Nothing has changed since new.

 

These aren't Dodge trucks. A 200k mile Tundra that has had a transmission rebuild would be rare.

Honestly, the transmissions are pretty solid on these trucks. The transmission is down the list a ways on things to look out for. IMHO, the first would be rust (on the frame and body), second would be timing belt/water pump, third - radiator, then transmission.

 

Transmission problems would be waaaaaaaaay down on the list of concerns for me too. Obviously frame rust issues is paramount, timing belt replacement, front suspension, 4X4 actuators, rubber seals/gaskets then maybe transmission...

 

Definitely agree with comments on other items to inquire on. In terms of transmission, I would ask the owner what if anything he towed, and hopefully you get a straight answer. I do see some folks on the road pulling fairly large travel trailers with 1st gen Tundras. My '05 with 282k miles has had zero transmission issues. It's only towed a 4x8 utility trailer with light loads to the dump or a dirt bike.

 

I have 358,437 miles on mine without any transmission issues. It is RWD and I’m the original owner. The only towing I’ve done is a flats boat. Hope this helps.

 

My 02 has 333k miles and is the original trans from what I can tell. Shifts pretty good but could probably use a new trans filter(afaik its never been changed). I drained and filled it after I bought it and that really smoothed it out. It was a little firm shifting into 2nd. My dad thought it was fine but I'm picky. Mine had either 5th wheel mounting brackets or a camper in the bed too

If you like it, buy it. If you buy something afraid of what COULD happen you'll never fully in enjoy it. Every vehicle has its warts