2003 6 cylinder standard cab manual transmission

I bought my 2003 Tundra new for $13,500 at Hoy-Fox in El Paso. It now has 260K mostly highway miles and runs about the same as when I drove off the lot 22 years. I do my own oil and filter changes and the only maintenance I’ve had done is timing belt and water pump every 100K and fluids flushed, ect. I’m having my local mechanic replace the valve cover gaskets and repair rat damage to throttle body this week. Any suggestions from long term Tundra owners on what other maintenance they would suggest while its in the shop so I can get another 250K. I have never had the valves adjusted, last time I changed out the spark plugs along with power packs and wires, they were clean as new. I appreciate any advice or comments. Thanks, Jim

 

Aside from the many routine maintenance items that many people neglect (brake & power steering fluid flush, gearbox oil changes, driveshaft lubing, throttle body cleaning, MAF cleaning, PCV valve (can't remember if the 3.4 V6 has one) etc.), the only thing I can think of that you didn't mention is the radiator and lower ball joints. If the lower ball joints haven't been done, do them right now.

I sold my 98 Tacoma, with the same engine you have, at 330,000 miles, and yep, aside from losing a little pep and a little drop in gas mileage, it still drove like a new truck. From what I hear, the 4.7L V8s in these Tundras last even longer. But that V6 was a great engine.

 

All of that info is in our community info thread.

Scroll to the 2nd reply. Read the section "After you buy the truck (or sometimes before)". There's an entire service schedule we added to that reply.

Yes, engine-wise that is geared toward the V8, but the majority applies to your V6.

 

Definitely read that thread. Definitely get your mechanic to use OEM parts or take him OEM parts to use. That thread has a section on which non-OEM parts are generally acceptable.

 

Lower ball joints are pretty easy-to-do, even with just hand tools.

At 260,000 miles, it appears you've been quite lucky. Here is my thread on the subject and I used hand tools, 6x6 and 4x4 inch wood blooks, lying on my back in the grass. Safety glasses on anytime you are under something, including a truck (rust fell in my good eye 30 years ago and I learned to never let that happen again).

Your torque specs may be different, along with exactly what new bolts to put in, but guys here will help. OEM from some Toyota dealer and you'll have it.

Something a local mechanic said...."pressing out the ball joints." | Toyota Tundra Forum

 

Thanks guys, for all the great advice. I’m lucky that my local shade tree mechanic also happens to be a Toyota trained technician, and yes, the 6 cylinder does have a pcv valve. Thanks again!!