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2003 Fuel Tank Availability

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by FlyingWolfe, Sep 30, 2024.

  1. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:09 PM
    #1
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe [OP] Wolfie

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    The fuel tank on my husband’s 2003 Tundra crapped out. Rust ate through under the cross member and shes pooched.
    IMG_0698.jpg IMG_0699.jpg
    We’ve both searched everywhere and have been unable to find an OEM replacement anywhere in the entire country. Any that let you ‘put in cart’ get kicked back and the dealers say they arent actually available. We’ve both called a couple dozen places at this point. Now torn between an aftermarket chinesium one or rolling the dice on a take-off tank from a salvage yard somewhere outside the rust belt.

    Anyone have any leads, input from experience on aftermarket tanks, anything?

    His Tundra is down and hes driving mine in the meantime. :( (I luckily have my electrical work van to get around in but trying to find a fix)
     
    shifty` and FrenchToasty like this.
  2. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:15 PM
    #2
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

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    The SoAz….. big surprise
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    You’ve been hiding this single cab from us?!?

    honestly I think a junk yard would be your best best, but may be hard to find a worthy one in your area.
    @shifty` has some sites, copart? Maybe?
     
    RobertD and shifty` like this.
  3. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:15 PM
    #3
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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  4. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:16 PM
    #4
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe [OP] Wolfie

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  5. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:17 PM
    #5
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

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    The SoAz….. big surprise
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    2006 DC 4.88s Elocker and some other trippy stuff
    Bone stock
    Also, I have a spare tire drop down assembly if you want it(while your in there) pm me and I’ll send it out
     
    FlyingWolfe[OP] likes this.
  6. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:18 PM
    #6
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe [OP] Wolfie

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    Thats his baby. :rolleyes:
    315k miles, hes trying to keep her going as long as the engine keeps it up. Things been flawless.
     
  7. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:18 PM
    #7
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe [OP] Wolfie

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    He has one already that hes hucking in. Shouldve asked first, dammit!
     
    FrenchToasty[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:20 PM
    #8
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    No issues at all ~ 3 years. Perfect fit.
     
  9. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:23 PM
    #9
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe [OP] Wolfie

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    Awesome, appreciate the feedback :fistbump:
     
    FrenchToasty likes this.
  10. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:29 PM
    #10
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

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    The SoAz….. big surprise
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    Bone stock
    You can’t win if you don’t play!
     
  11. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:41 PM
    #11
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe [OP] Wolfie

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    Ah well, its all good. I appreciate it though. He said he’d sell his truck “Tell him $15k. I know what i’ve got” :rofl::rofl:
     
  12. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:53 PM
    #12
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

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    The SoAz….. big surprise
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    Bone stock
    It’s not as rusty as I expected, but I’d need some frame shots from underneath. He must take good care of it!
     
  13. Sep 30, 2024 at 4:59 PM
    #13
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe [OP] Wolfie

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    Its a South Carolina car, he got it in 2008 and he washes and undercoats the everloving shit out of the thing. I couldnt believe how nice it was when the bed came off. He had the coating recall from the dealer like five years back and they thought he had his frame replaced recently (nope, original frame).
     
    RobertD and FrenchToasty[QUOTED] like this.
  14. Sep 30, 2024 at 5:09 PM
    #14
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

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    The SoAz….. big surprise
    Vehicle:
    2006 DC 4.88s Elocker and some other trippy stuff
    Bone stock
    :101010:
     
  15. Sep 30, 2024 at 5:30 PM
    #15
    shifty`

    shifty` A means to an end, but the ends don't seem to meet

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    Ah! You mean the dealer “rust concealment” coating! :rofl:

    Toyota should’ve never been legally allowed to offer that scammy shit as a legitimate frame solution but I digress….

    FWIW, Dorman gets a lot of shit from people and it’s unwarranted in like 95% of cases. They genuinely make quality products and - in modern times, with aftermarket going down the shitter - still produce a decent quality controlled part. They’re the only company making quality repops for parts manufacturers discontinue (well, OK, Standard Motor Products is also!), to the point with my old GM trucks, several things like the Intermediate shaft, GM stopped making it and GM corporate literally tells you to buy the Dorman part, “its the exact same part and quality”. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy their fuel tank.

    While he has the bed off, now is the perfect time to wire a backup camera if he doesn’t already have one. I’ve got a pretty solid write up on here I can link you up with if it helps, lots of pics etc.
     
  16. Sep 30, 2024 at 5:47 PM
    #16
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe [OP] Wolfie

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    Appreciate it. He was reading that the dorman tack welds for the baffles had issues so he was concerned. At this point not much choice anyway.

    He just installed a backup camera to go with his new head unit a few weeks ago because he was sick of getting out ten times to hook up to his trailer (hes a carpenter). :thumbsup:
     
    shifty`[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Oct 22, 2024 at 6:52 AM
    #17
    ZDog377

    ZDog377 03 V8 AC 4x4

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    w666[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Oct 22, 2024 at 7:24 AM
    #18
    shifty`

    shifty` A means to an end, but the ends don't seem to meet

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    This has come up quite a few times on here, the discrepancy in those numbers. Ive run my truck to near empty on multiple occasions during the last 5 years, and looking at my MPG tracking app, I've never been able to stuff more than 22.1 gallons into it. @w666 can attest to fitment. @FlyingWolfe did y'all ever get your tank installed?
     
    ZDog377[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Oct 22, 2024 at 4:03 PM
    #19
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    I had a long, frustrating engagement with Dorman support who snarkily INSTISTED...

    "Okay, our tank is a copy of that Toyota number which is 18.5 gallons. Have a good day".

    My response:

    "I bought your tank, but not before confirming with another Tundra owner who had just replaced his. After installation I poured in ~ 5 gallons from a can, then drove 4.4 miles to the gas station. There I pumped in another 21.7 gallons of gas. So let's see~ 5 + 21.7 = 26.7. So you must be correct...your tank holds 18.5 gallons!"

    I like Dorman a lot, but the guy I was dealing with was (and no doubt still is) a colossal asshole!
     
    shifty` likes this.
  20. Oct 22, 2024 at 4:32 PM
    #20
    ZDog377

    ZDog377 03 V8 AC 4x4

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    I think the math maths on that. Just wanted to see before I ordered. Anything else you recommend replacing along with the tank? I have what i assume is 341K on the original parts since j have no records. Did you coat the outside of the tank in anything as well?
     
  21. Oct 22, 2024 at 4:55 PM
    #21
    FiatRunner

    FiatRunner 2003 rich

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    It might be worth replacing the fuel pump while the tank is dropped. They're pretty expensive though. I'm unsure of how common (or UNcommon) failures are.
     
  22. Oct 22, 2024 at 5:55 PM
    #22
    BroHon

    BroHon Everything's clock, is ticking

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    KNABORES likes this.
  23. Nov 21, 2024 at 7:58 AM
    #23
    ZDog377

    ZDog377 03 V8 AC 4x4

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    Just got mine replaced the other day with the Dorman one. My mechanic didn't chew me a new one and said it went OK. He did leave the plastic shroud off at his suggestion.
     
    BroHon likes this.
  24. Nov 21, 2024 at 8:37 AM
    #24
    BroHon

    BroHon Everything's clock, is ticking

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    When I replaced mine I questioned that very thing. I ended up putting it on. But I had coated the entire tank in Hurculiner too.
     
  25. Nov 22, 2024 at 10:31 AM
    #25
    2003DC

    2003DC New Member

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    How much did the herculiner cost?
     
  26. Nov 22, 2024 at 12:18 PM
    #26
    BroHon

    BroHon Everything's clock, is ticking

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