A Millennial's Tundra Adventure

Thought I would make a build log so I don't forget the stuff I have done and will do.

I decided to get a Tundra after borrowing my uncles 2001 4x4 tundra for a
couple of months in the winter of 2018. At the start of 2019, I originally
wanted to buy my uncles truck but after his unwillingness to let her go, I
started looking on multiple different platforms for the next few months
waiting for one that caught my eye. I came across my 2003 on one of the
used car websites (cant remember) and what got me interested was the low
mileage and the TRD Sport included in the description. The Post didn't have
any pictures at the time, so I emailed the dealer and he sent me some
photos, and I basically picked her up the next day in April 2019.

Fun fact: My join date is one days after I bought the truck.


Photo I was emailed from the dealer on the lot. 2003, SR5, 2wd, TRD Sport
(LSD and Rear Sway bar package), hyper silver 5 spokes (miss these
wheels), 81,000 miles, Rust free.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only downside about the truck when I originally bought it, was that the
drivers door was bent. From what I could tell, the truck got the mirror hit off
forward and pulled the corner of the door out. Water would come through the
top of the door so I got it fixed.

My first Priority was getting a camper shell and wheels, So I got a used black
shell off offerup, (which isn't in the best condition, wish I held out for a
better one), and some FN FX Pros in bronze w/ 265/70r17 BF KO2's. I also
read somewhere (which I cant find anymore) that if you use 4x4 trd Off Road
bilsteins on a 2wd, you gain about .75-1" in the front, So I got some off a DC
for about $100 with 500 miles on them. Besides led interior lights and a few
little things, this was the first iteration of my truck (picture below). Height
was 21.25 in the front and 22 in the rear

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now to my current configuration.
I'm running Kings 2.5 coil-overs in the front with Total Chaos UCA,
and Kings shocks and a Eibach 1" block in the rear.
Sitting about 23.2 all the way around.

Current wheels and Tires are Konig Countersteer Type X 17x8 -10 offset, and
Yokohama g015 Geolanders in 285/70r17 (running SL rating).
Basically have the perfect fitment with the fender flares

Other additions include Projector retrofit (built by @SouthPaw ) and
Morimoto HID conversion kit, Skidrow front plate, Spintech 6000 muffler w/ resonator delete,
magnaflow cat (only on one side, passenger cat was stolen), JBA Y-pipe, Black Limited Mirror
caps, front grill, Rear Bumper, and vinyl wrapped front chrome on bumper, Sony AX1000
head-unit, Clear corner housing, Full de-badge w/ custom vinyl tailgate decals, Full Bed liner
(done by previous owner) and A tailgate masters rear camera (installing the week of writing).

Some stuff I plan to do is tint front windows, Find a Limited black bumper (no chrome strip), Either find a nicer camper shell or paint current one and hook up interior lights, Maybe swap to 04-06 AC taillights, Built out bed with a removable bed platform for camping.

I bought this Tundra without ever doing any sort of maintenance or
installation before on any vehicle, so it has been a big learning
experience for me and I cant thank everyone on the forum enough
for all the help (special shout out to @Darkness who has been A HUGE help).
Very happy with how my truck sits today and not really sure if any
big changes will happen anytime soon besides general maintenance
and what not. Although, I am always on the look out for rare parts
and new Ideas.


Thanks for reading!

 

Love the shell on these trucks, make them complete.

 

Thats hard to believe. You did really well on the suspension work. Your truck is looking really good.

 

I had changed a few lightbulbs before but nothing beyond that. My family is pretty small and none of them know anything about cars, so I never had an opportunity to learn.

 

Truck looks great! I’d love a first gen some day.

 

Looks good buddy! Keep up the good work!

 

Got the reverse camera installed today. Not difficult but definitely time consuming taking everything apart.

 

Strong work sir. Nice looking truck for sure. I second the sentiment on the camper shell, they look good on these trucks. Think I liked the FN's on your truck. Yellow fogs look nice.

 

Nice work so far! I like those tailgate decals as well. I wonder how one of those Toyota ones would look underneath the tailgate handle.

 

How are you liking the tailgate Handle camera? Any feedback?

 

The quality is good. Kinda a bigger job then I anticipated. Its definitely easy but for just only using during reverse, not sure id do it again.

 

Took the swaybar off to do some maintenance. Bought new links and bushings, but unfortunately the bushings didnt fit as I couldny find any specifically for the rear swaybar. Might just buy some off toyota.

Got the links in non the less, but now I wanna paint the bar so Might buy some paint for next time I take it off. Reused the factory link bolts because the new ones were 18mm and since I dont buy tools in packs, I dont have a wrench for a 18mm

 

If you're gonna be a full fledge DIY guy Tool Packs are the way to go!

It'll cost twice as much to buy tools individually. I guess that saves space though.

 

Ya, not sure why I do it. If I was going to do a particular job, Id just go buy the socket and wrench I need. I thought I was going to only need like 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, but i was clearly wrong as I have needed other sizes multiple times.

My next purchase will probably be full wrench and long socket set. Then an impact.

 

This might be a good buy.

Kobalt 154-Piece Standard (SAE) and Metric Combination Polished Chrome Mechanics Tool Set in the Mechanics Tool Sets department at Lowes.com

Or this if you want wrenches too.

CRAFTSMAN 150-Piece Standard (SAE) and Metric Combination Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set in the Mechanics Tool Sets department at Lowes.com

Spoiler: What's included (Craftsman)

150 pc Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set is made for the auto-enthusiast, semi-pro, or do-it-yourselfer. This set comes with the new industry-leading, 120-Tooth ratchet that provides maximum accessibility in tight spots. With its slim head and 3° arc swing, you can get into narrow spaces with ease and quickly tighten or loosen a fastener. Take on your next project with our Gunmetal Chrome 150 pc mechanics tool set. 150 pc set includes: (9) 1/4-in Drive Shallow 6 PT Sockets SAE (5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2-in), (9) 1/4-in Drive Shallow 6 PT Sockets Metric (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12mm), (9) 1/4-in Drive Deep 6 PT Sockets SAE (5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 3/8-in), (7) 1/4-in Drive Deep 6 PT Sockets Metric (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10mm), (10) 3/8-in Drive Shallow 6 PT Sockets SAE (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16-in), (12) 3/8-in Drive Shallow 6 PT Sockets Metric (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22mm), (7) 3/8-in Drive Deep 6 PT Sockets SAE (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4-in), (8) 3/8-in Drive Deep 6 PT Sockets Metric (10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19mm), (9) 1/2-in Drive Shallow 12 PT Sockets SAE (1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1-in), (9) 1/2-in Drive Shallow 12 PT Sockets Metric (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24mm), (7) SAE Combination Wrenches (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4-in), (7) Metric Combination Wrenches (10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17mm), (2) 3/8-in Drive Spark Plug Sockets (5/8-in, 13/16-in), (1) 1/4-in Drive Bit Adapter, (1) 3/8-in Drive Universal Joint, (1) 1/4-in Drive Ext Bar (3-in), (1) 3/8-in Drive Ext bar (6-in), (1) 1/2-in Drive Ext bar (2-1/2-in), (1) 1/2-in Drive Ratchet 120T, (1) 3/8-in Drive Ratchet 120T, (1) 1/4-in Drive Ratchet 120T, (1) 1/4-in Spinner Handle, (16) Hex Keys and (20) Specialty Bits.

 

Try and find a solid set on Amazon of at least metric only. I haul around a 72 pc craftsman set under my driver seat.

you can also rent tools from your local chain auto parts shop for free just leave a deposit.

 

That's true if this is your only vehicle. I like to have both SAE/MM on hand just in case something is wonky. (We also have one GM product left.)

I use tekton for pretty much everything. They are available on Bigg GUrll, and have never let me down.

 

I have this which my grandmother bought me awhile back. Would like a big set like that but Im in a weird spot because I have aquired torx, allens, random long sockets and that set. I just havent been able to justify buying a big with all the stuff I already have.

I definitely need to go through all my tools and see exactly what I need.

 

something like

TEKTON Ratcheting Combination Wrench Set, 12-Piece (8-19 mm) - Pouch | WRN53190

this? and maybe

$206 DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, SAE and Metric, 1/2, 1/4, 3/8 Drive Sizes, 192-Piece (DWMT75049)

this?

 

That's not a bad beginners set. You'll collect more as you go.

 

If I was starting from scratch again, I’d buy all my stuff from Harbor Freight. Yeah its all Chinese made but so is everything else for the most part which is another story.

Normally, I’d recco doing yard sales or used online purchases, but in the current environment we live everything is either bought up or people aren’t selling like they used too. Most all my auto shtuff was acquired used or for free as people were cleaning their garages out. A lot of it is old skool Made in USA.

 

I challenge you on the title of youngest tundra owner. I turned 18 this July and I bought the truck at 15.5 in January of 2019. But I love the truck man. What part of CA do you hail from? I'm from the Bay Area.

 

Ya, I realized I am probably not the youngest now lol, might need to change my title. I turned 22 in July and I bought it 2019. I live in Orange county, near the beach .

 

Nice. I'm bringing my truck back to college in AZ this winter and I was planing on takin a detour through the neck of the woods that a lot of the So Cal people are from. like Des Mtn, sunny, and a few others. I'd love t add OC to the itinerary.

 

Ya you definitely should. Socal is pretty spread so its pretty diverse what you see and find. Would definitely recommend the coastal city's like Laguna and Newport.

 

I challenge both of you. I'm 15. Turn 16 in November. I've had this truck for about two years and love it too!

 

Are you in the western united states though

 

I second this motion.

 

He is from Texas. So not sure if it really counts but I guess it depends on your definition of where the west starts. I would just say that hes the youngest tundra owner in central US. gotta split hairs here and keep my title.