Can a first Gen still be reliable enough in 2024+

Hey guys, I have come to seek some wisdom from all the first gen owners out there. Me and my wife need a 3rd car in the next year or so. She has a forester, I have an elise and I need something for kid duty coming soon. We want a truck for all the extra things we can do (throw bikes in the back, tow a small trailer or jet skis, camping) otherwise i would get a corolla and call it a day. I will drive the Elise 80-90% of the time but whenever i need to haul more then a backpack or a kid then i will take the truck so it wont get driven a ton but will also be a fun car. I just want something that will start every time and get me and the family home as often as possible. I only have about 15k to spend currently and am in NorCal so cars (and especially trucks) are pricey. My general questions is: Is a first gen Tundra DC with 150-200k miles the truck for me? Is it better to save up another 7k for a 2nd gen?

I just dont want it to 1) be a money pit or 2) spend all my free time fixing little stuff that is falling apart with age or mileage

Other info that might be helpful
- I do all my own work on the cars and don't mind the occasional fix or maintenance.
- I don't really care about gas costs since it will be either local driving or for fun
- I don't have a strong brand preference and have considered a newer ford, chevy, gm etc.
- I have driven a couple tacomas and they feel a little cramped.
- I need the Double cab, a v8 and 4wd but do not care even slightly about features or luxuries

 

First, have you read this sticky thread? (first 2 replies)

It may answer your questions.

Beyond that, if regular maintenance was done, the timing belt, water pump, tensioners and pulleys were done in the last 50k miles / 5-6 years, the lower ball joints were replaced with new OEM joints and fresh OEM bolts in the last 50-60k miles, other than maybe wanting to proactively swap out the radiator, you should be golden. You just need to make sure the frame is clean, then make a choice on whether you want a 2000-2002, a 2003-2004, or a 2005-2006. If towing, the later may be better, with 5spd transmission, but it adds the secondary air injection system. The 2000-2002 has weaker brakes but is simpler. The 2003-2004 adds improved keyless system, some more modern features, and is sort of an in-between on features from the 2005-2006, but with a 4spd transmission (which all 00-04 trucks have).

 

So Firstly, a first gen will out live any other gens if you do things the correct way. Oem lbjs amd timing belt. Everything else is meh, but just change the oil and drive them. There are a few threads here that you might want to look up. I think shifty' made a thread about things you need to know about your first gen. Use the search bar under the first gen thread to find that page. Check for frame rust. Look it all over and mainly at the cross members around the spare tire. It'll pop up there first. I'm at 405k with proper maintenance and I spend no other money unless it's mods that I want to...which are in plenty, but not need to's. I've got 2 of them. Most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. Only thing I've owned since 03 and have over 700k between the two of them. My mom drives one with a little over 100k and it's the only vehicle they have that doesn't constantly stay in the shop.

Do they have the most power? No. Do they get the best mpg? No. Will they be the last driving things on earth after the apocalypse? Yes...until a supply of oem lbj's goes away.

Edit, I see shifty' beat me to the reply so disregard my mention of his thread.

 

If you were willing to drive a bit. Trucks are way cheaper over in Arizona. 15K list price finds many 2nd gens at 150K

 

The first gen Tundra is the most reliable truck I've ever owned without question, and it is serviceable. It is so reliable that when I get a minor issue I have to remind myself that it is nearly a quarter of a century old. If you can find one that has been serviced and pretty well kept, you should give it serious consideration. I would sell my 2018 before I got rid of my first gen.

 

I would say be prepared to do minor fixes or part replacements every year or two. It’s just the nature of old vehicles and the maintenance required to keep them going.

You could do it all in one swoop by addressing everything that will need a replacement within a 5 year period but there’s always something. I had to replace a body mount within the last year myself. I never thought I’d be doing that but surprise!

That said, the powertrain is reliable so long as you maintain it properly.

 

Ive bern dailying mine for - 2 years with just having to replace both primary O2 sensors. But truck had been sitting so not really fair to blame truck. They are reliable, prone to rust so if salt belt, rinse, wax. And protect/be proactive with inspections.

 

Yes, if you don't buy a neglected piece of crap. But even with some TLC, a neglected piece of crap can become a reliable daily.

I spent a leisurely month doing baseline maintenance to my truck. It had 274k miles (now has nearly 290k in 10 months as my daily driver) and I did the basics. LbJ, shocks, brakes, oil leak repair, carrier bearing, O2 sensors, fluids and timing belt/water pump. Keep it stock and these trucks just keep going and going.

My daily prior to the Tundra was a Land Cruiser 100 with 390k miles that I bought at 240k miles. These vehicles share the same drivetrain. I still have the LC and wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country tomorrow, the Tundra just works better as a daily kiddo hauler as the back seat is bigger than the Cruisers.

 

I have been driving 2000, 2004 and 2006 Tundras for 472K miles and I must say the reliability amazes me. Just keep the frame from rusting, replace timing belt every 120K miles and the lower ball joints every 150K miles and do regular maintenance and it should last you until I'm dead.

 

Bolt a child seat to the rear spoiler of the elise.

 

Heck yeah - I don’t hesitate to take my 2000 anywhere and everywhere.

 

First gen might be more reliable then a 2024...

 

I believe true double cabs are only 04-06

05-06 has the upgraded transmission that will help with towing.

in a year of ownership mine has never failed to go vroom when I turned the key. I have dealt with other stuff, mostly byproducts of negligent previous owners.

if you’re comfortable doing your own maintenance and minor repairs I can’t imagine a more reliable truck for the money exists. Pre 07 6.0 gasser GM 2500 only other thing I’d consider in this vintage

 

I'm with the rest of the folks on here, if a first gen is taken care of, maintenance done, it will outlast most newer trucks on the road. Plus they are super easy to work on. I love my 2005. Up on all maintenance and it runs very well. Good luck on your search!

 

I just drove mine on a 6000 mile road trip across the country. I've got a bit over 250k miles on it. Just remember they are getting old, so some of those front end bushings will need attention in addition to all the other stuff mentioned. Try to find one with good maintenance records. It's like driving a couch down the road (if ya got the bench seat).

 

Best gen really needs to team up with a 3d printer to supply the discontinued plastic parts.

 

I dont have a 3d printer & when i took cad it was still called cam.

 

I've owned both the 4.7 for almost a year and last truck was a 5.7.

- You will absolutely NEVER go wrong with with any Toyota product with a v8.
- If you're working on your own vehicles my best advice is do it all at once. If you purchase and pull anything apart early on in ownership just replace everything and be done with it. Otherwise you will nickel and dime yourself to death fixing tired and old components.
- OEM or OE manufacturer is king.
- If you frequently tow anything more or heavier than what you listed get the 5.7.

00-06
- I really enjoy the smaller footprint of these first gens especially on trail and at Costco lol.
- Some parts are harder to source, but theres plentiful parts trucks in junkyards
- The 6ft bed + crew cab is a match made in heaven
- Modernizing the platform is rather pleasant. Some simple audio upgrades and apple CarPlay almost makes you forget you're in a 20 year old truck.
- Grandma's couch for seats
- The guys on the first gen pages are ON IT. Years of great information and a lot of active members with valuable contribution.

07+
- 5.7 imo is one of the best trucks to tow with on the 1/2 ton market.
- 5.7 is better for long distance trips.
- Short bed is short
- the 26 gallon tank is frustrating if you drive a lot (38 gallons for 16+ is really nice.) I swapped in the OEM 38 gallon tank which wasn't cheap, but definitely worth it.
- Lipstick on a pig - the tech is still shit, but it looks nicer.
- Crew max cab is huge.

It sounds like you're ready to spend some money no matter which way this goes. If I were in your position the biggest factor would be towing and secondly how much you value interior room. If most of what you're hauling can go in the bed 100% buy the first gen. You can buy a clean one, modify it, refresh it, and be on your way for less than that additional 7k and you can do it at your discretion. The first gen market has been and will be steady if you have a change of heart as well.

 

From everything I've heard, these points really seem to be the truth. I will say that there probably needs to be another category. 07+ needs to be broken up into 07-21 and 22+.

I've never hear this, though. Why would the 5.7 be better, specifically, for long distance trips? Is it the engine or is it the updated interior being more comfortable or is it something else entirely?

 

the big gas tank, tons of cab space, it’s just a more comfortable truck to be in for long trips. Way more power. Hell I was getting 13-15mpg fully loaded on 37’s. I think I get 13 unloaded highway mpg in my 4.7.

 

I've had both a 5.7 and a 4.7

The 2004 4.7 DC 4WD - Coming from a dad of 3, this truck is a great all around family vehicle. I bought my double cab 4wd last summer in TX, rust free with 178k on it for less than 15k (not much less) and it has lived up to the hype. It was well cared for and I would say was 8.5/10 condition overall when I bought it. I've put about 15k on it since I bought it. It is my daily and does it all from hauling kids to soccer games, taking me across Texas and back, and even took the whole family loaded up to Colorado and did some off roading. Hasn't missed a beat. Catalytic converter light came on for a minute but it's gone now. And that doesn't even really count as a problem. Also - it's easy to work on.

The 2010 5.7 2WD DC - This was a great truck. I didn't have kids at the time, but I'd say the double cab 2010 (which is actually the 1/2 back door - NOT the crew max - I know, confusing) had at least the same amount of back seat space as my current 2004. That 5.7 could run too. It hauled butt. I never towed, but I'm sure it could. Never had any mechanical problems with it that I remember and I had it for 6 or 7 years. Cons - it was ugly as sin and was 2wd.

I still think you can find a 1st gen for cheaper - so that'll probably factor in. I wanted 4wd and a truck in pretty good shape, and had about the same budget as you, so I ended up in a first gen. I love it - feels nostalgic. I was in high school in 2004, so this truck feels like I finally have a cool kid truck that I never got to have in high school.

 

As if there weren't enough positive replies on this thread- I'm chiming in.

My truck was abused, neglected, and not maintained for years before I got it. Yet with my fairly limited budget it's still been by far the best vehicle I've owned. Maintenance records and a previous owner that cared can guarantee you a fantastic ownership experience. If you care to know more about my truck's journey, you can read all about it HERE.

Not just saying this because I love mine and I want you to get one- but a first gen Tundra would by F'n perfect for the use cases that you described. I use my truck for winter/bad weather, roadtrips, and towing/hauling. I'm a college student, so I don't drive it on a daily basis during the school year, but I frequently take it on 900+ mile trips to visit my girlfriend. During the summers I have a Fiat 124 that I daily, so it only gets used when it storms or when I need to haul something. Sports car life is the best!

I think you'd really like a first gen. The size, simplicity, reliability, and usability is (IMO) unmatched for the price point. Even simply because they're becoming modern classics is a good reason to buy, it's a very tasteful truck choice. It's also so so easy to make them feel like a brand new vehicle, things like modern headlight technology and audio/infotainment systems are easy and inexpensive.

 

@NickB_01TRD drove his literally around the country and back.
@FirstGenVol drove his from TN to AZ and back.
Me, @Sirfive, and @5N0W808 drove from TX to AZ and back. And I went there and back again. With 332k miles.

Yeah, they're reliable.

 

this post hits fam
no cap

 

my neighbor up the road gets about 9-10 with 35s.... what the hexk are you doing different?

 

Idk lol

 

I own a 2001 AC with the 4.7 and beat the hell out of it as a desert truck. I regularly drive it out to the desert, beat on it all weekend as if AAA is going to tow it back, and drive it home. My truck has 140k miles on it and in the 8 years of ownership, it has never left me stranded. I had one of the O2 sensors fail, but that’s it engine wise. Outside of that, I broke the diff once and the rack recently started whining. Not bad for a truck that has had long travel and 35s on it for nearly a decade.

I previously owned a 2011 double cab with the 5.7 and I definitely prefer the first gen to it. It was equally reliable, but the first gen drives and looks better. The size is right for an extra vehicle too - think of it as a V8 Tacoma. FWIW I currently also own a 2014 double cab with the 5.7 that I bought new. The only issues I’ve ever had with it was the stock battery died and one turn signal bulb burned out. It’s also a great truck and I don’t plan on ever selling it.

If I were in the market for a truck right now, I’d 100% go with a first gen - I’m even trying to convince my brother to buy one instead of spending $40k+ on a newer truck. Even if you were considering a 2.5 gen, I’d probably still stick with the first gen given the price difference.

 

No, it will not be reliable. Expect to wrench in it every other weekend. Will it run forever with said wrenching, yes.

5.7’s are proving to be completely unreliable and blowing head gaskets left and right. I would never buy one.

These trucks are getting old, and need maintenance, if you rely on a shop to fix your junk, then they will nickel and dime you. Still in the long run cheaper than a new F150.

I have 5 various model 1st gen Toyotas, and I have boxes of parts waiting for me to have time to install them.