Differences within 1st gen

I'm pretty sure VVT-i was introduced in 2005, but it seems like there are some other differences within the 1st gen time period. For instance, it looks like 00-01 have locking fuel doors. Are there other differences people should keep in mind, especially if they are looking for a donor truck as a parts vehicle for their fixer-upper?

 

Also in 2005 the 5spd auto, IIRC.

 

In 2003 they introduced a new front bumper.
Double Cab introduced in 2004
Step side introduced in 03 I think
05-06 had different tail lights

 

2003 & up has steering wheel controls

 

Some info...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Tundra

 

Front suspension uses different lower ball joints, spindles, and lower control arms 05 and up.

Brake calipers are bigger from mid 2003 and up.

 

My dads 02 has a locking fuel door

 

Oh my god, please don’t remind us of the stepside model What a horrible looking truck. The designer should have been fired before releasing that abomination.

 

That it was during that time, but today...It just say's I'm still here and what a great trk this is. Those should sell at a premium rate vs the other 1st gens due to rarity and sought after uniqueness.

 

Was admiring a black stepsister tundra on Friday, and just how damn ugly that bed is. Why Toyota, why?

 

I saw a nice conditioned Step Side a few months back. Thought it looked cool. Rare they are.

Saw a great grandma rocking a Golden Colored post 03 Access Cab yesterday. That thing was mint.

 

History of the Tundra

 

Access cabs rule.

Now that I know better, only thing I wish the 2002 had were the larger 13WL front calipers. Thats an easy mod down the road.

Read an old thread in another forum where an 02 got the TSB upgrade from smaller WE to larger WL brakes. If you read the TSB verbiage, anyone could have ‘demanded’ them back in the day. I had no idea.

 

Can anyone cofirm they changed the exhaust manifolds? Seems like I don't hear people complain about the 05-06 leaking...?

 

That 05-06 air intake thingy problem, though.

Per our year model of 2002, I remember mine ticking a little back in the mid-2000’s. It was like someone pinging on metal every so often under the hood at idle. Disregarded it as nothing major. After a few years it went away. Been ten years? since the noise.

 

Regular cabs rule... mine has the larger 13WL front calipers.

 

Did you ‘demand’ them or do the upgrade yourself? Or, maybe they came special on the Reg. cab?

 

My dealer service tech at the time made sure all of the available TSBs and factory upgrades were performed on my CPO truck, I even got a new set of leaf springs installed under warranty. He has retired, but I still see him driving his pristine '98 T100 around town.

 

Nice to have someone like that in your corner. My stealer dodged a bunch of items, in retrospect.

 

He was the best... I think he caught hell from the service manager, but it was a CPO truck and all of that work should have been covered.

 

The only solution... Bed swap

 

I like the step-side.

 

Yes, they are different. Here are some photos. It’s interesting how the 05-06 manifold pipe merges

 

Y pipes are better for scavenging

 

And I think it is one of the best looking body designs on a truck...!!!

 

Cool! My question would be, could the 05-06 manifolds be put on a pre vvti tundra? Eliminating or blocking off the air tube shouldn’t be a problem. I might actually be stupid enough to try it

 

My 2005 doesn't, neither does my dad's 2005. That may have only been for Limiteds.

Agreed. Stepsides should have ended back in the 80's. I haven't seen a truck newer than than 1989 that looked good with step sides.

I have an air intake thingy problem?

 

I don't know, but if I was going to go to the trouble to take the old ones off I would have a set of JBA shorties ready to go on.

 

WOLVERINES!!!!!

https://youtu.be/WQmUyxbs7c4?t=126

 

I think the bed is slightly different on 02 and older, those have the plastic molding continued from the door and that should be held in by clips. 03 and later don't have that.