First gen longevity

Hi there,
So I got a 2002 Tundra and really love the thing. I paid $7800 for it and it’s got 150k on it. It’s two wheel drive and has wide beefy steel wheels on it basically it’s a love affair that’s started. I have some questions I’m hoping you guys could answer.
1) I am an old hot rodder at heart and am wondering is it worth it to do anything to the 4.7? I was thinking of exhaust and cold air at first and maybe a supercharger at rebuild time? Is it possible to swap cams? Or is there a secret path to follow to power with these?
2) gear swap for the rear, is the extra pull worth the gas mileage hit? Any experiences?
3) camper shell recommendations?
4) kinda a tie in with question one, do these motors have a good life span? The transmissions?
Thanks in advance for any feedback
Ryan

 

1. and 4. Yes, great life span for engines and transmissions. Do the timing belt and water pump, keep up on the few other maintenance tasks covered on here, and it should last another 150K+.

I’ll let others answer up on gears, supercharger, and can swap (I’m no mechanic), but will watch for answers as I’ll eventually run out of off-road mods, then I’ll want to know about power.

Edit: Hi, Ryan! Welcome from SoCal!

 

These are the trucks that have gone a million miles on the original engine and transmission They most likely are, the longest lived full sized pickup ever made.

But probably not hot rodded......but you also probably know that. Supercharge anything and it won't last as long.

 

Welcome from Maine!

 

Welcome from Georgia.

My first and favorite Tundra is the 4WD 4.7L 2002 SR5 long bed that I purchased in 2003, it is my dedicated work truck and it has close to 167,000 miles on it.

1) Chat with Keith at @dirtydeeds about an exhaust system, and @Professional Hand Model about 12 hole injectors. I would not supercharge or change cams.

2) A gear change and the addition of a real LSD would help.
If you are interested in lowering the center of gravity: https://sosperformance.com/products/tundra-racing-lowering-kit-fits-2000-2006-tundra

3) LEER and ARE are popular

4) The planetary gear is the weak link in the transmission, there is a company that can beef up / rebuild the transmission Level 10 I think.

https://www.tundras.com/forums/1st-gen-tundras-2000-2006.2/

 

I'm comfortable saying that the 4.7L is one of the most reliable engines Toyota has ever made. We see a lot of high mileage Tundra's here and it's obvious many of these trucks haven't been taken care of at all. Despite that, they seem to run forever.

As for a camper shell. Unless you're willing to fork out $2,000+ for a new one, you're better off just searching craigslist and Facebook for whatever used one you can find. I paid $375 for a used ARE V series shell but I had to drive 4 hours to pick it up.

 

This is all you need to know about the longevity of Tundras...

http://www.dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Toyota_Tundra.html

http://www.dashboard-light.com/clic...BOm5Kl2GMgpa0F0-QDEQkwMKF3P7Eit-wy8dx0mi0lA78

 

What history has shown, these engines do not play well with boost. There is a reason Toyota decided to do away with the 4.7 supercharger only after a few years of production.

These things are no power house but they were never designed to be. Sure you can squeeze some more ponies out of them but they were built for reliability and longevity and clearly have shown they accomplished that.

 

Thanks so much to all of you. I will go with the original engine till it starts to smoke. When I rebuild it I will go with a supercharger not turbo, less heat, I don’t want a 800 hp beast just looking for something that I could stomp most trucks and stay reliable. The exhaust I have sorted once I get to it. The injector thing is interesting would love more on that. Would also like to hear about internals, what to use when rebuilding...also trans rebuild info. Thanks again for the response thus far

 

Most likely your truck will fall apart and you will be in a wheelchair before that happens. Your engine could easily run for another 20-30 years before needing to be rebuilt unless you badly abuse it.

It sounds like you need a Dodge to tinker with. Use the tundra to run back and forth to the parts store

 

Cams for a 2002 4.7 = none. Tune by a Toyota performance specialist that's similar to Black Bear performance for Chevy or Blue Oval Chips for Ford motors also = none.
Waste of time to spend money on headers and aftermarket air intakes. They don't save gas or increase HP. They're only good, at the least, with a non canned tune.

Anyone who wants from mild to wild HP will have to make another Toyota motor fit, and then the aftermarket Hot Rod add on fun begins. Or a less costly, easier and realistic route is to just get a second gen or later Tundra.

 

You obviously haven't driven a newer diesel truck. There is noway you will build your 4.7 to be reliable and stomp most trucks. Love my Tundra but it's the wrong truck to want to hot rod.

 

Superchargers are rare to find a full kit. Just saw one about a week or two ago listed for almost $6k. Not worth that imo but that's up to you I suppose.

I'm at 291k with the TRD supercharger and beat on it every day! These things are tough just keep up with the maintenance.

Headers and full exhaust seem to make the most sense. It will net you 30whp+ and cost a lot less than a S/C.

For rebuilding, the rods are the weak point. Once I need a rebuild, I plan to do OEM internals but switch to 1UZ pre-95 rods. They can take a lot more abuse. Tranny def needs work which I think someone covered above.

 

I disagree. The first gen tundra 2wd is pretty light in comparison to most of the competition. As of 2018, the fastest trucks were 2nd gen s/c tundra @ 13.0, v10 ram @ 13.2, S/C Lightning @ 13.6 and Raptor @ 13.9. (according to Motortrends testing)

First gen s/c tundra SHOULD be in the mid to high 13s as well which I think would take most trucks out there. The diesel trucks aren't fast stock but definitely easy to tune and make crazy hp but not quite in the same category either.

The 4.7 is def not a high hp motor but again, I think due to the weight/size of the first gen's, they can have good power to weight ratio on their side. Change the gears and you could have a pretty quick truck.

 

Now that’s what I’m thinking a 13 flat is perfect goal. I’m thinking that can be done without much comprises. A full exhaust, supercharger and plantary gear swap, and cold air intake. I found info where a guy got 120hp from that grouping. I know a lot of newer trucks like the raptors, and similar trucks might still give me a whippin in a race I’m just want to make this my only truck. I’m not a rich person and I usually keep what I like. I have a 2000 echo for instance and that little bugger is my friend, awesome mileage and goes and goes. Did a couple little things to it. I put 2k into a $700 car (42,000 miles felt like i stole it) so when I like my vehicle I’ll dump into it. I found an Eaton kit for 4K btw....

 

She has real nice longevity. 18 years and never left me stranded/broken down.

Try some 12-hole injectors for a small change in the torque/throttle action/feel.

 

Welcome from Florida!

1 and 4. If it's well maintained, the engine and transmission will outlive the body. Now, once you start messing with the engine, you whil be robbing it off of some life.

2 gear swap, nah, just go with smaller tire.

3 Leer, ARE, SnugTop.

 

Smaller tires made a difference with my 2007.

 

I'm still trying to figure out why people don't just hit the overdrive button if they want lower gears.

 

That works in certain situations, but not off the line.

 

Ah , so its just for street racing?

 

I think yes as far as the OP is concerned, it sounds like he is interested in a 1/4 mile set up that's street-able & reliable.

 

Saw this today

 

I think lower gears would really help me around town and on hills. There's times when I need a bit lower gear than drive. Then again if it's windy at all or I'm climbing a hill, chances are I'm in 4th which is my 1.0 ratio drive gear.

@Fatherlewy I think you're in the right track and in a good mindset. Perhaps you find a good core engine to rebuild with stronger rods when it's time for a timing belt change and then sell your current engine. The you'll be ready for a little boost and up on the more difficult maintenance. As stated above long tube headers seem to help. I routed my intake to my cowl and that seemed to help a bit also. Sounds meaner now as well.

 

Welcome from RI. From my experience with over 355k on my engine, no leaks, and plenty of power. I have taken trips to Carlisle, fully loaded with car on trailer and not once did I wish I have more power. No problem hittin those hills in the Catskills. You can do alot to this engine as far as blower, exhaust and intake......but so far I haven't seen anyone have there engine "Built" and you know what I mean. A basic precision machine shop build, balanced and match ported, nothing extreme, and I'm sure that would be a little improvement. Just think, they race these trucks. I believe the 2002 transmission is already updated, not sure if there is any improvement other than have a shift kit installed.

 

Sir, I need you to step away from the first gen section. Slowly....