From Tacoma to Tundra Need Info

Always owned Tacomas buy looking to buy a Tundra. I don't know a lot about Tundras. What should I avoid, look for when buying a used Tundra?

Is a PRO worth tracking down or is an offroad or limited similar? What years are best? How many miles is to many to be worth buying?

Thanks for any help

 

You need to give your price range, that will determine what you might get. Also, are you into the new 3rd gen turbo v6 truck or the 2nd gen with v8?

 

When I traded up my requirements were
1. Under 100k miles
2. Under $38k
3. Verifiable maintenance records.
I wasn't looking for any specific trim, or model year, just a clean crewmax.

 

I came from Tacoma to Tundra and couldn't be happier. As mentioned though, any specifics you're working with (ie: budget, truck wants/needs, etc...)

I had a 2016 Tundra, then sold that and bought a 2011 with 169k on the clock when I got it and just over 192k now.

When I was shopping I avoided 07-08 because it was a new model and wanted to avoid any bugs. 2012 was a year that the internet claims had more electrical issues, so I avoided that year as well granted many members here with 12' trucks and no problems (same goes for 07-08 for that matter).
13' was the last year of the 2nd gen, 14' moved to the 2.5 gen Tundra. Updated body, updated interior. Same engine, trans, frame, etc.
16' introduced the 38 gallon tank option, so the 2016+ Tundra with front bucket seats have the "SR5 Upgrade Package" which includes that larger fuel tank.
18' introduced new safety tech like the distance control cruise control and lane alerts. 18' was also the last year with the factory aux transmission oil cooler. Many think 2018 is the "sweet spot" because of that.
19+ no OEM aux trans cooler.
I'm not sure what year introduced the updated headunit with carplay/android auto as well as the available super cool LED headlights but I think that was 20'.

TRD OffRoad/Pro do not have the awesome rear locker like the Tacoma did unless you go into a 3rd gen 22+.

 

Trying to keep it under 35k, under 150k miles. Been looking between the 2016 - 2020 years. TRD PRO preferred. Must be a 4x4. Found a couple but they are always gone by the time I get there.

Never liked the look of the first gens and heard they were not that great so that's good info. I'll have to narrow my search to 16 - 18 haha. Sad that you don't get a factory locker. All great info, thanks

 

Pros are nice, but if you find a nice sr5 or limited dont let that stop you. Good aftermarket support so you can get get those trims lifted and modded easily, often with a better setup and cheaper than buying a pro trim.

You want the big 38 gallon gas tank. 26 gallon tank in these trucks with the v8 is not enough, especially if you do long trips or any towing.

2016-17 had less nannies and had trans coolers. Late 2.5 gen truck did not get the trans cooler but got other features and nannies like adaptive cruise, etc.

But basically, the model years you are looking at are all similar and solid trucks. 5.7v8, same suspensions and just minor changes in the later years which was mainly about electronics, other than the removal of the trans cooler....but you can add that if you tow. Among those years, you can pretty much add any options fairly easily that you might want.

Just try and find one not abused, good records, no rust and you will be fine. Only other thing to really check on the v8s is if it may have a cam tower leak. You can search that here on tundras for more info.
Lastly, dont be afraid to look at other states, being open to driving a few hours or a state away may find you the great truck and the right price you want.

 

I went from a trd pro Tacoma to a 3rd gen limited tundra. Bought prior to the engine recall announcement. Things I like over the Tacoma is the space inside, the 6.5’ bed, power delivery and overall comfort. No annoying downshifting going up the slightest incline like in the Tacoma. Things I do miss about the Tacoma was the ease of driving in tighter places. Tundra has worse turn radius but I don’t care about that cause if I can’t make it I just go up on the curb cause it’s a truck.
Honestly the trd pro is good for one thing and that’s resale value. I don’t see much advantage over it other than bragging rights and resale. I wouldn’t make it a must. The fox shocks are ok but you can buy better aftermarket. I’d wouldn’t buy another trd pro as I felt like I was kind of stuck with the parts cause I felt like I was wasting money if I was changing the things that made a pro a pro

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Where are you located? I researched the same as you, on CarMax and also CarGurus. I really wanted low miles and ‘21 if possible. I found mine on CarMax in Reno and ran over to purchase it. They gave me the best deal on my Tacoma as well.

Here is one that might fit your needs, as an example:

https://www.carmax.com/car/26263987

Trim level isn’t that important to me, but rather low miles and super clean. They aren’t the most exciting trucks with tons of options and fancy stuff. So really any trim can be made to be what you want

Chris in Placerville

 

I'm near Birmingham, Alabama at the moment. Everyone wants trucks here so the deals are harder to come by. That's a good deal but I'm holding out to see if I can find a TRD PRO for a reasonable price before I buy a different trim level.

I spent tons modding my Tacoma and don't really want to do it again so high trim means less modding required haha

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! If you get a 4x4 of any trim you can modify to make it equivalent to a Pro.

 

Thanks! And that's true but I'm trying to avoid modding it. I tend to go overboard.

 

17-18 Limited if you are just going to replace the suspension and stuff anyway.