Going from 3rd Gen Tacoma to 1st Gen Tundra, who's done it?

Hey yall, first post here. I'm currently sitting in a 2019 SR5 Tacoma DCLB that is nearly paid off. I enjoy the truck very much, and it has done everything I've asked of it well. That being said, it's a big chunk of depreciating metal, and I was throwing around the idea of selling it for a 1st Gen Tundra from 2005-06. As far as I can tell, they are comparable in size/towing while the tundra has a much bigger/comfier interior.

As far as the benefits goes: I could use the extra money for future expenses (wedding/house coming up soon), and the bigger backseats would accommodate carseats better when the time comes. Plus the legendary reliability of the V8 engine.

Doing all my research, I've found so many things to be wary of though, including:
Timing belt change
Rusty frames
Failling LBJ/worn lower bushings
Leaking steering rack/pinion
Leaking rear axle seals/bearings
Warped Front Rotors from brakes (though this is not an issue with 05-06?)
Exhaust manifold cracks (not an issue with 05-06, or am i wrong?)

I figure these are rare/infrequent issues, but what is everyone elses' experience? Has anyone made the jump from gen2/3 tacoma to gen1 tundra? Any regrets? Any more issues to look out for while I keep an eye out for a 1st gen tundra? Thanks yall!

 

Timing belt should be done every 90k, some have gone 400k with the original though. Frame rust is the big one. No point in buying a truck that will fold in half. Ball joints aren't that bad, from what I've heard they were only an issue from 2000-2003, I may be wrong. I have never heard about rear axle seal issues, or warped front rotors. As for exhaust manifolds, its an excuse to put headers on for a performance boost. One other issue I heard of is called the strawberry milkshake, where the portion of the radiator that cools the transmission ruptures and mixes with coolant. It is very rare, and usually happens when under extreme load while towing from what I've heard.

 

A timing belt is like filling the tank, changing the oil and replacing tires: routine maintenance.

A rusted frame is like...a severely rusted frame: potential catastrophic failure. Just don't confuse ordinary surface rust with severe corrosion. Surface rust can be wire brushed off, severe corrosion can be measured in mms or by putting your finger through a hole rusted through the frame (think 10-20 years of Northeast salty, salty winters).

I've never owned a Tacoma so I can't speak to that part of your question.

If you're thinking of selling your Tacoma for $25K and buying a 180Kmile Tundra for $12K (after tax, license, covering deferred maintenance, etc.) you'll be looking at a $10- $15K kitty and an awesome truck in your drive.

 

Last July I had a 2015 Tacoma double cab, 2wd that had 50k miles on it. I sold it for $24k and I later found out that was a fire sale price - I sold it to the first guy that called. There were a LOT of people that probably would have paid $26k for it, I was a bonehead. I bought a 2004 Tundra doublecab 4WD with 135k miles on it. I paid $8k for it when I bought it from a friend. I put a couple grand into it - new stereo, new brakes, timing belt/water pump, etc. If I hadn't crashed the thing offroading I'd be way ahead. Instead, my mistake has cost me a couple grand in new wheels, busted parts, etc. This truck has been a frustration but I finally feel like it's the truck I wanted since it's fixed (knock on wood). It still needs a new rack/pinion (currently leaking), I'll put a new radiator in it because the current one is original and I'll put new LBJ's on it relatively soon. After that, I'm done for awhile (I hope).

What I love -
1 - having a bigger interior to haul my full size sons & hunting partners around.
2 - bigger bed to haul fishing & hunting gear. I can throw all my hunting gear, camping gear and a couple of dead deer in it with no problem. The Tacoma couldn't do that.
3 - the insurance is about half what the Tacoma was.
4 - power to burn
5 - 4wd to get out of trouble

What I don't particularly love -
1 - it's a 17 year old truck that just isn't as comfortable (seat, ride quietness)
2 - I miss the steering wheel mounted stereo controls (some come with it, surprises me how much I miss that)
3 - fuel consumption on the Tacoma was a LOT less than the Tundra.

While these trucks aren't depreciating and actually may be appreciating I think you'll find that your Tacoma actually holds its value better than the 1st gen Tundras do. I don't know that there's a right/wrong answer here, your situation is your own and you have to decide. I don't think you could go wrong with a 1st gen Tundra if you shop around and get a good deal. I wish you luck.

 

I did it and no regrets!

 

Many have done (or wanted to do) the transition. I’ve had a few friends try to replicate the 1st Gen by buying Taco only to be let down. They both ended up in Turd Gen and still wish for the 1st Gen.


Still can’t understand the Taco prices being so high for an underpowered/underwhelming truck. The 1st Gen beats in all aspects except a close MPG loss which is negligible. Spread the word over in Taco Land that 1st Gen is the place where they can have the best of both worlds. Powaa with right/tight sizing!

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gens-are-entering-legendary-status.83988/

 

I had a 2016 Tacoma and now drive an 2004 Tundra. I do not miss anything about the Tacoma. The Tundra has a little more interior room and a longer bed in my case coming from DCSB Taco. The MPG is a little less, however I hated how bad the Tacoma constantly hunted for different gears. I prefer the low-end torque compared to the Tacoma where you had to really get on it to feel any power.

I added a backup camera/new head-unit, speakers and did the timing belt maintenance. I have had no issues.

 

I got 22mpg in my tacoma. It turned way sharper. It was easier to park. It had more cargo capacity than my double cab. The aftermarket is way better. The tacoma is a great truck and probably the right choice for most. Resale on the Tacoma was absolutely great, sold my 06 and bought the 06 tundra. New Retail on the Taco was about 19k tundra 38k. I bought my tundra for about what I sold the tacoma for. There are a lot really good reasons to drive with a Tacoma. V8s are expensive.

 

Why did my friends sell their Tacos due to not being pleased due to the reasons I’ve listed?

 

My mom drives a 2005 Tacoma SR5 V6 PreRunner with 4 doors, it fits her perfectly - she loves it. Whenever I drive it, I am always happy to get back into my V8 powered 1st or 2nd Gen Tundra - the Tacoma is just too small and claustrophobic for me.

 

There’s times I miss the size of my DCSB second gen Tacoma. However, I can’t imagine selling a near new truck to buy something 15 years old, especially as a family vehicle. At that age, I would expect the Tundra will be less dependable than your Tacoma. My 2005 had a failing fuel sender and the instrument cluster failed in the last year of ownership. Truck was garage kept, low miles, and looked new. Some things just start to fail with time.

 

We have a 2015 2WD limited prerunner Taco. It is four doors and has a camper shell like my truck so it's easy for me to compare the two. They are very similar in size but the Taco is underwhelming in power as others say. The Tundra interior is much more comfortable than the Taco. Our Taco is a nice little work horse that does its designated job well, but I would never think about replacing my Tundy with it, even if it was 4X4. Plus 1st gen Tundys have steel beds, the Tacos have composite beds.

 

8 years ago I was set on upgrading from a 3rd gen 4runner to a new tacoma. I took one test drive in a DC Tacoma, looked in the back seat, looked at my (young and growing) kids and said nope. Bought an 05 DC tundra instead. Way roomier interior! Really glad I made that decision, the tacoma was just too small.

You can find a good first gen, but the good ones are getting harder to find and their price is reflecting that. You should have made this decision a couple years ago. Haha. Good luck!

 

I have a 20 Taco Pro as well as a 01 Tundra AC. Crazy as it may sound, I prefer the Tundra. To me, the Tundra is so much more comfortable, more plush, whereas the Tacoma feels more utilitarian with its hard leather seats. As you know, the Tundra is just a tick wider inside which makes a difference. I sometimes think, if I knew this pandemic was coming back in January of 20, I wouldn’t have bought the Tacoma. I just turned 2000 miles in a bit over a year. All that to say, I’m not sure if I would miss it that much. I know for sure that I would miss the Tundra though. The used Tacoma market is still pretty hot, so if you’re going to sell, it’s not a bad time. This past summer, some where making money on their lightly used Tacomas. With that, know that you will also be paying top dollar for a G1 Tundra right now as well. Good luck.

 

I would drive an older tacoma, (I've never been in one so can't say I'd hate the interior), but I also don't live with a V8 tundra so I really wouldn't know what I'm missing.

Guess I'm just weird like that.

 

I did this in 2019....best vehicle decision I've ever made...if you want details, here are all the times I've posted about it...

https://www.tundras.com/search/3857039/?q=2017+tacoma&t=post&o=date&c[user][0]=24808

 

06 Tacoma versus newer Tacoma (he had an 06). The older ones didn't have the gear hunting issues, mediocre power, etc... A lot of people feel that the new Tacoma was a step backwards for Toyota.

 

@dylant97 It sounds like you've done your research but I'll add a few thoughts.

I love my Tundra, but I'm not sure I would get rid of a nearly paid for 2 year old Tacoma. You will be going from a 2 year old truck to a truck that is at least 15 years old. Even the nicest 1st gen Tundra you find is likely going to need some work. Any 15-20 year old vehicle is going to require some refreshing.

I'm not sure you'll end up saving that much money by swapping trucks. Clean 1st gen Double Cabs are way up in price right now.

Honestly, I'm sure you wouldn't miss the Tacoma but I'm just not sure I would make the swap for financial reasons. If you do it, it would solely be because you think you need more room and more power. You're going to lose a lot of creature comforts that your 2019 has. I don't mind my low tech truck but I know some people want more features.

 

Dave Ramsey would approve of this decision

I had a 2011 dc short box get totaled. I replaced it with the tundra. The tundra is perfect size truck. My only gripe with it is the dang turning radius.

 

Cool. I see the nuance, but still stand my ground on the Tundra being better in a year to year/pound for pound comparison.

Without looking, I don’t remember the Tacos costing more when brand new than the Tundras.

Everyone wants more Powaa! Not seeing it in Taco FOR MORE MONEY USED.

 

I appreciate the responses everyone! Great discussion here, keep it coming.

Some of y'alls comments made me think about a few more things. I'm pretty happy with the Tacoma as is. I know everyone says it's weak, but I find it perfectly adequate in that department. Maybe I'm just used to it at this point. I definitely don't need anything that the Tundra has over the Tacoma (V8, steel bed) with the exception of a nicer, more spacious interior. For me, I'm getting about the same amount of truck with this trade, though maybe I just don't know what I don't know yet I'm a real low tech guy, so honestly a Limited 1st Gen Tundra has more creature comforts than my current Tacoma by far.

While paid off is nice, in both scenarios both vehicles would be paid off/soon paid off. It's just that one is a 30k depreciating liability vs a 10-12k depreciating liability (what I plan on spending). I know the Tundra will have issues, but so will the Tacoma down the road. The Tundra's engine is tried and true, and with good maintenance will last many miles from what I read, while it's too early to tell about the new 3.5 in the Tacoma. I plan to drive either into the ground, I just want to make sure it will last me a long time.

Plus, if KBB values are any bit accurate, I can break even or even come out on top when selling my Tacoma, so that's a nice bonus.

 

I had a 2006 double cab 2WD Tundra. The tranny was going out so I dumped it and bought the 2015 Tacoma new. I actually felt guilty for hating the Tacoma as much as I did. It was a nice truck, it was a blessing to have something that was reliable and it had all the other pluses I mentioned above. But I just hated it. When my buddy told me he was selling his '04 Tundra there wasn't a second thought. Even my wife said, "You're miserable in the Tacoma, get the Tundra and be done with it." The interior cab of the Tundra is like flying business class after you've been flying coach cross country on a holiday weekend.

Also, KBB values are WILDLY inaccurate.

 

Agreed that KBB isn't very accurate. I feel like they always undervalue toyota trucks.

Good analogy of tundra being business class. Haha

 

You tacoma bash every chance you get.

The Tacoma is a great light duty truck.

Like the OP said the taco power is adequate. I'm sure most people would be happy to not spend $1k on a timing belt every few years.

With all that said I think both trucks are great, but I have a double cab with v8 so I can pull a trailer and haul 4 adults or my dogs comfortably. The Tundra has more functionality. Functionality most people have no need for.

 

Yes. I do Tacoma bash for fun. I Turd bash, as well. You aren’t getting it, though.

Plenty of others Testify that the Tundra is far superior pound for pound. Why the price disparity?

All I’m doing is stating what friends and other on this board say. Plenty of example on this thread alone. Also, I’d like to see our Tundra Prices go higher than a Weak V4 or V6 with less interior room and way weaker tow/haul capacity. The 4.7L is Legend. Taco has not.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gens-are-entering-legendary-status.83988/

 

I planned to purchase a new 2020 Tacoma a few months ago. It was to replace my 2001 Tundra with 222,000 miles. After a test drive, I much preferred my Tundra. Although their exterior dimensions are very close, the Tundra has much more interior space and for me, a much more comfortable seating position.. Another thing that is not frequently mentioned when comparing the two is visibility. The Tundra's visibility, especially forward, is much better which I really appreciate. I am hoping the next generation Tacoma is more closely matched to the first generation Tundras. Honestly it seems like Toyota "mailed it in" on their current gen Tacoma (rear drum brakes, poor MPG, weird shifting auto trans, etc.).

 

Buy your truck from Texas or florida, avoid the rust issues.
You should be able to get something good for about $10k or less. Expect to spend a couple grand on routine maintenance. Struts, 4 02 sensors, Dirty Deeds injectors, tune up, timing belt, sepertine belt and pulley, maf sensor and clean things up. 05-06 suffer from secondary air pump issues (emissions), hewlett tech sells a bypass $250. Also the drive shaft carrier bearing should be looked at, not a big deal.

You will be very happy once all this is done, similar gas mileage as your taco but more power and interior space

 

Fair point.

I guess my point for the OP or future "I have a tacoma and might want a first gen tundra people", is the both trucks have value. If I had kept my tacoma I would have more money in my pocket. If I had bought my first gen new and sold it 15 years later I would have lost about 20k$ if I had bought a my tacoma new and sold it 15 years later I would have lost 3k$.

 

I’ll slip my Decoder Ring on and see if I can understand this one later.