Hello from Texas!

Hello all,

The wife and I both have “older”, high mileage” vehicles, a 2016 Ford Explorer with a 3.5 V6 and a 2015 Silverado 2500 Duramax Z71 (deleted and tuned).

With us both working full time jobs and her also being in school 4 hours a night, 5 days a week, we began searching for a secondary or back up vehicle. The main concern was the Silverado still having its CP4 fuel pump with 150,000 miles on the clock. (A known issue for this engine)

Although a Ford (wife’s) resides in the driveway, I’ve been a die hard Chevy fan, since I began driving in 1992. I knew that whatever backup vehicle we bought needed to be somewhat reliable - especially since it was going to be older than our current vehicles.

I was torn between a 99-06 Silverado/Tahoe platform, a Colorado/Canyon, a 1st generation V6 Tacoma, or a 1st generation Tundra.

After a 3 month quest, scouring the internet forums, watching YouTube and looking at vehicles in person, we decided on a 1st generation Tundra.

This was a tough decision to abandon my love affair with GM but in the end, I feel the Toyota to be a little bit more reliable choice. We choose the Tundra over the Taco primarily due to the best “bang for your buck”. We really wanted a 4 door Tacoma but after considering what you get, or don’t get for that matter over the Tundra, it didn’t really make sense. The only downside is we would have 2 full size trucks.

We ended up with a 2004 white Crew Cab Tundra, 4.7 V8, 4x4 Limited. It is a one owner with 214,000 miles and from Texas.

I checked the truck over really well, including the frame and it seems like a really well taken care of vehicle. It does have some paint chipping with some surface rust, body dings and a few other blemishes that coincide with a 21 year old vehicle. Interior is near perfect.

I took off this week to replace the following: Aisin timing belt, water pump and pulleys, rear wheel cylinder and brake shoes, driveshaft carrier bearing and factory lower ball joints.

While searching for another vehicle, I’ve been lurking around this forum awhile, learning about 1st generation Tundras. I figured it would be good to join and continue learning and maybe even add something to this awesome community!

Cody

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome, also from Texas! Nice looking DC

 

Welcome from South Central Tennessee!

Congratulations on your nice looking new truck!

 

Welcome from New Hampshire!

 

Thank you all!

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Very nice. I 100% agree that you need just the right amount of scuffs and dings.

One thing. I did not see radiator in your list. If the plastic on yours looks brown or plum colored, it's old enough to need replacing. It's not the plastic itself that is the issue, it's the connections inside that carry the transmission fluid. Do it at the same time as your TBK as you're dumping coolant anyway. They are not expensive. You want Denso.

 

I saw that the radiators in these are a potential problem but mine looked good. However, after making the above welcome post, I literally pulled a bone-head move.
While attempting to remove the radiator out the top of the engine bay, it literally dropped straight down to the concrete, landing on the bottom where the tranny connectors are.

I’m sure it’s compromised?!