1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

How bad is this rust?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by CrockPot, Oct 30, 2024 at 6:06 PM.

  1. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:06 PM
    #1
    CrockPot

    CrockPot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Wednesday
    Member:
    #125073
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    William
    Vehicle:
    Shopping for my first
    I’m shopping for my first Tundra. I’m not familiar with much other than that they last forever. I’m eyeing this one, its maintenance records are decent and the timing belt was done in 2021/ 30k miles ago. It looks extremely well taken care of. But it’s the rust that I’m unsure on. I’ve seen a lot and called about a lot that have had frame repairs. To me it doesn’t look too bad but I’m also not knowledgeable of all the parts under a truck so maybe there’s something too rusted that I’m not catching. What’s yawls opinion? Good to go or stay away? I’m about a 7-8 hour drive from it, so that’s why I’m asking for help here. IMG_7247.jpg IMG_7246.jpg IMG_7247.jpg IMG_7246.jpg

    IMG_7245.jpg
    IMG_7244.jpg
    IMG_7243.jpg
    IMG_7242.jpg
     
  2. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:12 PM
    #2
    shifty`

    shifty` counting and breathing, disappearing in the fade

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    24,315
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    Someone has been doing some coverup, and that last picture, the crossmember is literally falling apart. Walk away dude.
     
    CrockPot[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  3. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:15 PM
    #3
    CrockPot

    CrockPot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Wednesday
    Member:
    #125073
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    William
    Vehicle:
    Shopping for my first
    Yeah, that last picture was the most concerning for me. Smh, I ain’t ever gonna find a truck in my price range it seems like. Thanks for the advice. I guess that’s why they dropped the price another 2k today.
     
  4. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:20 PM
    #4
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    9,229
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    I’d be concerned. There’s not enough resolution in the pics to see everything you need and for certain areas like the crossmember, the boxed section up front and the evidence of rot behind the rocker panels have me concerned. Probably not worth the trip if you don’t know what you’re looking at and how to treat it.
     
    CrockPot[OP] likes this.
  5. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:31 PM
    #5
    CrockPot

    CrockPot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Wednesday
    Member:
    #125073
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    William
    Vehicle:
    Shopping for my first
    Yeah I’m gonna stay away from it. I’ve got a few more I have to call about because no pictures were posted underneath. Hopefully I’ll be posting back this weekend with a new to me 1st gen
     
    Dustbox, shifty` and w666 like this.
  6. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:36 PM
    #6
    whodatschrome

    whodatschrome New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2023
    Member:
    #103882
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    North of North Plains, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra 4wd AC, 2004 Tundra AC 2wd to 4wd conversion no ABS
    lots of dents
    What part of the county do you live in? There's literally hundreds of rust free west coast tundras that will cost you less $$$ than one with rot. Expand your search and buy a plane ticket. Don't settle for rusty truck!
     
    G_unit3000 likes this.
  7. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:42 PM
    #7
    ATBAV8

    ATBAV8 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2023
    Member:
    #107779
    Messages:
    475
    Tempe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2003 V8 SR5, Access Cab, 4x4, White
    Good luck, be patient. There's one out there for you. What's your price range, and where are you located? You can find them out here in the West/Southwest if you're willing to travel, but prices are going up for good specimens. I would entertain ridiculous, stratospheric offers on mine!:rofl:
     
    CrockPot[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:43 PM
    #8
    OHwendTrd

    OHwendTrd Aging Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2020
    Member:
    #56815
    Messages:
    1,047
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    OH
    Vehicle:
    3UR-FE
    ATF Cooler
    where? specifically
     
  9. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:44 PM
    #9
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    9,229
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    Ask them to take better pics. Those look like they were taken from a 2005 potato phone.
     
  10. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:48 PM
    #10
    CrockPot

    CrockPot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Wednesday
    Member:
    #125073
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    William
    Vehicle:
    Shopping for my first
    I’m in TN. I’ve been using CarGurus and Edmund and using a 500 mile radius. I would do the plane ticket option but it would cost me a lot more as far as child/pet care while I’m gone. Only trucks I’m finding are up north.
     
  11. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:50 PM
    #11
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    9,229
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    You’ll probably find quite a few listings in that area on Facebook Marketplace.
     
  12. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:51 PM
    #12
    CrockPot

    CrockPot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Wednesday
    Member:
    #125073
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    William
    Vehicle:
    Shopping for my first
    My top out is 12k out the door and I’m financing 10 tops and Navy Fed will only let me purchase from a dealer. There’s a ton of private owned ones around me smh but all the dealer owned that come up in my search radius are way up north from me in Tn
     
  13. Oct 30, 2024 at 6:52 PM
    #13
    CrockPot

    CrockPot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Wednesday
    Member:
    #125073
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    William
    Vehicle:
    Shopping for my first
    I do but bank won’t let me purchase from a private seller smh. I’m financing part of it
     
    Jack McCarthy[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Oct 30, 2024 at 7:08 PM
    #14
    ATBAV8

    ATBAV8 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2023
    Member:
    #107779
    Messages:
    475
    Tempe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2003 V8 SR5, Access Cab, 4x4, White
    You're going to buy a 19-25 year old truck from a dealer?! Bad idea, IMO. You've got to find another way to get the cash. Not only are you going to get ripped off buying from a dealer, but you're potentially setting yourself up for all kinds of hiding of sins, AND you're making interest payments! And NO dealer is going to warranty a 19-25 year old truck. A $12K stealership truck would probably cost you $7-8K privately. Not trying to tell you how to spend your money, but this plan is crazy. Again, IMO.
     
  15. Oct 30, 2024 at 7:29 PM
    #15
    vtl

    vtl New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2020
    Member:
    #44238
    Messages:
    2,352
    Gender:
    Male
    Boston 'burbs
    Vehicle:
    2019 Red SR5 DC 4x4
    It was apparently rust-proofed in past. Would need to do it once again.
     
  16. Oct 30, 2024 at 7:49 PM
    #16
    CrockPot

    CrockPot [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Wednesday
    Member:
    #125073
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    William
    Vehicle:
    Shopping for my first
    My initial plan was to buy from a private seller but found out when I went to buy one I couldn’t. I don’t feel extremely concerned about buying a well documented Toyota from a dealer, I bought my 13 avalon from a real janky lookin dealer and it’s still running strong at 225k with no repairs since I bought it at 105k. But it was well documented. It’s just proving extremely hard to find a well documented tundra that’s not rusted out. I agree, getting a title from someone who knows the truck inside and out would be best option though no doubt.
     
  17. Oct 30, 2024 at 9:17 PM
    #17
    whodatschrome

    whodatschrome New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2023
    Member:
    #103882
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    North of North Plains, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra 4wd AC, 2004 Tundra AC 2wd to 4wd conversion no ABS
    lots of dents
    Washington and Oregon have ton of rust free 4x4 1st gen tundras. So do Cali, Arizona, New Mexico, ect.
     
    OHwendTrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Oct 31, 2024 at 5:22 AM
    #18
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2019
    Member:
    #30129
    Messages:
    1,368
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra AC SR5 4WD, 4.7 Automatic
    That seems really restrictive. Is Navy Fed qualifying you for more than a local bank or credit union would? When I buy a vehicle from a private party my credit union just requires an "Intent to Sell" document. It's exactly the same as a Bill of Sale (in fact I use a Bill of Sale template) but the wording gets changed to "I agree to sell" rather than "I did sell".
    It has the names of the two parties, the make, model, VIN, and purchase price. The credit union checks the blue book value (they'll finance up to 100% of blue book value) and cut a check in the seller's name, and give it to me.

    EDIT: Stop looking in states north of you. Pick a city 200 miles south of you and search in a 500 mile radius of that. FYI: most dealers list their vehicles on Facebook Marketplace.
     
    G_unit3000 likes this.
  19. Oct 31, 2024 at 7:10 AM
    #19
    shifty`

    shifty` counting and breathing, disappearing in the fade

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    24,315
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    Atlanta and north GA in generally are chock full of great specimens, as is north AL (Huntsville) and I'm constantly seeing 1st gen stuff in Maryville TN as well.
     
    G_unit3000 likes this.
  20. Oct 31, 2024 at 7:34 AM
    #20
    kentuckyMarksman

    kentuckyMarksman New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2023
    Member:
    #100837
    Messages:
    433
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2006 Tundra SR5 Double Cab - 4.7L V8 4x4
    Glad you passed on it. That transmission crossmember is scary looking. That, and the frame looked pretty well "pooched" in the rear close to the muffler (where the reinforcement plates are).
     
  21. Oct 31, 2024 at 1:12 PM
    #21
    KTM_AJ421

    KTM_AJ421 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2023
    Member:
    #103221
    Messages:
    320
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    AJ
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2006 SR5 DC 2WD 4.7
    265/75r17 M/T Baja Boss AT 17x8.5 -10mm SCS Ray 10’s Bilstein 5100’s 2nd notch
    If this is going to be your only vehicle and you have to finance a $10k truck, you may not want a first gen. They are reliable but I can almost guarantee that after purchase you will be looking at another couple grand in maintenance. Ball joints, steering and suspension components, brakes and tb/wp are almost a given on these.

    not trying to Dave Ramsey you but these trucks at their age are bulletproof but they do cost plenty of money in preventative maintenance that is usually over due by now.

    may want to roll that maintenance money into a newer car if you’re financing.
     
    whodatschrome likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top