Keep truck or upgrade to newer model?

My truck stock 2000 tundra reg cab 4x4 4.7 211 k miles beat up dirty hunting truck. Planned use is CA hunting (fire roads, mud, snow, wash board roads, ect), grocery getter, and daily driver (5 miles to work). Lots of long highway trips to get to far off hunting areas. No rock crawling, towing, Baja racing, or heavy payload use planned.

Do you recommend I trade it in and buy a 2017ish tundra reg cab (~30 k) rather than upgrading the suspension on the old truck to the tune of about 5k. I love my truck and do not want to spend the money to upgrade trucks but also want to be smart about things. If I get the new truck I will still most likely have to upgrade the suspension for the same 5k.

Looking at the current market for 2015-2017 reg cab 4x4 tundras is slim pickings and I prefer the smaller more gas efficient 1st gen anyway. I am thinking I could get another 150k miles no problem. My main concern is reliability.

So newer truck or just keep riding the 20 year old truck?

 

Can you put a minimal amount of money to make it last another year? Then maybe prices will be better but just my guess or hope.

 

If the body and frame are good with no rust I would say keep it for at least a few hundred thousand more miles…

 

Reg cab v8 4wd is uncommon. are kids in the future? If this truck could be useful for a few years to come, and rust free, just keep it.

since you don’t need baja suspension, put all new ball joints, new springs, new shocks and drive it

 

Keep it and stay out of debt slavery.

 

Keep it and buy a new one for your daily. Never sell.

 

Frame and body is good with no rust but body has a bunch of dents and damage. I am hoping for lower prices as well but baring some type of economic collapse I am not counting on it with all the money printing going on. Mechanically the truck is in great shape and will last years with basic preventative maintenance in my humble opinion. Reg cab 4x4 I agree are uncommon and a pain to shop for. "Isn't that the American way?" Great question and one I hope to answer here. So far 3 to 1 to keep the old bucket and put 5 k into the suspension with after market parts. I am thinking something thing like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9aGmvsQi40&t=378s

 

Keep it!!!!!!

 

I need the 5k suspension for hunting quail in California.

 

Not with first gens unless you keep it and buy something else. Everyone regrets selling em.

 

5 to 1 keep. It is settled. Thank you!

 

5k for quail suspension seems a lot. what were you thinking of getting and does it include new wheels/tires ?

 

Just based on your initial post I believe you're making the correct decision. Even a banged-up but reliable truck is cheaper to own than a newer one and in these economically uncertain times that's a major benefit. Keep what you own. It's yours, not a financial institutions.

 

I was thinking some thing like this ~$2500:
a complete lift kit with suspension parts from toyteclifts (don't want to link since they might not allow that)

Throw in tires, gears, labor, and other random suspension parts I could be at 5 k in the blink of an eye. So yes the 5 k budget includes tires and gears (plan to reuse my wheels) but it is just ball park. I really have no idea and that is why I am here.

The toytechlifts "long travel" Baja racing type suspension parts are like 7k alone. I feel that would be completely excessive but I did consider it for a few seconds. Where as a suspension kit for $2500 plus tires, other suspension parts, and labor seems reasonable to be. I am just pulling the 5k number out of no where. I am not an expert just want to upgrade suspension and get some bigger tires. Thank you!

 

I agree about the debt slaver thing. If I upgraded trucks it would be with cash not credit. I am trying to get my truck to similar tire and suspension specs as the truck in the YouTube video I posted. I figured it would cost 5 k based on that he said he invested 5 k into his suspension. So I guess that is where I got that number. Maybe it does not include tires and gears. I am not sure.

 

I think 5k is a realistic budget for that goal. Unless you're doing the work yourself, you won't likely get gears in that budget but won't need them either if your tires aren't huge. I say go for it, not just because I'm biased.

Used truck prices are obscene. They won't drop very soon.

A used truck is buying into the unknown, not that you're guaranteed a poorly treated truck, but you might get a poorly treated truck. If you've had your truck a while you probably know it well and that's trust.

You're in California and lots of trails you described don't need much suspension, good tires will take you far. So your plan to do a mild suspension, wheels and tires will meet your goal. Buying a used truck that's modified isn't something I would recommend, and buying a stock one puts you back to where you started, but with less money.

Consider other trade offs. You'll spend a lot more on gas with a newer truck. Insurance and registration will be higher (like our annual $200 isn't enough?) You would have a roomier truck.

I say spend a month researching. Learn what others did, what they liked, why they liked it, what they didn't like. Then figure out what you need.

 

100% keep it. The used market is ridiculous right now. I dont know a thing about economics, but If I was going to buy used Id definitely hold out for awhile and see if things stabilize some. I could get what I paid for my work truck almost 5 years ago easy today, but then Id have to double that to replace it.

 

I spent about $1,600 on new leaf springs, rear shocks, and front coilovers on my 2002 V6 2WD. Great road warrior, and I will never part with it. All new suspension bits up front was around $1,100 or so. (Upper/lower control arms, cam sleeves, bolts, ball joints, etc)

I did all the work my self in my tent of pain.


Personally, I'd keep the truck. In fact, I recently just bought a 2000 V8, 4WD RCLB.


It needs a lot of work, but I will tinker with it enough to make it worth something to someone else, but it's already worth a lot to me and @TundraGirl2 (this truck needs a lot more work than what your truck sounds like it needs)

I'd keep your truck Personally. You'd be hard pressed to find another good one. The 2UZ-FE is a reliable power train also. These trucks are worth it in my opinion. Just my Two cents.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/crackhead-resurrection.94083/

Hit the Nail on the head....

 

"I spent about $1,600 on new leaf springs" What made you replace those? Do these wear out? Mine are all misaligned and I feel like I should replace mine along with the shocks, coil overs and upper a arms. So far for a suspension part list I have the following:
Bilstien B8 6112 47-260337 up front $732
Bilstien B8 5160 25-261332 in back $200

$764 SPC performance 25485 Control Arm, Upper

SPC performance 25485 control arms (upper) $639
still looking for rear left springs, and other required items for a ~2.5" lift.
Once suspension is complete I will look into tires and gears as needed.

 

Age mainly. Mileage secondly (313k at replacement. Here's a link.) I used Alcan springs which were custom leaf packs. (800, and 200 to ship)

Pics, and process on my build which is linked above.

I have the SPC arms too.

 

First things first, how mechanical are you? Old trucks need maintenence, gotta know how to troubleshoot issues, inspect things for wear and tear, and twist wrenches. Get the truck reliable. Then, if you need to replace bits, and have the coin, upgrade.

if you dont want to do all that. Get a dual sport dirtbike.

 

I would consider myself mechanically inclined enough for the old truck no problem.

 

So happy to hear your keeping it. on behalf of all us first gen owners, WELCOME TO THE FOURM!!!. We are all here and happy to help you. No question is stupid and if you can't find what your looking for one of us has the right link saved. 3 years ago I knew nothing about my tundra. But thanks to all the awesome dudes and even cooler chicks on here, I kind of know what I'm talking about!

Not to self plug myself. But I built my tundra out on my part time high school job at a bike shop. So if your looking for budget upgrade options you can check out my build thread.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/just-some-kids-ac-build-wip.81462/

or the build page in general is a great place to see what others have done.


(a moment of silence in recognition of PHM and all the wisdom and hand modeling he has done for us)

 

If its not Broken why Fix it?

You say both that you know it will last and that you are worried that it will last?

I also dont know why you think there is any better MPG in the older trucks,this has not been my experience really?

The only obvious answer is to get the new one AND keep the old one!

Like I seem to be doing somehow?

 

Keep it. Ride it until it dies. Oh the memories you will have

 

I’m confused by the pricing of suspension for your truck… new ball joints (oem), some Holstein 5100s, and an add a leaf (or full leaf packs depending on leaf condition) would make it taller, and more capable offroad…
For far less than 5k. Don’t waste your money on icon/king/ads suspension unless your doing hardcore offroad. Theres a lot more maintenance involved in performance suspension like that


The b8s you listed are an upgrade from the 5100s without going full tilt. But maybe overkill for hunting duties (well location depending I guess)