Looking to buy a 1st Gen. What to look out for?

Small introduction, my name's Mark and I live in Maryland. Toyota runs in my family big time.

I've never owned a Tundra but I've owned 5 Tacomas and a T100 in the past. I work out of my trucks and would love the extra space and power. I'm aiming to buy a 1st Gen but I have to wait until the spring. From the 2 Tacomas I have now, I'll be selling my '96 4 banger Tacoma to a friend to make up for some of the cost of the Tundra and keeping my 2015 V6.

As I said, if I'm going to get a Tundra it's gotta be a 1st Gen 4.7. I love the size, reliability, and the look of it. I'd like the TRD OR or at least an SR5 package with 4WD. I know Tacomas like the back of my hand but don't know a huge deal about the early Tundra. I know they have a timing belt due every 100k and related to that is the water pump.

Any particular engine or mechanical problems to be aware of when checking trucks out?
Do these Tundras have as much issue with the frames as the Tacoma? Any place on the frame that likes to go first?
If any, what years to avoid?


I appreciate any feedback and look forward to really getting into this forum soon.

 

There's a sticky thread covering all that right at the top of the forum. https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

Welcome aboard.

 

Welcome to the forum Mark.

 

Thanks guys, just read over that thread. Great write up!

 

A quick answer is yes, all the 1st gen tundra frame rot out just as easily as the Tacos and T100. I sincerely believe that anyone who wants to own a 1st gen tundra for a long term should buy a west coast truck. If that means doing a fly n drive across the country, then buy a one way plane ticket and Starbucks punch card. If someone is planning on driving the truck back to a road salty state, then apply a heavy coat of Fluid Film right after the seller hands you the keys.

 

Plenty of trucks on the east coast and south east I've seen look alright. Just have to sift through them thoroughly. I don't think flying to the west coast would be warranted.

 

My one owner southern state (MS) 06 Tundra frame still looks it just rolled out of the factory

 

Not only that, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get rust-free. We’ve had a few members on here relocate, with trucks. And we’ve seen plenty of people in rust free areas get rusty framed trucks.

Most of the trucks I’ve looked at in the Atlanta area (let’s say 70%) don’t have a rust problem. Seems like ones I saw in AL were even better off, maybe people don’t move around much in AL. But they’re out there. Just gotta watch out for lipstick-on-pig situations.

 

The overlap reinforced section in the rear of the frame on both sides. The underside of the boxed section up front between the driver and engine from rusting inside out.

If no care was taken, then pretty much anywhere on the frame where salt brine kicks up. Also the differential cover on the rear is a big concern and can leak if not addressed.

 

Welcome, I’m from Maryland also. Clean 4wd first gens sell quick here if priced reasonably, Good luck with your search.