Looking to buy first Tundra V8

Hello. I’ve decided to sell my Tacoma Trd Sport that I’ve had since 2016 as I need a bit more towing capacity. I do not want the new 2023 Tundras as I do not want to deal with Turbos or V6 engines.

Can anybody please help and recommend a year that seems to be better than others? Currently I am looking at 2021 but not sure if that year had any issues. I also prefer access cab instead of the double cab as I do not have kids. Six foot bed or larger is a must. I would rather have the best year/trim possible instead of trying to find value deal.

thank you for the help in advance.

 

You looking at 4.6L or 5.7L?

 

5.7 4x4 would be best for me.

 

Welcome neighbor.
What part of New York?

2018 was the last year of the transmission cooler but you can always add it to the 19 to 21's. 2018 was also the first year for all those TSS sensors but they have fixed all the issues on the 2018-2021's. Prior to 2018 there were no safety sensors.

Good luck with your decision.

 

^

also later years got the 38 gal tank. I’ve seen it here but can’t remember what specific year

 

Before you buy a Tundra; what are you planning to tow that is making you move away from the Tacoma?

 

My 18 has the 38 gallon tank and with it averaging 13.5mpg, I’m glad it does.

 

^^^ what he said..
I have an ‘18 though so im biased. Last year of the cooler, LED headlights and dash facelift, 38gal tank, TSS nanny stuff that many complain loudly about (turned mine off except adaptive cruise, have never had an issue with it personally). Have a double cab with 6.5’ bed. The crewcabs seem more plentiful but Im the same boat where I have no kids or dogs and needed the extra foot of length in my bed rather than my cab.

 

I am in the same boat, looking for a low mileage Tundra, but plan on keeping my 07 Taco as a beater. With 2021 being the last year of the V8, the engine and tranny should be the most reliable of that model line. You may want a model with the larger 38-gallon gas tank.

 

thank you to everyone that has responded. You’re giving me a ton of food for thought, I didn’t even consider the larger tank or TSS sensors!

thanks. I’m in the Quaker Hill section in Pawling NY.

We’re looking for a house in the Jupiter Florida section so we plan on moving a ton of things with a trailer. I have a kubota tractor and a mini excavator. Once we fully move to Florida I’d like to get a boat for the ocean. The Tundra wouldn’t be a daily driver, it would just be a workhorse as needed.

thank you to everyone that has responded. You’re giving me a ton of food for thought, I didn’t even consider the larger tank or TSS sensors!

 

I was very happy with 2018 and now 2021, 5.7L. Recommend the 5.7 if you upgrading for towing purposes, plenty out there with low miles. Just need to find one well taken care of because it's a toyota and miles are the least of your problems.

Edit: 2021: 20k trouble-free miles so far.

 

Just west of you on the other side of the mountain.

 

2020 SR5 with 38 gallon tank. Bought in October 2020 so I guess it is a “Covid” truck. No issues at 25,000 miles. I had two Tacos before this Tundra. I wanted to buy a sport trim but couldn’t find one in my timeframe. I added rear sway, led lights, bed cover, ajt trim interior, husky floor liners, etc. I don’t miss having the sport’s hood scoop but I wish I had dual climate.

 

With the weight of a mini excavator and an ocean boat, I highly suggest you look at a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. The Tundra is handicapped in towing by the payload capacity that gets chewed up super fast by the hitch, gear, passengers, and then whatever the tongue weight of the trailer happens to be. Tundras tow small things well. Heavy stuff is better left to HD trucks.

 

I have a B2650 TLB, tows like a champ. (Photo was taken pre-dechrome and rack install)

 

Fair point. I'm just erring on the side of caution. Mini excavator is a broad term and some are stout. Plus, if going for a non daily, work truck only, I'm in the HD camp.

 

Have a 2020 Platinum, couldn’t be happier!

 

Great advice here. Thanks for posting. I’m literally researching all the advice.

one poster recommended a super duty so now I’m even looking at Ford F250s but that scares the hell out of me being that I’m a Toyota guy.

 

If Toyota had made a 3/4 ton Id have gotten that honestly but.. I’ll take what I can get.

 

Glad it gets 13.5mpg, or has a 38gal tank lol!

 

The way the market is, you could buy a F250, tow your stuff to florida and sell it for what you paid for it.

 

I have a 2020 and have had no issues. As others have said, the 38 gallon tank is a must have. My father has an 08 SR5 with the 5.7 and practically lives at the gas pump. Especially when towing! He’s had no problems with his truck either. Definitely the most reliable half ton on the market in my opinion.

 

21 and don't worry about the trans cooler

 

First off welcome from the Adirondacks!

2016 is the first year of the 38 gallon tank and built in break controller(to my knowledge.) 2018 is the first year with all the adaptive cruise and factory led headlights but also the last year of the built in tranny cooler(which i suggest if you tow that long with that weight) I have towed a dump trailer numerous times with mine with weight ranging from 5000-10000lbs and it did great. Yes I could tell it was back there but it didn't skip a beat.
My 2016 has 128,000 miles on it as of this morning and I wouldn't hesitate taking it across the country with a trailer. A few things to look into when you get it.

1- Roadmaster Active Suspension( helps squat when loaded and does not effect unloaded ride. What I'm going with next month after researching all other options.)
2- If you are towing that heavy I also Suggest getting Load E tires. The beefier sidewall will also help towing feel and over all ride quality loaded.
3- If you buy a 19-21 buy a Transmission cooler(I feel would give more peace of mind towing across the country, might not be needed but just my thought).
4- DO NOT.. I repeat DO NOT look at or calculate MPG towing... just fill and go.. you will thank me later.

Good look on your journey and keep us updated!

 

I feel like my 2018 is the perfect half ton towing machine. The big things I use on my are 38gal tank, LED headlights, and adapative cruise when not towing. Weight distributing hitch is a must. I do feel like I am at the limit of the capabilities with my 30' TT but I tow that maybe 6-10 times a year and only maybe 250 miles from home max. Only thing I would get rid of this truck for is a heavy duty dually if we upgrade a to 5th wheel toy hauler. But I would also have a small car for a daily if I did that.

 

I will admit, my 2018 felt like it had more torque when stepping on the gas. But my 2021 fits my needs perfectly. Brought 2018 used and "had" to have a new model, single owner of the last true gasser 5.7 design.

 

You will be happy with any. They are all awesome. No direct injection. No cylinder deactivation. No engine start stop. No forced induction. The pinnacle of ICE design - when durability, longevity, and reliability were priority, not CAFE/EPA. These trucks have 2-3 common issues to look out for over hundreds of thousands of miles of driving and that's it. Very low chance to ever leave you stranded or hung out for a huge repair bill.

I'm generally not a fan of driving assistance nannies (18+) but the safety sense alerted me twice when someone slammed on brakes in front of me, giving me an extra second to stop. To my knowledge, all of it can be permanently disabled in the menus if you don't like it (and should stay off forever). The only thing I don't like about this truck is the remote start shutting the engine off when you open a door.

I've done a ton of research on transmission coolers. If you go back and review hundreds of post across all model years re: transmission temps (not just 19+ threads, don't forget to review on the Sequoia forums also), you will find the lowest trans temps are achieved with 19+ with the aftermarket cooler. The prior factory coolers were integrated with the radiator rather than separate. These were good but didn't perform as well as aftermarket (5-10 degrees warmer often). Some even added an aftermarket to supplement the OEM on pre 19's when towing at max. For more education, review Ford/GM/RAM Heavy Duty Transmission Temp threads.

Again, all are great, but IMO the best are 20-21 for the Push start, Carplay/Android Auto, Keyless, TSS. And if you tow heavy often or want piece of mind you can add the aftermarket cooler for better than OEM performance.

 

I think 18 is the sweet spot. Last year for the trans cooler, but has the updated dash. Trucar may be able to give years and problems, but this is a long developed and proven drivetrain, I'd go with any of the Gen 2.5's depending on the equipment you want/dont want. I LOVE my 2017 doesn't have the nanny crap, but really wish I had the updated dash with LED lighting and a few other things that came on the 18-19 or newer models.

As others have said, you can add the trans cooler to the models without, not a big deal.

You will love the difference. My Son in Law has a Tacoma and he loves driving my Tundra for the extra power, and seems to always engage the tow/haul mode so he can chirp the tires lol.

 

I came from a 2020 LTZ Silverado to my 2018 sr5. Only thing I miss from the LTZ is not needing an actual key to unlock//lock, push to start, and CarPlay. Minor things really.

 

Awesome advice. Thanks all.

I tried to do a 2023 f250 super duty but the wait is 8 months which is insane. It also seemed like they wanted me to finance it and I’m looking to pay for it in cash as I hate loans. So it looks like I’m back to the used tundra since you can find them pretty easily. Really wish the new Tundras weren’t turbo’ed V6s. Reminds me of my 300zx Twin Turbo I had back in 2000 when I was in high school.