new guy - looking

Hi. I am looking for a 2.5 gen Tundra in decent shape 4x4 with 38gal tank and some bells and whistles in Grey or white.
I cant post in the "tundras for sale" and wondering where you guys have the best luck to find one. Thinking 2018 might be where I am narrowing it down to but open.
Any suggestions welcome.
I have had Ford trucks in the past and have 4runner but this will be my first foray into Tundras.
Thanks

 

2018 has awkward A/C and no transmission cooling. 2019+ have not transmission cooling. Expect to add $1-1.5k for the aftermarket cooling system. But A/C can't be fixed on 2018.

 

Can you elaborate on the AC thing? had not heard that...
Also, isnt it 2019 that did away with trans cooler?

 

?
Curious as well since my A/C is fine and I have a transmission cooler that came stock on my 2018.

 

I think you made a typo. 2018 has a transmission cooler. They didn't drop it until 2019, which you correctly stated.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2018-tundra-air-conditioning.139976

Yeah, right.

 

I don't think all 2018's had a trans cooler but some did. Also, I bought mine new and have had zero A/C issues. My sons 2018 hasn't had issues either. I would start looking at carfax.com and cargurus.com to search in your specific area. You can also search by year and color etc. on those sites. This will give you an idea of what's out there and where prices are at. Then when you start getting dozens of ads sent to your social media daily because you searched, you will have an idea of what might be a good deal as you review the ads. For a private sale I am not sure the best avenue to take, maybe Facebook Marketplace is a start.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Grey - MGM Paint Code 1G3, Magnetic Gray Metallic is the fastest color Tundra..

 

If they had the tow package on the 5.7 it had the trans cooler. Fair enough that the smaller engine and trucks without the towing package are out there, but who buys those? Gotta have the mostest stuff on a truck, right?

 

2018 was also when they added TSS

 

Any year of the 2.5 gen will be reliable, but yes, 2019 and above do not come with transmission cooler. Heard a youtube guy say those that have the transmission cooler feel like they are more responsive when hitting the gas. Don't know how true this is as I have only driven my 2017.

 

My 2018 Platinum has a factory trans cooler. I feel the AC is a bit underwhelming personally, and others have reported the same. In 2018 they switched to R-1234yf refrigerant versus the old R-134a, and it has decreased cooling capacity. The fact that the trans cooler is integrated into the AC condenser means the 1234yf couldn't overcome the heat of the trans and cool the cab as effectively as R-134a.

I'm personally exploring my options, and hoping it is adequate when summer hits in full swing, because I otherwise love my 2018. I specifically searched out a 2018 because it still had the trans cooler, but also had the TSS (wanted specifically the radar cruise).

 

Added a cooler to my ‘21. No worries at all. I now get cooling and the better lockup programming that the new cooler-less tow package trucks allegedly get.

The new refrigerant sucks. My wife’s Lexus gets cold basically the second you turn it on. I have to start going; my truck won’t get ice cold right away at all; I have to get those RPMs up.

Regarding the “slow” thing, it’s the safety sense package. More nannies.

To disengage the nannies:
1. Press the electronic LSD button.
2. Then, hold the button for a couple seconds.
3. Then, hold the button for a couple seconds again.

All nannies off.

 

The responsive thing is bologna, I daily a tuned 2018 and a stock 2021, both shit and git about the same.

 

2018 seems to be a golden year IMO. First year of Safety Sense, last year of transmission coolers, last year of bolt on supercharger kits. Couldn't tell you where to look, I bought mine at a GMC dealer the day it was traded in

 

So what is the consensus for the AC on a post 2017 truck? Something to steer away from?

 

No absolutely do not steer away from any of the years…the AC is perfectly fine.
I live in Vegas where it’s 115 for three months out of the year and my AC is phenomenal

 

To clarify, I agree the AC is great. It’s just slower to get ice cold than our 2009 LX

 

So one person in one thread had a problem with their AC so now all 2018s have awkward AC. What does awkward AC mean anyway?

 

I was not implying all are bad, I as a new guy to Tundras, am just looking for clarification.

 

I wasn't responding to you.

 

Love my 2019!

 

AC in my 2021 is perfect. No idea where this complaint comes from, perhaps a one off?

 

The item they are bringing up is specific to the condenser shared transmission cooler. Your 2021 doesn't have one in that setup.

 

So I see that 2018 Toyota changed freon types and wondering if that is the issue of those few who have an issue or is the shared trans/AC cooler the issue?
Did previous years (pre 2018) have a trans cooler separate from the AC?
Forgive the newbie questions.

 

If I were you, I wouldn't read too much into what folks are saying on the A/C and rather test drive them to get your own thoughts on it, based on the individual model. A/C temp is somewhat subjective and a lot of people seem to be fine with the performance.

What should drive more of your decision is:

1. Do I need a real transmission cooler? Anything newer than 2018, you will have to add yourself.
2. Do I want TSS? 2018 and newer.
3. Do I want Smart Handles/Push to Start/CarPlay? 2020+

If you want it as "modern" as you can get a 2.5 gen, 2020+. If you want some of the TSS stuff, 2018+. If you want a transmission cooler and don't care about the rest, 2018 or older.

 

Look for a 2.5 gen (2014-2021), make sure it has the right specs you're looking for: crewmax (5.5 bed) or double cab (6.5 bed), loaded SR5 (TRD package helps) or Limited, 38gal tank, 5.7** some may have the 4.7 so watch for that, magnetic gray metallic or silver sky metallic or white, add a transmission cooler for 2019+ models if you're planning to tow a lot.

Plan to budget 35-40k depending on mileage. I added a transmission cooler on my 2021, just as many others and @Terndrerrr did. Plan for about ~$1,300 for that addition if you install it yourself.

 

This ^^^ = great advice

 

The complaints about the AC are exclusive to the 2018 model year (mine included).

The switch to the newer freon, while still using the same AC condenser that doubles as a transmission cooler (as did all previous 2.5 gen Tundras), is the reasoning for the limited complaints about the AC, again exclusively on 2018 Tundras.

As other's have said though, the AC complaints are subjective, and I'm someone who just runs hot all the time period. My truck's AC probably feels frigid to others.

 

AC in my 2020 works well. Overall, I’ve been very happy with my truck!