New to me '03 Tundra...

Hey y'all,

Here's my '03 SR5 Tundra TRD V8 with LSD that I just completed title transfer on. I bought it from a friend who put 210K miles on it since buying it in 2004 (w/12K miles on it). It was used as a work/commute/trailhead truck and it's in good condition (the tailgate has a few good dings). When he said he was interested in selling after finding a replacement I crawled under it for 20 minutes with a ball peen-hammer looking for bad corrosion but only found surface rust. Every time I went back under it my offer price just kept going up so I stopped looking.

I usually don't hesitate to start in with the mods but this truck is bone stock so I think I'll enjoy it as-is for awhile.



This is my first Toyota. I come from motorcycles and VWs so a V8 truck is a bit different for me (and will be nice towing bikes). Here's my 1990 VW Vanagon that has over 300K miles on it so the Tundra is the pup in the driveway.


I've been reading many threads and appreciate the support shown for builds, questions and DIY tips. This seems like a good place.

See you around the threads.

Jim

 

Welcome from Ohio

 

Welcome from SO CAL

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from IL, Jim!

 

Welcome from Kentucky. I have a 2002 Limited Access Cab with the 4.7 VB. The Tundra has been solid as a rock and now has 274,000 miles on the clock. Make sure that the tie rod ends, control arms and ball joints are in good condition. I just had the upper and lower control arms replaced ($1,000) and it made the Tundra feel like a new truck. Look at your owner's manual to determine if the timing belt has a replacement interval. On the 2002, it is 90,000 miles. Good Luck!

 

What part of WA are you in? I’m down in the SW corner near Portland. Welcome! Nice looking truck - luckily they don’t overdo the salt up here on the roads, so we don’t have nearly the rust issues they do back east and in the midwest.

 

I primarily live in Seattle but spend a good bit of time in ID (the Tundra's home state). The photos in the snow were taken in the ID panhandle.

10-20 years ago we never saw salt or whatever corrosive treatment they use but now it gets sprayed at the slightest chance of snow/ice. Fortunately thats still waaay less than the midwest/east.

Cheers.

 

Same School Teacher, in Lexington. JUST snagged a 2002 Acces Cab V8 with 260K on it. Speedo doesn’t work, and I’ve got a list of repairs from Toyota that’s a mile lone from are bulb out to differential fluid, to leaking boots. Looking forward to getting my hands dirty on this one.

 

Very nice truck, no rust. I like metal bumpers.

I have no proof of this, just a personal opinion, that when Toyota decided to go up against Ford, Chevy and MOPAR at the 1/2 ton pickup level, Toyota decided to go with a better quality of components and a superior build quality.

Good Luck!

 

Welcome from SC!