New Tundra Owner here, looking for some advice.

Hi all,
I recently sold my 06 V6 Tacoma Prerunner and bought a 05 Double Cab 4X4 4.7L Tundra. Its very clean inside and out. The truck has heated leather and power everything. It has an entertainment system for my kids, I didn't know a Toyota Truck in this vintage had all these available options. I had no intentions of getting rid of my Tacoma but when I saw this truck I couldn't pass it up. It spent the first 10-11 years of it's life in California. It also only has 79K miles on it. Although after doing some reading on here, I'm a little nervous about the low miles. I bought it from a Toyota engineer who was good about the maintenance. It has regular synthetic oil changes and the timing belt was done at 42K. But It's been 8 years so I have an appointment at the Toyota dealership this week to have it done again. The frame looks much better than it did on my Tacoma from Texas, as well as anything I've seen here in Michigan. I posted a few pics but they are a little blurry from the sun reflection. I have done some reading on here but I have a couple questions for those more informed than me.

1. The timing belt and water pump only has 37K on it but being 8 years old I'm assuming it's a safe bet to have it replaced again correct?

2. The frame is in good condition for a truck that has been in Michigan for 7-8 years. I applied fluid film twice a year on my Tacoma and that seemed to slow the rust and keep the frame solid. Should I keep doing this? What do you all recommend for a Tundra in the Midwest?

3. I am somewhat neurotic about maintenance. I change the oil every 3-4K with synthetic, is that overkill? I see this truck uses 6.5 Qts. I'm thinking changes could get pricey doing them this often.

4. I tow my utility trailer with two dirtbikes that totals about 1800LBS. I also occasionally tow my SxS that totals about 3200LBS. Do I need to lock it out of overdrive? My V6 Tacoma could pull it but I had to put it in 4 at times to keep the trans from constantly shifting. I have read a few things on here where it's not recommended?

Any other tips or advice is appreciated.

 

Nice lookin truck.. the answer to all 4 questions is yes.

I would let the TB go another year or so, but, you know what they say about an ounce of prevention...

Oil changes can be done at 6-7K with synthetic. Even then, it's going to come out looking like new oil. I promise.

keep doing the Fluid Film application. It's a good idea.

Locking out OD while towing is a good idea.

And welcome to the club!

 

3-4k isn’t overkill if you only do short trips. You want to avoid any moisture causing sludge to accumulate. Normally the moisture would burn off but only if you drive at least 10-15 miles or more. I change mine every 5k or every 6 months whichever comes sooner but I only drive 5 miles to work and back every other day .

 

I'm guessing it was more than $5,000...

 

Yes, I think I paid top dollar for it which I was not happy about initially. But I was able to get $7K for my Tacoma to put on it. so I feel ok about what I paid. I think I got a solid truck and it's still cheaper than anything new.

 

1. You could eek out a couple more years on it, I suspect. Pop off a cover and inspect.
2. You do you, prevention is better than the alternative.
3. I don't think it's overkill, especially if you do a lot of short-trip driving. I'm roughly doing the same, 12 months or 3,500 miles on my last change, I do a bit of short-trip driving and it can be murder.
4. I personally think you're fine not slapping into OD, as long as you're not up and down hills all over the place. That's not a ton of weight IMO.
5. Lots of reference material here if you haven't found it yet.

 

Wow thanks. Alot of good info there. I'm not going to start driving the truck quite yet but I will have some questions about a few things when I do.

 

So a couple questions after reading the just bought a 1st gen tundra thread.

I would like to do a short drive in 4WD because it's probably been awhile since it's been done. Should I change it to 4WD while driving or should I do it before I start driving? Also, wanted to confirm. The thread says do not make any sharp turns in 4WD? I just want to be cautious since I live on a road with some sharp curves.

I found the Toyota OEM lower ball joint part numbers on ebay. I wouldn't buy from eBay but I was hoping someone could confirm these are the correct Toyota part numbers to order through the dealer. 43330-39825 and 43340-39595

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Great looking truck!

 

Nice looking pick-up that if proper maintenance is continued, will be around for many miles.

As you may have seen, in that "just bought a 1st gen" thread was a link to our 1st Gen Owners Manuals. Believe it or not, it makes for a good read and can answer many questions concerning proper maintenance and specs for normal maintenance items.

I know, I know….who in the hell RTFM !

It also gives a basic and adequate answer when it comes to "2WD/4HI” and “4LO” use. Personally I try to make a habit of exercising every month or two. One does not need a perfect playing field. Find a place that's less traveled in your neighbor hood. My 1/2 mile straight street in front of me is adequate for my monthly runs IMHO. I simply start at cove end, move along at approx 10 mph and shift into 4HI, proceed for a bit and come to complete stop, put the transmission into “N” and with the brake pedal depressed, push the “4LO” button. I do those steps for a few times and call it good. Nothing more, nothing less and is basic enough to keep my 4WD actuators exercised given I very seldom go off road.

From 2005 Owners Manual....

 

Awesome ^^^

I'd just add, turns (sharp or otherwise) are fine as long as you're not on dry pavement/dry concrete. Think about it - if your front wheels are locked in step with one another, but you turn, the inside wheel is turning less RPM than the outside wheel with our 4WD setup. If there's nothing for the slower-turning wheel to slip on ... what happens? The system has to force that wheel to 'hop' across the concrete, or something metal has to shear/give.

You can turn 4HI on at any speed under 55mph, technically. Just make sure when you turn 4HI on, you're either (A) in loose terrain, like dirt or gravel (B) wet or icy roads or (C) if neither A or B is possible, make sure you're driving relatively straight so you don't end up in a binding situation and definitely DO NOT turn on pavement at slow speeds.

I have a couple of straight sections of highway near me. I'll often kick into 4HI when entering the hwy, and drive with it engaged. But I also make a point where, if I know a rainstorm is coming, I'll leave while it's dumping to capitalize on driving when wet.

 

If you do a belt, post a couple of pics of it if you can. I'm in the same boat, 8 or 9 years since I did mine last and only 35k miles or so on the belt. The one that came out of it at 72k or so, looked fine, and it was about 11 years old. It's not an easy job, it hurts my back just thinking about it and I'm a decade older now.

 

You have an 05 with the slightly better design joints. They may have been recalled at some point but I'm not for sure what year that ended. I'd definitely inspect them but they may not need replacement.

 

I appreciate the information. I will look into it and see if they might need to be replaced.

 

There are reputable sellers on eBay, so you can find genuine Toyota parts, just be aware of who you're buying from.
But, hey, if you're more comfortable buying from the dealer, rock on!

Don't forget to check out dealers on line, or even our vendors here on the forum