Out with the Old in with the New

After owning my 2008 Tundra DC for more than 11 years, I decided it was time for an upgrade. My ’08 had about 180k miles and was mechanically sound, but it was in need of some work in the near future. It was going to need brakes again, a windshield, the parking brake arm was sticking, one of the wheel bearings was starting to make noise again and rust starting to creep up despite the Krown rust proofing. It was still in excellent shape for a 15 year old truck in rural Ontario with very harsh winters, but I just didn’t want to invest more money into such an old truck anymore. My old Tundra had a ton of interest when I posted it for sale, and it sold in one day to the first prospective buyer. I have to say I after all the years of great service, I still really loved that truck despite its flaws and it was tough to see it go. My son, was actually a little emotional to see it drive out of the driveway for the last time, as it is the only truck he has known me to own. Here she is a few days before it sold.



Part of the reason I decided to sell my old truck was that I had decided that I didn’t want to get a Gen 3 Tundra. After trying out my buddy’s Gen 3, despite the many advances, I didn’t like it as much as my old truck. Plus, the fact that I know how to maintain and repair a Gen 2 was a big advantage, since I am a DIYer for vehicle maintenance and repairs. So I decided on a Gen 2.5 and wanted to get one as new as possible. I stuck with a DC for the larger 6.5’ box and wanted to get at TRD package. I found this beautiful 14K mile Tundra TRD Sport Premium being sold privately. The truck was owned by a retired couple and was used to pull a camper. They decided they no longer wanted to do that anymore so had the truck and trailer up for sale. It has never been winter driven and had tons of extras (clear bra, window tinting, Toyota hard tonneau cover, towing mirrors, Sumo Springs, BedStep, etc).



So far I am super happy with the truck. It’s just like my old one but with updated tech on the inside and a much nicer interior. The body and chassis seems to be tighter than I ever remember my 2008 being (maybe the updated cab mounts are part of the reason). I also like the TRD sport package that includes no chrome, and the sport tuned suspension with the rear sway bar. It seems to suit my driving style well and it has noticeably better handling and less understeer than my old truck. Once I got the truck home, I detailed it, and took off some of the accessories that I won’t use to sell (running boards, bedstep and towing mirrors). I may remove and sell the Sumo Springs too, as I do feel when the truck hits them as the suspension articulates on large bumps and they adds a lot of harshness to the ride. I don’t plan on towing anything on a regular basis besides my small boat, so for the occasional heavy load, I don’t think they are worth keeping.

Here it is now with the original mirrors and no running boards. I like the cleaner look.



Thanks for taking the time to read and hear's hoping that the new Tundra serves me as well or better than my old one.

 

Good choice, I'm not a fan of the Gen 3 either..

You got the best color too..

 

Thank you for your service!

 

Congrats on the upgrade!

 

Congratulations

 

NICE !

 

Well, to him this is 3rd gen equivalent!!

 

Congratulations on the "new" truck. Definitely got the best color. Welcome from NNY.

 

Congrats

 

You made the right call. I sold my 2008 DC Ltd 4x4 with 220k on it two months ago and bought a '23 Titan. The Titan is OK but it's no Tundra by a longshot. I found some '21 Tundra DC's but they cost as much as the '23 Titan is new and would be out of warranty pretty quick. The Titan has 5/100 bumper to bumper warranty that I hope I don't ever have to use. Still, I hated to see that Tundra go. It was one of the best vehicles ever made and they'll never be that good again.

 

Good looking truck!!

I did a similar upgrade last October though even more of a jump, going from a '00 4.7 with 205K to a CPO '19 5.7 w/20K.

I loved my 1st Gen and it never gave me any problems (well, 'cept for that LBJ that failed quite dramatically in the middle of a left turn on a very busy 4 lane)

I was sad to see it go, but I love, LOVE the extra HP, TQ, gears, tech, and comfort of the new CM. Makes my camping trips quite a bit easier.

Not crazy about having a payment again and my wife about had kittens when my registration renewal came in mail a couple days ago, but otherwise I'm pretty stoked.

What're you asking for the bedstep? Amp Research?

 

You made the right choice! I hung onto my 2012 Tundra RC 4X4 too long (178,000 miles). Today I took it in for wheel bearing noise. Need both rear bearings, new backing plates, speed sensors plus bolts, clips, etc. I've been looking for low mileage gen 2.5's but cannot find any DC's witha 6.5 bed. Don't know the final cost of the repair but it's looking between $2,500 and $3K USD. Now, do I kep the 2012 or get a gen 3?

 

She's a beaut, I have the same truck but in crewmax! My first Tundra was a 2.5gen DC and its sad to see how Toyota made the backseats of DC's unusable in the 3rd gens. A 6 foot male could ride in the backseat of the old truck now only small children can go back there.

 

Neither! Keep searching!

 

Thanks for the comments!

Nice upgrade! 1st Gen Tundras are almost non-existent here, most have succumbed to the tin worm. Actually, the guy who bought my old truck was replacing a 1st Gen with a bad frame.

Yes, it's an Amp Research step. I am asking $300 CDN, which I think is a fair price. But if your interested the shipping probably would be prohibitive to CA.

Part of the reason I sold was the rear bearings on my old truck sounded like they were starting to make a bit of noise again. It's an expensive job, even if DIY. I did mine myself using Toyota parts and just brought the axles to the dealer to have the bearings pressed on.

I would probably start looking for newer Tundra. I was at the same sort of situation with my truck (I just had it the one box side repaired by a body shop) but I decided it was time.

I agree, the Gen 2 and 2.5 DCs have great back seats for a non crew cab. They are best in class by far, I tested all other competitors for room. If I got a Gen 3, I'd have to go to CrewMax 6.5 box, but then I'd also have a significantly longer truck.