• RME Gear & Apparel

school me on 1st gen tundras

sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I'm curious about 1st gen tundras. I figure they're almost the same size as the 2nd gen tacomas, and they've got that 4.7 and 4wd. Teach me a little bit about them. I figure a tundra with 33's would be a cool expo/exploring rig. Are there any known issues with them? Did any come with a selectable locker in the rear, or traction control? Aside from the 128" wheelbase, they seem like they could haul a lot of gear both inside and out. I really like the models with the little suicide doors in the rear. I wonder if a little 2-3" lift on a 1st gen tundra would make it capable enough to do Hell's Revenge.
 
Spork

Spork

Tin Foil Hat Equipped
Location
Saratoga Springs, UT
They didn't come with a locker. I believe they use the same 8.4 axle the Tacoma has. I believe the TRD model is just a shock upgrade package and doesn't offer any kind of traction control.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
I dig the 4.7 in our 4Runner, but I've heard the Tundra's are known to have transmission issues. The front suspension is very similar to the Tacoma, but I'm not sure if the front diff is the same. The "8.4" rear axle (as it's commonly called) is a decent axle, but if I recall there are limited locker options.

I agree with the idea of using one as a Backcountry rig, they're bigger than a Tacoma but not quite full size. I have been very tempted to build one in a similar manner, but there are some things about the Tundras that just don't do it for me.
 
193kyle

193kyle

Well-Known Member
Location
Chattanooga, TN
My wife and I have an 05 Tundra Access Cab 4wd and I absolutely love it. IMO it is the perfect size truck. It gets decent mileage even with the V8(I average 18 mostly highway driving), the 4.7 feels like a rocket compared to the 3.4 in my 97 tacoma, and the 5 speed auto is nice. I believe they switched to the VVTI motor for the 05-06's and I am not sure when they changed to the 5 speed auto. I just put a set of Bilstein 5100 struts on the front to level it out, also put some 265/70/17's on it, it rides great now! We have put about 17,000 miles on it in the last 8 months and it has been great, no problems at all. The only thing with the 1st gen Tundras is trying to find one with low miles....
 
O'neal

O'neal

?????????
Location
evanston wy
I had an '02 tundra with 86k last year....best truck I ever owned,period! Great power and got 20-22 mpg unloaded on the highway.Never had tranny problems towing my rigs to moab,colo,and local areas countless times.I had planned to put a HP ford D60 and sterling rear under it along with a dual case and wheel it but sold the parts and Traded it in for a pile of shit CTD ....Worst mistake i've done and still regret it.
 
Max Power

Max Power

Bryce
Location
Sandy
Just buy one and build it Steve. They are great trucks. I know a couple people that have them and love them. Other than the interior looking gay you can't go wrong.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Does OME make a lift for these? I know toytech does. And I imagine I'd have to build custom sliders (not the end of the world).
 
J

jackit

New Member
Location
1800 W 3500 S | WVC UT, 84119
T

Toad

Well-Known Member
Location
Millville(logan)
So does this mean the toyota has sold? When you are finished building a tundra let me know when it will be for sale. Guessing four or five weeks :)
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Nope, my pickup is still here, I'm just thinking ahead and seeing what the options are. I've had this pickup very close to a year. That's almost a record for me.
 
T

Toad

Well-Known Member
Location
Millville(logan)
I have a customer with one of these and he loves it. Beats it to death. 4 years ago did a full tune up timing belt etc. Just did it again a couple months ago 200k. The front diff is the same a Tacoma. I know this because the front diff in his is originally from a Taco. Something about stuck in 3 feet of snow. Trailer hooked to the hitch. Tire chains on the front end. Front diff fail.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
not the rocky off-camber stuff at the end. That's been getting bigger lately. When your wheelbase is twice as long as a sami, stuff starts to drag...
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
Spork said:
...of course knowing you Steve you'll be following 01tundra's footsteps...
Click to expand...

You mean by selling his truck, buying a Tundra, building a Tundra and then selling it for a Tacoma that he is currently building :D

I joke, I joke. But just imagine how many days on the trail you could have spent rather than building another vehicle. I get glossy eyed about a new Tacoma or 100 Series but I figure it would take me off the trail at least 10 days (while building it up) and that is hard to stomach :p
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
true, but I still get out more than 90% of the people on here, despite a new build every 4 months :D I'm actually trying to get out more so I can be distracted enough to not want another vehicle.


I agree though, I don't like the thought of building another rig, or dumping $ into something else. I'm not dying to sell my rig, but if someone offered me cash today, I know what I'd get: a '01-04 x-cab TRD taco. Then I'd try to leave it stock, and after about a month I'd have OME's on it, 4.88s, tubbed firewall, and 35's just like my old taco. I do miss that rig, it went everywhere and it drove really comfortably on the freeway.
 
Last edited:
P

Panos

12Volt Specialist
Location
Salt lake City
Hey Steve, Its been a while since I have posted up. But I would like to share my thoughts on this thread. I own a 2000 Tundra and love it! It is the perfect size truck for expo stuff, not full size but big enough. Also the 4.7 V8 is a really good motor with plenty of power and reliability, I have 198,xxx on mine and it still runs perfect!! If I were in the market for another one I would get a 03 or newer. Reason being is Toyota changed a few key things, first the engine went to VVt-i and has about 30 more HP second the transmission upgraded from a 4 speed to a 5 speed with a lower first gear. As far as towing and gas mileage goes the later models (03-06) are much much better. In fact I am planning a vvt-i and 5 speed motor and transmission swap in my tundra as soon as I have time. Plans for my tundra are to do Camburg LT kit, keep my 285/70/17's and just drive the crap out of it, like I do right now ;)

Things to look out for are a TSB on the front brakes, most have already had it done. Also there is a TSB on the rear section of the frame rusting out. this applies to vehicles first registered in a "snowy state" funny enough Utah is not on that list. Either way its not a big deal, but if it does qualify for the TSB they will do a complete frame swap!!

In the price range these trucks can be had for, they are hard to beat.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
great input nic, thanks.


What kind of MPG are we talking on the 03-06s? Can I expect 18 MPG stock, or is that a bit ambitious?


EDIT: yikes, those trucks cost more than I thought... sounds like a taco is more in my budget. Too bad they never made the extended cab taco with the suicide doors.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top