Known issues with 1st Gen Tundras?

Hey, all. New user to the forum here. I have been searching through the archives, but I haven't found a thread on-point yet. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction?

After months of consideration, I have decided that a 1st gen tundra is the truck for me, so I am shopping. Is there a list of "known issues" with the 1st gens? Like, "you will probably lose the timing belt on a 2004 at 70K miles," or "the fuel pump on the 2005 is crap"... things like that. Is any particular year considered a good year or a bad year to own?

I know those are rookie questions, but I'd like to customize my truck when I get it and keep it a long time. I'd like to start out on the right foot.

Thanks in advance!

 

I've been looking heavily into this as well. So far what I seem to see people complain about a lot is warped front rotors and leaking rear axle seals.

Which, I must admit, are two things I'm dealing with on mine right now so I could have some confirmation bias.

 

The latter years:
2003 has improved 4 speed manual with stronger planetary gear. Mid year the brake calipers were updated to a slightly larger size. Front bumper and grill restyled.

2004 same as above but all 2004 have the updated brake caliper. Double cab body was introduced.

2005-2006 5 speed auto trans, VVTi motor with 30 horsepower more than prior years. Tail lights restyled.

Things to look for regardless of year:
Frame rust, rust in general, look for it. If it isnt there look for suspicious amounts of fresh paint on the frame.

Find out when timing belt was done last. This is done roughly every 90k miles, is the only real expensive maintenance these trucks require.

Takara airbags... but what vehicle hasn't had that recall?

Other than that there is nothing in terms of bad trends to worry about.

 

I changed my timing belt at 240,000 miles. It looked just a bit worn. Nothing too serious, I couldn't believe it looked good. Once the front of the engine was taken apart, I also changed out the water pump. And yes the rear axle bearings.

 

https://jalopnik.com/most-underrated-cheap-truck-right-now-the-original-toy-1744623089

 

All great responses so far, especially the article, Rex. Thank you all. Keep 'em coming!

 

Even though that article is going on 4 years old almost everything in it is spot on except the title. I don't think they are underrated anymore...that's changed in the last 4 years. People realize how great they are now...the sizing on them, both AC and DC is just RIGHT....and the engine really is sublime if you compare it to the weak (TQ wise, if not HP) offerings in the mid-size trucks that are nearly their physical size, without the interior space. If you don't want a behemoth but you want an interior that doesn't feel cramped AND an engine that feels like it belongs in a truck, there really isn't any other choice new or used right now.

What I'd like to see is Toyota offer 3 trucks. A budget conscious actual compact truck no bigger than a 1st gen Tacoma (even better pre-tacoma sized), a 2000-2006 Tundra mid-size 1/2 ton and then a real 1 ton full-size as a work/tow vehicle for those who need it. I keep hearing about different manufacturers coming out with actual compact trucks, so I think there is a market for all these.

https://www.motor1.com/news/307924/ford-focus-pickup-spy-photos/

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/chevrolet-compact-pickup-truck-rumors/

 

Front end worn and tired with squeaky lower arm bushings. Propellor shaft not greased leading to bad u-joints. Sand blasted front windshield.

Buying a used vehicle is a giant step in faith with the prior owners, unless they have meticulous records.

For safety sake, you’ll probably want to change every fluid and filter once you buy it.

In general financial terms, you’ll probably put in $100 a month on DIY maintenance items over a few years. Pay a shop? More$$$.


Great trucks! The 02’ has never let me down in 17 years.

 

I loved my 2002, but the Boston winters inflicted a few breakdowns. Check the frame, if it hadnt been replaced with the recall, I'd take a good look.

Gas door fell off. See lots of 02s without them driving today.

The tube that you pour the gas into from the gas station; those screws rusted and the pipe fell into side wall.

The rear lift gate handle broke.

02 sensor failed every other year - that was biggest and most aggravating issue.

Besides that, nothing else major.

 

oh, also had some rust along the top of the front windshield, and it would leak during heavy storms. In Massachusetts it's free to have windshields replaced, and they guy who swapped it out would caulk the shit out of it for me, and that stemmed the flow a bit, but he suggested I have a tree "fall" on the roof and have insurance fix the whole issue, otherwise it would always be a problem.

Again, Boston winters and salt water.

 

I purchased my '02 in '03, it continues to be an awesome vehicle. In a leap of faith I purchased a high mileage '07 late in '17, it's also a great vehicle. Driving the '02 is like driving a mid 90's Camry on steroids, it's super reliable & solid. Driving the '07 the way I have it set up is like driving an early 70's muscle car, but with better brakes and without all of the headaches.

 

LBJs failing, whether OE or aftermarket I do not remember

 

New here, but I did the caliper replacement years ago from a "How To" off the internet. Worked like a charm.
2001 year model SR5 here. 2 wheel drive.
I have also had rust on front windshield.
02 replacements (buy a spare).
Replaced center bearing on drive shaft.
Rear bearings.

228K miles and it really runs like it is new.

I have electrical issues on center console that may be ground wire, and the occasional stalling/cutting off at stop signs which appears to be the throttle needing cleaning, according to my reading of this forum yesterday and today.
Will do a separate post about the center console going bonkers.

newswatch

 

Like this?

 

Haha man I miss that truck though

 

Some of the early 00-02(maybe 03) developed hairline cracks in the exhaust manifold. 99% sure my 02 has this. It makes an annoying noise until the engine warms up and then goes away. It's an annoyance only and shouldn't harm anything.

Some say the radiators are a weak point on these trucks and can fail which causes the infamous "pink milkshake" with the transmission fluid. There is debate over how common this issue actually is. It's only a $120 part so best just to replace it.

 

I've had three Tundras, a 2001, and two 2005's. Both the 2002 and first 05 had the driver side exhaust manifold tick. I replaced the 2002 manifold at about 225k as it was pretty irritating. I hear it on a lot of Tundras. The 2005 also had a tick but it wasn't terrible yet when I sold it to my neighbor at 230k. The current Tundra has 204k on it and no exhaust tick. It's a PITA to replace and about $350 in parts if you do it yourself. This was the most annoying thing for me.

Only other issues I've had is broken door handles, a broken door actuator, speakers blow out, steering rack leaks after a while. That's about it. Wear items like the control arm bushings, tie rods, steering rack bushings will need replaced at some point but those are wear items.

 

My 05 seems like it may have the exhaust tick on the passenger side.
.
At least I hope that’s what it is lol .

 

I've posted this on other forums, but am particularly cranked today after getting my 2002 Tundra out of the shop yesterday, $2,100 lighter from replacing the transfer case actuator. Bought this new, meticulously maintained and have over $6,000 in repairs(not maintenance) at only 120k miles. I have the exhaust tick, no big deal. Rear differential rebuilt at 65k, axle bearings and seals twice. Rear diff took on water thru the vent so now the clutches make a lot of noise, but still work. A $5 kit remedied this. Why didn't the factory install it? Throttle position sensor, power window motors, 3 O2 sensors. Glass cracked on outside mirror. 3 sun visors, the plastic breaks and they fall off. Sun visors, you laugh, but almost $130 each. Various electrical problems. I have had 75-100 dead battery issues.

I live in a low rust climate, so none of those problems. Engine/trans great so far, other than lousy fuel economy. When not in the shop, it is a nice, quiet vehicle. For me the legendary Toyota quality has been a myth.

 

Sell her to someone that can wrench. Buy another truck or keep on putting money into her. I just put about $5-6k past year and a half in front end rebuild and tires by shops ($4300) plus about another ($1250) on various other shtuff.

My truck, unlike yours, has never ever broken down or left me stranded on the side of road. Until last year, no major problems like yours. Even your small stuff listed problems seems odd. Now if you live in a rust zone then you will have problems with our year, but you said you are in a dry zone?

At some point, these trucks need some love put back into them. Not sure what differs between our two trucks as we share the same year. Only one bad bearing which just was replaced. O2’s replaced = 2 (not including the factory recalled ones). Mine has done regular to sporatic towing/hauling since new 2002.

New truck payments (without deposit) are about $500-700 these days so this needs to be baked into the equation.

 

Thanks for the reply. A good friend bought a new F150 the same week that I bought my Tundra. His Ford is long gone, but he drove it 275k with only a few minor nitpicks. I also still own a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. It has the same miles as my Tundra and total repairs have been about $600. I am not fated to own Japanese vehicles. However, being old and thrifty, repairing the Tundra is my lowest cost option.