Semi-affordable 1st gen upgrades

Hello, I recently bought a 2003 white tundra that is 100% stock. This is my first truck and im excited to start adding some aftermarket items. What recommendations do you guys have for a semi-affordable route to wheels & tires, stereo system, soft shell bed cover, and anything else y'all have found you really like?

 

First things first, before you put any money in it, (a) when was the last time the timing belt was replaced and (b) how bad is the frame rusted, because some people's frames have literally cracked?

Also, what engine? What cab type access/regular/double? And is it 2WD or 4WD? All of these things will determine what people may tell you.

 

Full inspection. Check all the naughty bits underneath. Pull the wheels and skidplate, check brakes & steering components, if 4wd grease the driveshaft, adjust the parking brake...

then, we can tell you to put a bracket lift on the front, lowering blocks on the back, and 235/35r24's and 8" of wheel spacers.

 

Timing belt was changed recently, rust is in good shape (still there but just sprayed some anti rust on it). 4.7L V8, access cab, 4wd

 

Congrats on the truck. I agree with the above. Get the basic maintenance out of the way. When you do start modding, make informed purchases and don't just buy stuff on impulse.

As for cheap and proven mods though, a lot of other Toyota wheels fit with little to no work and can be found for cheap. LED dash light / climate control light conversion is a mod I'm glad did. Writeups can be found if you search within this sub-forum.

But yeah, maintenance

 

And slabs

 

@Vinny22 What's your budget?

 

Coronado ain't affordable, get outta' here!

 

Well, providing a garage for the Tundra wasn't exactly affordable ~ even 30+ years ago.
The Tundra was "On Sale" in the used market some 13 years ago when I purchased it from the original owner ~ a Toyota Parts Man.
He did the upgrade to the "Limited" alloy wheels and tires, bed mat and aftermarket exhaust. I put a Retrax Pro tonneau cover on it to keep my Big Box store purchases from flying away.
The Tundra is a "Work Truck" and not the Limited or SR-5 but it's the nicest vehicle I've ever owned.



des2mtn

 

Definitely this point. And look at every page in this thread to find pics of what you like, share w/us. Then go here for radio stuff.

Some thoughts on what you can expect, price-wise:

• Basic "Stage 1" lift: $800-1,200 (avoid the Rough Country garbage, seriously)
• Better "Stage 2" lift: $1,800-$3,300
• New tires (alone): $800-$1,400
• Wheels (alone): $800-$2,000
• Camper or bed cover: $200-$1,500 (soft folding cover at low end, hard cover/topper at high)
• Stereo (w/spkrs): $600-1,200 (go to Crutchfield so you get all adapters free, DO NOT CUT OEM harness!)
• Dashcam: $100-350
• Fancy rearview mirror: $75-300
• Headlights: $200-1,200 (note: LED headlights can cause plenty of other problems)

There's definitely a lot of other stuff you can do, but I guess these are the big cosmetic and performance improvement

Sometimes you can find good deals in the Gen 1 marketplace here, on FB marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, etc. Like, I've seen hardshell camper tops go for as low as $200, but you gotta understand there are three different bed lengths for these trucks between the Regular Cab long bed, Regular and Access Cab standard bed, and the Double Cab - none of those three are cleanly interchangeable. Good deals on and wheels are there too, but save a headache and learn about wheel backspace and offset first.

 

Easiest and cheapest mods I've done are swapping blinker lights to LEDs, rear differential breather mod, defrost setting AC toggle mod (disconnect 2 wires behind control bezel), tiny footwell light LED replacement, glove box tiny LED replacement.

 

I came in all gung-ho about modifying my truck. And after the maintenence, and a few road trips paying close attention to what i really need, and what can get kicked down the line, i've saved a ton of money by keeping it stock.

 

Yup. I'd probably put myself in the "OEM+" camp, only minor tweaky upgrades.

I feel like people who start threads like this or more in it for appearance mods than anything, but maybe I'm wrong.

For me, I like the appearance of these trucks stock, or stock with small suspension/wheel/tire tweaks. The only lacking has been the dated technology of that era.

 

I'll second the "easy upgrades"... LED brake lights (including 3rd brake light on cab) and interior overhead lights, stereo (double DIN with touchscreen and Carplay/Android Auto really seems to modernize the dash), Bilstein 5100 shocks/"lift", Weathertech floor mats. I might throw in seat cover refresh (if needed... katskinz for better than original or lseats.com for budget recover) and window tint too.

 

Hi guy... Fancy meeting you here?

Trying to re do the Headlight/turn signals on my Gen 1.... OEM prices (Thank you ever so much for the tutorial) nearly gave me a nose bleed. My last replacements. TYC from rockauto, lasted about 5 years (give or take)... They simply got brittle over time. Now, given the price it might be a case of repeat every 5 years as needed, but having seen what those on the Forum can whip up I am interested in anything a step up... Most of the discounters are trotting out more of the same same replacements at slightly differing prices... Not better and best options...

 

Welcome to the club, Kelvin. It's no fun spending money on maintenance items, but your truck will thank you.

pics when you can....

 

Longevity on your light housing depends on a wild array of things. Park out in the sun facing south all the time? They're going to oxidize and haze faster. Park indoors? They'll last longer. Drive on salt roads a lot? They're going to haze faster.

TYC is typically on-par with Depo and Eagle Eyes, I think? I usually lean towards Depo, but have bought Eagle Eyes on other trucks. Get CAPA certified housings if you want some longevity. DEPO offers 5yr guarantee on their lens being clear and free of haze on their CAPA lights. It's usually less than 5-10% more for the CAPA version, if you can find it.

As far as lighting upgrades ... need more info on what you want, and what you're willing to do.

 

My son laughs at me because I’ve been able to blow the dust off my old cassettes and rock out to my 80’s/90’s collection lol. I will admit, though, that it’s killing me to not even have an aux Jack for my old iPod.

 

I got the GTA car kit which basically adds a bluetooth receiver to my stock radio. So I keep the original look, but can still stream my phone through my speakers.

 

Duuude, you could'a at least gave us the link.

https://www.gtacarkits.com/product/toyota-tundra-2003-2006-iphone-aux-kit/

Install video.

https://youtu.be/AZWJYk7IXek

 

I recommended this kit to @FirstGenTundra1867 a year or three ago. I'm pretty sure he was enjoying it too. I considered it before I failed to control my urges and drop yet another system in yet another vehicle.

 

My cheapest mod was taking the rear view off. LEDs f with my night vision

 

Not sure how I’ve missed this thread, cheap, easy, and effective mods are plentiful on this truck and one of my favorite things about them.

My favorites include:

Adjusting the LSPV (Load-Sensing-Proportioning-Valve) on the rear axle to increase rear brake bias

Repainting my wheels to look brand new

Repairing my OEM key fob

Replacing PCV valve, cleaning throttle body, and cleaning MAF sensor

Re-attaching my broken fuel filler door

Removing rust and repainting various brackets & hardware

Installing high quality new windshield wipers

Replacing worn sway bar links

And much, much more.

Every one of these items on my list has made a significant improvement to the truck’s drivability and usability, as well as simply making it a more pleasant vehicle to drive. Every one has been worth every penny. You can check out my build thread if you want to see more. (not to toot my own horn)

 

I think if you just wanna do some light trailriding some real good insurance is going to be skidplates. I saw some stuff i'd have gone through, but was worried about my yankee mudflaps. With some plates and maybe sliders (and some 10 ply tires) i'd be much more comfortable following a random off road trail out in the desert.

 

Sorry.... Employment had me a couple days.... I/m not much of a "Mods" type I just don't want to spend $4-$500 on a new Headlights set up. I will go with any that "LOOK" original but the TYC did disappoint. (I have to say at the price point I wasn't surprised at the haze inside 5 years but the mounting and adjusting plastic was another thing.) I would take DEPO if I can find them... (The name didn't come up in any Duckduck search) I am Familiar with CAPA standard for parts (Mostly for other body parts).

At the moment I have looked seriously at "SPYDER" brand with a similar warranty to what you describe and claims as to light focus close to OEM.

 

I've never heard of Spyder. I've used DEPO headlights the better part of 2 decades, ever since I was dabbling in the VW scene.

Rockauto sells DEPO brand headlights. When I recently dropped the $220 to get H4 projectors installed on the truck, they only had CAPA certified housings for one side, so I was only able to get one. They were ~$84/ea and preloaded with all necessary bulbs, only to get them in, and butcher them by removing the interior reflector, so I could use the H4 projector bulbs.

The one shitty thing about aftermarket is the adjusters. The OEM adjusters work like butter with a long philips head screwdriver, using the factory adjuster hole. Aftermarket housings, it's really hard to use a screwdriver and almost makes more sense to leave the blinker out, and adjust the levels with a wrench.

I also have a near-new set of OEM housings I dropped $350 on before buying these. I just wasn't happy with the light output. The projectors don't broadcast as wide, and are as close to plug-and-play as you can get, but a marked improvement for in-town driving.

 

I found Spyder by a general search for "four star and up" after market Tundra headlights... They are listed at CARiD.com... They price out about $150 but the shipping is stupid high...

Found the DEPO's on Rockauto just now....

The adjusters are factory patented so as to handicap sellers of aftermarket goods. I adjust headlight settings on new vehicles for my employer... We change existing light adjusters in compatible models simply for that purpose.

I wish I had known as to the "Near News" That seems reasonable for the quality you get... I generally run Sylvania or Phillip's best in mine and call it good.... None of the aftermarkets I have used over the years focus the beams so well as Factory.... I put some LEDs in a Tacoma I drove for hunting. You could see The Goddess's bones if she walked in front of the truck with them on but they didn't shine as far down the road as did the regular bulbs...

 

I too have this setup that also comes with 3.5 Aux. Works great!

 

Heeellllooo!

Installed a new set of Headlights and turn signals on the 2004 Tundra. Lights and signals all function per usual but I have no dash/kombi lights or tail lights... What gives?...