Can a first Gen still be reliable enough in 2024+

A little exaggerated but yes it will still need maintenance from time to time. Wrenching will still occur most weekends, but it will be mostly for modifications lol

Extremely exaggerated lol I've heard of more 4.7 head gasket failures than 5.7, which is still very very low failure rate for either engine. My own personal 4.7 head gasket went at about 220k miles. That being said, everyone in this thread nailed it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a reasonably maintained first gen. Even if to fix one up a bit and enjoy doing it. If you're dead set on the crew cab (not access cab) that limits you to 2004-2006 years. I'd highly recommend a 05-06. More powerful vvti engine and better geared 5 speed trans. And the 04s just had ugly corner lights lol. My 06 access cab was a quick little truck, very reasonable on fuel and pulled a car hauler with my 85 4runner on the back very well (once I installed timbrens in the back to help the squat). I now drive an 08 5.7 because I crashed my 06. I love it. More powerful. Tows even better. A bit worse on fuel though. I've beaten the hell out of both trucks and never any issues related to that. I love both trucks and if I didn't crash my 06, I'd probably try to drive it till the end of time.

 

Tell that to CCN, video below. He had two in the shop with the same problem at the same time, he had others in the shop prior, and claims to be seeing it all the time now the 5.7L has gotten up in age. I believe in the video he claimed to have 4 more waiting to come in behind those two he walks thru in the video and had just rolled others out. In the video, he explains why it's much more prevalent in the aluminum-blocked 5.7L than the iron block 4.7L, and there's even a thread around here a couple pages long of 5.7L owners who had this exact problem.

It's not super common on the 4.7L, I think I've seen/heard of it all but twice in my years here, lurking, and after signing up? I've seen more than two dozen 5.7L with a blown head gasket in that same timeframe. And FWIW, I hang out on here a LOT. And on the FB groups. When it happens with the 4.7L it's usually because people aren't adhering to Toyota's coolant service schedule seriously OR they're using the wrong coolant for their truck (like, last 4.7L person I saw on here was using "universal" coolant, which is bullshit, there's no such thing as "universal" coolant).

I kindly beg to differ on this one...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfGTI0sWozc​

 

I don't know. If I had $15k right now and need a car, I would get a used EV, 2022. IF one qualifies for $4k EV credit, I believe CA has $1k tax credit as well. Combined, one can get $20k EV for $15k. IF you have means to charge at home. EVs are PLENTY fun to drive.

That said, of course, you are asking here, so you want a Tundra. I say go for southern Gen 1 Tundra. Inspect the frame to make sure it is good.

I would get Gen 1 rather than Gen 2 but it is just me. Seems just simpler and mine has been rock solid - except for brake lines, those hard lines rust out - had to get 2 replaced so far - with no issues in last 18 yrs and shows no sign of quitting any time soon.

 

Is this a bot post or a troll post?
I have not touched my 2005 1gt double cab in over 2 years, i have not actually turned a wrench on it for anything mechanical other than sway bar links since i bought it. Oil changes, and my own "pretty" upgrades like a tool box and backup camera ect. I have not put brakes on it, i have not had to physically work... oh wait..... I did have a hole blow out of my passengers side cat converter when something failed in the muffler and stopped the muffler up. So i have replaced the muffler and Y pipe and cats. Aside from the sway bar links, and muffler, i have done nothing but polishing the paint, putting a different set of tires and wheels on and the backup camera, i have not touched it mechanically otherwise in almost 50,000 miles and going on 4 years of ownership.

 

Well i am now a tundra owner! was lookign for a first gen but the wife wanted towing capacity (for future camping) and doesnt fully understand the nostalgia the first Gen brings. That led us to a 2008 Double cab with 153,000 miles. The paint is really rough but the inside is absolutely mint. Feels like is doesn't even have half the miles it has. It came with brand new tires, bilstein 5100s, air bags for towing and an inch thick folder filled with maintenance records. I got it for $11,000 in California with absolutely zero rust. Im newer to Tundra values and everything but feels like i did really good for my main goal (highest reliability to dollar ratio) and with the extra towing capacity ill be able to keep it for longer. Thank you all for your input and maybe one day ill find myself in a Gen 1 just for a fun truck to cruise around in.

 

That's crazy. Definitely was not aware. Never heard of any issues like that. Sounds like it was mostly due to improper coolant change intervals and/or overheating. That sucks. That being said, I'd still never hesitate to buy one. The overall failure rate is still so low. And the amount of 3ur that are taking boost just fine at 550+hp and upwards of 300k miles with no issues is impressive and reassuring enough for me. Thanks for sharing that video though, I'll definitely be watching that trend more closely now!

 

Stole it. Congrats!

 

Even the most diehard first gen guy would have snapped up that bargain. Enjoy!

 

Are you a troll bro. I have 5 various model 1st gens. They are never well bro. Unless you ignore basic maintenance these things constantly need wrenching on.

Like no joke bro. I keep my Fawking beaters at top notch shape, and fly ain’t never got a project to work on. Yeah you can be like fawk it, and go 100k, but she’ll be fawking roached if you ain’t keeping up on shit.

 

Man I hope the hype is real. I simply don't have enough money to do major repairs or buy another used truck.

So far though, all indications are good that I got a good deal on what will pull my mowing trailer, tractor, etc. for some time to come.

 

Brrrrrooooooooooooooooooo

 

They do not need constant wrenching, they need scheduled maintenance, and occasional age related repairs. They are otherwise very reliable and will survive for many miles and years without needed to be “wrenched on”.

 

Interesting thread with a lot of great info. I'll ad my opinion.
The most important part of any used vehicle is maintenance, even more so if you are looking at a 20 year old. The 4.7 equipped tundras are great but frame rot is the 1st to look for before you buy. The transmission is the 2000-02 weren't the best, in the 03-04 model years Toyota beefed up the tranny and it holds up very well, then a new transmission came into play for the 05 up tundras.
If you buy a good, clean, well maintained truck you should budget an additional $5-6 grand to get a bunch of the forgotten tid bits taken care of (02 sensors, maf, suspension, etc), once complete then you can actually go a long way with very little issues. It will ultimately be cheaper to keep it going for the next 100k miles than most newer vehicles.

 

Yep, if I don't include seat covers, my topper, Yakima rack and new tires, I'd say I spent around $5,000 doing maintenance backlog stuff that maybe didn't absolutely need to be done right away, but I wanted a solid base to start from, so I could hopefully drive it for several years with nothing but oil changes.

But I'll guarantee things will come up. I'm still chasing some cab leaks. My 98 Tacoma had a lot of things start falling apart at around 20 years and 270,000 miles. Door locks, handles, wheel bearing, just a lot of annoying little things that needed to be addressed after so many years. Up till then, it had been nothing but routine maintenance. After that point things slowed down, but it was absolutely nickel & diming me from then on. Never anything major, never broke down, just always needed something.

The reality of owning a 20+ year old vehicle is that there's always be something that needs work. Knabores touched on it. We'd need to define "wrenching". We aren't talking constant breakdowns, mechanical failures etc. Just a steady stream of little things. Door parts. Frayed wires. Corrosion. Starters & alternators. Occasional new oil leaks. All rubber parts breaking down.

 

Splish
Splash
Your opinion is ___________

 

Everyone lubed their tailgate mechanism lately?

 

Wait, is that a diddy joke?

 

Just like everyone that walks into a dealership to buy a new vehicle, they know what they're there for & get what they deserve.

 

“are you here for an appointment?”

“nope, parts”

 

What the fawk did I even write I got white girl wasted at a school fundraiser. Fawking kids lol.

I love how when I drink I decide to log into Tundras.com . I need to rethink my life choices, or why I have so many fawking Toyota’s, or do I

Edit: Or why I use so many fawking smiles or whatever the hell they are called.

 

I will also add, I think if you are looking for a solid reliable vehicle, be that a pickup truck, you would be much better off in a 2nd Gen 4.0 Tacoma than a 1st Gen Tundra.

The 1gr-fe is almost as reliable as the 2UZ, but the Tacomas have much better chassis parts as well as a much better frame.

I personally know a few 400k+ 2gen Tacoma’s and 4th gen 4Runners that are fully stock. That’s hard to get to with 1st gen Tundra’s, Sequoia’s, Tacoma’s and 3rd gen 4Runner’s.

 

Doesn't the 2nd Gen Tundra have a timing chain? If so, that's reason enough for the 2nd Gen to be better.

However, 1st Gen is what I have, it's what I must go forward with.

People still have enough spare money to drink alcohol?

 

I normally do after i break a tailgate handle and have to rip it all apart to install the new Amazon tailgate handle. So that kinda puts me greasing it around every 2.5ish years or so?

 

The 1GR-FE is pretty reliable i will agree, i sold my 2008 taco with 275,000 miles on it, it had the TRD S/C on it for 265,000 of those miles, pulled a trailer almost daily for work, drag raced every weekend almost, new owner put over 100,000 miles on it before their kid put regular unleaded in it and beat on it and blew it up.

I will beg to differ. One easy way of seeing what vehicles will do in the REAL world, not on forums where you only hear about 2% of what happens, is to look on CoPart. Do a search within 500 miles of your area for "toyota" and look at what you see.
You will see 3rd gen 4R with 400k+
You will see 1st gen Tundras with 300k+
You will see 1st gen Sequoias with 400k+
Many of these vehicles have been silently running the roads, not belonging to forum members, clicking off miles daily and get in a mediocre fender bender and get totaled due to mileage. Half of them need a bumper cover and a fender and headlight but the insurance companies basically scrap them due to age and mileage. I have seen quite a few of each of those vehicles listed on CoPart with 500k miles over the years of looking for project vehicles.

 

If you live in the rust belt and daily drive your Tundra, I can guarantee you’ll have something to fix or replace at least once every couple of years. Just the nature of the beast. 1/2 those fixes are from rusted out crap.

Thank you Mass DOT.

 

The truck with team up with the rust to make everything several times more difficult than it needs to be.

 

I think most of my pain has been something to fix/cover up in order to pass yearly inspection.

 

I'm glad I don't have to worry about inspections. I'm sure they make the roads a lot safer in states that require it, but I doubt my truck would pass.

 

A vehicle inspection, done for safety reasons, would have to be done at least once a day, in order to actually ensure a vehicle was "safe."

The yearly inspection, along with registration, and even tag for that matter, are nothing more than taxes.

 

You should see how the smog inspections go down every 2 years on your truck here in CA.
Total JOKE.
Pay around $90.00 to get a certified 'Check Only' station to tell the state, 'Yes, this truck passes smog'.
Then go pay $250 for a (In my case a 2006 DC 2WD), in registration fees to the state for a sticker to allow you drive your truck for another year.

Side Note - While I recently was paying my registration, I was talking with the person at the desk saying, "I can't imagine what these dudes with these fancy new trucks are paying" . . . he replied, "i've seen several who pay over $1K" . . . . (Insert CA Sucks Comment here).