Under $25k and 150k miles - 4.7 or 5.7?

Hi,

In the market nation wide for something under $25k and 150k miles. I’d rather spend around $15k so I can add a pop-up camper shell right away. This would be my DD and recreational rig here in Colorado. The YouTube gurus are telling me the 4.7L is the one to get, so 2007-9. Trying to find a regular cab or double cab with short bed 4x4.

Having trouble finding a 4.7L that hasn’t lived in the salt - seeing some in Iowa and Indiana but there is a super clean 2011 5.7L with no rust in the south.

Do I really need to prioritize the 4.7L? I’d keep this at least 5-10 years and drive a good 10-12k/year.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum . There’s nothing wrong with the 5.7 .

 

At altitude - I’d definitely recommend the 5.7 over 4.7.

 

It seems you are considering not simply displacement but also engine platform/technology? So UZ vs UR?

Either is fantastic and reliable, and in that case the 4.6 is also good as it's basically a smaller 5.7 and would open up a few more years of 2nd gen truck for you. Power wise 4.6 and 4.7 are similar, but technology wise the 4.6 and 5.7 are the same.

Can't go wrong with any from a reliability standpoint, but the smaller V8s generally keep the price down a little where I live.

Oh, and the 4.7 has a timing belt job that a shop would charge you 1500-2000 for incl water pump, tensioner etc. so factor that into the equation of you buy one near the service interval. No such belt on the UR engines.

 

I have a 4.7 in an 06, which I assume is slightly lighter with a smaller frontal area. It is adequate. If I was shopping for a 2nd gen, I would be shopping for a 5.7.

 

Yes, consideration is on platform.

As I’m at altitude, maybe the 5.7 UR is the way to go. More vehicles to choose from for sure.

 

Altitude + pop up = 5.7

 

+1 for the 5.7

2nd gen is fairly hefty, and the power is very welcome at Colorado elevations.

The truck definitely has to work pulling our 6500+lb travel trailer over the mountain passes. The 5.7 4x4s command a higher price in CO (and probably everywhere), but there is a reason for that. Should open up a ton of options for your search tho.

 

5.7 all day everyday.

 

My 4.7 did everything I asked it to do for the 6 years I owned it, including towing my 5,500 lb. trailer, but the 5.7 does it much much better.

 

I don't think you can go wrong with the 5.7.

 

I’d go with a UR just to avoid timing belts. Like stated, that one feature alone is going to add $2-4K over your projected ownership horizon. You might be able to offset that with a 4.6L to avoid the 5.7L price hikes.

That said, there’s no replacement for displacement.

 

I love the 5.7 in my 2007, but also as an owner of 2 vehicles with the 4.7 (GX470), that 4.7 is amazingly smooth, and many say is the most reliable V8 Toyota has ever made. IMO easier to work on as well compared to the 5.7.
I take the unpopular opinion that I actually like the timing belt. As a guy that likes preventative maintenance, this forces one to get a new water pump, timing tensioner and pulleys on a prescribed schedule. Perhaps the intensive maintenance schedule is part of why it lasts so long? That being said, I’m not sure if the 4.7 would feel underpowered in the big Tundra.

 

Went from 02 uz to 07 uz. Have 35s and 4.88 on the 07. It is less peppy. I don’t tow anything but a 14ft alumicraft boat; bump stops maxed out with firewood hauls; bed full of camping gear and kayaks. Don’t have a need for the 5.7 and am happy with the UZ and its bulletproof reliability. Have some gnarly hills but nothing at altitude like out west.

 

I've had both, the 4.7L in an '07, the 5.7L in a '20. I think that early 4.7 is the smoothest of all, the 5.7 runs out with less labor. With the newer 6s auto the mileage is as good or maybe slightly better with the 5.7.

If you're wanting the popup camper and associated gear I'd lean 5.7.

 

There is a high mileage rock warrior with a go fast and nauseating seat covers in Salida on the Denver craigslist.

 

Exactly!!!

 

sometimes I pine for the 5.7 but i can't miss what i've never known. my '07 2UZ-FE does everything I need it to with 275K on the odo. I take solace in the fact that two identically spec'd 2007 SR5 double cabs with the 4.7 have made it to 1M miles. I live in southern calif. at sea level, though.

my buddy just scored a super clean '08 4X4 CM 5.7 with a shell, bedrug, roof racks, and 110K miles for $24K

 

Thanks everyone! I settled on the 5.7. Hopefully I’ll pick up a 2011 RCSB 4x4 with 120k in a little over a week!

 

Those are kinda rare, don't see em much. Cool truck, you will have to share pics when the time comes! Good luck with purchase.

 

I had a 2000 Tundra with the 4.7 and pushed it beyond anything Toyota designed it for. I pulled an enclosed 10,000 26' race car trailer weekly in the summer that included a pretty steep hill on an interstate. Loaded I bet it was well over 8000lbs. To hold 60 going up that hill meant pulling the foot through the floor but it did it. She's rev up to almost 4000 rpm and chuck right along. It wasn't just the weight, it was the flat front of the trailer. It was like a giant wind brake.

I sold that truck when the cab started to rust. I wasn't using it much in the winter and let snow pile up on the sides which blocked airflow under the truck. As the snow started to melt the underside was in near 100% humidity. The truck had almost 200k on it and ran great. Didn't burn a drop of oil and sounded like the day it was new. I did replace the timing belt twice. If you're handy you can do it yourself for a few hundred and an afternoon. If I remember the hard part was getting the bolt on the pulley free. Not bad for 18 years of use. I still see it on the road today.

I have an '07 with a 5.7 now. I don't have the race car anymore but i do occasionally pull my tractor. The 5.7 clearly has tons more power (which is why I got it). I think finding the 5.7 was harder when I was looking. Plenty of the smaller engines around. I used Carfax to find a true southern one. Carfax will tell you where it's been registered and work has been done to it. It's easy to see where any vehicle has spent it's life.

Just remember, being a southern truck doesn't mean it's free from problems. If your plan is to hop on a plane or bus, fly down, and drive it back I would try to find someone close who can inspect it first. Maybe even a guy at a local garage you could pay. I found one that looked good but the coolant looked like pink milkshake. That's a sign that the intercooler had failed and radiator fluid and trans fluid had mixed.

 

I was pulling my 30' with a 5.4L F250, and it struggled mightily up the western MD hills. Hoping the 5.7 2010 I just bought does better.

 

Could this be the payload unicorn? Or close to it since it's 4x4.

 

In 4th gear in tow haul you will have a grin on your face climbing those hills

 

i've always had such a soft spot but also a hard-on for regular cab toyotas. saw a pretty sweet one in south OC a few months ago; dark gray, mellow king lift, black wheels, not-35s, and a GFC camper. sweet little rig

 

Drove it from California to Colorado last two days. It’s a beauty!

 

Indeed it is! Well done!

 

Curious to see your door sticker showing payload.

 

Awesome truck Farmer!!!! Thanks for sharing. Congrats.

 

Hell yeah!