2003 V8 Access Cab with Less than 90k Miles

Hi All,

Working on getting a 1st Gen Tundra and have come across a vehicle described in the title.

I am familiar with the 1st gen Tacoma and 80 series Land Cruiser but not at all with the Tundra. Have a few questions.

Does access cab ALWAYS mean more bed length than crew cab? Or are there varying bed lengths?

I started my search looking for 2005/2006 because I understood multiple improvements happened over the years (brakes being one I believe?). What are the main drawbacks to a 2003 over a 2005 or 6?

These 4.7L V8s are timing belts and interference engines correct? Even though the vehicle hasn't hit 90k yet I'm assuming the original 16 year old timing belt needs to be changed sooner rather than later if I buy it. Is there an inspection access for the belt?

Thanks.

 

You can do some research here on the provided link to every manual available and answer your questions.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-maintenance-guide.315/

 

spacibo bolshoi!

Thanks very much

 

I think the timing belts are a lot of precautionary hype. Also, the dealerships would love to take your money for a pretty routine preventative maintenance procedure. Every timing belt I have ever replaced at, or before 100k miles has looked brand new. I have spoken with some owners that have over 200,000 miles who were completely unaware that the timing belt needed to be replaced... So, you can imagine how many miles were on theirs.

 

I waited for 180k to do my timing belt and pump job, I live in the danger zone. I would definitely change that due to age.

The brake upgrade to 13WL calipers was mid year 03. Some have it and others don't, mine did not. It isn't hard to do the upgrade and costs between 300-600 in parts depending on what you do.

The 05-06 does have about 30 more horsepower. Also has the 5 speed auto which some love and some dislike. As an eleven year owner of an 03 I don't think I can complain a bit about the 4 speed auto.

 

Great info. Thanks.

I found some specs at http://www.new-cars.com/2003/toyota/toyota-tundra-specs.html and according to this the 2003 and 2004 brakes are the same. But if the change happened mid year 2003 it's obvious some would be upgraded and others not. Build date on the one I'm looking at is 10/02 - so likely not. I copied and pasted the 03 and 04 specs into excel side by side to compare but unfortunately that site doesn't have the 05 and 06.

From what I've learned so far I think I could be very happy with a decent 03.

edit: Meant to mention that the only difference I could see between the 03 and 04 is that the swaybar went from .91" to 1.06". But who needs a swaybar anyway?

 

Mine was October 02 build as well. My swaybar is hanging in the garage.

 

I believe all the bed sizes are the same regardless of Access Cab or Double Cab throughout all the years.

Hopefully, your new purchase goes well. I’d shake it down and go ahead and replace the timing belt, water pump, radiator, etc. while in the space under the hood. Factory specs say 90k miles or 9 years on the TB.

 

Check the car fax. I was shocked at how many used Tundras had their mileage turned back. I found a 2006 with 85k miles a couple years ago. The 2005 & 2006 have higher HP ratings & 5 speed instead of 4 speed transmissions but IMO, lower miles is more important. It’s getting tough finding a 1st gen under 150k miles.

 

Access & Double Cab have different bed sizes.

 

Double cabs have a bigger bed. Access cab has the older shallower bed model. Double cab has a bed similar to the 07+ bed depth

 

Obviously, if its a long bed vs. short bed the beds are going to differ in length.

Within reason the years have continuity in each model if one reads the chart. Small change in 05-06. Did not know the beds were deeper in 05-06 which is new info.

 

Not sure if I’ve ever seen an Access Cab ‘Long Bed’ even in a picture. A unicorn?

 

I’ve never seen one.

 

It looks like those numbers above are not correct

 

https://cdn.dealereprocess.net/cdn/brochures/toyota/2006-tundra.pdf

 

No just the double cab had the bigger bed. 04-06

3 inches deeper

 

For first gens there isnt a long bed access cab. Access cabs all have same bed, double cabs have about the same length as access cab but a few inches deeper. Length wise they're a little longer but nothing to sweat about.

 

I found those numbers when I was recently selling a camper shell for a 2006 Double Cab. I think I got it from one of the camper shell web sites.

 

I did pull the carfax. Miles look legit. Even looks evenly spread over the years. Not 80k in the first year and then parked for the last 15. It is at a big dealership - not cheap but maybe worth it. Gonna make me crazy waiting till Tuesday now.

 

From the website I referenced above... 2003 on the left and 2004 on the right. Seems reg cab or access cab the wheelbase is the same so the bed length for access cab is less than reg cab, and no double cab even mentioned. Was there no double cab for 03/04? The specs below also say the bed height is 66". So there's that.

 

From the manual link I posted above. For 2002. Should be same for 2003. Pertains to other dimensions other than bed.

 

Just realized the ‘Off-Road’ Package sits 1/2” higher across the board. Maybe due to the springs?

 

Yes. In gen 1 the trd offroad had a different spring

 

Reg/Access cabs were 00-03 wheelbase is 128.3
Reg/Access/Double Cabs 04-06 wheelbase 128.3 DC 140.5

 

I know a guy who disabled his odometer on his Tundra. Not a move I would do but there are certainly some shady characters out there.

 

Also if you run bigger than OE tires for 10 years you can really under record miles

 

Quite a few had blatant rollbacks where they suddenly lost 100k miles or more according to carfax reporting.

 

Already working on that little value add on my cruiser.

 

I just drive home from work each day in reverse.