2013 or 2014 tundra used

Good moring,

My name is Josh and I am in the market for a Tundra and currently drive a 2013 4runner that i have put some work into. I have three kiddos so the back seat of my 4runner is a bit snug now and I am in need of a truck for more passanger volume for family adventures and camping trips.

I am in the market for a used Tundra under $30K and I am a Toyota self proclaimed nerd so i know a good amount about the Tundras from all of the obsessive research i have been doing lol.

I really want a 2014+ due to the new front end, flip up back seats, updated dash, etc..and understand that in my price range ill be looking at 100K miles or more which I am ok with. My 4runner I bought with 116K on it and it has 127K now and runs like a champ.

But I have seen some 2008-2013 Tundras Crew Max for some really good deals. One of my other big things that I want and I am asking if it is a need, is the 38 Gallon tank which I know is 2016 and up. Is it worth finding a 2016 Tundra just for the bigger tank or is the normal 26 gallon just fine for a much cheaper price used?
I am looking at this one that is local to me, high miles but dam clean! I do not commute for work anymore, i work from home and fly when i travel for work so I only drive to the airport and back really.

Is it worth going cheaper, having a paid for vehicle (once I sell my 4runner) but maybe not getting the body style my heart wants? I know there are a ton of high mileage posts out there so i am not turning this into one. Thoughts on this truck and others like it vs 2014+ models.

Any other insight on 2nd vs 2.5 gen would be great. I am not looking for a instagram truck to build, I need reliability and do my own vehicle work like i did on my 4runner. So suspension install, roof rack, lights, mods, etc...is no issue at all.

Thank you.

- Josh

 

Is the 2.5 gen worth the extra $$? Really hard to say and you may get various opinions. The 5.7 & 4.6 engines as well as the frame/chassis are identical. The resale will most likely be better for 2.5 gen but paid for up front as well.

My .02, if you find a 2nd gen that suits your needs at a nice price it would be a great option.

Our 07 with 150kish miles looks and drives like it has 50-75k ish miles. An upgraded head unit with Bluetooth, nav,, Car play, and backup camera brings most everything up to date. The second gen also has more storage compartments from what I understand.

Good luck!

And Welcome to the forum!

 

JR,

thanks man for the reply and input. Stoked to be on this forum and dig into more info from you all.

 

Partial but another vote for 2nd gen. Here's my 08, I've done a few mods to help bring it up to date to make it feel and look like a newer model.
-18+ Sequoia TRD Pro Grill
-18+ Sequoia TRD Pro Headlights

-LED Taillights

-QLED Headunit w/ Carplay

-Front/Rear Recording Rear View Mirror

 

2nd Gen has aftermarket/OEM (sequoia) parts to upgrade/mod to your liking. Better headlights, Bluetooth/nav, creature comforts etc.
if you can turn a wrench then you can swap in a 38gal tank to the 2nd Gen or a 45 (46?)gal transfer flow tank.

so I guess it comes down to if you want to save a little money and can do some stuff yourself get a 2nd gen. If you’re not comfortable doing that kind of thing on your own, expect to spend a little more and look at a 16+ (as the larger fuel tank is absolutely worth it).

 

That is a very nice looking 2nd gen you have built. This is good info for me so I appreciate it.

For sure, I am very comfortable wrenching on my vehicles and prefer to do so. This just helps me in my research. I certainly will not turn my nose up to one or the other and will just focus on my price and how well taken care of the truck is.

 

If I were trying to decide between a ‘13 and a ‘14, I would probably go with the ‘13 just because those guys can drop in a Sequoia transfer case and enjoy 4Hi or 4Lo on pavement with an unlocked center diff. If that were possible on the 2014-2021 trucks, I’d buy parts today. I only mention it as you said you do all your own maintenance and mods like me. If it’s a mod you would have any interest in doing, gotta stay with pre-2014.

You can always swap in the larger fuel tank later on an older truck if a ‘16+ puts you over budget.

 

hmm interesting, I don’t know about that transfer case mod on the pre 2014 tundras, this is great information thank you! Yeah the more I’m reading about the fuel tank the more I see people just dropped them in themselves for about $1,200 ish.

 

I’ve had a 2010 and a 2017. The guts that matter are as you know mostly the same. My favorite advantages of my 17 over my 10 are I prefer the sharper body lines and slightly modernized interior of the 10 (subjective) as well as the factory 38 gallon tank. The 17 also has a factory backup camera but that may be an option on some 07-13 trims? My 10 didn’t have it but I was able to get an aftermarket one installed. It was a must have for hooking up trailers solo. Some aftermarket cosmetic parts like bumpers and such may have a broader selection available for 14+.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Thank you! The points you made on the 2014+ are most of the reasons I lean that way.