Buying a 2008 Tundra with 230k miles

I am looking at buying a 2008 Toyota Tundra 5.7 4x4 with 230k miles. For $15k. I am upgrading from the first gen. What are some things I should look out for besides rust and how much more life can I expect to get out of it?

 

how long it will last depends on how those first 230k miles went. If maintained and cared for, there are Tundras with 5.7 that have gone a million+ miles. Several here on this site are in the 250k-500k range.

Check for cam tower leaks. Run the vin on toyota site to check for any recalls or such which may or may not have been performed. Pull a carfax on it, see it if has been in accidents. Check the secondary air pump -if it has been blocked off or replaced already or original.

And the usual used vehicle checks- rust, check suspension and bushings, steering rack works and is tight, look for any leaks or weeping from engine, cooling, trans, shocks, xfer case and rear, check belts, that it runs and shifts smooth. Pull the cabin air filter and see how it looks- that may tell you a lot about how the truck was maintained. If it has a drop in bedliner, look under the truck at the bed for rust, holes, etc. You have a 1st gen, so you know the usual suspects.

 

appreciate the reply, thank you.

 

As a non- mechanic or barely even mechanically inclined, I suggest a test drive. Always. I do it with boats. But test drive where you can get out on a highway. Get on the on-ramp and pin it. That single action will tell you a lot about how the vehicle was maintained. Then quick stop it (not on the interstate). Any burps or noises or jerks wobbles etc will usually show up with that easy "test".

 

the million mile tundra had the 4.7

 

Aah there were a few 5.7's that went a million too Btw. Check YouTube on that. Both are equally reliable.

To the OP @jggeere. In the last 2+ years I bought 4 Toyota trucks. All over 250k+ miles (387k, 289k, 317k, 275k). Sold 2 kept 2. What you also need to see is how the truck had been used. If the truck was a hauling truck then I would say look for those type of issue like transmission slipping / problems.

If the truck was a family hauler then the only thing you need to look for is good maintenance records. Cause a lightly used Toyota truck will go on forever with good maintenance.

Btw I keep the now 401k Toyota T100. And the 280k Tundra 5.7. Both are running great. And with maintenance will run for tests without issues.

 

From 230k to 250k I had several things go wrong. See my thread https://www.tundras.com/threads/250k-what-breaks-next-2007-trd.97132/

FWIW, I'm keeping it for the time being and doing some basic maintenance - serpentine belt and pulleys, radiator and heater hose changes, spark plugs, tranny fluids. It's wired with solar panels, aux battery and ARB fridge, set up for my field work. I keep asking it to get me through one more field season, he's been obliging so far.

 

Book value on that truck is around $10k. With that kind of mileage, and for what they’re asking? I’d keep looking.