Gen 1 vs Gen 2, having trouble deciding

Hi all, new to forum and to Tundras.
Looking for advice on 1st Gen vs 2nd Gen. Anyone own both?

I’ve found a 2010 4.6 double cab (not full crew, I guess that’s the cab name?) with 13x,xxx miles for the same price range (sub $13k) as a couple of 2004 double cabs in similar, very clean condition and slightly lower miles. I am very partial to the double cabs, and also to the gen 1 Tundras in general. Even though the 2010 is a bigger truck, the rear leg room is still slightly smaller on the newer than the older DC, am I correct? Oh and all 3 are 4x4.

Here’s probably the biggest conundrum for me: the 2010 4.6 boasts considerably more power than the older 4.7, better gas mileage (advertised) and a timing chain. But I think there are a few more issues with them, i.e. the cam tower leaks and secondary air injection. The 2004 4.7 has nearly 100 hp less and has a timing belt, but seems to be the most dependable of most Toy motors, with no secondary AI issues and I believe an easier TB change since there’s no VVT-I (?).

My family is physically short (wife and I both are under 5’3” lol) but have a tall son and tall friends. The rear leg room isn’t absolutely necessary, but seems to be sooo much handier when needed. As far as power, I will only be hauling a small 6x10 trailer with carpentry tools for my new business. So I THINK the power difference is really not a concern.

I’m just thinking out loud, wondering if I have all the relevant issues in mind? I want someone to talk me into one of the 2004’s (and the sweet rear window ) but I’m afraid to pass up a good deal on a better truck, if that is indeed the case.

Any thoughts are welcome. TIA

 

@KNABORES

Are you towing daily?

 

Weekly a small trailer, occasionally a 4500# boat. Occasionally a 8000# travel trailer. All with my 2019 now. My 2000 had no problems towing the small trailer, the boat, or a similarly heavy but slightly shorter travel trailer. The big knock on the 2000 was the brakes are not as good as the 2019. My other hesitancy would be a 2004 DC is a bit of a unicorn in the lineup. Doesn’t share all the parts with the 2005-2006 DCs. It’s an in between model.

#Tundraistowingchampion

 

I’m not a mechanic so I can’t tell you what you’ll have to deal with getting into either truck. I had two 1st Gens, three 2nd Gens, and for what it’s worth now a third gen (which I love the most).
The first gen got an upgrade to motor and transmission in 2006 and it was a welcome upgrade to me at the time. The second gen hit it out of the park when it came out. At the time, it took the not so full size truck, into the best full size truck out there. If you had the opportunity to buy both, the second gen is way better in so many ways. Too bad you can’t find a crew max but if you can’t, you’ll probably appreciate the bigger bed and the leg room is fine for most. There are a lot of big differences between what you are looking at

 

I have an 04 DC Limited that I bought from original owner in 2009 for $13k with 113k miles…..203K mikes on clock now. Since it’s been in W Tn it’s whole life, the frame condition is solid. Your son will have no problem being a back seat driver, plenty of room. Hell one could enjoy a 3 some back there

As @KNABORES mentions above, an 04 is an in betweener/unicorn, but I would not let that bother me as far as deal killer. Knowing what I know now from all the folks here is that 04 would still be my choice. If you do choose an 04, EWD’s and FSM for an 04 can be had for the asking if you choose to work on it yourself.

 

Also they are both great trucks and loved them both. I just happen to like the second gen more and it handled my lifestyle so much better

 

no youre not. You know the 1gt is the best 7/8 scale truck and the 2nd gen is just another silverado. A t100 with a 1uz would be knuckles, too.

 

If the prices are around the same, I'd go with the 2nd gen (I know I'll get kicked off the island for this). The 1st gen is smaller, and more nimble so more of an off roader, the 2nd gen has so much more power and better (more) gearing. If the 2nd gen was going to have cam tower leaks, it most likely would have shown up by now and the secondary air is a piece of cake to bypass and you're done.

 

Calling it now, 4 pages, 2 bans, 1 fight IRL

 

Uh oh. Did I just perpetuate a culture war?

Thanks for all the quick replies! Nice things to consider.

So to add and answer some things… yes, towing daily. 6x10 empty is in the range of 1,300 lbs. GVWR is around 2,900. I may occasionally overload it with drywall, but that will definitely be a rarity. And I will still be careful that even at that point, it won’t be obscenely overloaded. I’m pretty big on safety, especially when I’m taking other people’s lives into my hands.

And a little more info. The one 2004 is a cream puff. One owner, less than 90k miles, clean CARFAX with the mileage documented throughout its life. However, there’s no record of the timing belt being done. But I believe that’s around $200 if I do it myself? I’m pretty handy with a wrench, rebuild all my 2 stroke dirt bike motors and even did the timing belt on my 3.5l V6 Odyssey van, FWD. Yes, it was a nightmare. But I did it. I am currently awaiting what the salesman said is the brake master cylinder. But they can’t find one aftermarket, as it is an electrical item and is $1200 from Toyota, who no longer carries them. Imo that sounds more like an ABS module and not a MC. So we’ll see I guess.

I think the 2nd Gen is a prettier truck, but I’m much more drawn to the looks of the 1st Gen. Can’t explain why, I just love them. And the cab size is really a big deal to me. Having the full rear seat just opens up so much more for when taking passengers. The bigger truck just doesn’t have nearly as much legroom. I agree with @Alex261 about the crew max. But THAT is a unicorn to find used. Not very easy.

Thanks for the help so far. My heart is definitely still leaning towards either 2004. I was just hoping I wouldn’t be kicking myself in 6 months. But the more I think about it, the more the cab size matters. And 44k less miles definitely adds to that.

Still open to more input, though. Just don’t start yelling at each other with the caps lock

 

I also tilted toward the First Gen being attracted to the relatively smaller size but with the towing capacity of a full size truck; they’re essentially the size of current-gen Tacomas. Then reading about reliability and the near-religious devotion of the 1GT folks, that was it for me. It’s not our primary kid-hauler (I have an Access Cab five-seater) but it can hold *most* of my family; I’d definitely get a DC with a bench if it were a daily kid-hauler based on my family size.

 

Yeah, I agree. The funny thing, though, is my perspective. My current work truck is a 2015 Nissan Frontier extended cab. As I mentioned, I’m a little guy. And I feel cramped in that thing. Test driving a 2006 DC last week, it felt like a monster lol. Then, I’ve been driving my boss’ 2013 Rock Warrior for about 1,000 miles this past week and hauling a 16’ trailer. That’s a whole ‘nuther beast. The gen 1 is definitely bigger than that mid sized Nissan. I honestly hate that thing lol

 

Assuming it's not been done, Maintenance schedule calls for 90,000 Miles or 108 Months....you're there

 

Yeah, I know. I’m just taking that into consideration when comparing to the 4.6 with a chain. But it’s still not enough to push me away from the ‘04. It’s honestly the only drawback of the whole truck (well, the gold color too. But black rims would help that a lot. It looks like a grandpa truck ATM)

 

How much more horse power is the 4.6 vs 4.7? Someone said 100hp on the first page and I just can't see that even being possible. I think they were referring to the 5.7, but OP said 4.6

 

The 4.6L on a 2nd gen is lethargic compared to the 4.7L 1st gen ( in the lower rpms). All the power is in the upper RPMs or it feels like it. I doubt you’ll get better mileage with the 2nd gen since the numbers tend to be higher than actual.

That’s my two cents from having driven both.

 

I would get the gen that you like the size of.

 

Advertised hp of the 2004 (pre-VVT-I) is 240 hp. The 4.6 is 330 hp. The 5.7 I believe is in the 380 hp range. I know torque is the real measurement of pulling power, I just can’t remember those specs off the top of my head.

 

The 2004’s the OP is looking at are pre-VVti 2UZ’s which made 245hp. The 2010 4.6 1UR made 310hp. So it’s 65hp difference, not really 100. Later 2UZ’s with VVti (2005-2006) made 271hp. So only 39hp more than those. 2nd Gen is a significantly bigger truck though.

 

1st Gen




2nd Gen

 

I’m sorry, I just checked. The hp of the 4.6 is 310. So I overestimated. But the torque of both are surprisingly close.

 

Saw this chart on THE authoritative source for all things automotive. Bible.

 

The 2nd gen MIGHT feel more peppy if you got the larger 4.10 rear end over the 3.73. I would’ve liked to have driven that but never got the chance.

The trade off is maybe 1mpg highway but I’d gladly accept that over something that isn’t peppy.

 

I think that rating on the 4.7 is for the 2005-2006 VVT-I. I think the variable timing added close to 40hp above the previous year. Pretty sure the 2004 is rated around 240 hp.

 

Pre-VVTi is listed as either 240 or 245hp. Not sure what the discrepancy is.

 

I held off forever getting a newer Tundra due to the massive size of them. The 2000 AC just felt so “right sized” for a truck. Bigger than the mid size trucks, not quite as bulky as the full sizes. Good v8 power, Toyota Reliability. I only got a newer truck to pull a bigger camper. If not for the camper I would still be smiling in my FGT. I love that truck so much (irrational for an inanimate object) that I kept it and have plans to one day restore it to its former glory. If I sold my camper tomorrow I would list my 2019 shortly after. Mostly because I don’t like having a truck note, an again because I really don’t need two trucks. If one had to go, it would be the 2019.

 

I think he doesn’t want 13 mpg, so he’s looking at the 4.6L otherwise for the power, it’d a no brainer.

 

I get 15.8mpg mixed with my 5.7 2019 CM TRDOR. Oddly, I get 15.8 mixed with my 2000 AC TRDOR. Towing is very similar gas mileage between the two as well.