How rare is a 2000 Single Cab 4wd V8 Tundra?

Just curious on how rare this make and model is. In a more general sense how rare are first gen single cab v8s? A buddy of mine has one with 100k on the clock and the frame replacement that got done, it has a rotted out bed though and we are considering whether or not it's worth building a flatbed for. I can't really seem to find any on the market and the only ones I do see (which has been like 2 or 3 total) are around 10-20k with higher mileage than his. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We've never built a flatbed before but are both mechanically inclined and want to build one either with a metal frame and wood deck or all wooden as to not tank gas mileage.
Thanks,
-AJR

 

Not super rare.

I feel like you don’t see them for sale often because people smart enough to have one don’t think the resale value exceeds the usefulness, and I see a lot of laborers with them as well.

But I’ve also seen a lot of idiots on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace who seem to think they’re worth a sack of diamonds. Meh. Yes, there are a number of them in V6 flavor. V8 is possibly less common in the RCLB? But not enough that I’ve ever sat down and thought about it.

How much do you know about these trucks and their problems? Have you read our community thread discussing the shit that goes wrong with them?

 

PS - hell yeah! Flatbed that thang!

 

Im jelly

 

I would google it. I worked at a landfill and next to clapped out 150's they were in and out of there all the time. Per some random AI site. Out of 100,500 ( close#) tundras sold in 2000 ..19k were of that variation. Most of pie chart were loaded ac and v6 4x4 autos. Could be wrong. I love mine.

 

When I was shopping, I'd say I looked at (online, marketplace, not in person) 1 RCLB 4wd for every 20 ACs I saw. I think I saw 2 for sale within striking distance of me. One was over 300,000 miles and I wasn't willing to buy with such high mileage. The other was in very good shape, body-wise, interior, and almost exactly 200,000 miles which was exactly what I was looking for. It was at a used car dealership and the guy I talked to was honest that the frame was rusty. Me: rusty, or rotten? Him: yeah, it's got some rot.

It was about 3.5 hours away and not worth the drive to check out after hearing that, unfortunately. Utility-wise, my AC is perfect for me. Style-wise, I really, really wanted a RCLB.

 

Def less sold and for good reason. You need to spend more money on good toolbox to keep stuff dry. Not to mention suitcases etc. Rc are sweet for 2nd vehicle though. Ive driven a crew cab back to back and imo they "feel" a good bit heavier and evething that comes with that. Hell , I love all Tundras though. Looks subjective. Sometimes I like old access cabs best other times 05-06 crew cabs.

 

I had a flatbed once, I so wish I still had it. So freaking useful.

 

I had a 2000 SR5 RCLB with V8 and 4x4. Drove it 172K miles and sold it. Great truck, but mine had the brake proportioning issue.
When designing a flatbed remember this; the objective is to get the deck reasonably low. It will be a lot easier to load and unload and will have a lower center of gravity going down the road loaded.