New First Gen Stepside

Hi!

I am an excited first time Tundra owner - I just purchased a 2003 Limited 4WD Stepside Tundra with ~125K miles on it, to be my work & camp truck. Stepside is...growing on me. Previous owner took great shape of it, made a few mistakes (Brakes) but overall in wonderful condition. I got it a few weeks ago and have done the following things: (I also attached a few photos, including my backup camera install, which I am a bit proud of)

• Adjusted and flushed breaks
• New tires
• New rack and pinion
• transmission & Transfer Case oil
• New Stereo (Previous owner had put a poorly installed unit in)
• New Backup camera
• Replaced A/C Blower Fan
• Roll up topper to keep camping equipment mostly dry

Currently struggling with:

• Extracting broken Antenna base out of lower assembly (gosh, I don't want to replace the lower assembly) First attempt with a backwards thread bit and extractor were unsuccessful.
• Creating T-slot Racks over the back to mount bikes and equipment to
• whether or not to get running boards - its higher than any other car ive had! but I would rather not.
• Whether or not to keep the front guard - it dramatically decreases the approach angle for back country camping.
• Creating a dedicated, protected tool area, without doing a full size tool box up front.
• What to name it.

Would love to hear from other 1st gen owners what other maintenance items specific to these I should be looking into. I hear there are grease points under the truck - I have not investigated this yet, but its on my list.

I have gotten a lot of useful help from this forum already, so thanks for that, and in advance for the more to come! Happy to be a part of the community.

 

Welcome and greetings from Minnesota. As we say up here “that’s an interesting truck”. Given enough time it may grow on me too! Enjoy your new ride, I’m sure it’s rare. I’ve never seen one in person.

 

Nice score. Very nice! Welcome from Colorado.

 

Welcome from NY.
Nice looking 1st gen.

 

I can help here. "My truck"

Welcome from SoCal

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome!
Timing belt age and/or mileage should be your biggest maintenance concern. Lower ball joints and frame rust are the only other 2.
Love to know more about the brake mistakes by the PO.

 

Welcome from Ohio