Looking at used Tundras. Thoughts, opinions?

[Shuksan]

Not wanting to derail @RayRay27 's thread I thought I would start another one. I also looked at tacomas and I just think the prices are ridiculous. Tundras seem less over the top and available.

I have been wanting a pickup ever since I sold my little 200X 2WD colorado. It was actually a pretty awesome little truck, but was a no go once the first kid arrived. That was actually what I sold when I bought my 100 series. Not planning to sell the 100 anytime soon, but I miss having a truck for doing truck things. Also a modern crew cab truck would become the family road trip vehicle and could handle a future travel trailer (if the wife gets her way).

So far I am pretty heavily leaning towards crew cab. I don't mind the short bed as I don't plan to sleep in the back. I think a few folks mentioned having tundras (@rover67). So I am open to advice, things to look for in used ones etc. I would love a newerish one, but looking for something in the $25K MAX range and would certainly prefer something around $15-18K. This seem to be ~100K miles vs ~150K miles respectively. Worth it to go lower miles? What are major service marks? Water pump around 100K right? Avoid the flex fuel options (3UR-FE vs FBE)?

 

[White Stripe]

Really the only issue with the 3ur is leaking cam towers. Usually it just seeps. But sometimes they leak bad. Also higher mile 3ur motors can develop piston slap but they can run a long time with piston slap.

 

[Shuksan]

Really the only issue with the 3ur is leaking cam towers. Usually it just seeps. But sometimes they leak bad. Also higher mile 3ur motors can develop piston slap but they can run a long time with piston slap.

How common is the piston slap? Higher miles is a variable term for toyotas/tundras. >100K >200K?

 

[White Stripe]

Ive heard them do it around 200k if they do it. Only some of them do it. Maybe 1 out of 10 do it.

How common is the piston slap? Higher miles is a variable term for toyotas/tundras. >100K >200K?

 

[mcgaskins]

The 3UR is very reliable and robust with great power, but the mpgs are poor and some potential issues are cam tower leaks, valley plate leaks, and timing chain tensioner especially on the driver side. Every 3UR needs a water pump by 100k it seems, and if the starter is the same design as on the 200 it seems to go around 150k which of course is more related to cycles rather than miles. Same with the radiator - if it's the same as the 200 unit, they all fail around the stamping on the top of the unit around 100k or sooner.

I've had 5 3URs and all with over 100k needed a water pump and radiator, but I haven't had any leaks personally. I had one with a very loud timing chain tensioner I had fixed at the dealership using an aftermarket warranty, but it still ended up being very expensive due to a disagreement of what "needed" to be replaced - long story. The good news most issues will either already be resolved or readily apparent over 100k miles, but definitely look for the warning signs and maintenance records.

 

[Shuksan]

The 3UR is very reliable and robust with great power, but the mpgs are poor and some potential issues are cam tower leaks, valley plate leaks, and timing chain tensioner especially on the driver side. Every 3UR needs a water pump by 100k it seems, and if the starter is the same design as on the 200 it seems to go around 150k which of course is more related to cycles rather than miles. Same with the radiator - if it's the same as the 200 unit, they all fail around the stamping on the top of the unit around 100k or sooner.

I've had 5 3URs and all with over 100k needed a water pump and radiator, but I haven't had any leaks personally. I had one with a very loud timing chain tensioner I had fixed at the dealership using an aftermarket warranty, but it still ended up being very expensive due to a disagreement of what "needed" to be replaced - long story. The good news most issues will either already be resolved or readily apparent over 100k miles, but definitely look for the warning signs and maintenance records.

This is great info, thanks.

One reason I bought an older vehicle (2000 100 series), was because I wanted to learn to do most maintenance myself. And I have learned allot. Can anyone comment on the challenges of working on a 200 series/Tundra vs something a decade simpler (100 series/4th gen 4runners/tacomas)?

 

[KC Masterpiece]

The 1st gen tundra with the V8 is also an option. My company has one as a work truck and its fantastic. Same engine as your 100 so that should simplify maintenance if you are already familiar.

 

[MDH33]

Another vote for 1st generation Tundra. Proven high mile engine. Ours has needed nothing other than timing belt, waterpump, serpentine at suggested intervals.

 

[Shuksan]

The 1st gen tundra with the V8 is also an option. My company has one as a work truck and its fantastic. Same engine as your 100 so that should simplify maintenance if you are already familiar.

Another vote for 1st generation Tundra. Proven high mile engine. Ours has needed nothing other than timing belt, waterpump, serpentine at suggested intervals.

I do like 1st gen tundras and certainly drivetrain similarity to the 100 series would be nice from a maintenance perspective, but I am drawn to the 2nd gen for a couple reasons:
1) Space - The crew cab cab is huge. On road trips Katie will sometimes sit in the back with the kids, so having extra room is attractive.
2) 5.7L V8 - If we end up wanting to tow something more in the future or get a slide in camper (I know crew cab is bad for this) I want the extra payload/towing capacity.

Its also not easy to find a 1st gen (2005-2006), quad cab, lowerish miles, good condition for a good price.

 

[mcgaskins]

As much as I like the 1st gen Tundra, a nice one usually costs more than a similar condition/miles 2nd gen (similar to how a clean 50k mile 1st gen Tacoma would sell for more than a similar 2nd gen Tacoma). The difference in powertrain between the two is truly incredible, so that to me suggest the better deal is the newer one. I generally prefer newer vehicles in general though because of more modern features and safety equipment (not intrusive even in a 200 with airbags everywhere and big A pillars) in addition to the improved performance. Modern vehicles are usually better off road too due to better traction control systems, unless the older vehicle offers a locking diff of course which I always prefer. I think unless there is a sentimental draw to the 1st gen (I'd love a green one with tan cloth actually), go for the newest/lowest mile one that seems like a good deal.

 

[BlueSteel]

Crew max 5.7L would be my choice. The bed situation stinks on those since low number of long beds were made. Other than that, awesome truck for the money

 

[rover67]

Matt has more experience with the platform but I feel like the 5.7 reliability is pretty there. Sure there’s the cam tower leak.

as far as 4.7 vs 5.7 I’m in freakin love with the 5.7. She takes it as hard as I’ll giver and sounds great doin it. Feels real quick too.
The 4.7 sounded awesome but left the right foot a little lacking.

First and second gen tundras rev nice tho.

sure, we get 12-13 mpg with or without camper and with i-70 flogging.

crewmax vs double.... if you don’t need the bed the crewmax is friggin huuuuge. Go sit in one. Have a party. It’s that big. I’d love one but we wanted the bed. The double cab fits my wife and me, two dogs 80 &12 lbs and 3.5yo front facing daughter. We can cram a few camp chairs and maybe a bike pump around the dog bed but that’s about it. The rest goes in the back. Mila sits behind the pass seat and the passenger needs to sckooch up a bit to make space but it’s not bad for us sub 5’ 10” humans.

 

[Shuksan]

Matt has more experience with the platform but I feel like the 5.7 reliability is pretty there. Sure there’s the cam tower leak.

as far as 4.7 vs 5.7 I’m in freakin love with the 5.7. She takes it as hard as I’ll giver and sounds great doin it. Feels real quick too.
The 4.7 sounded awesome but left the right foot a little lacking.

First and second gen tundras rev nice tho.

sure, we get 12-13 mpg with or without camper and with i-70 flogging.

crewmax vs double.... if you don’t need the bed the crewmax is friggin huuuuge. Go sit in one. Have a party. It’s that big. I’d love one but we wanted the bed. The double cab fits my wife and me, two dogs 80 &12 lbs and 3.5yo front facing daughter. We can cram a few camp chairs and maybe a bike pump around the dog bed but that’s about it. The rest goes in the back. Mila sits behind the pass seat and the passenger needs to sckooch up a bit to make space but it’s not bad for us sub 5’ 10” humans.

You got any pictures of your daughters car seat in the back? I am gonna try and find some time to go test drive a crew cab and double cab soon.

 

[rover67]

I'll snap a photo this weekend we'll be loaded up to go camping with all of the things.. You are also welcome to come check it out in person so you don't have to poke around on a dealer lot or a used car at a random persons house.

 

[Shuksan]

So I drove a 2018 F150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost, its FAST when you push the pedal down and if you drive lightly you can get ~20/21 MPG. Supposedly they have gotten better with the latest iteration (2018) along with a 10 speed, but I just don't know that I could trust buying a used one with 100K miles. Meanwhile on a Tundra that feels like a nicely broken in rig.

 

[cbmontgo]

I've got a 2017 Crewmax Limited 5.7 and absolutely love it.

 

[satchel]

So I drove a 2018 F150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost, its FAST when you push the pedal down and if you drive lightly you can get ~20/21 MPG. Supposedly they have gotten better with the latest iteration (2018) along with a 10 speed, but I just don't know that I could trust buying a used one with 100K miles. Meanwhile on a Tundra that feels like a nicely broken in rig.

Having just torn into a 100k mile 3.5 ecoboost to repair "common issues" I would suggest passing on those motors personally. Unless you aren't the one working on it anyway. Every single bolt fought me and took probably 10x longer to tear down that anything else I've worked on. It definitely was not a mechanically friendly engine for me. They are quick though.

 

[On the RX]

I would get the v8 over the ecoboost. The 5.0 has the power you need when loaded up and the mpgs aren't too different.

 

[AlpineAccess]

My 2015 Ecoboost was in the shop for over 40 days in a row when it had an auxiliary transmission pump failure - pumps fluid when the auto-stop/start thing kicked in and the trans was hot. Bolt broke off in the transmission case when they tried to remove it and they ended up having to replace the entire case. They did give me a sweet rental, but I had to live with the knowledge that my transmission was rebuilt on a truck with under 40k miles. The Ford dealership experience at Longmont Ford was honestly pretty great at that time, they were really working for me as an owner with Ford corporate. Loaner was a really nice, new Explorer and they didn't bat an eye at getting me into an F150 for a few days when I told them I needed to tow my boat a longer distance on a trip. Coffee was good at the dealership and they have a business center you can use. I was there more often than I wanted so it was a good thing.

Every experience I've had with Toyota service on vehicles that were still under warranty felt like a variation of a kick in the nuts or having a tooth pulled. I still vastly prefer owning a Toyota when I'm not under warranty and I can do all of my own work. Just food for thought.

 

[Shuksan]

I would get the v8 over the ecoboost. The 5.0 has the power you need when loaded up and the mpgs aren't too different.

Any thoughts on 6 vs 10 speed transmission?