Calling all Toyota Bois

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti) 01/17/2020 at 13:07 • Filed to: None

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Never owned a Toyota, and am looking for anything specific to look for. It’s a 2001 Tundra, SR5 with 4wd and an automatic transmission. Timing belt was changed recently, and the truck looks clean. Asking price is in the middle of its KBB value, but seems in line with my market. Also, if anyone can help me out with a Carfax, it would be much appreciated. VIN: 5TBBT441XS154703

Toyota for your time:

HammerheadFistpunch > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 13:32

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Looks nice.  Those wheels are tragic though.

OPPOsaurus WRX > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 13:34

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my neighbor just sold his Tundra due to extreme case of vehicular cancer - rust. I think the whole rear dif / axle was going to nee d to be replaced. i’d do an in-depth rust search.

Cash Rewards > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 13:34

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Frame rust. Were those years eligible for frame replacement?

someassemblyrequired > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 13:35

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Check for frame rust.  But I think the ‘01s have a buyback - double check.

HammerheadFistpunch > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 13:36

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Its the pre-vvti engine which is generally considered a good thing minus the power bump as it means you don’t have the air injection system which can be a problem.  sadly its using the A340 trans.  Its tough as nails, but otherwise annoying.  short 1st, then a big jump to 2nd, with 3 being 1:1 and 4th being only a mild overdrive.  You wont get great mileage, but with that engine it should chug along no problems.

benn454 > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 13:44

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Nice technical you got there

 It'd be a real shame if something bad happened to it...

RallyWrench > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 13:48

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V8? Fantastic trucks, we work on a few (including the Sequoia in this, same thing mechanically). The engines can’t be killed if you do the belt on time and keep fluids in them. The transmissions will well exceed 300,000 miles with good service. I recommend 30k-50k fluid changes depending on use, less if you wheel it, and fit an external cooler up front. The air injection system is prone to problems, the water pumps are weak, and they are hard on brakes sometimes. I’ ve heard the rear axles are weak if you tow a lot, but haven’t seen it and at least one of our clients does a lot of it. Generally they are wonderful, wonderful trucks. They don’t rust in climates like ours, though that’s a problem in salty places. Two of the 4wd 4.7 Tundras that we see are well on their way to 400k . I’ll end up with my mom’s ‘03 TRD V8 in the next couple of years probably, she keeps trying to sell it to me so it’s only a matter of funds. The only bummer is fuel economy, they’re pigs. Even the 2WD V8s are unlikely to exceed 17mpg. The nice thing about Tundras is that they don’t suffer the Tacoma Tax of ridiculous value despite age and miles, and you get more truck for less money.

adamftw > someassemblyrequired 01/17/2020 at 13:50

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This x100. Frame replacement is long over for those trucks. Looks like its in Arizona though, so rust shouldn’t be an issue. Timing belt and front lower ball joints are the big maintenance items, but looks like both of those are covered.

ToyotaFamily > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 13:51

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I’ll repeat what others have said, WATCH FOR RUST. Take a reaaaal good look, and don’t just look at the easily visible portion of the frame rails. You’re gonna want to get under and look at the inside of the rail, they tend to rust from the inside out.

The 4 speed auto on these also has some issues with the overdrive on the trans as well. Other than that, pretty good trucks. My dad has one that gets about 20-30k miles  on it a year.

RallyWrench > someassemblyrequired 01/17/2020 at 13:52

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Doesn’t really happen in desert or California climates, fortunately.

DipodomysDeserti > someassemblyrequired 01/17/2020 at 14:25

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Definitely. Looks to be a lifelong Arizona truck, so shou ldn’t be an issue.

DipodomysDeserti > RallyWrench 01/17/2020 at 14:27

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Yes on the V8. Guy says he just replaced a rear axle and listed the place that he’s had all the work done at, so I can verify records.

The X1 is eating coolant (again), and I need to re-do the clutch in the Jeep, so it’s Toyota time.

DipodomysDeserti > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/17/2020 at 14:28

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Yeesh. Looks to be a lifelong Arizona truck, so hopefully no rust.

DipodomysDeserti > HammerheadFistpunch 01/17/2020 at 14:34

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Yeah...unfortunately terrible wheels seem to be a popular choice among Tundra owners here. I have 

DipodomysDeserti > HammerheadFistpunch 01/17/2020 at 14:36

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Great info. Boring/annoying, but tough is what I’m looking for right now. Know anything about the rear ends on these? Is it an LSD?

wafflesnfalafel > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 14:36

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I believe front ball joints were a recall issue

DipodomysDeserti > ToyotaFamily 01/17/2020 at 14:39

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Will do. Fortunately this looks to be an Arizona truck . You have to do something special to rust modern vehicles here.

HammerheadFistpunch > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 14:39

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Almost sure it's open

DipodomysDeserti > HammerheadFistpunch 01/17/2020 at 14:43

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Rgr. My gut tells me no, but what are your thoughts on this?

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/carefree-2000-toyota-land-cruiser/7056675252.html

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 15:02

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My two cents: hell no.

Steering rack replacing and timing belt (plus everything else that goes with it - seals, thermostat, etc. ), you’re looking at over $2k repair bill right off the bat. Then you’ve got a 20-year old Land Cruiser with nearly 300k miles that you’re already $7,000 into.

Not to mention: two whole photos... says he replaced the water pump, but who knows... “AS IS”...

InFierority Complex > benn454 01/17/2020 at 16:10

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Apparently the one pictured is Kurdish so maybe not. Although I guess we’ re in the habit of screwing them over anyways so.

benn454 > InFierority Complex 01/17/2020 at 16:44

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 You underestimate the US military's affinity for friendly fire. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 17:07

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My dad has an 02, and it is the best vehicle he or I has ever owned.

I know I ton of people who have first gen V8 Tundras and Sequoias (all with automatic) and there is nary a problem between these 300k to 500k machines. The headlights fading is really the only weak point I can think of, other than the serpentine belt (which is actually pretty long lived anyways). The rubber bushings in the suspension and the radiator are the only things he has replaced other than the belt. The leatherette seats will probably be stained , but I’ve found that they clean up very nicely with spray on leather cleaner.

I also live in the south, so rust is not an issue for me.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HammerheadFistpunch 01/17/2020 at 17:08

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The auto in these isn’t that bad. You always have power and very quick downshifts, even if economy isn’t great.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > DipodomysDeserti 01/17/2020 at 17:08

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The TRDs get a locking diff on the early ones, not sure about the rest.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyWrench 01/17/2020 at 17:11

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You should absolutely snap up your mom’s truck if it is a TRD. Fantastic machines, those (if not in the rust belt).

DipodomysDeserti > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 01/17/2020 at 17:18

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Apparently none of them had LSDs until ‘02, but you can swap in a TRD LSD on the ‘ 00-‘ 01s.

HammerheadFistpunch > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 01/17/2020 at 19:14

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I have the A343 in the cruiser...its durable and obedient , but that’ s about it. Maybe the A340 is better, but I can’t imagine it is.