I have a 2003 Sequoia SR5 that we have had for 13 plus years. We bought it in 2011 with 115K miles. It now has 250K miles. It has been exceptionally reliable, with he only odd issue being a ECU problem back in 2023. And failing paint-- the clear coat is peeling off all over---as seems to happen with many grey sequoias in Arizona.
We don't drive it that much, and I had toyed with the idea of selling it. But it doesn't seem to be worth that much (note the 2WD), and now I think I might just keep it around. I have an 80 series, but the Sequoia tows much nicer. And it has more room. And gets much better gas mileage.
So now I think I want to fix it up a bit. I am thinking of getting it repainting (cheaply), and fixing the broken tumble seat. We have had the timing belt replaced twice, with the second time back in 2018 with 203K miles.
But the biggest problem with the vehicle is that it just doesn't drive that well. It seems to bounce way to much. Oddly enough, I had the struts replaced in 2013 and again in 2017. I am not sure why the struts would have gone bad again, but I suspect that the shop just used cheap aftermarket stuff. So I thinking that if I replace the struts again I would look to find something better. And I will probably take a good look at the lower ball joints and replace those with OEM if they look bad.
I read some of threads here and found that the Bilstein 5100's seem to be well regarded. So I did some searching and found these:
Bilstein B8 5100 Amazon
Is that what I would want? Or is this a waste of money for a 2WD?
And is there a better source out there than Amazon? Amazon has a reputation for selling fakes. And It bothers me a bit that the picture does not show the springs--- but that every other Sequoia strut seems to come with the spring attached.
And again, this is a 2WD truck-- and it is not used for off-roading of any kind. I just want it to drive nice. And occasionally tow a boat or other trailer.
Thanks
Jared
We don't drive it that much, and I had toyed with the idea of selling it. But it doesn't seem to be worth that much (note the 2WD), and now I think I might just keep it around. I have an 80 series, but the Sequoia tows much nicer. And it has more room. And gets much better gas mileage.
So now I think I want to fix it up a bit. I am thinking of getting it repainting (cheaply), and fixing the broken tumble seat. We have had the timing belt replaced twice, with the second time back in 2018 with 203K miles.
But the biggest problem with the vehicle is that it just doesn't drive that well. It seems to bounce way to much. Oddly enough, I had the struts replaced in 2013 and again in 2017. I am not sure why the struts would have gone bad again, but I suspect that the shop just used cheap aftermarket stuff. So I thinking that if I replace the struts again I would look to find something better. And I will probably take a good look at the lower ball joints and replace those with OEM if they look bad.
I read some of threads here and found that the Bilstein 5100's seem to be well regarded. So I did some searching and found these:
Bilstein B8 5100 Amazon
Is that what I would want? Or is this a waste of money for a 2WD?
And is there a better source out there than Amazon? Amazon has a reputation for selling fakes. And It bothers me a bit that the picture does not show the springs--- but that every other Sequoia strut seems to come with the spring attached.
And again, this is a 2WD truck-- and it is not used for off-roading of any kind. I just want it to drive nice. And occasionally tow a boat or other trailer.
Thanks
Jared
