Intro: My $2,700 '03 Tundra (1 Viewer)

[MDarius]

Hey! I've owned 5 Land Cruisers over the years and decided it's time for a truck. I've been watching the '02 to '06 Tundras for over a year now, waiting for the right truck/mileage/price combo to come along. I'm not sure this was it, but I jumped on it and now it's mine.

-2003 SR5 TRD 4.7L Extended cab, in black, 324k miles.
-Currently has beat up 17" rims with 33x12.5x17" tires that are cupped and have uneven wear. Seller picked them up and threw them in for the sale, don't know how the old tires looked.
-Driver's door skin is separating at the bottom seam. It looks like a botched DIY dent repair.
-The interior isn't great, but it's not awful.
-There is a squeak at the serpentine belt. Idler is clearly making noise, but might be the water pump.
-frame is great
-some rust holes in the bed floor
-engine and trans seem powerful and smooth
-exhaust leak on PS just after the header
-needs a new steering wheel

I need to do better with photos. Here's my walk around.

New video by Matt Fouts

photos.app.goo.gl

That's what I know! I'm learning about Tundras all fresh and I'm looking forward to getting to know this group in the "other" part of the IH8MUD universe.

 

[MDarius]

Plans:
My expectations for a low cost truck are about $2,400 in cost per year. Calculated over the time I have the truck. (Purchase $ + repairs beyond normal maintenance - residual value when I'm done with it. All divided by the time I've owned it.) I figure for about $2,700 purchase $ + $3,200 repairs/deferred maintenance I can make this a pleasant and reliable daily driver/weekend warrior. This is NOT a restoration project or buggy build and we've all already found our partners in life, not trying to impress a potential mate, or the guys at Home Depot.

Daily driver, do truck stuff, and share with my adult kids for off-road adventures and generally keep up with my 80 series on moderate trails. Stuff where 33" tires and a 2-3" lift is good enough.

 

[MDarius]

I didn't see an FAQ for Tundras. I appreciate guidance and/or links to your favorite informative threads.

I'm looking at Cooper tires and sticking with 17" rims, but getting new ones. Nothing fancy, just decent steelies.

I'll need a new DS door and steering wheel, carpet kit, seat covers.

I'll have a shop find the offending pulley/components at the belt and charge me to fix those.

I'm off to search out recommendations on these and fluids and everything else.

Thanks for looking in!

 

[joseywales]

Welcome to the Tundra / Sequoia section

Now that we have that out of the way, congrats on the new truck. Quite a few of us “regulars” in this section have come from the LC world too, so you’re not alone. The engine and tranny in your truck is the same as in the 100 series, so that info crosses over if you find intel in the 100 section.

Cooper tires are great. AT3 XLTs if you want more streetable, or ST Maxx if you want more “truck” oriented. I have a 3” lift in my ‘03 Sequoia and 275/70-18s fit without rubbing. I’d stick with 17s if doing it again.

My go-to seat covers are Wet Okole. They might be more “coast” oriented being neoprene, but they are super durable and fit amazingly well. They are custom made to order, so color etc options are huge.

And yes, a photo or two is always nice. Videos are great, but photos are easier for a quick read.

Looking forward to seeing what you end up doing with it.

 

[joseywales]

Oh, and my Sequoia is making the same squeak and I also think it’s the idler pulley.

 

[Jgrauman]

Oh, and my Sequoia is making the same squeak and I also think it’s the idler pulley.

I went with this belt when mine started squeaking in 2021, put a little extra tension on the pulley and it stopped. Will replace when I do the tb and water pump

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000C30J1U?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[joseywales]

Thanks for the link JG. My TB and water pump were done not long ago, so I’m hoping it’s just the idler.

 

[Jgrauman]

Thanks for the link JG. My TB and water pump were done not long ago, so I’m hoping it’s just the idler.

My bad, I meant my tensioner pulley is squeaking hence a tighter belt. I repacked bearings in my idler pulley and it made no difference

 

[Chris4spd]

Welcome to the forum, try FB Marketplace for used tires if the new one's are too pricey initially. I have found some great deals including a BF Goodrich tire almost new for $10 (LT 265/75R16) in Riverton, Utah.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I got my ‘07 Tundra RCLB for $1000. It was a construction company throw away.
I went on www.tundras.com. Got more help than I could use, and really good people on that
forum.
Pound Puppy Rescue

 

[TLar25]

I got my ‘07 Tundra RCLB for $1000. It was a construction company throw away.
I went on www.tundras.com. Got more help than I could use, and really good people on that
forum.
Pound Puppy Rescue

Yeah that forum is really the best/most active spot for 1st gen tundras that I've found. There are some very in depth new owner/looking to purchase sticky threads.

 

[DIRTBIKEUSA]

Congrats man, nice truck! I have an 03 white step side. It’s the best truck I’ve owned yet. Make sure you do the timing belt/water pump accessory fan drive. Also swap in a new radiator/tstat and hoses.

2001-2004 are the best years, no VVTI and no exhaust air injection..very little to go wrong.

I liked the platform so much I bought my wife an 01 sequoia. Also a very nice vehicle. But slllllooooooww.

Have fun!

 

[Broski]

Congrats man, nice truck! I have an 03 white step side. It’s the best truck I’ve owned yet. Make sure you do the timing belt/water pump accessory fan drive. Also swap in a new radiator/tstat and hoses.

2001-2004 are the best years, no VVTI and no exhaust air injection..very little to go wrong.


Have fun!

And no 5 speed

I really like my 2006 access cab 4x4 TRD.
Coming up on four years of ownership and absolutely flawless.

 

[DIRTBIKEUSA]

And no 5 speed

I really like my 2006 access cab 4x4 TRD.
Coming up on four years of ownership and absolutely flawless.

Yeah no 5 speed. But no big loss. Still cruises at 75 no big deal. I Iove my 03 step side TRD.

 

[Dindu Nuffin]

Not sure if you've addressed the wheels/tires yet, but South Bountiful Auto has OEM 17" split five spokes for $50 a pop and that's probably cheaper and more accessible than a set of 17" steelies. I'm up here in South Ogden and a few of us are putting together a group that's more into the responsible overlanding scene focusing on getting out and back without breaking stuff. Delle, Smith's Lakes, anything above the B that isn't washed out, 5MP, Little Moab, and all the glorious BLM land are the areas we like to go. If you're down, shoot me a PM and we can go from there.

 

[TLar25]

Not sure if you've addressed the wheels/tires yet, but South Bountiful Auto has OEM 17" split five spokes for $50 a pop and that's probably cheaper and more accessible than a set of 17" steelies. I'm up here in South Ogden and a few of us are putting together a group that's more into the responsible overlanding scene focusing on getting out and back without breaking stuff. Delle, Smith's Lakes, anything above the B that isn't washed out, 5MP, Little Moab, and all the glorious BLM land are the areas we like to go. If you're down, shoot me a PM and we can go from there.

You must have missed the part of his bio that says, "I break stuff."

 

[Dindu Nuffin]

You must have missed the part of his bio that says, "I break stuff."

lol... I certainly did. The offer is off the table.