Essential upgrades for your First Gen Tundra (on a budget) 

I appreciate that, thanks for watching!

Which lift on the website are you talking about?

For sure man, I've told myself that once my stock shocks blow out at some point I'll upgrade to a legit leveling kit with new shocks and my first stop was going to be Josh. I've heard only good things

@@Rooki3_ Billstien 5100's on the 2nd notch & a pair with OME springs (I might be wrong about the brand of springs but he's figured out how to get lift & quality ride, Not icon or king quality but for the money)

That's a great point, and I've actually got them along with tail lights and an LED 3rd brake light too but didn't mention it in the video. Definitely a good upgrade to do, looks nice and has safety benefits too. Thanks for watching!

Haha glad to hear it! Hope you're happy with it all, I think it makes a great difference. Thanks for watching!

I’ll do the same mostly, but from parts cars so it’s even cheaper

Wow that's cool, the first gen will definitely feel more bare bones than the F-150 but its simplicity is pretty cool and almost nostalgic at this point with modern cars having screens on screens. Thanks for watching, and best of luck with finding a clean 1st gen!

I appreciate that, thanks for watching!

Love to hear it, thanks for watching!

That's great to hear, thanks for watching!

I really appreciate that, and I love all the support from you guys!!

Awesome, thanks for watching!

What is the a t o t o S8?

Glad to hear it! I'm sure you're getting quite acquainted with the in's and out's while rebuilding it lol. Thanks for watching!

Awesome, thanks for watching!

I appreciate it, thanks for watching!

Sweeet! Glad to hear it man, thanks for watching

Man that's got to be a good feeling. I can't see crap at night in mine. In fact the fog lights make way more of a difference than the headlights themselves

That's really funny that you used the hockey net pipe for the exhaust, I love it! Haha glad the video was helpful though, and yeah you should definitely do a walkthrough! We love seeing other trucks for ideas and such!! thanks for watching

Glad to hear it!! Thanks for watching

Thanks for watching!

Sweet! Love to hear it, and thanks for watching!

The nozzles are definitely pricey for what they are, but I'm glad you saw a noticeable difference. It was huge for me. Thanks for watching!

Great, thanks for watching!

Will do, thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching!

Yup I've seen those around, I may have to give them a shot here soon. Thanks for watching!

Yeah for sure! Congrats on the new truck, and thanks for watching!

What province are you in? I’m looking for an ‘05 Crew in Manitoba but I’m awful worried about rust. 😅

@@lukemarvin I'm in Ontario but the truck I found spent most of it's life in BC according to the CarFax...was only here for a year or 2 and doesn't really have much rust.

Haha yeah it's a simple change but makes a big impact. Thanks for watching

Sorry to hear of 😢your dad's passing

Nice! Congrats on the new truck, thanks for watching!

Haha love it, thanks for watching!

Same here lol

Glad you like it! Thanks for watching!

Oh dang that's sweet lol they're definitely a solid upgrade. Thanks for watching!

Hmm I haven't looked into that at all, but I definitely will now. Thanks for the heads up, and thanks for watching!

What about the cowl? Just install new screws you're saying? Or why was it leaking to begin with?

Huh I never thought about trying that, that's a good tip! Thanks for watching

@@JDMDriveway Hey, thanks for the video, lot of good ideas. I can't claim to have invented the concept of bending that linkage arm, it was recommended on one of the first Gen Tundra forums or facebook groups, I forget which cause it was years ago. Just take it slow and think about where your tool will go if it slips, it'd be easy to smash the window if you tried to just hulk out on that bar without thinking it through. I don't remember it taking much force at all.

Yeah dude, I've thought about wheel spacers too. I don't know a whole ton about them, and I think there a lot of misinformation out there. But to my understanding if they're installed correctly they're perfectly safe. Thanks for watching!

​@@JDMDrivewayI don't think there's an issue of safety so much. But I will say any deviation from the stock in insect of the wheels is going to put stress on your hubs and axles

Sweet, glad to hear it. Thanks for watching!

Yep, I did the same exact thing taking off the side step, I never really used it anyways. Only downside is now my mom and other short people have a hard time getting in the truck! 😂 thanks for watching

@@JDMDriveway oh right 😂 yeah man cheers

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching

Thanks for watching!

Hey that's great, congrats on the new truck! And I love the idea of getting inspiration from the AE86. Great show and great car. Thanks for watching

@@JDMDriveway 😁Thanks! your videos are very helplful and easy to understand!

I guess I'm old but what in the world are you talking about takumi fujimoto 86 or whatever? Sorry I've never been a gamer or into fantasy shows or whatever either... Just curious

Huh that's good to know, I'll have to check that out. Thanks for watching!

Oh yeah the interior LED lights made such a difference. Thanks again for the advice. Too bad to hear about the STI though! Hope you can get it back on the road soon. Thanks for watching!

fyi i put in led lights about a year ago on the difference of electricity in the odometer made the whole dang thing go bad. needless to say make sure you’re careful with putting in the leds. they might look great (because they do) but might cause the odometer to short out and cause more headaches in hindsight. (i now have to subtract 140,000 miles from the odometer everytime i need to see how many miles i have 😐)

Thanks for watching!

Haha yeah I didn't have any illumination either before I swapped mine over to LEDs. My guess would be that all of your bulbs are burned out like mine were. Thanks for watching!

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching

I've been meaning to do that for years lol. I'll make a video on it soon haha Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching!

Nope, I did that before I started making RU-vid videos. But I couldn't make a better one than the 1A Auto video on it. It's super thorough and it's what I used. I never had any confusion on what to do next or anything. I would highly recommend it. Thanks for watching

I'm interested on that one myself for my '05 four-door

Ah bummer, I didn't know that was the case. I have definitely considered the soft-open tailgate! I was looking into a couple of options on Amazon, but haven't bought one yet. If I decide to do it, I will obviously be making a video! Thanks for watching

@@JDMDriveway Good day Sal I was not able to find a soft close system made for the first generation. I had found on a Tundra forum a fellow who used a mixture of parts to make it work. With his as a guideline l was able to obtain my goal of a softn open. I can't seem to find away to attach a photo sorry. Daryl

Sweet, congrats on the new truck. Thanks for watching!

Lol. I did word that oddly. I've had it for 10 years, just have never really made too many upgrades like this, but now I'm gonna

Oh gotcha! Haha makes sense

To each their own. But did you know that trucks is actually designed to get better gas mileage with the gate on?

@@incredifunk I did not know this. I was just joking around, but it seems like less weight is always better. The suspension is designed for that weight. I did notice with the leaf springs the rear end seemed to bounce around a lot more over bumps.

I'd be curious to see the difference in MPG from tailgate off and on. Thanks for watching!

Yup, I've heard the same thing. I just prefer the look of white and turn down the brightness. Thanks for watching!

Unfortunately I don't. I've been looking myself because some of my mounting tabs are broken and I want to replace them. Hopefully someone else can chime in if they found a good solution. Thanks for watching!

Awesome, glad to hear you've got a solution for your fog light issues. Thanks for watching!

@donavonlewis1039 Hey I have a 2003 Tundra SR5 and was thinking about upgrading the headlights and fog lights to LED. Can you tell me what the issues I might have and how you overcame them? Thanks!

I appreciate that, I've been busy with life and my day job but I try to get videos out whenever I can. Thanks for watching!

Unfortunately I don't, I'm going to be replacing the struts on my truck soon though, so that video should be pretty helpful. Installing the leveling kit is fairly easy though, just be prepared to use a cutoff wheel to trim the studs on the top hat so that they fit within the spacer. I'm sure there's other videos out there to help too. Thanks for watching!

Thanks so much! Looking forward to more informative videos. Btw…I just subscribed to your channel 😁

Yeah it made a huge difference! Here's the video I made about it, thanks for watching! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-H1MKCgnfCu4.html

I actually did do a video on the front speakers! But I appreciate it, and thanks for watching! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KXsS2CDWLsA.html

What are you looking to do exactly? I'm in the middle of doing it myself now

@@incredifunk Just how to get the panels off the doors so you can access the speakers. What special tools are needed to get the panels off. Any special electrical connectors needed to plug the speakers into the existing wiring. I have manual windows, so need help getting the window cranks off the door too.

I've definitely considered it! Thanks for watching

The guy I bought mine from had done that and also did the headlight. Mistake number one. I can't see crap at night

Oh thanks for the heads up, I have a 2 inch leveling kit in my truck! Thanks for watching

Thanks a bunch for the advice. Restoring the trim has been on the to-do list for a while now and I do plan to make a dedicated video about it. Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching!

Yeah, to each their own! Can't really go wrong tbh. Thanks for watching!

Hey that's awesome man, congrats on the new truck. I made a video about a year ago on how to polish the paint and remove scratches. Depending on how deep they are, some may not come out all the way. But most smaller scratches will come out with some patience and time. Thanks for watching! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R1D0vu3XDug.html

@@JDMDriveway thank you so much, I have no idea how I missed this video. lol. this will help me alot making my truck looking good. Thank you for making a ton of videos that I can DIY for my truck's upcoming upgrades.

Absolutely! Thanks for watching! Reverse lights: amzn.to/3uQZvB1 Brake lights: amzn.to/4a1v7CF Third brake light: www.ebay.com/itm/311331093591?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=I_wp8myzTZy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=WykH4-EjQNi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Headlights: amzn.to/3TzyAmR

I'm definitely going to try out the 5100s next time! Thanks for watching!

Yeah it would probably be fine, I would keep an eye on your axle boots to monitor for any tears, but as long as they can align it, you should be good to go. With that said, I'm far from a mechanic so you may want another more qualified opinion too haha thanks for watching!

Haha yep! Thanks for watching!

That's awesome man, congrats on the new truck!

That's a video I've been thinking about making, more so talking about the things that have broken on my truck. Quick hitters though would be timing belt, lower ball joints, and keeping an eye on the frame rust because that can get kinda cancerous on these trucks. Thanks for watching!

Dang that sounds like a nice upgrade. I wonder if they offer a selection for the bench front seat. I may need to look into that, thanks for watching!

Can you share the name of the company you got the leather package from?

Definitely a good upgrade for sure. I found this video that shows the process. It's really simple though, you pull the hose off of the back side of the nozzle under the hood, then use needle nose pliers to squeeze the sides of the nozzle and push it up and through the hole. Then pop the new one in and reconnect the hose. Thanks for watching! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I6FK80tTgwg.html

Yep, I've been experimenting here and there with options for freshening up that plastic. Trying to find a good solution so I can make a video for you guys about it. Thanks for watching!

Cris fix has some vids on great results ceramic coating faded plastics. Says will last 2 or 3 yrs with regular washes.

Sweet, thanks for watching!

I haven't really tried to address that to be honest. Thanks for watching though!

To keep the cargo light from going on with open the doors just flip the switch on the inside in the rear to the middle position I think.

Yeah I've been super conflicted on what to do for my suspension. My shock bushings are completely gone and while I want to do a full upgrade with 5100s and upgraded springs, I really don't do any off-roading to justify the price. A simple 4600 replacement with the same spacers sounds pretty enticing for less than $400 all in. Maybe I'd regret it, but I'm really leaning that way for now

I am looking at doing this same thing for my sons 2006 Tundra but the above scares me, so what is the $400 all in fix? @@JDMDriveway

Huh I had to look that up, I haven't heard of that before. Thanks for the tip!

Yeah they're a sweet upgrade, not quite sexy or cool to spend your money on, but you'll appreciate every time you use them haha but yeah there's a couple pretty sweet colors on these trucks, I'm a little biased but I love the dark red on my truck too 😂 thanks for watching!

Awesome, congrats on the new truck. I've considered a stubby antenna but I haven't pulled the trigger so I can't recommend one yet. For the CarPlay/backup camera, I really like my solution of the Atoto F7 XE and the Natika camera from Amazon. I have a video here about it. Hope it helps, and thanks for watching! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OCyjZMTydXM.html

Some people will say that that's too much money, but honestly I think that's what the market is, especially for a really clean, lower mile truck. And I consider it an investment because these will just keep on running and I don't really see them losing too much value. Thanks for watching!

​@@JDMDrivewaybought mine 2006 tundra. 85k miles, one owner. 34 maintenance items on Carfax. Super clean. Timing belt done. All for $15.9k

That's something I hadn't really considered, but now you've got me thinking 😂 if I did it I would probably do it near the end of summer before winter rolls around. Thanks for watching

Oh man. I didn’t know that was an option. If you do the heated seat upgrade will you please make a RU-vid video and share it? I don’t have Instagram.

$100 total or per seat?

I'd like to just replace my seats honestly. They were a little worn when I bought it

Yep, the leveling kit is just for the front. From the factory, the back is a little bit taller than the front so that when you're towing, the truck sits flat. The wheels and tires are Vision Manx 16x8 +0 and 265/75r16. Hope this helps, thanks for watching! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dJ8MOIuq2A4.htmlsi=-txUjEA4ySWSBUjx

Haha I appreciate that, just take it little by little!! Thanks for watching

I've considered it, but for now I'm honestly pretty happy with the stock chrome look. To each their own though, and there's no doubt that blacking out the chrome looks pretty good too. Let me know if you end up doing it, and thanks for watching!

For me, the chrome isn’t too over-the-top. It’s classy. I kind of prefer it to the painted bumpers on later models.

Nice, glad to hear it. Always a good feeling when you customize something to make it work better for you. Thanks for watching

Good point. I was mainly focusing on aftermarket upgrades/swaps but that is one of the most critical maintenance items for sure. Thanks for watching!

I'd say probably just some goo-gone and maybe some heat. I'd just be careful not to scratch it up too bad. Thanks for watching!

Yup, I replaced that one. I didn't even know it was there lol thanks for watching

Funny you should ask that, I have a video going up tomorrow of me installing Bilstein 4600 shocks with these same spacers on top. To answer your question though, I haven't run into that issue. These spacers just sit on top of your shocks so you don't need to compress your springs any more than you would stock. Re-installing them on the truck is a bit tougher because you're adding a lift, but if you disconnect your LBJ it frees up a lot of play and you can mount them no problem. Definitely check out the video going up tomorrow to see what I'm talking about though. Thanks for watching!

Mine is wiggly too. I think there's a way to tighten it, but I haven't played around with it too much. I'll make a video if I address it at some point. Thanks for watching!

I'm not sure, sorry. I'd assume that our trucks could drive through more than 1 1/2 ft of water, but as long as it reaches the intake box you'll be sucking up water. So maybe a snorkel is your best option if it happens super often. Thanks for watching!

I have done LED reverse lights and I installed an LED 3rd brake light, but the bed light bulbs in there are still halogen. I probably won't end up swapping those out though. Thanks for watching! Reverse lights: amzn.to/3QsKsWz 3rd brake light: www.ebay.com/itm/311331093591

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback, I'lll order those@@JDMDriveway

I'm not too sure, my truck came with these stock. I've seen replicas on eBay, but I can't speak to the quality of them because I've never seen it in person. Thanks for watching

The CO Light ones that I installed come with an in-line resistor and I haven't had any issues. Other options don't come with the resistor and they can lead to weird problems with your fog lights and high beams which is why you need to add a resistor. Thanks for watching!

It's a spray in type and has been holding up decently well. Loading heavier things back there has scratched it up in a few spots but overall it's been good. Thanks for watching

Thanks for watching!

They came on the truck and were a factory option. I'd recommend trying your local junkyard and seeing if they have any for cheap. Thanks for watching!

They are a 2" leveling spacer on top of the front struts. Thanks for watching!

@@JDMDrivewayI wasn’t specific haha. What tire size?

Haha all good they're 265/75 r16

I'm not sure tbh. I don't know what kind of power gains you would expect to see from it, and I think the other main benefit would be induction noise on acceleration. I personally don't plan to do it myself, but I also have my Nissan which I consider my fun car to make the cool noises haha up to you though! Thanks for watching

I have the K&N cold air intake on my 2003 Limited V8 4x4 Tundra. I put it in when it was 2 months old back in late 2003 after I bought the truck new from the Toyota dealer I worked for while I was in school. I have the original filter and box it like new condition stored away as a back up, just in case. The K&N system does change the air quality and freedom of flow in the engine and gives it a slight almost turbo like whistle when you push the truck a bit. I felt it helped with the 6,500 lb horse trailer I towed at the time and also gives a bit of power gain during regular driving, and harder accerations. It only helps the gas mileage if you keep the filter clean, every 25-30k (more often if you offroad a lot) like clockwork, though these days they actually say longer between cleaning and re-oiling (I stick with 30k max). Also don't put on the oil too heavy, or you restrict the air flow. The computer may take a few days to fully adjust to give you max performance on this upgrade. My first filter and cold intake system lasted until last year when I noticed the "million mile filter" was getting worn patches. Since I only have 150k on the truck I called K&N and they sent me a replacement. I got a really helpful person on the phone and she sent me nearly the whole system when I told her the sensor holder on the top intake feeding into the throttle body was coming loose. The only original peice now is the heat shield which only has a tiny bit of rust, so I'll repaint it this year. I also needed a new heat shield gasket, but the second person I talked to there wasn't as helpful, so I had to buy that part, but to have a whole new system, it was worth the $12. I cleaned my throttle body and the entire engine while I was in there and it looks great 🤩, reminds me of when we were both shiny and new in this world just barely getting started on life's adventure. Since we are still both running strong, many adventures on and off road to look forward to 😊💖🙋‍♀️ God bless.

@@FreedomLovinLady thank you 🙏

I mean its hard to say, mostly depending on where you live. Up north the 4wd trucks will probably hold their value more, but down south a 2wd truck has less components that could break or need service (front diff and axles), so that might be more desirable. I think people get caught up on "4wd or bust" (at least I did), but in reality I don't do any offroading and 2wd would be plenty fine for my use case. Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!

I totally agree, I was just trying to offer a budget solution for someone who doesn't want to buy a set of new headlights. Thanks for watching!

Unfortunately I have no experience with the V6 Tundras so I can't speak to them at all. I'd love to test drive one at some point just to see! Thanks for watching

It's a great feeling huh? Thanks for watching!