Yeah, this man just uses off road trucks as intended! The only way they're built for, and that's driving down beaten paths! 100! Especially these older 1st gen trucks!
Just change that timing belt every 100k-120k miles and this engine will keep going strong well over 300k. If you don't have 4x4 just get a rear locker. I've seen non 4wd Fj's and Tundras with rear lockers conquer 99.9% anything a 4wd could and get 1-2 mpg more.
I've decided before this video that if I don't get my buddies dad's 2nd gen tacoma, I'm grabbing a 1st gen tundra. It's nice to see a different set up and ideas. Well done.
I am an original One Owner of a 2002 4.7 TRD 4wd with 240,000 miles on it and it's still running like a fine tuned Swiss Watch ⌚. Just a fantastic Truck that keeps on going day after day which I never get tired of. Way to go Toyota 👍
@@nicholask734706 with 272K miles on mine. Just routine maintenance and all done in my driveway. LBJs and timing belt were only in depth maintenance items. Everything else is basic. Other items I replaced as they gave me trouble were the radiator, alternator, and valve cover gaskets. But bad for all the years of memorable trips and daily driver in-between.
This dude and his rig are both awesome! I just scored a 1st gen Sequoia and love inspiration like this - I'm all about using my stuff, not bolting expensive shit all over the outside. More like this!
@@jabroni1498 Yell I own 2000 with over 200000 mile and the timing belt only been replaced one time by owner before me I have owned it sents 2017 replacing the starter is a big job I had to replace it about a year after I got it you have to take the top.half of to motor apart to get to it it took 2 days to do but other then that everything less I have had to do is not that hard to fix
Few months ago I picked up an 06 Tundra. The 21 DCLB Taco now sits in storage. Need to do an overhaul on the Tundra, but I like the ride more than the Taco. They are both roughly the same length, with the Tundra being only a little wider exterior. However the interior seems so much more spacious.
I have a 2002 Tundra, 1st coolant change after 20 years...coolant is as clear as it can be no rust just slight red. It has only 100,000 miles. Great truck.
Really appreciate this video! So many different hobbies, people get completely obsessed with the gear instead of actually DOING the hobby itself. This is something I am guilty of as well, and I am trying to do more with less these days.
Gear is only as cool, as the things you do with it. A lesson I’ve had to learn far too many times. Also trying to do more with less - it’s really satisfying when what you do, is more import than the stuff that helps you do it.
I have a 21 Taco with a topper on it. Finally got a fridge. About the only overland thing I bought. Come from an infantry, Outward Bound instructor, backpacker background. So minimalistic is my set up. There is a lot you can do with a tarp, rope and bungee balls. Now my 06 tundra i plan on building out because i essentially live out on it for months at a time. Read that as storage build out vs bumpers and the what not. Love the basic approach you have.
This might be the coolest truck and or man I’ve ever seen. I love how much of a middle aged dad he is. The voice, the mustache, the shirt… total package!
Love it! I’ve been saying for quite some time, that most people overdo their overlanding setup. I love the common sense, useful setups, coming from a backpacking background, I’m totally happy using a ground tent, and jet boil.
Last summer we took the 99 4Runner 6,500 miles through 12 states over 30 days! Nothing fancy :) Now we’re getting a 05 DC Tundra for a family trip / more space! Good taste! :) BLM land and cooking makes for zero cost other than gasoline! :)
Love it! This summer I took my 97 2WD 2.3L Ranger from Tampa FL to Deadhorse Alaska and back, Ive put about 25,000 miles on it this year. It’s not about whatcha have, its just about getting out there!
I drive an '02 Access Cab limited TRD 4x4 80 plus miles a day. I average about 17, 18 mpg on a good day with 265 75 16 Cooper at3 tires. I really enjoy the truck and only regret was adding a 10 series Flowmaster and it is loud. Truck runs flawless with basic maintenance. I've got 208k on mine now. I stole my truck for the price of $2500....dents here and there, but I've been offered more than double for it a few times. I do not think I will part with this truck soon. I've even pulled a full size quad cab 4x4 ram 40 miles with zero issues. People give me crap for doing that, but I drive and maintain it well. I've changed the diff oil and spark plugs and plan on changing trans fluid (just for maintenance) soon. Tough trucks and the I force 4.7 is a great motor.
After watching 100's videos (which are good nonetheless and give ideas) this is the right one!, the owner is experienced and build a great setup to go out overlanding, it's not a show off truck and he proved that you don't need a $150k Tacoma to go fishing or hiking 10 miles (or more) away from your house. His truck is really top of the pile, I loved the compressor install under the hood, it looks like a factory upgrade and many other details. well, we need more guys like him to calm down the whole trend of "instagram overlanding in my backyard with a EarthRoamer"
I've been overlanding for years with my 2000 4x4 Tundra. You're right. You don't need anything special. Mine is stock except for good 265/75r16 tires and a lightbar. Thanks for the video. It highlights a great reliable Toyota product.
Thank you for sharing your video. We have an '05 Tundra Double Cab, and with our spare fuel, recovery bundle, traction boards, and shovel, we've gotten out of a few sticky situations. I like the mounted air tank and compressor. Definitely helps with going over rougher terrain. Budget overloading is possible; so it's nice to see a relatively stock Tundra. :-)
Cool stuff I'm buying an 2005 tundra tomorrow single cab long bed with a camper shell going to miss my Silverado but looking forward to owning a Toyota
Great video! I've adapted a cargo bar as an accessory bar on the dash wedged off the A pillar. It works great to hold phone, nav computer and backup camera . Update: changed the cargo bar to 3/4" PVC sched 40 and put crutch tips on each end. Now no risk of injury from deployed passenger air bag.
Loved the video it’s nice to see someone from Nevada I grew up in right by the black rock such a awesome place and just bought a Gen 1 myself… so way cool thanks for all the ideas
My buddy and I each just have some bare minimum recovery equipment and some homemade storage solutions so we can get to our preferred campsites around the Sierras. I upgraded my suspension since it was on the 15 year old stock suspension before. Put on some AT tires and that about does it. Some minor changes would be great to make it more useful for cooking out the back or managing camping/climbing/cooking gear a little better but my wife and I are happy with how little is changed. Drives nice on the roads this way too.
One of the top 3 first gen Tundras i've seen out there. Beautiful! Just need to level mine up front.... probably the 5100 setups, I literally just ordered LED headlights/fog lights and the transistor.... then i'll install the 5100s sometime over christmas break. Beautiful truck!
I’m getting a 2000 tomorrow. It needs shocks. Why the 5100s? My buddy loves the 5100s on his Tacoma. Do the 5100s lift it at all? I have no clue what to get. A lift would be cool. I won’t be doing anything crazy. Just camping, hauling dirt bike. I want to go off-road and climb hills, cross creeks, but it can’t ride like shit on the road. I’ll actually be on the same trails they are on. :). Any suggestions? The bilstine 6112s are supposed to be good too. Idk. Thank you
@@kyjelly5524 the 5100s are way better than stock, and they have different collars to allow you to add lift height. They can’t match the performance of a larger diameter, rebuildable shock but the price is quite a bit less.
@@HarrySituations I called 4 wheel parts in sparks nv to get a price on the 5100s for my 2000 tundra and they said they don’t make them for my truck. They just have the 4600s. I asked about the 6112s and they said no. Just the 4600s for my truck. I went to bilstine website and it says they have the 5100s for my truck lol. Is the guy at 4 wheel just wrong? Or am I trippen. I have the same style as the guy in the video but mine is a 2000. Also does anyone know what the difference is in the trd tundra and sr5 on the 1st gens? Mine has trd badge but pink slip says sr5! Idk. Maybe the old owner just put it on. I’m thinking about getting an lsd for the rear too. Any thoughts? Should I just go arb locker? Thanks guys.
You may be titling these videos to catch views but you guys are really onto something. I would love to show you my setup. I have 2003 Montero that looks pretty basic but it surprises people all the time at how capable it is. Like you said, I go all the same places the rigs with all the gear go, but I do it for a fraction of the cost. It really feels like I’m getting away with something. I live in the Modesto area so connecting wouldn’t be too difficult. Thanks for showing us another way!
For me my 1988 Toyota Longbed 4×4 with a nice old Brahma high space shell works perfectly. I prefer a two door with a longer bed in the back. More room for sleeping... Really don't need much to overland!✌️
Beautiful! I have an '01 Ivan Stewart edition that is nearly identical to yours! Only difference is the color-matched side panel strips and I think it came with factory Bilsteins and a LS diff (not totally sure about the LS). Upgraded to 5100s on rear and it has a spacer lift (2in) in front and 1 inch blocks in rear that give it room for 285/75/16 Wildpeaks. I've baha'd at 70 on remote colorado fire trails with ease and driven 3000+ miles only stopping for gas with a 3000+ lb trailer behind me no problem. Love that you aren't in the "deck it out" crew. A practical rig for practical people. Before this I had an 02 Tacoma with nearly the same setup (including a camper shell, elevated bed, and storage in the back) and wouldn't trade my Tundra for a second. More power, more room, more comfort. I've lived in both trucks for over a month each and never needed any of the stuff most folks say they need to "overland". Reliability and simplicity in the backcountry go further than rooftop tents. Plus, I don't attract any unwanted attention when I roll into town 😎. Good work!
Interesting video! I have a 2001 Toyota Tundra Limited White with 207,000 miles but super clean. Funny thing is I just added a 32" light bar today. I have not wired it up yet but it will be independent of my other lights.
@@HarrySituations correct. So the 00-04 have the less powerful motor with 4spd auto and the 05-06 have the more powerful engine with the 5spd. I think the 04 was the first year introduced with the double cab config.
I don't know if they all do, but my new 2006 4 door 4x4 came with a stand alone transmission cooler, not grafted into the radiator or anything else (grr gm...). That's another key to their longevity.
Man I’ve been digging these tundras as of late. Really looking for something bigger than a Tacoma, but still on the smaller side in comparison to new full size trucks. I feel like this truck would be great on the back country BLM roads in Idaho. I have no desire to put all the crazy stuff - wheel/tires that work, some suspension upgrades, and maybe some skid plates. I currently have a backflip mx4 and agree that those are super useful in comparison to others, I just wonder if upgrading to a camper shell in the future would be worth it
I have an 04' Tubdra with 215k on the clock. I was waiting for him to show where and how he sleeps in that rig...IDK maybe he gets minimal sleep too 😄. Enjoyed the video!
I have a 3rd gen 4runner stock. Been thinking of trading it for a 1st tundra 04-06 trd as well to make it a overland truck because i needed the v8 to use for heavy towing at times.. if i didn't tow at times. i'd keep my 3rd gen runner instead.
Lifted 2011 to 2014 Suburban with minimum 35” tires will have enough power, cargo and comfortable safe sleeping room then you could ever want in a Overland vehicle. Plus, the most affordable replacement parts and huge aftermarket parts availability. And if you’re lucky enough to find a Flex Fuel model $2.39 a gallon E85 100 plus clean burning octane. ;)
I have a 2000 Tundra SR5 almost exactly like this one. One thing I can say is that they are extremely comfortable. It's my favorite road trip vehicle because it feels like you're just watching TV on grandmas comfy sofa!
They are incredibly comfortable. I drove one with leather seats and no complaints leather was still in good shape after 18 ish years. Engine felt crazy smooth with 250+ miles
@@andrewm9207 buying one tomorrow! It’s a 2000. Needs brakes and shocks though. Any suggestions? It would be cool to lift it but idk. I don’t have much to spend. My friend says bilstine 5100s. I also heard 6122’s are good. Thank you
I have a sunglasses holder instead of the garage door opener holder my 2000 had the opener style like urs but I found another 2000 that was a Cali truck and that was for glasses instead of opener and same dimensions so popped out the useless one and now I have holder for sunglasses 👍🏻
Deavers....get the progressives. This truck has soft springs; great for articulation and ride, lacking in load carrying for towing, hauling. Progressive packs give a little back in that, but you can still haul/tow with them.
Looking at an ‘00 with 118k for $13k rn. 4x4 v8 1 owner. Need a simple daily driver that’s also capable to road trip/overland. Any advice would be greatlyyyy appreciated. Thanks guys
I would check for rust (depending on what part of the country you are in) and documentation that the timing belt was changed at 100k miles. Mine needed brakes when I bought it, but that was a good negotiating point.
I did use 1 1/2” spacers. The correct backspacing would be the right answer, but I wanted to keep these wheels. Without the spacers they rubbed the frame pretty hard at full lock.
@@HarrySituations Looks good. What brand spacer did you go with? I've been looking into spacers but I haven't found anyone that has recommended a good brand for offroad use.
Forgot to add my opinion on non minimalist over landers.... I feel like people buy every bolt on part or “mod” that’s available and call their truck a build. Like, bolting shit on so you have 35 accessories is cool. I’m old school and thats why I like this truck. It’s plan. It goes. Has USABLE stuff. Bolting on obnoxious lights that you never use, heavy ass bumpers that are an eyesore, and over priced beds is not cool to me. Sleep in the bed on a few blankets lol I can’t stand bolt on bullshit. This truck is cool. Useful. Anyway. My 2 cents.
They use three legs per side and due to the way the rockers hang over the frame we weren’t able to do straight legs like you can do on a Tacoma. They are wide at the frame and then taper under the cab and widen back out where the slider attaches. Kind of a pain to be honest, but way less work than fixing a smashed rocket panel!
Awesome build.. Any chance you have the exact wheel specs? Offset? Is he running spacers? I have the same truck and have been doing tons of research to get that look for fitment he's achieved. Thanks
The wheels are 16x7 with a 10mm offset. I am running Spidertrax 1.25” wheel spacers because the tires rubbed the frame at full lock, but now they rub at the back of the wheel well. I put up with it because I like how they look (and I already own them) but if I had it to do over I would run an 8” wide wheel with zero offset.
@harry situations I really like this 1st gen tundra setup! Does anyone know what fenders these are? Also, I’m looking for a suspension setup for my 2006 tundra V6 Access Cab. Any recommendations without breaking the bank? Looking more for street and occasional mild off road adventures. Thanks!
Nice, looks similar to my 2000. Question, I'm adding a lightbar and decided to replace the faded headlight casings. Which type did you get on Rockauto? Only a $10 difference but just wanted your input before placing the order.
@@84shortyota I'll have to look into that. I liked the buddy heater but thought I might have to cut a vent into the roof and pipe the heat in to be extra safe. I've been in the desert to long so 50 is cold to me now.
What has been done to the Tundra front end. I need to get work done on mine. BIG O wants to charge me $1200 just for repairs, ie lower arms.... & I don't know if I should do the whole front end while I'm at it. I don't trust Big O. I looked up the ADS shocks. There a whopping $2,000. Wow!
So you’re saying you can buy a truck and Throw a shovel and some boards in the bed, a cooler and some clothes in the back seat, and cigarette lighter air pump and you have yourself an over lander? You mean I don’t have to be one of these weird overlander freaks with the bed cage, 2 tents, prinsu racks, 2 trasheroo’s, 2 shovels, high lift jack, and light bars on surrounding the entire truck, 4 ditch lights, and a winch to overland? I’ve seen some pretty sweet overland Tacoma’s and 4 runners cross some sidewalk streams, navigate through parking lots, and crawl over speed bumps before.
@@HarrySituations Hello Harry, i love the set up you have. What components did you use for the lift? I owned a Tundra but I installed the leveling kit, im sure that is not the way to go. Do you get a lot of alignment issues with the SPCs? Thanks
@@TheHellaBent I got the front ADS coilovers, rear shocks, and SPC control arms from Slee Off-road. There are a lot of 2.5” front coilovers on the market but ADS is the only place I found that makes a 2.5” diameter rear shock also. As for the control arms, they actually solve alignment issues since they are adjustable. And they are the only arm I know of that uses a sealed tie rod end but still offer increased angularity like a uniball. Best of both worlds.