By the way, the cloth interiors as found in the older Tundra's are awesome, being both incredibly durable and comfortable. For what it's worth, my 2001 Tundra with the 4.7L V8 is still capable of 20 mpg out on the highway - same as when I bought it ten years ago.
Well you guys are definitely outliers. My 2003 4.7 tundra couldn’t get better than 17 mpg maybe 18 mpg if it was flat as a washboard stomach with no wind whatsoever. Typically 14 mpg in town maybe 15 mpg is what I always got.
@@VirtualGuth Ironically, my 5.7L V8 Tundra has always gotten better mpg than my 4.7L Tundra did. I typically get 15.5 city and 18-18.5 highway. Granted, I live in Texas where it is flat but I've never complained about my mpg. Anyone that buys a truck and bitches about mpg shouldn't be driving a truck.
I'd have to go with the '06 for $15.5k It is hard to stomach over $50k for pickup. I went with the '03 Tacoma DC and now have about 95k on it. I use it like the guy said. Hauling bags of mulch, pulling my fishing boat to the lake. It's nice to have a small truck for stuff you don't want to put in a car or minivan. My gas mileage runs between 15 and 19 mpg. Not great, but since I don't have a truck payment, it doesn't sting as much.
That's about right! I just paid 13.5 for a 06 double cab with 180k and tons of maintenance records and clean. Much cheaper than a new truck. Using it for weekends and camping trips!
"does it have tow hooks?" "I dont know"... "What's the horsepower" "I dont know"...... for a Toyota expert, he doesnt seem to know much about Toyotas.. LOL
I have an 03 and an 07 - both have tow hooks in the front. They are not chrome or decorative in any way, just functional. The 03 hooks are more than adequate and the 07 hooks are extremely beefy / thick. They were standard equipment! Absolutely ridiculous that the 22 doesn’t have them at all - it’s not really a truck without them. What the hell do you hook to if stuck in the mud?
The guy didn't even know how much power it had... From 2000 to 2003 the Tundra only came in the Access Cab with the 4.7 v8 at 245 HP with the 4 speed automatic. In 2004 the Double Cab was introduce and the powertrain was the same. In 2005 Toyota upgraded the 4.7 v8 with VVTI that up the power to 282 HP and the 4 speed automatic was replace with the 5 speed automatic. In 2006 the only thing that change was the VVTI 4.7v8 power being downgraded from 282 HP to 271 HP for reliability reason.
@hmong_keeb_kwm it wasn't downgraded for reliability reasons, it was just the new SAE horsepower measurement standards that changed. In reality the two years/motors made the same power.
I’m picking up a 2001 Tundra my grandparents are gifting me in just a week. It’s an Arizona truck all its life, and get this, it only has 65,000 or so miles on it. I can’t wait to get it. A 1st gen Tundra has been my dream truck for a long time
This one is 270 ish hp. It has the variable valve timing and 5 speed auto. The pre 05 tundras were non vvt-i and made 245 hp and came with a 4 speed auto
@@Balzzack iforce didn't start in 03 buddy. All tundras are iforce. It was a gimmick like how chevy had vortec, or dodge's magnum. Just cause they didnt stick the iforce badging on the trucks tailgate doesnt mean it wasnt iforce. When the first tundra came out in september 1999, it was labeled iforce on all their brochures and videos. I should know cause i have them
the suv's were treated for lower horse power in 2003 because of how they tunef the engines, i have the original brochure from my 2003 tundra and its 245 hp, but mine runs higher with a cups of added mods so it can breathe better, great truck 😊
I have a 05 double cab. That year had the highest hp and torque rating of the first gen trucks with variable valve timing. Gas milage does suck but reliability makes up for that. I love the truck and have upgraded it. Best up grade was the final drive gearing from 3:90 (way too tall) to 4:88 and going to 33" tires. It tows and handles grades much better and milage better as transmission not continuously down shifting on the slightest uphill grade. While changing the gears had a Detroit Trutrac torsen diff installed in the rear end. A ToyTec 2.5-3.0" leveling kit with better rear springs plus Hellwig helper spring and Bilstien 5100 shocks improved suspension and off roading. All round great truck as long as you do not plan to tow a big trailer.
I have an 06 lifted with fox shocks in the rear king coil over single bypass in the front lifted with 18s no other modifications it has 319,000 miles on it. AC still blows cold no check engine light it is solid as a rock I’m almost positive I’ll get 500,000 miles out of this truck.
I own a 05 tundra double cab with 181000 on it runs like a champ. Had a 02 tundra access cab had 280000 and it ran just as good. Being a mechanic ive been able to drive some 2nd and 3rd gens and still prefer 1st gen overall. Mainly due to my 4.7 feels like it gets up and goes lot better and smoother than the 5.7. But in the end can't go wrong with a toyota
First G is an incredible truck I plan on keeping mine forever. One thing to keep in mind is that the Achilles heel is the freaking smog pump that pretty much goes out on all of them.
Someone on the internet sells a box that tricks the computer into thinking that dumb pump is still working. Then you just install some block off plates. It’s a really easy install.
I have an 04 4.7 tundra and a 17 4.6 tundra. The 4.7 delivers all of its torque at real low rpm and that makes cruising freeways and towing a breeze. My 4.6 shifts 8 times on mile long hills where the 4.7 stays in OD. I feel I am fighting the 4.6. 256K on one and 107k on the other No problems with either. You can keep the turbos, no thank you.
Super happy with my 19 TRD off-road. People can get caught up in “features” but my truck just works. The new Tundra has similar technology to my Audi. I think Toyota knows and that’s why they’ve been resistant to change. Turbos require better car from the user to get longevity out of them. The average driver is going to go into boost on cold oil. Just more maintenance. Glad Toyota is trying to catch up, but they could have been more creative then mild hybrid and turbos. At this point they’re chasing competitors.
Well, Toyota outsells their competitors, outselling GM in the United States in 2021, for the first time since 1931. World’s top seller of automobiles and pickups.
Exactly - Toyota didn’t do anything above and beyond their competitors at all. They didn’t even fully catch up. More tech and features than their previous model but at the expense of reliability it seems. I love my 03 and 07 Tundras. The 22 model isn’t for me at all.
@@lancelemay6971 the chief engineer of Toyota trucks said they were not chasing numbers with this new tundra or just doing what ever their competitors were doing but instead they focused on building a Morden solid truck, and that they did
@@Reu_ag Yeah, they built a modern truck - but they didn’t do it with typical Toyota reliability. In fact, they gave themself a black eye with this model. They released a “not ready for prime time truck”. Lots of problems as related by the new owners of the 22 model - all over the internet. Facebook groups and RU-vid are full of disappointed owners sharing their experiences. Other posts read like - 2300 miles and no problems so far… Just pathetic. The people not experiencing problems are justifying their expensive truck purchase it seems. Toyota simply did not get this model right! NO tow hooks, wider turning circle, odd stying, longer hood and smaller interior space, no way to step into the bed without a $300 add-on step, infotainment setup does not offer a split screen view like on other Toyota models (what a waste of a 14” screen), cheaply made seats, wind noise and rattles. As a Toyota fan - I am so let down by all this. I wanted a new Tundra but certainly not this one.
@@boughtandpaidforautoreview1150 Doesn’t mean he’s not right, Toyota isn’t concerned about domestic competitors because they’re already on top. Also you’re making sarcastic jabs at him and there’s a Tundra in your profile pic?
Very proud and happy with my 2010 regular cab and 2016 doublecab Tundra. Use them for work daily and have been the most trouble free vehicles I've owned even though I abuse them the most. Hope Toyota gets it right with the new Tundra cause I want one in 1-2 years max but I'm a bit skeptical at the moment ngl..
Those first gens are so sweet. For quarter of the price I’m all over the 06. Having a paid off vehicle is such a blessing especially knowing the trucks can perform the same duties with the exception of towing heavy. But if that’s not the case, the first gen is financially smarter.
Agreed. Not very large like the second gen, simple interior and tech unlike the third gen. It's not great on gas, but the second gen is much worse anyway.
I've only got 250K on mine, 750K to go. 2000 SR5 4.7V8, runs like a top. 2 wheel drive bought it from my daughter for 2K. Summer driver, use my 1999 4wheel F250 4wheel drive in the winter, V10. 10mpg max, toyo about 15mpg. I've put some money in it, 3K tires and rear end repair. plugs and interior parts. Just put new tires on, When it was in the air I looked at the frame for rust. Looked like powdercoated black paint, No rust. I love that truck, actually both of them. Great video, thanks
I think that's why the Rivian R1T is going to be a big seller when they get production lined out. About the same size as the 1st gen Tundra. I also think it's why Honda is selling a lot of Ridgelines. All 3 are very close in scale.
That first gen hits such a sweet spot, in my opinion. The new one just seems bloated in size, weight, and price with hardly any improvements in utility. Maybe max towing, but seems like the low payload capacity would restrict you first with the tongue weight eating into it. With the slow rate of progress on the two Toyota trucks, I wish they would abandon both the Tacoma and Tundra and focus one great 1st gen Tundra-sized truck.
Just got me a '05 with 150k miles. Been looking for 4 years and found a double cab locally here in Pa. I knew what I was looking for as for the years that were the best.
"Which would you choose?" All relevant to $ and purpose. Why spend a massive amount of $ for a weekend gardener truck? Don't need lockers to go to Home Depot down the road, then no reason to buy a brand new expensive whistle and bell counterpart. But buying something with a track record of high reliability and low maintenance for long term ownership always makes sense to me.
I'm not sure how to size up a truck these days as most people now buy trucks to be used like cars. For those in need of a work truck capable of carrying a lot of people/tools/gear/supplies, I can understand the draw to the 2nd and 3rd generation vehicles. For those in need of a play truck - for getting out of the city to do things like fishing, camping, etc and still carrying supplies for home projects or running junk out to the dump, the 7/8-sized 1st generation Tundra is hard to beat and will likely last longer. Today's vehicles with all of their tech are nice and offer a lot of convenience for the new vehicle buyer. But a decade or so down the road, I don't picture them being quite so attractive with used vehicle buyers. Anything with a screen-based interface is destined to be obsolete in a short period of time, provided that such components are still working. It won't be any different with vehicles than it is with smartphones and tablets. Interestingly, I would guess that my old Toyota HiLux pickup, while incredibly small by comparison to the trucks of today and offering few creature comforts, will likely still be going strong for the next few decades we have left until we can no longer buy gasoline.
I have had my '06 Tundra DoubleCab since brand new when my wife became pregnant with our son. The truck now has 226k miles and besides a radiator and basic maintenance not a single problem. Just gave the truck to my 16 year old son.
I love my first gen tundra! I think the 06 tundra's 4.7L 2uz-fe was rated at 276hp and 315ftlbs of torque. That truck he owns there is a beautiful piece
I have an 2004 Tundra Off-Road (4 speed) with 103k miles. I love it. Paid 12,500 two years ago. Everything works great. Not had a single issue. These trucks are great for the price. Don’t see the need for a 57k truck. I’ll keep the 45k difference.
From 2000 to 2003 the Tundra came in two body in the Access Cab and Regular Cab with two engine option of the 4.7 v8 that had 245 HP with the 4 speed automatic or you can get it with the 3.4 V6 190 HP with the 5 speed Manual or 4 speed Automatic. The 3.4 V6 5 speed Manual Tundra are really hard to find nowadays. In 2004 the Double Cab body was introduce and the Double Cab was only available with the 4.7 V8 4 speed automatic powertrain. The 3.4 V6 5 speed Manual or 4 speed Automatic was still avaliable but only in the Access Cab and Regular Cab. But once the Double Cab Body was introduce most people didn't buy the Access Cab much anymore but they were still available. In 2005 Toyota install VVTI system to the 4.7 v8 that upgraded the power to 282 HP and the 4 speed automatic was replace by the 5 speed automatic. Toyota also officially retire the 3.4 V6 in 2005 and was discontinue. The 3.4 v6 was replace by the 4.0 V6 that came with either the 6 speed Manual or the 6 speed Automatic which was available in the Access Cab and the Regular Cab and they are SUPER RARE to find let alone to come across one, which most people probably didn't even know that the First Gen Tundra actually had the 4.0 V6. The 4.0 V6 was available from 2005 to 2006 in the Access Cab and Regular Cab and again SUPER RARE to come across one. In 2006 the only thing that change was the VVTI 4.7v8 power being downgraded from 282 HP to 271 HP for reliability reason. Then in 2007 the first Gen Tundra was discontinue and replace by the Second Gen Tundra.
I believe the 2006 horsepower drop had nothing to do with reliability reasons, it was due to the new standards in how they measured horsepower from then on. The two years/motors made the same horsepower in reality, just reported differently.
I have the identical truck, the 1st gen, the one in the video is missing the skid plate, I absolutely LOVE my truck, I plan to drive it to the moon n back, the new ones don’t excite me whatsoever
I was so convinced of Toyota reliability I went from Pa. to Denver in Aug 2022 and bought a 2nd gen with 213,000 miles on it. I now have 222,000 and haven't looked back. I'm keeping it until my grandson gets old enough to drive and then he will get it, currently he's 5 y/o.
To bad Toyota didn't offer the 4.7 as an option in the Tacoma. If I had my Tacoma with a 4.7 i would still have my Tacoma. I have a 20 Tundra. I want nothing to do with turbos. Very unreliable and costly to repair.
@@howardcordova3036 Based on what I have seen with Ford....don't hold your breath. Now, Toyota is a way better maker than Ford IMO...but turbo charging is a whole new animal.
@@mikefoehr235 whole new animal? Turbos in cars have been around for over a half century, and even Toyota has been using them in their vehicles for 40 years.
@@ALMX5DP Maybe, but are those engines reliable???? The new Tundra isn't off to a great start. My 2nd gen Tundra has had 2 weird problems....a bad battery and now a cracked windshield. That is the worst issues I have in almost 2 years. Both are covered under warranty
@@mikefoehr235 that's what I am asking you. You seem to have made your mind up already though, so just trying to figure out why. There's been teething issues for sure, but if you believe that is indicative of a larger problem i dont know what else to tell you. You can provide your or your friends or families testimonials, but in the grand scheme of things that doesnt mean anything. I believe most information out there points to Ford's Ecoboosts as being relatively reliable for a modern engine.
Good video. In 2005, mine is rated at 282hp, and they derated the engine to 271. After 17 years, and not taking care of it, I finally changed the timing belt, which still looked like brand new. No other issues, other than the Pennsylvania rust on the strut mounts.
with u on this, my 06 Darell Waltrip edition 168k miles, never done anything to it since my dad was the first owner. All we have done is timing belt and I did the rack & pinion but that’s it 👌🏽 greatest truck to exist
I always liked this first gen Tundra in the crewmax model because they gave you a 6 ft bed which was not so common on full size half-tons at this point in time. $15-16k for that seems really reasonable in this day and age. A comment about the interior plastic color: it's so weird because it isn't really gray and it isn't really tan. My 2002 Tacoma had the same stuff and it was just a weird, sterile, soulless color. I remember when I was buying Huskyliner floor liners, I struggled with what volor to get vecause gray was too dark and tan was too brown. Pretty sure I went with black.
Always liked the size of the 2nd gen Tundra. Now the midsize trucks are about that size. FYI - I believe most of the composite beds are made of Sheet Molding Compound. Basically a polymer/fiberglass mat formed by huge presses.
I own an 06’ double cab 4x4 and love it accept the gas mileage😂 I flirt with buying something newer all the time but end up adding upgrades to my truck. Started with the rear view camera w/ pioneer head unit and then it was icon struts and shocks, icon 17’s w/ 285 70 duratracs, Firestone airbags, camburg uca’s, AMP’d up hidden winch mount w/ 12k badlands winch. Next up will be some subs under the backseat, by then I’ll be ready to move on to something else but doubt it😂
OMG, Toyota just keeps going backwards. The first gen Tundra is a masterpiece. Ask me how I know that. Power to weight ratio is perfect in the first gen. You still maintain great fuel efficiency with the first gen and it's bullet proof strong as hell. I'll be using mine again this year for pulling out Fords and Dodges stuck in the snow on the road right in front of my house. The funniest one last year was pulling out a jacked up Ford eco boost 4x4. Poor girl looked disgusted in her prized ford. I love my 2000 Tundra 4x4. It still gets 20 mpg on the freeway and I never have to work on it or worry it's going to break down on me, like I would a ford or Dodge or Chevy.. None of the other generation Tundras compare to the first gen either. Sadly they keep getting bigger and less fuel efficient. Big turnoff to me..
I have a 2001 Limited Access Cab TRD Off-Road and it fits all my current needs. However, I someday want to own an RV trailer, and wish it was rated to tow a bit more. It also lacks many of the convenience features I want (steering wheel volume control) but the ride is amazing, the mileage was 72,500 when I bought it a year ago and my wife loves it. Very happy I bought it. Cannot afford a four wheel house payment....
2005/2006 1st Gen All Day, Every Day Month, and Year. Like the gentleman in the red shirt said, I use my mobile phone for GPS, dont need a touch screen, and having a V8 4WD will save my life in murky terrain. It has four doors, if/when ai have company and the size is right for someone who wants to have a full size truck but doesnt dab in construction or towing a tractor. The new 22 Tundra is for sport, luxury, and flashiness. If I want a v6 twin turbo; Ill get a Supra or Sports Sedan.
I bought my ‘02 tundra SR5 brand new. Still own it and would never buy a new huge tundra. 137k and I love the old style, roomy, bench seat interior. No plans to upgrade. But if my 1st gen truck bites it I would probably buy a Tacoma. BTW- MPG averages 15 with the 4.7 liter in my tundra.
I love the first gen Tundra. I actually bought a 2004 SR5 double cab 4wd in March of 2021. Just shy of 223,000 miles. Had 212k when I bought it. Love the size of it, and hope to get many more years of use out of it. Great video, keep it up.
I totally get it, but I will still go with my old reliable, 2005 Double Cab 4WD 129k miles. still loving it every day and looks brand new, especially when it's not my daily driver. Like he said, only use it when needed otherwise it doesn't add any miles to it :)
Not sure what he means by the arm rest gets in the way of the seat belts. My seatbelts work just fine 🤷🏻♂️ No issues buckling, unbuckling, or while moving. The arm rest works as it should and with it away you can absolutely lean on the center console. I wish the door arm rest had some padding, it’s hard af. But definitely a great truck. It’s my daily and I love it.
Just acquired an 06 V8, and I really like it. I don’t like the 2022 at all. I paid 15% of the cost of a new SR5 TRD-Off-road for mine. The 1st Gen is a great size, comfortable and reliable.
From the quick look we were given of James' Tundra bed, it looks like it had a 'drop in' bed liner. The rust in the forward bolt down depressions and on or at the tail end show classic abrasion points where rust usually starts, with that type of 'old fashioned' plastic liners. This shows why a spray in liner is so superior, and I'm glad I went with the spray in style on my trucks.
@@Its_Peck I was speaking of my older pickup's an older F150 then my Silverado which DID have those drop in liners and subsequent abrasions which lead to premature rusting. So from this, I learned the other value of a spray in type. Remember now, I did mention "from the quick look we were given " so from that, those rust spots gave me that thought.
i put in the spray in liner when i bought my 2003 tundra brand new because i didn't want the rust problems i saw on other trucks. Now in 2022 that speed liner spray in liner still looks great, not even faded like the rino liner's of the day used to do and doesn't feel like sand paper either. Also, zero rust points everywhere the liner covers. I don't like the plastic beds on the newer tacos or the latest tundra, so cookie-cutter and ugly... just no room to make it yours. 😉😂😊
I’d choose the 1st gen just because I love the look of them and I’m younger and don’t have 50,000 to spend on a truck. I’m also a little mad about them switching to a v6 I wish they would have had both options.
I have the 4.7 in my 99 Lexus LX. Engine is absolutely bulletproof. Price difference alone between the 2 trucks makes the obvious choice for me. That extra 45k can go a long way towards something else. I don’t get the new trucks. Way overpriced and don’t do much else than a 10k truck does.
The newer trucks do a lot more. It has electronics and a huge touch screen. Thats basically it. I can see one useful thing in newer trucks. The reverse camera. Back in the days, I kept getting out of the truck to check if the trailer and ball are aligned and positioned when hitching up. But I added a cheap backup camera to my 2005 Tundra. Problem solved and no payments.
@@David.D3 Ok but hear me out. Treat yourself to a $200 radio head unit and a $30 backup camera. Bam, it's like a new truck right there. I have that in my 2006 DoubleCab Tundra just like the one in the video (though 2WD), and I love it. I've only towed with it once, but it was such a breeze to line it up, and it makes parking so much easier on a day to day basis
This guy doesn't know much about his tundra at all. It's missing the front skid plate, which is crucial for the engine bay.. The arm rest is supposed to be movable for the access to the seat belt latch. Lol
I have a 2006 Tundra DC 220k km Small lift bfg ko2 Ontario Canada bought in 09 off 3year lease at 80k km I don't think I'd trade it for a new one. Big back seat and a decent bed 6' 2". Everything after 08+ in my opinion till 22 is a downgrade . 08 till 21 Smallback seat decent box. Big backseat small box. 1stgen and 22+have the best of both worlds.
Id love a 1st gen with a toyota with 1VD-FTV turbo diesel swap. 268hp amd 479lb/ft torque im the twin turbo version would be plenty of power and more fuel efficient. Add a tune on that engine and it would really be fun. Of course it would be more cost and hassle than its worth to do it but, it would make it a fun truck.
Just bought an 03 sr5 bench seat cab 147k miles for $5500, put 3500$ into service. Needed rod rack and suspension service mainly and new tires where included in that as well. Love it man best truck ever
I own a 2006 tundra d-cab just like the one in the video. Bought it new and Jr is driving it. If I could by a new 1st gen again I would in a heartbeat over any new truck. It's the perfect size. Not too big but not too small. I always thought the crew cab on the 2nd Gen was too big and not proportional. The rear door looked bigger than the front. Not the case on the 1st Gen d-cab. That 3rd Gen is two foot longer and I believe has a shorter bed. And payload capacity is the same on both. I'm glad I still have my 1st Gen although it needs a paint job. 16 years of florida sun has taken its toll on the clear coat.
I took a bench seat from an earlier 1st gen tundra and took out my center console. Fabricated some hardware to make the bench mount line up with the original holes. One of the biggest improvements I've made.
I have been driving my 2004 double cab limited 4x4 for 18 years now. Has about 200k miles. Thought about selling it and upgrading to the newer tundra, No! I am keeping it
I own a 21 trd pro lunar rock don’t think I’ll ever sell it also own a first generation Sequoia same 4.7 as the tundra 250k still going trouble free use it as my daily would definitely go with the first generation
3:05 I bought my first gen Tundra Limited AC TRD Offroad 4.7L V8 new (out the door price was $25K) and still have it. It has an HP/Torque rating of 271/313. 1:26 It came with Bilstein shocks and underside armor bash plates and 16" Yokohama Geolander AT tires. It just rolled over 75K miles and still drives like a luxury car and I will probably never part with it...
I have a 2007 Toyota Tundra Crew Max with the 5.7 V8 with only 107,000 miles on it. I love this truck and will always say “Tundra FOREVER “. The best, most reliable truck in the world.
