Quick update:
Been three years, just shy of 3 years and 1 month actually. As a recap, bought as a CPO with 73kmiles and a warranty until 100k; new rear brakes and tires, new air filter, oil change.
The front diff did need to be rebuilt at 84k. At times I think I am getting a bearing noise, so time will tell on that repair. I recently did the serpentine, the tensioner and plugs; one of the plugs had a fair amount of oil on it so I suspect the valve cover gaskets need to be done. Change diff and most of the trans oil around 80k also, done coolant, done power steering fluid, done some of the brake fluid too (no full flushes just partial ones). Cleaned the throttle body just before plugs, as I thought the idle was off (tossed in a bottle of injector cleaner too). No other work done.
Currently at 122k. Lifetime mpg is 19.4. Obviously the truck is never worked nor driven fast! Some paint chips, some pits in the windshield. No real rust, as I've kept it coated in Fluid Film. I did find a dent recently in it, but you have to look for it. Front bumper alignment is off, but so are most Tundra's.
While it came with new tires, I decided to replace the low-rated Bridgestones with Michelin LTX MS2's. They seem fine but were not the tires I wanted in snow, so in winter I run a set of Hankook iPikes. Both sets of tires are the stock 255 width, and while that is fine for snow I suspect, based upon shoulder wear, that it could be a bit wider for all seasons.
I ran TGMO 0W20 from 80k until 120k, when I put in PP 10W30 (hey, it was on sale!). Might go back to 0W20 this winter, might not. Toyota oil filters. 10k OCI, doesn't use any oil. Used Maxlife for ATF and PS fluid. Mobil 1 for diffs and TC. Gets washed a couple of times per summer, vacuumed once a month in summer and every other winter (or whenever I feel like it). FF twice/year.
The rims for the snow tires were a CL special (stock Tundra steelies). The running boards were another CL special. Rusty but who cares. The cap was a CL find also. The Scanguage and Prodigy brake controller were not, nor was the Cobra 75 install; but only the CB antenna and brake controller bought for this vehicle (already owned the other parts). Weathertech mats.
Originally I had planned on only driving about 10k/year, but since I sold my car last year it's been my daily driver. No huge complaints:
-cruise control is aweful, and will send the automatic trans hunting on hills
-trans likes to unlock the convertor for no good reason
-dashboard lights dim automatically if you turn on the headlights. Which is fine, at night, but during the day I often have to readjust the light, or I can't read the radio.
-mpg isn't that great, nor is parking!
-ride is bouncy, but I'll give that a meh--I kinda prefer it to feel a bit like a truck. But I do notice it when I get back into it after driving the Camry.
-I consider the throttle tip-in a bit excessive. Really have to roll into the throttle slowly to be gentle and to avoid TC unlocking.
Overall I like the truck. Simple, basic, but does have decent bells & whistles--remote keyless entry, and all I have to do is bump the key and it will start. When I was shopping I was not interested in cylinder deactivation or diesel or other mpg things, as again I wasn't going to drive it "that much". Quiet ride. Four doors, the kids can get in and out on their own. Bench seat up front, for seating for six. Wanted to be able to pull a small travel trailer in the future (plans changed but that is why I got this and not a stationwagon). Does what I want of it.
Went out garage saling today, and of course forgot to take the truck, as "oh we won't buy anything big". Got sent back for a $5 chair... The Ryobi's were found at the transfer station (if I don't find cheap batteries then back they will go).
The cap does limit loading a bit, but honestly I don't want to hoist anything up that high if it's that tall! The cap works well for my slight uses (trash runs, moving boxes, etc). It's really an overgrown station wagon, and arguably I could be better off with a minivan.
Needs to be washed!
The cap is a very dark green. In bright sunlight you can see it, otherwise it looks black. I think the green cap works well on the white truck. [When I bought it, my boss derided it as a plumbers truck.] Again, a CL find, so that was the choice. Cap didn't come with keys but the struts work fine. Incidentally, the wrecking yard where I got the cap from marked the vehicle VIN onto the pulled parts; the truck that this was on was only a few s/n's from mine! Light damage on some corners, so I suspect that owner rearended someone...
Getting the middle person up front is a bit cramped but doable--that small box comes out, and usually holds debris from traveling (maps, food, etc). About time to clean that out too. Ashtray was removed and a small board inserted, that is where the brake controller and SG reside. The Cobra 75 is a small handheld unit so it floats around, often hidden under the seat.
Not a great pic of my camper, but it applies. Taken before I got the cap, of course. Camper weighs something like 2k dry, has a 2,500lb GVWR--so the truck pulls with ease. Camper was another CL find, just like the prior popup I had.
Originally I planned to pay off in 2 years, while being in warranty the whole time; but had a change in financial plans. Received the bank statement saying "paid" today, so this week I'll see about getting the title.
Will see how long I own. Originally I planned on driving 10k/year for 10 years; trading out around 170k or so. Wanted a "nice" third vehicle to do stuff that a beater daily driver couldn't do (move stuff, mostly). If I can get
anything to take some miles off the truck (driving at about 30k/year right now) it would obviously help. At the moment, nothing makes me want to get rid of it. I can't say I "love" it, just that it does what I want of it. Thus it'll stay until I have good financial reason to get rid of it, I guess, or if I start to feel it unreliable.
