02 4.7L Tundra IS a BEST of 1st generation!!
I absolutely love my truck , there were a few issues that having a friend do repairs wasn't quite the way I should've handled this experience. My truck has an interference engine which he has never heard of, therefore instead of taking all the tundra gurus ' advice from the experienced and knowledgeable,he just kept throwing parts at it in hopes to miraculously get it right. But unfortunately,due to my lack of funds and the only person I could get to work on my truck at no charge, it now sounds like a diesel, mpg is not up to par, performance power not as it was prior. Imo he changed a few things that were not necessary. The timing belt is a critical component,especially when you are running interference! I tried to point out the main factors in the upkeep to avoid destroying the engine but he basically ignored what I was explaining. A timing belt replacement sounds easy enough...... there's much more to it if you don't want to dismantle the engine repeatedly. Water pump,hoses,radiator, along with the belt, I may not have nentioned the full line up,the point is that everything component that is in junction with the belt may as well all be replaced at approximately 80-90,000 miles. The last thing you want is the belt to break while in use!!! Yep if it does, look for a new ,used or rebuild engine,the damage will be disastrous. What I like most having the interference engine is the performance in power, I love the power my tundra had. Had will be a has been ,I'm determined to have it all corrected by a toyota pro. I trust my 02 tundra to never leave me stranded, as it never has. I am at almost 300,000 miles. NEVER SKIMP ON FLUIDS, I am OEM all the way when it comes to parts beneath the hood,AND I only feed NON ETHANOL FUEL to my tundra. Another tip when replacing anything under the hood, best to change both. If you tear down to change gaskets, best bet is all at once save your time for taking trips in your tundra. The headlights could've been better factory quality but when it comes to smooth comfort,reliability,2002 toyota tundra sr5 4.7L is most definitely worth every penny, imo one of the best years of tundra , most definitely out of the first generation. My granddaughter says she wants my truck, by the time she's able to drive I may not . I have no doubt in my mind that this tundra could be on the road with her for at least 10 or more years. She is only 13.
2002 Tundra, BEST TRUCK I'VE OWNED AND I'VE OWNED,
My 2002 tundra limited access cab 4 door has 230,000 miles on it with just regular maintenance and hundreds of oil changes. Wears tires perfect and has never been aligned. Why buy a new truck when this one will last me probably till I DIE.
Loving my 2002 Tundra
I bought this 2002 Tundra SR 5 a few months after 9/11. I have driven it across the U.S. several times from GA to California. It has never failed me, including two cross-country tows of a household goods trailer of about 5,000 pounds. Paint job is still original even though it lives outdoors 24/7 for the last 5 years. Easy on tires and gas. Relatively easy to park and fits in an old garage. I retrofitted with a modern digital radio in 2016. Replaced a stolen ashtray in 2017, they stole the ashtray full of car wash change and left the new radio! If you can find one for sale, buy it! I am told the 2003-2005 models are just as good.