1st generation Sequoia purchase

[Pat_in_Speedway]

Just signed the papers on an '03 Toyota Sequoia tonight to replace our GMC Envoy. I'm sacrificing horsepower and a little tow capacity, although our trailer is only 2500 lbs. Just looking for opinions of other owners of the 1st generation Sequoias with the 4.7L V8. Any towing nuances I need to be made aware of?

[Pat_in_Speedway]

They out it up on the rack for me before I took possession. It had been treated with Ziebart or similar treatment and I didn't see anything that raised any red flags. My plan is to take it to Rust Check twice a year and keep the underside washed repeatedly in the winter.

[boosTT]

Make sure the frame has been inspected!!! My co-workers 2003 Sequoia needed the frame REPLACED. He was the original owner and Toyota paid for it... $14k to replace the frame on a truck worth $8k. I believe the recall expires within a few weeks (if not yet). He said there was a huge backup of everyone waiting until the last minute of the recall to have the frames inspected.

I wouldn't want a truck that had the frame replaced.

[PDX_Zs]

The frame has been inspected for rust and is ok?

This was kind of a thing with these trucks.

[Ron3rd]

Nice find, and the fact that the timing belt has been replaced is a BIG bonus. I towed our old trailer (25ft, 5500 lbs) with our old 2000 Tundra 4.7 for about 4 years and found the drivetrain to be very good for that era of truck. With the weight you're pulling, you'll be fine.

There are 2 repairs on those 4.7's that are common; one is the TPS (throttle position sensor) and another sensor on the throttle body, don't remember the name. The sensors run about $80-$100 and are not hard to replace yourself or for a shop to do. Other than that, the engine is pretty much bullet proof.

[Pat_in_Speedway]

The timing belt change has been the very first thing I've been looking for during our search. We had been looking for 4runners with the 4.7, but this 1-owner Sequoia presented itself to us with comparable mileage for about $2k less than the 4runners we've been looking at. According to Carfax, the previous owner had service done exclusively at a Toyota dealership and it did show the timing belt changed right around the 90k mile mark where it should. It was actually all of the routine maintenance history (plus the dealer putting on a new set of tires didn't hurt either!) that convinced me on the Sequoia. The tow capacity isn't as good as the 4runner, but since we're towing not even 3k when the trailer's fully loaded, I shouldn't even notice.

[jerem0621]

One of my good friends used a 1st gen to tow a hybrid and later a 5000 ish lb travel trailer for years. Recently upgraded to a Motorhome. He pulled all over the Eastern US. NEVER one problem.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[PUCampin]

You will like the Sequoia. My father in law has a 1st generation Tundra with 220k on it. Truck is beat up (gets used for work) but engine and transmission are great and have not given him trouble. The 4.7 is a good engine, especially in the smaller lighter 1st gen. I drove it a couple times and I remember it being very light and snappy. It pulls his Fun Finder 210wbs with ease.

BE SURE you verify if / when the timing belt was done, I am pretty sure the 4.7 is an interference engine.

[gem1122]

I have the 1st gen. Tundra (06) with the same engine. We currently tow a hybrid with a GWR of 5000. There are no nuances that I can tell. Enjoy!