Hi, new to the forum. I did a search for this and came up shooting blanks, so if there is a thread, please let me know. I am looking to puchase a 2003 Limited or SR-5 Tundra.
Some of the options and accessories I am not sure about. In some cases, aftermarket can make more sense because they are cheaper or better or both.
Here are my thoughts so far:
Bedliner. I think I am better off using the Rhino lining, or getting an aftermarket liner. I am also wondering about the difference in utility between over-the-rail and under-the-rail. For loading stuff,, over-the-rail seems to make more sense, no?
Carpet floor mats. Yeah, not enough $$ to say no, though these should be standard.
Leather interior. I like leather. If I get the Limited it will be leather. Otherwise I will add it later.
Sound system. I will get the best they offer, even if I eventually upgrade.
All weather package. Here is San Diego, that is probably silly, but I do drive up to snowski. Sounds worth it.
Power package. Yes.
Towing package. I intend on towing so this is worth it.
Hitch. Not sure, I can get a hitch a lot cheaper from hitch-web or directly from Putnam (I am a retailer). Is the Toyota hitch worth more?
well pretty much any tundra sr5 and especially limited that is on a dealer lot will have a few of those things already added in, like floor mats, tilt wheel, etc. i just got my tundra like a week and a half ago, an 02, and it has the 6-disc changer. the speakers SUCK and i would rather have put that money toward an aftermarket stereo, since i'm going to do that anyway.
if you want leather, and a lot of those options, i'd just get a limited.
I am leaning to the Limited. It does seem to make sense. Though the total cost is really creeping up there.
Extended Cab, Limited. AWD. The $3643 option package. That still leaves some questions about bedliners, towing receiver, accessory package.
The intended use of the vehicle is to tow race cars and haul racing karts. I race Toyotas. I just sold off a Toyota MR2 and have been racing Spyders all this year. I will probably still do that in a Spyder, but my focus is moving to a shifter kart which will fit in the bed of the Tundra quite easily.
Thanks for the reply!
Randy Chase
Lexus RX-300 (now for sale)
Honda Odyssey Minivan (for the soccer team)
All-Trac Turbo (for my daughter)
F125 Shifter Kart (0-60 in under 40 seconds!)
Sounds to me like you want the truck pretty much loaded. In that case, get the Limited. You can get an SR5 with almost as many options, but what's the point? The 2003 Limited gets you the power back window and alloy wheels standard. You also get a power drivers seat if you get the Captains Chairs. I believe the Towing Pkg comes with a hitch, at least mine did. On the new models, I see no reason to get an SR5 unless you either want the truck less than fully loaded, or if you have an aversion to the color keyed grille and mirrors on the Limited. Good luck with your purchase.
I beleive the towing package comes with the hitch. You may want to check out ebay for the tow hitch and see how much of a difference the dealer is asking compared to the auction price.
Spray-on bed liner, I have the Line-X over-the-rail. I love it because I'm always walking on the rails. Without it, the rails would be thrashed. Either by leaning things on it or having things fall on it. You can see a pic of mine in my photos.
I have the SR5 model. I didn't want the limited. I settled for the stock stereo and ended up getting an aftermarket one. Leather seats/interior, didn't want, they would be ruined if I got them. floor mats, came with. Door sill protectors protect the bottom painted rail of the door frame. Fog lamps, went with aftermarket. LSD, I should've got it. Auto dimming mirrors, don't see the need. Convenient though. running boards, the truck is not that high. First aid kit??? They should throw that in for free. Mud gaurds, yes. Hood protector, the hood is proned to getting rock chips.
I must have gotten hosed with my towing package. I didn't get a hitch, but I could care less, I don't tow anything anyway.
To me, the difference between a limited and an SR5 is basically leather.
I have everything the limited had in 2002 except leather and power seats. Leather don't want, power seats don't need, I am the only one that drives it. New power rear window, don't open it cause it is too loud.
I would not get a hard bed liner (drop-in). I have the Line-X under the rail and love it, but my truck has factory bed caps so have no reason to get an over the rail.
I too thought that my truck sat up high enough to avoid most rock chips, man was I wrong! I hate bug deflectors but hate rock chips even more, so I got the hood protector/bug shield.
If you have kids, get the door sill protectors, they save the paint from the kids scuffing it!
That's about it I think, to me it is between Leather (Limited) and cloth (SR5)? Your choice, chose wisely!
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1996 T100, 180,000 and counting
Originally posted by randyc Bedliner. I think I am better off using the Rhino lining, or getting an aftermarket liner. I am also wondering about the difference in utility between over-the-rail and under-the-rail. For loading stuff,, over-the-rail seems to make more sense, no?
I appreciate your thoughts and thanks for the forum.
Your truck will come with rail caps that will protect the bed rails. So you can leave on the plastic rail caps and get an under the rail spray in or remove the rail caps and get an over the rail spray in. Up to you, but the over the rail will cost more.
I would not get the factory leather. You can get the TRD leather aftermarket. It is much better with better side bolsters(wish I had know this before I bought). I live in San Diego also. I would recommend you contact Dianne at Carson Toyota. She is a supporting sponser of the the website and has given people some awsome deals. Including mine. You can contact her at dianne@earthlink.net Her office # is (310) 522-2317. I know this sounds like an ad, but she saved me at least $2000. I bought when none of the dealers here in town would deal.
Actually I know of Dianne and her reputation from the spyderchat.com website. And if I did not have a brother that works in sales for Toyota, she is the first person I would go to. Heck, I might go to her anyway, it would just make holidays around the dinner table a little awkward.
My best price so far is $300 over invoice, whatever that is.
I *really* appreciate the responses. I worried more I was going to get "Doa freakin search, newbie!".
Purchase your Tundra with the cheapest stereo you can get away with, then purchase/install an aftermarket system. The speakers Toyota puts in their vehicles are crap!!! They are made of paper/cardboard and distort sound......about the worst speakers you will find in a vehicle today.
There are plenty of folks here on TS that have changed out the OEM sound system....so when you get around to it, feel free to ask questions.
You can get a lot of that stuff cheaper somewhere else. The dealer mark-up is ridiculously. I bought genuine Tundra floor mats online for half as much as the dealer wanted. It's that way with a lot of things.
I see in your post you also asked about hitches and running boards.
My towing package came with the hitch receiver, but not the actual hitch arm or ball. I got mine from a guy on ebay.
As for running boards, we've discussed these a few times, but in synopsis, some prefer the factory (and expensive...like $700!) running boards. Most of us have opted to go with various tube steps or nerf bars.
The main advantages are these:
1. Relatively cheap (coupla hundred bucks)
2. Various finishes available (black, stainless, chrome, etc.) Each with pros and cons (chrome tends to pit and rust, stainless costs more)
3. Instant door protection from idiots in parking lots that bang their doors into your truck. Now they hit your tube steps/nerf bars and ding their own doors, not yours
1.Husky floor liners front/back.
2.Super plug for the oil pan.
3.Line-X Bedliner.
4.Hellwig anti-sway bar
5.Retrax roll top bed cover.
6.Synthetic lubricants.
On the to do list:
1.Line-X rockers and door sills.
2.Front sway-bar bushings.
3.TRD add a leafs.
4..Lund grill screens.
5.Keep makin payments.
6.If I get some GUTS to do Fog light/Map light TS mods.
My .02
RichR
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