Toyota Tundra 10-Year Long-Term Update -- It Finally Stranded Me

Below is a transcript of the episode, cleaned up via AI and edited by a staffer:

Luckily for me, the breakdown happened at a gas station less than a kilometer from my house.

This is a flashback to 2015 when I bought my 2008 Toyota Tundra SR5 as a daily work truck and family hauler. As expected, we started modifying it right away, adding TRD fender flares and Volk Racing TE37 wheels—parts now worth more than the truck itself. Since then, I’ve put almost 300,000 km (about 200,000 miles) of heavy use on it, which meant countless oil changes, brake jobs, and replacing rusty control arms, bushings, and ball joints. Along the way, we upgraded to IBOK coilovers, Power Stop brakes, newer Sequoia LED headlights, a TRD-style grille, paint-matched bumpers, and LED taillights, giving it a modernized look.

There was another brake job, plus a new evap canister to clear a check engine light, and a replacement tailgate for about $500. I also upgraded the head unit to a large-screen Dicata unit—perfect for my aging eyes. Despite all the years and mileage, the Tundra has been incredibly reliable and tough.

That is, until recently, when it left me stranded for the first time. It wouldn’t start at a gas station. I suspected a dead starter, and since I was about to head out of town, I had it towed to Envy Auto, where Nam and the crew diagnosed the issue. Sure enough, the starter had failed.

The job wasn’t easy—the starter was tucked under the header and rusted. Nam removed the heat shield and fought through seized bolts and corroded parts before finally pulling it out by moving the transmission oil cooler. The replacement went in smoothly once he had the order of operations down. After reconnecting a broken solenoid wire, the truck fired right up.

While there, I also replaced the AC compressor myself, since the old one had failed during a heat wave. It wasn’t as difficult as the starter, though a broken stud made it a battle. With a new Denso compressor installed, the Tundra was back to being comfortable to drive.

The truck’s only recurring issue has been brakes. Power Stop rotors and Hawk XD pads lasted about 80,000 km (50,000 miles), but the aggressive pads filled the slots and drilled holes, wore quickly, and caused vibration. This time, we switched to blank OE+ rotors and Pro Series XD pads, which promise better bedding and less noise. Fresh pads and rotors went on together, which should extend their lifespan.

Routine maintenance continued with an oil change using Valvoline synthetic high-mileage oil, which I’ve trusted for years. I also topped up transmission fluid with Valvoline ATF. Rust remains the truck’s biggest long-term concern, more than any mechanical issue.

Despite being stranded once, this 2008 Tundra has been a dependable, hard-working truck. With regular maintenance and a few upgrades, it continues to run strong even after hundreds of thousands of kilometers.

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