I used to own a 2003 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab with an 8-foot bed and the reliable 5.3L Vortec engine. I bought it used in 2004 with just 34,000 miles on it and held onto it for 20 years, putting over 235,000 miles on the odometer. During that time, it saw the usual repairs—fuel filter and pump, a new alternator, brakes, tires, regular oil changes—you name it.
I didn’t exactly pamper the truck either. I wasn’t big on washing it or keeping it polished. It was a workhorse, not a showpiece. But eventually, rust got the best of it. The fenders, rockers, doors, and especially the frame deteriorated. It got so bad it couldn’t pass inspection anymore—and this was in Missouri, where inspections are relatively lenient. That tells you just how far gone it was.
I wasn’t equipped to tackle a frame replacement or heavy rust repair—didn’t have the tools, experience, or space. So I passed it on to my stepson to use as a farm truck. He had the room and know-how to work on it. The engine was still running strong, and if it hadn’t been for the rusted-out frame, I’d probably still be driving it. But maybe it was time, and I took it as a sign to move on.
The Search for a New Truck
After saying goodbye to my Silverado, I started hunting for a replacement. My first thought was to find the same model and year—something familiar. But most of what I found had the same rust issues. That pushed me to broaden my search.
I briefly considered diesels. My logic was, “I don’t need to tow anything heavy now, but if I ever did, I’d want the capability.” But realistically, I knew I wasn’t going to be doing any serious hauling, so I shifted back to gas engines.
One thing I knew for sure: I wanted a white truck with four doors and an 8-foot bed. That bed length had always been incredibly useful—especially for hauling plywood with the tailgate up. Having worked at a lumber yard as a teenager, I’d seen too many short-bed trucks lose their entire load in the parking lot because nothing was strapped down.
But finding a decent used truck wasn’t easy. Every model year seemed to come with a list of issues. “Only get these years,” “avoid that engine,” “this one rusts out,” “that one has transmission problems.” It felt like a gamble no matter what I looked at. Anything from 2005 and newer seemed to be hit or miss. And I didn’t want just another temporary solution—I wanted something that could be my
last truck, one that would last for the long haul.
That’s when I started thinking about the
Toyota Tundra. I’d always heard they were built to last. Known for rock-solid reliability, especially with the
5.7L V8, the Tundra has a reputation for going well beyond
200,000 miles with proper maintenance. That checked a lot of boxes for me.
I briefly considered a new one—until I started reading about issues with engine debris in the newer models. That scared me off, so I started looking at used Tundras instead. The trick, though, was finding a white Tundra with an 8-foot bed. Turns out, only the Double Cab comes with that bed length, and finding one in good shape was like finding a needle in a haystack.
I did come across a 2012 white Double Cab base model Tundra in excellent condition with only 24,000 miles—but the dealer wanted $28,000. That was steep for a 12-year-old truck, especially when retail estimates were closer to $24,000–$26,000. They wouldn’t budge, so I passed.
Eventually, I decided I could live with a
6.5-foot bed and found a
2018 white Tundra Double Cab SR5 with 92,000 miles for the same price—$28,000. It had the
5.7L V8, the one I wanted, and everything checked out. I bought it.
After a year of ownership, it’s been great so far. It’s not my daily driver, but even if it were, I’d only be putting about 12 miles a day on it. It’s getting light use, which should help extend its life even further.
One of the first things I did was get it rustproofed. I did a lot of research and decided on
Krown Rustproofing. They sprayed everything—frame, inside the doors, rockers, pillars, tailgate, bed, the whole works. It needs to be redone once a year, but at $189, it’s worth it if it keeps the rust at bay like they claim.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely believe a vehicle should last
200,000 miles or more if it’s regularly maintained. But with today’s vehicles, it feels like a guessing game. Between manufacturer quirks, EPA regulations, and design flaws, it’s harder than ever to find something truly reliable. Whether it's the automakers or the rules they're forced to follow, something needs to change. Because searching for a solid, long-lasting truck shouldn't feel this exhausting.
