The BEST Budget Overland Vehicle!? 1st Gen Sequoia 2 Years of Ownership Review

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0:00 - Intro
0:58 - Why I Chose a Sequoia
5:31 - My Experience Owning a Sequoia
7:50 - Random Features I Love
10:13 - Things I Don't Like
11:02 - 2 Years of Maintenance (What has Broken)
13:03 - Purchasing a Sequoia - My Recommendations
15:31 - Outro

[Baebon]

I spent 2k on an 06 with 310k miles. 2 years + 20k miles later, she still chugging along. I kinda low key want people not to make videos about 1st gen Sequoia because I want to get another one for 2k lol.

[TimelessKnowledge]

I got a white one for 8k with 100k miles in mint condition! put some ted wheels on it and called it a day...

[integralexpo]

fun facts: the engine block is made of iron and weighs approx 400lbs. this tank is so overbuilt and therefore heavy, which is why its a bit slow. heavy is safe. my sequoia got rear ended and completely totaled a volvo, but all i had to do was replace the plastic tow cap. true story. I put a custom exhaust for 1000 bucks like 10 years ago. you get a noticable difference in power/mileage. the exhaust system paid for itself after a few years of driving just from fuel savings. if you do the math, paying a bit extra for gas for this vehicle is still way cheaper than driving a new vehicle!! dont let it trip you up

[garrettstephens]

Just bought an 04 limited 4WD with 210k miles on it, did preventative maintenance and am looooving this truck. So beefed up and comfortable.

[lesliebooth]

My 02 Sequoia has 360, 000 miles and still going strong! Just always take care of the oil changes and such.

[randallsmith]

I have owned a 2004 Sequoia SR5 since new. It just passed 200, 000 miles. Your review is a good description of the ownership experience. I would add one more item to the watch liat. The tailgate window guide tracks do rust out. If you hear what sounds like dirt in the tailgate when you open or close it, that is most likely a pile of rust from the guide rails. This is an easy DIY repair with a parts cost of about $200.

[vcryons]

got 259k miles on mine and runs great. would love another one

[luis__jrtx]

Great overview! I've still got my 06 limited, had many toyota trucks and suv's over time and it's been one of my favorites.

[OffRoadDiscovery]

We put a lift on our 2nd Gen Sequoia and have had SO much fun in it. Threw a roof top tent on and easy to camp anywhere. Enjoy yours!

[TdiVic]

Couldn’t have asked for a better video explaining the sequoia 🙌 just might go and buy that one I been looking at great video !

[solarforfuture]

agreed. low cost. big room.. $3500, 1st gen daily.. work horse and overlander. step one, loose 200 lbs of rear seats. now cargo space and mattress fits nice. rack fits 250 watt solar panel. low profile.. auto rear locker in low/low.. 2 mpg less than new twin turbo exploder motor. twice the grunt. in beast mode. 365K miles! its a keeper. paint still shines!

[philiptaylor]

Max, I definitely understand why you initially wanted a 3rd gen 4runner. I owned a 98 SR5 4x4 for almost 8 years. And I can definitely tell you now owning an 05 Sequoia that the sequoia is a much better overlander/daily driver. For a strictly off-road machine, I would pick the 4runner, mainly because it's so small. But that's also the exact reason it doesn't make for a great overlander. The size of the sequoia is perfect for packing up a ton of gear and still having room to sleep in the back. I camped in my 3rd gen many times when I owned it, and there's just not much room back there. Mainly due to how narrow it is. The 3rd gen also rides much stiffer and has a lot of wind and road noise, especially when you add large AT tires. The sequoia is much nicer to live with as a daily driver and for road trips. Like you mentioned, it's relatively smooth and quiet. But the biggest issue with the 3rd gen is how anemic the 3.4 v6 is. That 183hp just isn't enough. The sequoia inst fast, but it's much better than the 3rd gen. And the 4.7 is such a great engine. I have an 05 model, so mine was the first year of the vvti, which boosts the power to 282hp and 325lb/ft. I can imagine the pre-05 models being pretty slow, especially with larger tires.

Saying all that, lately I've become extremely nostalgic for my old 98 4runner. I've been looking at them on fb lately, considering if I really want to sell my sequoia and get back into a 3rd gen. The sequoia is such a good vehicle. But there's just something special about the 3rd gen 4runner. It was the first vehicle I ever purchased. And driving it always gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I loved that thing to death. Tuff decision

[chrisvos]

Love my 06 sequoia. Nice ride Maxwell !

[leeroyadams]

Max like I say every comment I always love your work man ! I honestly appreciate your honesty and foward ness regarding your work ! I love your rigg man keep killing the tree game brother thank you soo much for your hard work !!!

[sterlingchristy]

Love my 02 Sequoia got it for 5g and had it for 2yrs in Feb

[daviddru]

I have both the 05 Limited Sequoia and a 00 limited 4Runner. Both are great and I'd struggle if I had to pick one. But frankly, the Sequoia just makes more sense in more categories of need and want. I just put about 6k into new suspension, wheels, tires, front bumper and winch in the 4Runner at 230, 000 miles. It was just time with the suspension so I of course upgraded. Want to do the same with the Sequoia now that it's at 225, 000. unfortunately both had sun rash show up on the hoods and roof in the last year. Be sure to keep that paint protected!

[abubakerzarrug]

Hi there, I can feel your happyness driving that beauty, I've owned my 02 since a year ago, and fell in love since then, it's simpIicity, as well as being so quite (I sometimes feel sleepy driving it😅) are my favorites
live close to the great Sahara desert in north Africa ... So maybe I'll take it there some day .. mine have 266k on it now .. keep loving Sequoias

[zhouheye]

it is so nice you can find a nice one! I have been looking for over a year on california but can not find one beacutiful and clean like yours

[ambienteterrazas]

It's the same reasons I got mine I even did the same front bumper trim!! I also have done preventive maintenance plus tires and suspension but it's all stock specs and as is it's been great off roading, I love the amount of space I have and also coming from smaller suv's it's great not having to play a game of tetris with all my camping gear in the back.

[VikasShankarathota]

Hey great video and nice truck! Something to add to the buyers guide would be make sure the frame is rust/rot free!