2006 DC New Owner Project

Greetings from NC. Wanted to post about my new (to me) 176k mile 2006 Tundra DC.

I drive ~6k/yr and am hoping to have it for at least 4 yrs, while I save for a newer 3rd gen. Good things about these trucks at least where I'm at is that there really isn't much more depreciation that is going to happen on them. What I can sell it for at 200k in a couple years should be pretty close to what I bought it for save some of the work I had to do on it below.

I did have a couple things to do, some maintenance/pm work, and some for enjoyment.

Maintenance:

• Oil change.
• Rear diff service.
• Transmission fluid.
• Replace windshield.
• Replace clutch fan.

Enjoyment:

• Diode dynamics flasher relay and full LEDs all around interior/exterior.
• CarPlay stereo upgrade (Kenwood) + USB input on center console.
• $160 ScanGauge - SG2 Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer with Customizable Real-Time Fuel Economy Digital Gauges for OBD2 Vehicles
  Scangauge II.

On the fence:

• Replace drop in bedliner with a spray-in one.
• Darker tint all around to reduce heat in cab.
• Replace driver side mirror with one that doesn't vibrate as much.

The tint and bedliner are a ~$800+ investment, but also do provide enjoyment. I'm in an area where rust isn't an issue, and this truck is local; no rust on bed or frame. I just like the utility and the look of the spray-in bedliner. I also need a solution to haul bikes. I don't want to drop 1k on a rack system. Might just go with a tailgate pad and be done with it.

Things that the previous owner did that I don't have to:

• New-ish tires.
• Timing belt and WP at 165k.
• Weathertech mats all around.
• HID headlights and fogs.
• LED 3rd brake light.
• 2" leveling kit.

Here she is, love the color:

Mid Kenwood radio install:

Backup camera works nice:

Scangauge II so I can monitor A/T temp, WT, MPG and Avg. MPG. I really like this location. Easy to see the gauge and nice to hide the wire behind the stock gauge cluster.

First project was to add 6k LEDs all around. All 4 door lights, map lights, dome light and license plate lights. Really helps when its dark out and modernizes the look. Total was about $20.

This mount worked perfectly for the Scanguage II.

Next is to finish upgrading all of the lights to LEDs. Diode dynamics LED relay + JDM Astar lights all around.

 

Welcome from Cypress, TX

 

Welcome from Florida.

Don't believe the fools that say "white is the fastest color"
They know nuttin

 

Nice 06. Welcome from Colorado.

 

I’ve been kicking back and forth what head to put in mine since I bought it 4 months ago. Which Kenwood is that and how do you like it?

 

@SharkDog -- I purchased the Kenwood DMX905S. It's last year's model. I was able to get a refurb'd one from Amazon for $350 (vs. $650 for a new one). I went with Kenwood because the better touch screen and 720p display over the competition. I did not need nav nor the DVD player, so this also saved me some money. I like it so far. The only thing that didn't work on the refurb was the microphone, but that was $8 to replace.

It was pretty easy to install and worked with the backup camera the previous owner installed without too much drama. I also pulled a USB port to the center console to wire up the iPhone for CarPlay. The newest gen has wireless CarPlay, but I normally want my phone charging when I get in the car and drive/navigate so that wasn't worth the extra $300 to me.

Here is the

Kenwood Excelon DMX905S 6.95in Multimedia Receiver (Renewed)

receiver,

$14 MOTONG Male to Female USB Power Port Socket Adapter for Toyota VIGO, Please Confirm The Dashboard Hole's Size Before Order(40 * 20mm)

USB plug and

$6 FingerLakes 3.5mm Microphone Assembly Mic for Car Vehicle Head Unit Bluetooth Enabled Stereo Radio GPS DVD

microphone I used. I also used this

$8 Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness Fits Select 1987-UP Toyota Vehicles Power + 4 Speaker (Packaging May Vary)

wiring harness.

I did order these

$10 AUXITO 194 LED Bulb Amber Yellow 168 2825 W5W T10 Wedge 24-SMD 3014 Chipsets Replacement Bulbs for Car Dome Map License Plate Courtesy Step Lights (Pack of 2)

map lights to replace the side marker halogens in my headlights, but I don't see an easy way to get the 168 bulbs out. Do they just twist out like the rest of the bulbs?

I put the LEDs in the side lights as well as the rear lights. Those side light assemblies are a real pain to work with. One was much easier to get out than the other one. We'll see how it all looks tonight, but tested everything out and it is all working as expected. I'm happy I got the switchback LEDs for the front, I really think they will help light the road better at night.

No hyperflash with the diode dynamics relay and the tap to signal is really nice as is the emergency/hazards feature.

Also ordered another map light option for the interior. The one that I had was def. 6500k instead of 6000k, I can see the difference.

 

Switchback flashers installed:

 

Thanks for the stereo run down. I guess I gotta make a decision and set aside sometime to install.

 

Got the last bit of LEDs installed -- replaced out the 6500k one in the dome light and also the two small amber LEDs in the headlights. Did a bit of night driving yesterday and the switchbacks really improve the visibility of the headlights. Was doing a bit of suspension research today. I'm likely OK with what I have, but I do like the OME kits. Something like would give me a 2.5" lift and an extra leaf spring.

Not sure it's worth dropping 1k on though. Doing the tint in a couple of weeks and also prob the spray in Bedliner. Ended up picking up a Yakima tailgate bike pad to haul my bikes. Will try out this weekend. I can still close my cover when I have it installed, which is a plus.

 

Did the the IRX ceramic tint this week as well as the spray-in bedliner, getting rid of the ratty drop-in liner in the process. Went 40% up front and 15% on the back doors and back window. Spray-in bedliner came out really nice.

 

Was it easy to change the parking lights/168 bulbs in the headlights?

Also does the amber in the corner signal light up all with the switchbacks? I was trying to decide if I needed clear corners for that mod.

Truck is looking good!

 

Good looking rig, what did you pick it for if you don’t mind me asking?

 

Welcome from NY.

 

I just got the same truck a month ago! 2005 Tundra TRD 133,000 miles did the drop in bedliner for $145 works well for me. In the process to do all the oil changes! Do you know the size of the bulb in the back seat on top in between the two T10 bulbs

 

I saw on youtube how to get the bulbs out! wrap duck tape on it and pull it. It will come out. I had some gorilla tape it came out easily!

 

@akhero -- you found the trick with the lights. Duct/Gorilla tape around the bulb and carefully work it out. Nice on your truck and great miles for a 2005! This is the bulb that I got for the back seat top:

OXILAM 578 LED Bulbs CANBUS Error Free 41mm 42mm (1.65‘’) 212-2 Festoon LED Bulbs with High Power 3030 SMD Chipsets 6000K Xenon White for Interior light, Map Light, Dome lights (4PCS)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q29X1BD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@Jim LE 1301 -- Thanks!

@Filthyphil -- Happy to tell you over PM.

@Daq_daddy -- once I figured out how they came out it was easy. I had to pull the coolant tank off on the driver's side and kind of lean it off to the side to get in there. The switchbacks sort of look amber from the side. I'd love to replace with clear corners. I can't seem to find any, though. If you can source them, let me know! And thanks re: truck! It's coming along.

 

@Openbaffle Yeah, after actually looking at it I see what ya mean. Ive seen a few diff styles/brands of clear corners on Amazon....I have a hard time trusting most of the aftermarket light housings honestly though....hard to pull the trigger.

 

I know this is a LOT to ask but there is no rush on this if you decide to do it @Openbaffle. Can you post and possible link all the work you’ve done to the lights? Housings, bulbs, interior & exterior? I know some of it is here but i honestly know very little about bulbs and the like. Hell i don’t even know what a “switchback” is lol. I have MUCH needed tlc to give to my tundra before i start on my lights but i would love to get it looking HALF as good as yours. Sorry if my questions are ignorant and dumb. I know so little about bulbs (sizes, type, etc.) that my questions are probably going to come off as dumb. Anyway beautiful truck and thanks!

 

Start with this.



There's quite a few people on here who went full led. @Professional Hand Model did some, I bet bet he remembers the others, cause I don't right now.

 

Still working on this. Not too much in the last year. Did order a new exhaust system from Dirty Deeds (2000-2006 weld on stainless 16x5) that I plan on welding in in the next month or so once it arrives. I installed clear corner headlights, which I think look so much better:

Unfortunately, someone hit my rear bumper (and didn't leave a note...grrr). So now I was thinking of getting a different rear bumper.
I really like the precision MOVE rear bumper. So may go that route. The dent in the chrome isn't horrible, so not in a huge rush. Haven't put too many miles on it in the last 18 months or so.

At some point I was thinking of upgrading the suspension system. Was thinking OME Coil springs, shocks, leaf spring spacers and u-bolts. Also need to replace the third brake light and try and restore some of the faded plastic.