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Advice on purchasing 2006 Tundra Double Cab V8

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by rje619, Jun 21, 2020.

  1. Jun 21, 2020 at 5:23 PM
    #1
    rje619

    rje619 [OP] New Member

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    Hey all,

    '03 Camry owner (220k miles on it) looking to move to a truck. Bought a house too long ago, so looking to be able to carry materials for projects as well as being able to tow a pop-up camper. Looked at a 2006 Toyota Tundra Sr5 V8 Double cab with 75.5k miles, 1 previous owner for $12.5k. Drove it about 5-6 miles around town and rides smoothly. Under the hood looks pretty clean.... a bit of rust on the drive train, exhaust, and cats... but the rest of the frame has an undercoating over it, which is suspect.... The small dealership that it's located at just got it in from an auction in CT this Friday, so they haven't gone through it yet. Still need to get the VIN to check history, but the dealer said he's happy to let me take it to my mechanic to have it looked over. I can't afford a newer truck by any means, but love Toyotas. My uncle has a 2006 Toyota Tundra and loves it. Looking for some opinions and guidance on these trucks...anything I should be aware of or looking for. If I were to go for it, I'll definitely be offering under the 12.5 asking price. Would love people's take on this sort of truck. Thanks!
     
  2. Jun 21, 2020 at 5:29 PM
    #2
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    Frame rust is a major factor. Specifically inside the "box" section of the frame beginning near the tail end of the transmission on my truck (2002, yours may differ slightly.)

    The coating would be of suspect to me. Ask when the timing belt, water pump, and various other goodies associated with that job was changed out last, if at all.

    Toyota reccomends replacing belt/water pump goodies every 90k.

    I have a V6, and am not sure exactly what else the "goodies" on your engine consist of. Someone will be along shortly with more experience with your engine to guide you.
     
  3. Jun 21, 2020 at 5:42 PM
    #3
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    Welcome from NY.

    Maybe take it to a Toyota dealership and have them check it over plus they should have any maintenance or recall information on it if it was serviced by Toyota.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  4. Jun 21, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #4
    abcinv

    abcinv OEM (+) Junkie

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    I second this; very sound advise.
     
  5. Jun 21, 2020 at 6:22 PM
    #5
    remington351

    remington351 New Member

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    If i were to do it again, I would buy an 04 double cab and avoid the 05 and 06. Sure the 05 and 06 have VVT and 50 extra horsepower, but when I test drove both I couldn't tell the difference from the drivers seat. 05-06 have the air injection pump issues, I installed a Hewitt kit, VVT cam seals are near impossible for a DIY, 04 has regular cam seals, 05-06 have the unicorn master cylinder that costs $800 when it starts to leak. Also, no dip stick on 05-06 transmission is annoying.
     
  6. Jun 22, 2020 at 4:24 AM
    #6
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Does the 04 have the nannies that kick in and reduce power when you stab out into traffic?
     
  7. Jun 22, 2020 at 6:24 AM
    #7
    speedtre

    speedtre New Member

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    It was an option according to the brochure...but in my shopping experience I'd say less than 25% of FGT DCs have it...maybe less than that.

    http://www.russauto.com/ncinv/modelinfo/brochures/04Tundra.pdf

    upload_2020-6-22_9-25-50.jpg
     
  8. Jun 22, 2020 at 8:04 AM
    #8
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    The old VVTI vs non VVTI debate. Tough call. We've had a few members that have owned both and said they couldn't tell a big difference and others talk as though their VVTI tundra is a Supra with a bed. :burnrubber: I really need to go drive one some day and see for myself.

    I would love to have the 5 speed auto but I wish it wasn't "sealed". What year did they start offering side airbags? I wish I had those along with a sunroof and the roll down rear window.
     
  9. Jun 22, 2020 at 10:29 AM
    #9
    04DCTundraMan

    04DCTundraMan Crimedog McGriff

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    Sony Head Unit, Pioneer Speakers, Back up camera, Blacked out Emblems, SPC Control Arms, OME 2.5" front lift, 1.5" rear spacer, Flowmaster Super 44 muffler, LineX bedliner
    the roll down rear window literally is one of my absolute favorite features of my this truck. As long as tundras have them, i will own a tundra most likely. I wish i had a sun roof though!
     
    Hooptytrix likes this.
  10. Jun 22, 2020 at 10:29 AM
    #10
    04DCTundraMan

    04DCTundraMan Crimedog McGriff

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    Sony Head Unit, Pioneer Speakers, Back up camera, Blacked out Emblems, SPC Control Arms, OME 2.5" front lift, 1.5" rear spacer, Flowmaster Super 44 muffler, LineX bedliner
  11. Jun 22, 2020 at 12:12 PM
    #11
    Dog

    Dog sit!

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    Rocky Mountain high...
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    Not in your manual, those are generic. You need the build sheet based on your VIN.
     
  12. Jun 22, 2020 at 12:42 PM
    #12
    chester

    chester best member

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    I recently bought my 05 and did a transmission filter/fluid change as part of getting the maintenance updated. The "sealed" transmission wasn't a big deal at all. The only differences are 1) needing 5 feet of tubing or a pump to fill the transmission, and 2) needing to crack open a screw to check the level.

    Overall, it turned out to not be an issue at all.
     
  13. Jun 22, 2020 at 1:18 PM
    #13
    Hooptytrix

    Hooptytrix Squeaky Chicken

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    I wouldn't buy a northern tundra, I had 1 with a new frame and many other parts but it is not worth the trouble. Once you get into doing work all your gonna find is rust hiding every where.
    If you want a good clean used tundra check Texas, Florida and even southern parts of Georgia, Alabama.

    As for the 3 versions of the 1st Gen. I'm going to kinda agree with @remington351 on the 03-04 years. 00-02 is access cab only, the rear window no go down and the tranny is suspect. 03-04 double cab has a beefed up version of the tranny and the non vvti has a bit more oomph in the lower revs and headers are cheaper. Now about the kinda part, 05-06 is smoother running for some reason. The engine and transmission combo works really well and if you jump on the pedal while you're driving, she drops gears, revs jump and now you're in the sweet spot for power. That sweet spot is higher in the revs but it's more than you can get out of the non vvt.


    That's my 0.02
    I have owned a 2000, 2001 and now in the 2005.
     
  14. Jun 22, 2020 at 2:08 PM
    #14
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    It will be interesting to hear your feedback once you put in the 12 ports.
     
    Tundra2 likes this.
  15. Jun 22, 2020 at 2:36 PM
    #15
    Hooptytrix

    Hooptytrix Squeaky Chicken

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    I am itching to get it done but I'm waiting for the catch can to show up. Figure I would go under the hood 1 time, clean up as much as I can and finish it all. The waiting game, now I know how my dogs feel staring out the window
     
  16. Jun 22, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #16
    speedtre

    speedtre New Member

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    When you turn your key to ACC, if you have it you should see a "VSC Off" light on your dash light up with the rest of the dash lights. Also, you should be able to check your trucksotrucks if you register it at toyota.com/owners. Also, if you see a LSD sticker on your rear diff, you don't have it.
     
  17. Jun 22, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #17
    Hooptytrix

    Hooptytrix Squeaky Chicken

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    Nice little flare side

    Screenshot_20200622-204818.jpg
     
  18. Jun 24, 2020 at 7:48 PM
    #18
    ajmorenoaz

    ajmorenoaz New Member

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    I love my truck boss and mines a 2000
     

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