What year DC to buy? 2004 - 2006

I know I'm probably opening up a can of worms, but here I go...

I want to buy 1st gen double cab. I like the more compact dimensions of the first generation and they are a better fit with my budget. So, which year or years is best?

Considerations so far:

Availability - Where I am (southern California) there seems to be at least 50% more 2004s for sale than 2005s & 2006s combined.

Engine - Supposedly the 2004s have a bit more torque down low and are a bit easier to fix because of the cam seals (or something like that). 2005s & 2006s supposedly have a bit more power spread out over the entire rev range because of the variable valve timing, but are "harder" to repair. I asked my mechanic and he just shrugged and said "with the 4.7, regular oil changes, replace the timing belt and water pump every 90k miles and they will all last just about forever".

Transmission - 2004: 4 speed, non-sealed so a little easier to check and change tranny fluid. Well developed from earlier versions of same. 2005 & 2006: 5 speed, sealed, so a bit harder to check and replace tranny fluid. More gears is always better, right? 5 speed supposedly matches very well with the variable valve timing engines. My mechanic says "As far as I can remember, I have never had to repair a Tundra transmission. I can't say that about any other truck".

My "newer is better" brain is thinking that the 2005 & 2006 are the years to buy because they have the most developed version of the 4.7 and a 5 speed tranny. But keeping the 2004s in the mix really increases the pool of candidates.

So, what am I missing? All feedback and advice will be appreciated.

 

Bought my 2004 double cab 6 years ago with 96k on it. Just passed 177.5k. Greatest vehicle I’ve ever owned. Easy as anything to work on as well. I can’t comment on the comparisons of engines to 05/06, never driven one. But I love my 04 DC!

 

You already did a good job laying out the pros and cons. It really boils down to whether or not you want the 5 speed auto and VVTI. Many feel the 05-06 are the best years of the 1st gen Tundra while others don't want to mess with some of those features. We have a few people that swear there is a noticeable difference in power with VVTI.

One thing to consider is that the 05-06 seem to frequently suffer from the secondary air pump failure. Being in California, you can't pass inspection with a check engine light right?Maybe try to find one that's already had that repair done. They make a bypass for that issue but I'm not sure that would be sufficient to get rid of the check engine light.

The 05-06 also have the super expensive master cylinder but they don't seem to fail very often. I think we've only had 1-2 members have to replace theirs.

 

I would say it’s more about what is available and at what price.
There are differences, but they are so slight I can’t imagine they matter enough.

that being said, I recently bought a 04 DC with 280k for $5,000.

I spent about 4 months looking all over the country for something under 7k. DC’s are hard to find and expensive.

 

If you can find what you want, and maintenance records UTD then you should be gtg
just picked up an '02 with 291k from cali for 3500, no rust, and put 1k flawless miles on it over the last week camping on some old logging roads in ME
my first truck and couldn't be happier

 

My mechanic mentioned something about the air pump being under the intake manifold and that it was a pain to fix. That was on an 05 that I took to him to inspect and FOOLISHLY didn't agree to the seller's offer. Oh, well...

So, how much are these master cylinders and what are they made of, unicorn horns?

 

And while I'm at it, what exactly is the off-road package other than 2 stickers, a limited slip diff and Bilstein shocks?

I see lots of DCs with the LSD and at the mileage levels of the trucks in my price range the shocks have probably been replaced or need replacing.

Is it really worth seeking out a truck with the off-road package?

 

That is a good looking truck!! I love that red.

I can't buy a white truck, the wifey wont abide by that and I HATE the sand/mica/gold/beige (just my personal opinion, I'm sure there are lots of very nice folks with very nice trucks in those colors).

My color preferences from best to worst:
Black, Red, Green, Dark Blue, Dark Grey, Light Blue, Silver, White and Sand/Mica/Gold/Beige

 

I stupidly walked away from a 2005 equipped exactly the way I want. It had 207k miles and we were only $500 apart. Ughhhh. Oh, well I guess that truck wasn't meant to be mine. He wouldn't go below $7950. There is an 05 with 214k miles for only $6000. It looked decent on a drive by. There was no place to park and the dealer was closed. I really need to get a closer look at that one.

 

just got my 04 Dc - jade, in las vegas for $7500 with 141k miles. clean inside and just some rough paint spots from sun fade and a few scratches. drives like a dream. I love this truck.

 

Thanks!! It’s Salsa Red haha! I’ve always owned black cars. This was my first red one and I was nervous but I actually have come to love it. I think my next truck will be a dark grey. I like the blacked out look on dark grey car look. Good luck finding your truck!

 

OR Package has the beefier Front Coils and the Billy Shocks Plus:

 

Off road package includes stickers, HD Bilstein shocks, slightly heavier springs on the front. LSD isn't part of the package, it was a separate add on. Keep an eye out for mechanical LSD, some of the late years have traction control and people call it LSD, it's really just a nanny that applies brakes and can be annoying.

TRD model isn't worth sweating over, best part on it is the springs. Shocks by now have probably been replaced or really need to be. I suppose the stickers are cool too.

I might go for the oddball 04 model if I were in your shoes. No nannies, no air injection, more available trucks to buy. Don't compare a lot of prices you'll see here, being in Southern California puts you in the higher range of cost, but without rust.

Fixed it for ya.

 

About the only thing that draws me to an 05/06 is an extra gear. That would come in handy when towing. Either way, they both will be reliable, powerful, solid vehicles as long as they're cared for.

 

I’d love to drag race an 05/06 with my 02 and put this crap to rest.

 

Watch your tongue

 

California? I say go 03-04, it's a solid truck. Avoid the hassle of secondary air pump. Any other state I say 05-06 and install bypass. There is a bit more power available across the rev range but how often do you really use it? Not enough to deal with the emissions in California. The 03-04 has plenty of power, just take your time and read a lot of threads here and take careful calculated steps bringing her up to date

 

I think it's a wash. The added power is wiped out by weight. I think I have said on a few occasions, my 01 with 35" tires had more down low and held it's own.

2002 Tundra AC


2005 Tundra DC

 

Yeah, but I need to prove it on the track!

 

I've owned an 02 AC, 05 DC and 06 DC...to me it would be about the price/maintenance history/overall condition first before I worried about the year. If it was between an 04 and an 05/06 and the price/maintenance history/overall condition was the exact same (which will never happen), then yea, I'd go with an 05/06. In my opinion the 05/06 have a couple nice upgrades, but none of them are must haves (to me). I guess my point is don't get hung up on the year/specs for a DC...focus on the value of any particular truck you are looking at.

 

The 00-02 transmission is suspect but I am going to believe your truck is running top notch. I would say off the line you will pull out ahead but given enough track the vvti will catch up and pass you. Enough track is the key for the vvti truck.
02 AC vs 05 AC would be whole nother race, you will get smoked.
I have $50 on the 05-06 AC

 

I keep waiting for the planets to explode that I’ve been reading about for years in my rears. I believe people have had the problem, but so far so good on my end even with towing a regular bit.

I take it the 05/06 has the extra horses without the weight of the DC in your presumption? 282 vs 245 it looks.

 

And better gearing in the transmission.
$100 on the 05-06 AC

 

I sold my Limited 04 last year for $7,000 with 380,000 miles on it last year.

 

I've got tons of miles and towing on mine. Still on the factory planetary. I haven't heard of anyone's on here going bad.

 

my 02 has 292k picked it up 2 weeks ago
fluid is red, runs and shifts like new
should i absolutely flush and change trans fluid now?

 

Nope. Sounds like you are good to go!

 

I always look at toyota.com/owners and put in the VIN to see the build specs. So far I haven't seen one with the off-road package that doesn't have the LSD. Most of the Tundras I'm seeing have an LSD listed on the build sheet.

Our truck plans include quite a bit of desert time, so LSD is desirable.

 

It's not part of the off road package. Off road package is suspension, stickers, tires, fog lights. LSD could be had without off road and off road could be had without LSD.

There was a TRD "Sport" package for 2wd that included LSD but that's not the off road package.