Found a gem! 05’ RCLB V8 4WD w/ 25k miles

I agree. I've bought and sold many cars, and it's hard taking people seriously when they can fall through at any point, but it usually isn't hard to tell who is serious. Thankfully, this guy respected our deal. He mentioned that people had been making above-asking-price offers if he'd allow them to come by before I did. I basically agreed to buy it sight unseen, although a mechanic checked it for me.

 

Speaking of the mechanic, what did he find? Or not find, rather?

 

Already spent a couple hundred on mods... I need to wait to hear the damage from the mechanic before I get too trigger happy.

I just happen to live in a trailer in a redwood forest. I'm actually just starting my career sailing.

 

Ah, very nice. It helps to know more about the truck than the seller. I'd say 10k is totally fair unless there are any known mechanical issues they didn't disclose. You could probably make most of that back in parts given how clean most of it is.

 

I think I have my old oval fog lamps if you want them, that front bumper looks like a keeper to me.

 

A/C isn't blowing cold, which I don't care about. Besides fluid swaps and a timing belt, the only issues found were the inner CV axle boot was torn with no damage to internal components, and an issue with their diagnostic machine. I'm a bit worried that something chewed through a wire. I hate electrical work on cars, and I imagine my mechanic would be an electrician if they didn't agree.

 

That would be awesome! I love the chrome bumper, but I probably need a headlight upgrade due to their output. I'm young, but my bad eyes make driving at night a danger for everyone.

 

Rats, that's the biggest issue you can have with older cars especially when they sit for a long time.
They are hella smart knowing when something is/n't moving so they start feasting on it.

 

This didn't make sense to me. Can you elaborate a bit? An issue with their diagnostic machine? How does that make you think something chewed through a wire?

On the HVAC, if that truck sat as much as we must believe it did, I'm sure a rubber seal dry rotted, and you're low on 134a coolant. No way the compressor is bad, unless one of its seals ate shit. A quick pressure test with a set of gauges would reveal what's up w/that. Not thinking about it for cooling, only for defrosting purposes.

 

I have a spare new headlight on one side which has a very very very slight leak/imperfect seal compared to the other side so I bought a 2nd new one to replace it (still sitting in the box waiting for the swap).

With that said, our headlights, at least the ones for my truck without the tearduct DRL bit, are pretty cheap. I think both styles fit the same but not 100% on that.

When you're ready, hit me with a DM and a wish list and I'll go through my takeoffs and see what I might have. The fog lamps are likely the harder ones to come by, I have the brackets too.

 

The pre-purchase mechanic didn't offer to elaborate without a further diagnostic appointment. Basically, he plugged his diagnostic computer and received an error code, or something of the sort. I'm assuming these means their is an issue with it on my end, but I'll be taking it to my more competent mechanic in an hour.

Good to know about the A/C. I could careless if it works, but if its an easy fix I'll certain work on it.

 

That would be much appreciated! Thank you. I'm navigating the larger repairs and essential mods at the moment, but trying to approach this truck with a plan, so I'll likely be spending the upcoming weeks deciding what I need/want and how that fits into my budget. Headlight swap and ideally upgrade is high on the list if I can find some that don't look like they belong on a 2020+ truck.

 

You really brought the truck "sight un-seen" because sounds like that mechanic is worth as much as the rat dropping that we might find.
At least you will be in better hands now.
Can't wait to see the outcome of a re-born truck.

 

our OEM parts are still available for purchase as far as headlights, corner lights and taillights. One nice thing. Not even overly expensive.

NOTE: these are for my '02 not your '05-'06 and I actually bought '05-'06 taillights cause I like them better than the amber ones, but I think the fitment is all the same and I assume pricing too so just for reference.

 

Much appreciated. A bit more than my 03' tacoma headlight spares cost but still not too bad. I'll probably look into my options for an upgrade, but I'm not holding my breath on any LEDs looking the part on an 05' work truck.

 

Long wait times, some guys love them, I personally at these:

https://www.bxbuilt.com/product-page/1st-gen-tundra-sequoia-retrofit-headlights

The OEM headlamps w harness and 100w bulbs, AGM battery and 14.4 V is the ticket.

 

Congrats on the find that’s awesome! It will definitely be a sweet Baja truck with a nice camper

If you don’t mind me asking what platform did you find it on? I also have a 4 dr 1st Gen taco and am looking to make the switch

 

Congratulations, that is a score! I had a 2000 V6 manual RC LB I let go in 2005 I miss all the time!

 

The pic of the engine bay is insane. Congrats on the find.

 

Not the worst I’ve seen, but for $600 and a downgrade in looks I’ll probably pass. If I can increase the outage with what you described, I imagine that’s the route I’ll be taking

 

I found this on Facebook, and I feel like that’s usually where I find the gems honestly. I hate using it compared to craigslist, but I’d start using every resource available when you’re serious. I found this ad after a day of about 6 hours on my laptop researching and truck hunting.

 

Scroll down to the headlight upgrade section and that should get you started.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/the...not-led-or-hid-1st-gen-tundra-addition.80653/

 

Darn Facebook huh. I really wish it was easier to search through but guess I’ll have to start using it more. Thanks for the heads up

 

Great find congrats!!

 

Regarding the headlights on this new awesome gem...

I just wanted to see if I could help out on the headlight issue. I have an '02 V6 2WD, with I'm sure the same headlight housing/shape as your new gem. My headlights were not good when new, and practically useless after many miles of use. So, I bought a replacement pair of 1ST Gen headlights (not the best quality) on Amazon with the intention of modifying them before installation. I also purchased a set of Morimoto Mini H1 projectors, and a set of generic 6000K H1 HID bulbs/ballasts for the build.

I heated the new generic headlights a bit in the oven, and split the front clear lens from the housing, removed the center bulb shield, and mounted the Mini H1 projector in each.
Before closing things back up, I popped in a bulb, connected the ballast to a 12v bench power supply, and fired each of them up to verify rotation, focus and test the high beam solenoid.

The results are a clean look, and headlight output better than you'd think possible from an old "I will never die!" Toyota. The new lights cover the entire road, dig into the underbrush on the sides, reach way down the road in front of you, and they don't blind oncoming traffic (if properly aimed, which is essential for best results anyways).

Hope that helps!

Edit-also hope it's OK to post a direct link for the housings I used...

$116 AKKON - For [Black] 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Toyota Tundra Regular | Access Cab Headlights w/Corner Lights Pair

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016EBK2Z6?ie=UTF8

 

There's a tutorial on it somewhere around here, IIRC. I swore @SouthPaw shared the 'how to' manual on how to do it, he's not making any more. This gets into what he was making.

There's a much easier way to accomplish what you've done without having to crack open the lens, or use an oven. That was discussed over here, and shown how to make them in the video - it's a 30 minute ordeal, no ovens, and under $250 total with new housings and projectors.

After seeing how badly BX Built screwed over people, I think a lot of folks should be doing this on their own. A solution that involves cracking open your headlights isn't a solution. If anything breaks or dies prematurely, guess what you've got to do again?

 

I did my retrofit before I found this forum. And I have done a bunch of other retrofits for friends and family over the years. All of them required breaking into the insides with sensible heat. Some required a little modification to get the donor projectors properly situated. None have ever had an issue after resealing the clear front lens to the body. That said, after watching that video, I'll still be cooking my housings to swap in a proper OEM or quality aftermarket projector.

 

I just realized, this makes Erik-with-a-K #4 on the forum. @FirstGenVol @alb1k @Pirateduck

WTF is going on that a majority of Eri(c|k)s who like Tundras use a K?!

I like my money too much, and if I can get 90-95% of the way there at 50% or less the cost, and without an extra hour or two of work, you know what I'm doing.

I have no qualms about cracking open headlights. I've got Morimoto resealing cord and everything else needed. But I'm only cracking open a housing if I'm doing something super custom, or there's no cheaper, easier option that's nearly the same end result.

 

Definitely not mad at you on the 'get there easier and cheaper route while gaining most of the same results'! I'm just stuck in my ways. I prefer OEM D2S projector retrofits (last swap was a 2005 Honda Accord with Lexus RX350 projectors). I went with Morimoto Mini H1 projectors in the Tundra because they are basically drop-in. I'll keep this pattern going until there is a sweet option to retrofit in some OEM LEDs (not the giant Honda/Acura multi-led projectors). Until then, I'm going to be getting messy, burning my fingers and enjoying the process. Regardless of how one gets to the point of being able to actually see down the road while driving a vehicle that had crap lighting initially, it's all very worth it in the end. Just don't blind anyone, be the respectful/responsible forward lighting upgrader.