(Should I buy?) 2004 V8 crew cab 187+ trying to join the 1 gen ranks

lol I’ll bring back some Hefeweizens on my next trip to Germany.

Yeah I’m optimistic that when the time comes for making some mini-mes, ill be in a situation to buy seperate dedicated vehicle for that (what’s safe nowadays, still Volvo? Lol) but I guess why not get the best of both worlds if I can

 

There are a few of us on here who've stuffed carseats into the AC, and are doing up to 3 kids. My youngest was in a booster when I got the AC. Both kids are into the double-digits at this point, big enough to be bitching about "I DONT WANNA SIT BEHIND DAD THERES NO ROOM!", they'd rather sit on top of each other with the younger having his knees in the center console...

 

LOL! just to be clear are you lowkey saying its doable or saying dont make the same mistake I did lollll

 

Two other things:

This is a thread here on the forum that posts 1st gens found in various places. https://www.tundras.com/posts/3162016/

I remember @chrisb was selling his truck, but I don't know if he ever managed to find a home for it. It was a really damn nice, very well taken care of 1st Gen. He doesn't post here anymore (though we miss his ass), but he may still have his t....

Nevermind. It sold. https://www.tundras.com/threads/2006-ac-sr5-v8-4x4-central-in.103759/

There've been other members on here with their trucks for sale. I recall quite a few. Some have multiple trucks. I remember one member with a silver DC and a silver AC and they had to pick one to sell a few months back. It happens often enough.

 

It's do-able. There's an entire thread about it in the 1st gen forum. Most guys are doing one child seat, mounted in the rear-center, so the head of the baby is resting over the center console.

 

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/d/san-antonio-2004-toyota-tundra-4wd-47l/7647050423.html

Think this is the latest one posted. Guess im in for a full country road trip loll

 

I think the body damage is what has that so low. I'm guessing you could sell the rack (if it came with it) for a good $600-800 or more. But it looks like damage to both rear bed panels, so may need a new bed. Might've gotten hit from behind. Hard to tell with those pics.

But yeah, this is the kinda thing where a local member could actually be useful to pop over and look.

I remember this one that someone asked about that was in TX that ... honestly, stomps the dick in the dirt over anything you listed so far

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2006-toyota-tundra-limited.127718/

We've had a number of trucks go for sale here by members, and a few price checks that turned into sales. Here's the last couple I recall, but I suspect they all sold, 1st guy hasn't been back since a week after he posted.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/sanity-check.119373/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2006-tundra-crew-can-4x4-value.115942/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/need-help…-pricing-a-truck.102403/

I dunno. If you get up enough posts and plop something in a "WTB" (want to buy) post in one of the existing threads or subforums, who knows, maybe someone is looking to offload.

 

GOTCHA, yeah I shoulda lurked harder and didnt see theres an entire forum for members trying to sell.

That being said, last question is anyone here can see whether the one in the post below is still avaliable?

I didnt have a FB and apprently they dont accept new accounts unless its been active for more then a couple of months...

 

I dont have fb messenger. When i post things from fb its up to you to search the name & contact em. I commented on the post, will reply if i get a reply.

 

Here's a good example of what I can see within 90mi of Atlanta, along with their suggestions a little farther out: https://atlanta.craigslist.org/sear...ear=2000&search_distance=90#search=1~grid~0~1

A lot of what's up there now is 2WD, as these next two I'll link are.

This blue Limited model caught my eye until I looked real close and realized it was painted over the damage (note the tailgate) but looks rust-free, needs some TLC https://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/d/fayetteville-2000-toyota-tundra-ltd/7642101089.html

A little closer to you in SC, this caught my eye, only $11.8k: https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/fort-mill-2006-toyota-tundra-double-cab/7645051204.html

This one is 4WD but I see some stuff that makes me want to see frame pictures: https://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd/d/kannapolis-2006-toyota-tundra-sr5/7644402827.html
(And it also needs a radiator, I can seen the radiator top is browning)

 

@shifty` considered a side job of finding 1st gen Tundras for a fee?
Damn you are good. Raising a glass of bourbon tonight for you.

 

In case you find a nice unsupercharged truck.

 

Gotcha! thanks

Lol I know.. either tundra drivers are the nicest folk on the planet, or shifty here is the next coming of jesus christ with a truck.

In either case I appreciate the help and tips I've gotten so far from everyone.. definitely been milking the thread as much as I can for advice. Its just not what im used to LOL, where im in a situation where I have the $$ for it but have no idea what im looking at, usually its the other way around.

I'm trying to not cross the line and def not asking anyone to hold my hand in this, so I'll stop asking and do my own searching like a grown man should.

THATTTT BEING SAID... my final question in all of this is a simple yet confusing one for me...


Like when im looking at these frames, how do I know if what im looking at is the real frame (i.e. above) and not one hidden by protective film or touched up like others have pointed out in the sketchy ones earlier?

Thanks yall.

 

I've got that link saved in my phone, all I did was share it

I have four searches saved for CL:

• 1st gen Tacos
• 1st gen Tundras
• Toyota wheels/"rims"
• Tundra (camper|topper|cap|shell|bed)

I check 'em periodically. I'd really love to get my hands on a '95-'00 2wd 4cyl Taco extra cab with power windows/locks. But just haven't found the right price point yet.

 

The SC one looks good, I did catch that the title status says "rebuilt" which indicates that it was a salvage vehicle at one point?

 

Maybe its' just being under one that's salt-free and kinda observing what it should look like at this age after no salted roads?

That is, there is some rust on the bed wheel wheel sheet metal, but the frame coloring is pretty evenly matte, uniform. I don't know what that overspray is, it looks almost like exhaust char or something? I like to see different parts (frame, wheel well, springs, etc.) are uniform but not necessarily the same color - those parts were made in different places with different paint, they shouldn't necessarily be the same color, y'know?

But the dead giveaways for me ... Notice the two frame rivets there? See how they have a perfectly crisp, sharp edge? You'll never see that on a truck that's seen a lot of salt, that crisp edge will tend to round out. Likewise, see where that bracket that's riveted in meets the framerail? See how clean those lines/edges look? On older trucks, like 67-72 C10 pickups, those rivets were hammered in and are naturally round, not the case with these pickups.

I'd say that truck has seen some salt, see the bed supports, where they meet the wheel well, clearly there's rust there. It looks like what we see in Colorado trucks. They use different paint on that, so the contrast of blacks between the wheel well and the frame, being slightly different color, that's positive.

Also, notice how fairly flat/smooth the framerail metal looks on the long horizontal? There's no rust under that paint. You know what cellulite looks like? Frames that've had coverup will almost look like there's cellulite under the paint. Some truck owners who opted to get the frame treatment vs. frame replacement will also show texture from the coating. When you see smooth, uniform metal like that pic you showed, that's a great sign.

That's about all I can give you.

 

Yep, and I missed that. But it doesn't take much for an insurance company to total out one of these trucks, so it could just be that it took a shot to the rear that trashed the bed and bent the axle or something, and the insurance company valued the work more than its lowball idea of the value and totaled it so they didn't hafta deal with it. You never know, but it's a legit question to ask. I wouldn't pay their ask price on a rebuilt truck though. You can get 1-owner trucks for that if you keep hunting.

 

PS - I just stumbled across this again - this guy ... this is what I think you can expect if you look a little more south: https://www.tundras.com/threads/my-first-tundra-2006-double-cab-4wd-with-v8.127925/

That's a pretty damn smoking deal. I'm assuming it was a private sale, not thru a dealer. Dealers are always going to charge you an extra $2k-5k over what they got it for.

 

This is the one that the picture originated from, hopefully, that means it passes the shifty eye test.

Also got some pictures from the 2006 silver one that we were waiting on underbody pics a WHILE ago. Ill post those asap.

 

It might've had the frame swapped under recall. That fiberglass topper is $200-400 cash in-hand alone. Sight unseen on the frame, and the person claiming frame is good ... if you had the VIN, you could look in the Toyota Owner's site to see if it cashed in on the frame recall. I'm actually shocked it's lasted for a week. That's one of my favorite colors, even though it does have clearcoat fail probs, just nowhere near as bad as green or red.

 

And holy cow I'd love this damn Nova:

 

Yup just waiting on a reply but hopefully its still for sale. Based on what Ive learned thus far, that the best one I seen in a drivable radius.


P.S. I got like 6+ pics on the silver one used dealership back and ill save the time and effort to just post a couple.. Def treated to hide the rust and while im waiting on the black one back, im pretty sure they prob did the same thing



"running away"

 

Yup.

But hey, the good thing is, you can clearly see what I'm talking about now, you've seen some examples and you know what to run with.

I will say though, that could be Woolwax or Fluid Film they sprayed over the rust after pressure washing it or something. But yeah. It's still rusted up, and covered up.

 

And holy crap that spare tire, I missed that the 1st time.

 

I may have found THE ONE, in the area, from initial glance the frame doesnt seem to be that bad for a NE one, unless this is another classic case of me missing something.

Still waiting for the VIN but might pay out of pocket to see what the carfax says. Gonna ask for a PPI beforehand to cover my ass.

Sucks the cap is gone but i didnt really need it anyways.

SHIFTY PLEASE GIVE THIS YOUR BLESSING AND END MY MISERY!!

 

Oh, if I got 6-8 months of misery, I think you can handle a few more days.

Those wheels aren't original but are ate-up as hell

Front passenger fender is a re-paint, it's been in some kind of accident I suspect. It's the only mismatched panel on the truck.

Frame is way better than the body based on the 1 shot, I'm shocked, looks better than some Carolinas trucks I've seen. I don't think the frame recall extended past '02 so not sure how it's possible. Maybe it's a transplant truck, and had a limited time in Jersey? Nope, nix that, one look under the hood, it's been up north a while. Nope, double-nix that, just look at the driveshaft LOL rusty af. That's interesting. I think the frame has been replaced. That's not a bad thing!

No VSC which is good thing.

Radiator is pretty old, top plastics are discolored.

I don't think the price is outrageous, and I think if you could walk away with $5,500 for that, knowing the timing belt probably hasn't been done, it's not a horrible deal for a locally-owned truck.

Just know, the following:

1. It's not optioned very well, overall, IMHO
2. Timing belt/water pump/tensioners may need to be done
3. Radiator should be replaced (order from RockAuto, it'll get to you intact, I can kick you a 5% off coupon)
4. Check battery date, if it's more than 3yrs old expect it may need to be done
5. Check for rust at the hitch and hitch supports, and where the X-shaped crossmember meets the frame above the spare tire, where the leaf springs meet the truck, etc.
6. Those wheels will need to be replaced
7. Obviously it's been in an accident
8. You *will* have some rust remediation to handle, like in the engine bay, but it's mostly surface
9. You may want to look to see if they lifted it; it does look lifted/leveled to me maybe; maybe not
10. New exhaust is a plus!

Other folks may have input on stuff they see you may be able to haggle with. Look for oil leaks etc. Also, lift up the front floor carpets, look for signs of water, dampness, mildew spots.

 

I would stop using "EC" for east coast and start using "NE" for New England or just say rust belt.

 

Yes, chef! NE it is.

laughing at the optioned comment...


espically after scoping at them subaru floor mats. I have no idea what that random cord is, im assuming related to the carplay that hasnt been hidden nicely.

grumble grumble, back to the drawing board.

 

2wd?
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/d/san-antonio-2001-toyota-tundra-limited/7643028207.html

I wouldnt buy anything north of the m-d line.