V6 manual vs v8 purchase

I searched and read the
“So ... you wanna buy / just bought a 1st Gen Tundra, eh?” Thread and didn’t see this answered. If it’s somewhere else send me the link and delete this.


Looking to purchase a winter truck. Need a reliable 4wd due to my job site location this winter (construction 8 miles off paved roads)

I have the opportunity to buy an 03 v6 manual ac cab or an 06 v8 dc. Both about 180k and we’ll taken care of. I’m leaning towards the v6 manual, am I making a mistake not going v8? Don’t need to tow anything just tools in bed.

the 03 v6 does have a new frame and is 1k less than the 06.

thank in advance from a ford guy who knows nothing about Toyota

 

If you just need to haul you and some tools go V6 all day. I was a ford guy myself , will never go back

 

To be fair, neither the 3.4 or the 4.7 have very much power. The 5 speed would be more fun to drive but the 4.7 is less underpowered.

 

Thanks for the replies. From my basic reading seems like both platforms are equally reliable with proper maintenance. Anyone had a shop do the timing belt water pump recently on the v6 for pricing? I’m in upstate New York. Not sure if I have the free time to swap them myself.

 

Stick with the newer frame.

 

Go for the v8 with the vvti engine. Your mpg difference is only 1 mpg and you won’t regret needing the power to accelerate out into traffic or pass someone on the highway. You also don’t want a stick shift in stop and go traffic.

How’s the frame on the double cab v8?

 

Nonstop and go here. I’m in upstate New York( l closer to Canada the nyc)

anything about the 03 v6 I should cautious of with a new frame? Going to do timing belt.water pump, lbj right away. Other than that these things seem pretty bullet proof

 

I vote for whichever frame looks better, rust-wise. If both are equally nice and both are 4WD ...

V6/manual or V8/auto, you're going to get the same MPG, the V6 is solid but I've seen more V8s with 400k+ miles on them, we typically don't see as many V^ people with issues although that could also be due to popularity/distribution more than anything. The V6 isn't going to have the secondary air system, which may be reason alone enough to buy it.

The '06 is going to have a few more-modern features, but that includes having the secondary air injection system for emissions; if you don't live in an emissions-compliant state, it may not matter. It will fit four adults fairly comfortably and have more interior convenience than the access cab, and also hold multiple child seats easily. The access cab you're only fitting 2 adults + 2 kids under 8yrs old easily, may be a thought for outdoor trips/road trips over 1hr+. The access cab has a longer bed, double cab has a taller side walls on the bed.

It's a tough call. You saying you want it 'for winter' makes me think you're potentially in a state where snow/ice is an issue, thus potentially salted roads, and if so ... be cognizant, rust is the #1 killer of these trucks. EDIT: Yup, upstate NY. I mean ... you need to look at those frames incredibly close, and assuming they're in good, functional shape, take precautions to treat the frame!

 

If you have your heart set on the V6, just make sure you treat the frame with fluid film every year or something to protect it from rusting. I've also found the OEM mud flaps and skid plate do a great job minimizing the salt/brine that kick up from the tires or from the tires of the people in front of you that could normally get into the engine bay or on the front crossmembers. Just my personal experience of owning mine over the last 21 yrs. Might as well change the thermostat and pulleys/tensioner while you're in there.

Also, note that you may have holes/rust through in the bed if you have a plastic liner/spray-in on top of it. The rust comes through from underneath the bed floor (see underside).

 

Previously had an 03 V6 manual 2wd, sold it for my current 03 V8 auto 4wd. If you're just hauling tools, the V6 will work well and the manual trans is pretty fun. The gearing on the V6 is great around town, only on highway grades did I notice it didn't have as much holding power as my V8. Otherwise I loved my manual V6 and would've kept it if it had 4wd.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Nice to get valuable info from people who know. I think I’m going to go grab the v6 manual trans. This is supposed to be a winter truck to not kill my other but I have a feeling there will be a bunch of upgrades going on after trolling this site

 

We're all about mods and upgrades here. You came to the right place.

 

Go with God's Motor