New to me 05 DC 4x4

I just bought an 2005 DC 4x4 Tundra. This is my first Toyota, first 4WD, and first "full" size truck. So far I'm very happy with it, and I'm liking the V8 more than I thought I would. What a smooth running engine.
I'm transitioning from a 1998 Ford Ranger 2WD 4 cylinder manual. I won't throw any shade on that turck because it has been an absolute dependable workhorse for me, but salt belt winters have taken their toll on the old Ford and it's got one foot in the grave.
I'd like to use this thread to ask questions and document the work needed to revive it a little from 19 years of use. So far I don't know of any major issues with it, but there are a number of small things I'd like to address. By no means am I looking to make this a show truck, just a well cared for truck that I'm not afraid to put to regular use (a load of gravel, building materials, launch the fishing boat, haul firewood, etc.).

So far I have done the following:
1. New center support bearing. The rubber on the old was was sagged out so much that the driveshaft was rubbing on the rubber making a squeaking noise.
2. New bulbs in the climate control knobs. Originals were burned out.
3. New tailgate latch handle. The original was broken/missing.
4. A thorough interior cleaning. It was smoked in, and I'm working to get rid of the smell. I have some chlorine dioxide on the way which I hope will kill what little smell is left. I'll let you know how that turns out.

More to follow.....

 

Welcome! I just purchased an 05 last year from PNW and had it shipped. Finishing everything but took it to CA from TX for the holidays and the V8 and platform really does drive great!

I know you just did a new tailgait hatch but, you should check out Master Tailgaters if you havnt, they have an "OEM" reverse camera tailgate handle combo for a reasonable price right now.

Anyways welcome again and cheers!

 

Welcome. Make sure you're diligent about protecting the frame on the Tundra with a rust encapsulator (i.e. POR-15, chassis saver, etc.) or using Fluid Film, PB Shield, etc. yearly. The frame doesn't last like the Ford Ranger would untreated (my father still owns a 96).

 

You're gonna want to read this. Seriously. Just do it. It answers tons of questions and it's designed to help you. https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

 

Thanks, rust protection is high on the list before next winter. The truck came from CA and CO, and is extremely rust free. Right now Fluid Film is at the top of my list for a product to use, but willing to hear if others have had better results with something different.

 

I've read through that once, but will be referring back to it as I go.

 

I use two coats of POR-15 but it's a huge PIA to apply the first time. You need to wear expendable clothes, gloves and hair net to protect yourself as it doesn't wash off, it just wears off. Touch up is every few years without the same precautions if you're careful.

 

Prioritize the lower ball joints and timing/belt water pump. Flush all the fluids (except the tranny) double check and replace bushings.
DC's are best best gens. Welcome to the cool kid club.

 

Hopefully you lubed up all the stuff in the tailgate (latches etc.) while in there. There's a reason the tailgate handle broke. It's because people are lazy fucks and don't bother to do necessary maintenance.

 

I lubricated everything in there. Part (or most) of the problem is that the truck served as a shop truck for a welding shop for a while. The tailgate apparently served as a workbench and the bedside of the tailgate is in rough shape and dented inward. The removable plate on the tailgate was rubbing on the actuation rods. I messaged it closer to its original shape, but ultimately I'll be looking for some kind of cover for it. There is a bed liner in the bed, but nothing on the tailgate. Did the Toyota bed liner include a tailgate cover? I think the DC and AC tailgates are different, correct? So I need specifically DC tailgate parts?

 

Glad to finally be a cool kid, it certainly took a few years. One benefit to it being a company owned truck for a while was that the maintenance was a tax write off. It appears that a lot of that kind of stuff was taken care of as it was needed. I'll still be double checking those things, but it seems very mechanically sound.

 

Someone on here said the tailgates are the same. Which didn't make sense to me, b/c the bedsides are higher in the DC. But maybe the bumper is positioned differently in the AC and DC to make it feasibel.

That said, yes, there's a piece of plastic to cover the tailgate, but I think it can be bought separately. There's also a number of aftermarket covers out there intended for camping that would work.

Look at the bulleted points atop this post for how to lookup shit: https://www.tundras.com/threads/howto-use-the-toyota-parts-system-to-find-order-parts.113808/

 

Sometimes ball joints or timing belts don't show they're needed until they fail. Make sure you verify timing belt replacement ASAP. You may be ok on ball joints depending on mileage (didn't see it posted anywhere) but it never hurts to check.

 

The tailgates are definitely not the same for AC and DC.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama) and congrats!

 

A ozone generator will help eliminate the smoked in smell.

 

Don't you start that shit. We all know AC > DC and DCs are actually ridgelines.

 

And ACs are rangers

 

I’m looking for a check on the condition of my suspension. One of the things I really enjoy about the ranger is the user friendly bed height. Easy to load and unload, even over the side. One of the things I liked about the Tundra is that it’s not quite as large as the other full size trucks, but it certainly is no Ranger in terms of access to the bed.
First question is, from the picture below, does this look like the stock rear suspension (other than the air bags obviously)? Second, with the air bags deflated, would they raise the truck any? From reading other posts and looking at pictures, it looks like these trucks sit a little tail high in stock form anyway but I’m not sure if the deflated bags would add to that effect.
I’m not sure I would do it, but if there was an inexpensive way to properly drop the rear suspension a little I might consider it.

 

If I had someone holding a gun to my head making me decide between a Ridgeline and a Ranger, I'd pick the Ranger all day long.

Take everything else out. Swap an LS1 or any other GenIII SBC into a Ridgeline and a Ranger, which would you rather have? The Ridgeline is still going to look like a pile of shit, heavier, and slower. The Ranger is gonna be ballzout, and fun as hell.

Your argument is invalid. I'll keep my ranger. Enjoy your Ridgeline.

 

tuff crowd here. Should I be second guessing my move from a ranger to this DC?

 

Brothers, no. Remember we are all the best gen.

It's not AC > DC, or DC > AC. It's

We must focus our hate on the the gens the proceed us.

 

bringing in motor swaps is moving the goalposts

 

I'd say it's putting things into perspective.

1st Gen trumps a Ranger any day. But you're going to pay 2x as much for MPG in the 1st Gen.

 

but you also get 2x the acceleration

 

... you're so close! One more step and you may get my point!

If you could give a Ridgeline and a Ranger 2x the acceleration, which would you pick?

Obviously the Ranger. Not only because it's more compact and weight less, and will haul more ass, but because it doesn't look like the truck version of a Pontiac Aztek.

 

I think that title is reserved for the 1st gen Chevy Avalanche.