69,000 miles on a 2005 Limited too low?

I am in the market for a 2005 or 2006 Tundra. I have the opportunity to buy one from an older gentleman who is a family friend. He is asking $14k for a 2006 Limited with 69K miles on it.

I am a bit apprehensive to buy a 20+ year old truck with that low of mileage on it. Does anyone have any advice on if I should avoid it because it's so low in mileage?

https://imgur.com/a/N13MljC

 

What part of the country are you in? If you're not in an area that uses salt brine on the roads the frame should still be ok.

 

I do live in an area prone to rust, but that's not really what I'm worried about. I'm more so worried about the other things that can go wrong when a car sits for a long period of time- light gaskets shrinking, sludge in the engine, etc.

 

From the looks of that engine, in particular bolts and screws, if it was in my neck of the woods, that ole man and I would be dickering. I personally would have no qualms in buying a 64K mile Tundra, after I listened to it and checked frame.

 

Low-mileage owner here. I assume your concern comes from the sticky thread (or perhaps your own personal experience with other motors!). Either way, it's a valid concern. I haven't opened mine up to see if there is anything gummed up or scummy in the valves, but my truck runs like a top and always has. I would just buy it, change all the usual fluids and start putting some miles on that b.

 

Nah. Buy it and run a can of Liquid Moly engine flush through for the next 3-4 oil changes. This assumes all of the other gotchas check out. I.E. timing belt, LBJs, frame rust.

 

Ditto on the timing belt, LBJ's. Also radiator. The fellow may not have got those done as the mileage is so low, but age matters too.

I'd run some of that Valvoline Restore and Protect oil through it (or whatever it's called). I've seen consistently good reviews for it for cleaning up engines.

$15 AT205 ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

AT205 will help any dried out seals, though if your oil is clean, I would do a few hundred miles with the AT205, then do the oil change to the Valvoline stuff.

Pretty much what I decided to do with mine (got it at just under 149k). Only because I have no real history on mine, and although it LOOKS well maintained, and all fluids I have changed so far looked to not be anywhere near past their useful life, thought I might as well. I wasn't in a rush to do the oil change as what it had looked clean and was 'full', just reckoned I might as well run the Restore and Protect oil through it when I did it's oil change over this past weekend.

 

2WD? 4WD? That truck looks pretty cherry in the photos. the mileage would not scare me depending on the story. Drove it several times a week for more than 15 mile trips? No sweat. Drove it regularly for a number of years, then parked it for 8 years, then drove it short trips a couple times a month or year? Potential problem. People also tend to focus on miles for vehicle health when age has just as much to do with it. Timing belt status? Radiator replacement?

 

You're not wrong to be cautious about a low mile engine, but don't overlook the frame. Have you crawled under and checked the common trouble spots?

 

I haven't yet. I plan on going to see the truck on Saturday and checking it out.

 

4WD.

 

Have you read up on the trouble spots/what to look for?

 

I have some spots written down, which I believe I got from the sticky post. Frame, location where x-shaped cross-member over spare tire meets long framerails, shock & leaf spring mounts, 4 cab mounts. Do you have a recommendation for reading now what to look for in the trouble spots?

 

Correct. Also the laminated support brace area starting above the front leaf spring perch extending forward to the cross brace.



This thread shows it pretty well:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/frame-rust-when-to-walk-away-from-a-purchase.123944/

 

Perfect. Thank you so much.

 

It looks super clean. When I inherited my Dad's 2008 Tundra that had 2,500 miles on it (in 2023), I was worried it might start leaking all over the place once I started driving it full time. Mine is the 5.7l and not the 4.7l. I am almost at 25K miles now (daily driver) and the only leak I had was a minor water pump leak at just under 20K miles. Your results may vary, but that truck looks pretty sweet and worth the small risk. Regardless of which 1st gen you get, it would be good to freshen things up unless you know they have been done recently (fresh brake fluid, diff/transfer fluid, ATF, belts, maybe tires).

 

Take it to a mechanic and have them check it out.