1st gen Tundra yay or nay

You better hurry up bud! I would hate to have my truck finished before yours. You have till next weekend.

 

DC must be bigger. I'm the same height and have the seat set about half way back.

 

Not for modern fuel injected cars. The real key is load, if you can keep the load down you'll need less energy to push the truck and you'll use less fuel.

If anybody has real interest in saving gas, get a Scangauge2 and spend some time calibrating it. Then use real time mpg, trip average mpg and load. The idea is to watch your real time mpg and try to keep that number higher than trip average mpg. When you start that balancing act, pay attention to the load numbers and you'll see the relationship pretty fast.

 

Good to know!

Do you think Torque pro MPG could be used for the same thing?

 

Anything that has real time and trip average mpg should work. Calibration and accuracy may vary. I recently picked up the cheaper ultragauge but haven't calibrated it yet for testing.

When I calibrated my scangauge the tank average was within .25 mpg of what I calculated doing the old fashioned math (if math said 18 mpg the SG2 might say 18.2) and that's pretty good.

 

Wait what?!? I'm new here and all, but are you saying the double cab V8 is tuned for more horsepower than the reg cab and access cab models?

 

05 added vvt-i and more power. The cab configuration doesn’t make a difference.

 

The vvti had More top end power, but day to day driving i couldnt tell the difference of pre and post vvti. The 4.7 was a solid as heck motor in general though. Plenty of power for the truck

 

Ah okay...because most DCs have the vvti since they came out in '04

Was that an '05 or '06? I find it strange that the '05 would be rated for 282hp, down to 271hp in '06. Did you notice a difference in mpg with vvti?

 

04 is the odd duck. DC with non vvt-i and the 4 speed.

@BestGen told me that the hp rating for 05 was a major typo and they actually came with 270hp.

 

The 5 speed trans was the bigger difference maker over the vvti

 

I would have to think the 5 speed also gets slightly better MPG too...

 

I might've said it under the influence...

Don't forget the extra 12lb.feet of torque.

 

No No No!!! I have an 05 and can definitely tell it has at least 282hp

 

They are, definitely, not the same size.

 

I say first gen tundra !! My opinion is biased and i dont care hah. Im at about 200,500 miles and this thing runs like i just got it. The only thing i would change is the size, i have an AC and wish it was a DC (double cab) heres some pics that may sway you .. no where near done with the build but im always getting compliments and whenever its sparkly clean, people ask me how old it is and when i tell them they get shocked!

 

The ‘how old question’ comes up frequently on mine as well. Just happened yesterday. Same reaction. Shocked!

 

Have you owned a 3rd Gen Tacoma? A little background on me. I've owned in order, a '98 Tacoma AC 4x4, a 2002 Tacoma DC TRD 4x4, a 2003 Tacoma DC TRD 4x4, a 2002 Tundra AC TRD 4x4, a 2005 Tundra DC TRD 4x4, a 2017 Tacoma DCLB TRD OR 4x4, a 1996 4runner limited 4x4 and a 2006 Tundra DC TRD 4x4...so I'm slightly familiar with Toyota truck platforms over the last 20 years.

Most of those vehicle changes came as a result of family changes and the changing nature of what my primary vehicle was used for and sometimes accidents. All of those were my primary vehicle, except the '96 4runner, which was originally bought to replace my 2017 Tacoma as a primary (Yea, I disliked the Tacoma that much), but instead is going to a be plaything and 2nd vehicle. In 2017 my 2005 Tundra was totaled so I needed a new primary vehicle. I bought the 2017 Tacoma based on a limited test drive because I trusted Toyota (I never owned a 2nd Gen Tacoma, because I hated the interiors, same with 2nd Gen Tundra and it was too BIG). That was a mistake. The 3.5 engine/6 speed AT is an abomination. It really is horrible. The rest of the truck around it looks good and functions fine, but that powertrain is just wrong for that truck. It is essentially a sports car setup that, in addition to liking to rev to make power, does this crazy transmission dance to try and keep MPG up. Around town driving, it's not so noticeable (the bulk of my test drive), on the highway and particularly in any hilly/mountainous areas, it's a nightmare. Within 6 months I was looking to replace it and I waffled for another year after that 'cause I wanted a another 05-06 DC 4x4 Tundra and I'm picky as shit so I couldn't find one. Last month I finally went to go test drive new 4Runners and Tundras. They both drove great...but I really want a truck and the Tundra is just so goddamned BIG...it's just too much...and I'm not crazy about the interiors of either...they felt cheap for $40-45K+ thousand vehicles.

To make a long story short I finally found an 06 DC TRD 4x4 in Denver, 1600 miles away. It has under 100K miles, was a 1-owner, and service records on Toyota's website and on Carfax as long as my arm. I had a friend local to the area test drive it and take a ton of pics (rust is a killer on these...just forget looking at anything that spent it's life in an area where they salt the roads and get significant winters) and give it his seal of approval (dude knows vehicles). I estimate I overpaid for it by $1-2K and another $1K to have it shipped...and if you look way out in the sky on a starless night you can see all the f^%ks I give about that flying away...

This Tundra is a truck that has the bare minimum of safety features you want if your kid is driving it (airbags and ABS) and it feels like a truck, not a wannabee race car masquerading as a truck...and it's not like it's slow at all, far from it, it just doesn't need to have it's nuts revved off it to make power.

For the OP @Jl95 I had both an AC with the non VVt and two DCs with the VVT. Honestly, the 4.7 is a great truck motor and for 95% of driving I don't think the VVT makes that much difference, certainly not for a truck. If an AC will suit you, I wouldn't limit yourself to 05-06, I'd be more concerned with the condition of the particular truck. Even though the DC is definitely bigger than my AC (or my DC Tacoma) it really doesn't drive any bigger. I only really notice it when I'm backing up and that is more to do with not having a backup camera than the actual size (I will be remedying that). The interior on the 04-06 DC to me is perfect if you have a family. My 17 Tacoma was starting to get to be a tight fit in the rear for my kids (crazy how much middle schoolers grow in 2 years!). The 04-06 DC interior splits the difference between a 3rd Gen DC Tacoma and a 3rd Gen Tundra CC. That 3rd Gen Tundra is CAVERNOUS. I'm 6 feet and after test driving it, I got out without moving the seat, and sat behind the drivers seat. I had a foot between my knees and the back of the drivers seat. Good luck with your search, if you pick a good 1st Gen Tundra, I think you will be very pleased coming from a 3rd Gen Tacoma as far as driving experience goes...and you even get a cassette player!

 

I full agree with your sentiments on the new Tacoma. Such a shame, because I love the way it looks. It's no better with a 6MT either. The one I test drove felt gutless below 4,000 RPM.

 

You, with a quite impressive vehicle ownerhip resumé, basically summarized everything I’ve ever read about the:

1) Taco v. Tundra debate (my Taco buddies agree).

2) New(er) Tundras being too big (plus they are squeaky/noisey).

3) vvti v. Non VVTi (not much difference)

4) Why someone would pay a butt load for 05/06’ and not give a flying f***.

 

Somebody asked me what my favorite one was the the other day and I couldn't decide between these three...and I figured out that was because my family situation was so different with each one:

1998 Tacoma SR5 AC 4x4 with the 2.7 I4 5sp Manual = Single and dating my now wife
2002 Tundra SR5 AC TRD OR 4.7 4sp AT = married with 1 toddler
2005 Tundra SR5 DC 4.7 VVT 5sp AT (exact same as my new 2006, but it had leather and a sunroof) = married with 2 tweeners

I just sold that 2017 Tacoma to Carvana today...sticker was $38K in 2017 and I paid $35K...and they gave me $30K for it...apparently the new motor/transmission combo has not killed resale yet. I can't complain about that at all. After driving the 2019 4Runner, if they had put that same 4.0/5sp AT in the Tacoma, I never would have sold it...I would have just told my kids to deal with the backseat for a few more years.

My ideal truck right now would be a 3rd Gen DC with a 6sp manual and the 4.6 V8 (I could live with an AT). In fact, I have this crazy (very) soft plan in my head to find a 3rd Gen that was totaled from a rear collision, do a 4.6 swap and throw on a UTE bed that I can put a flatbed camper on when the mood to hit the road strikes...something like this...



I see people running around with setups like the one above or even just with lifts and big tires on 3rd Gen Tacoma's and it makes my head spin. Stock the drivetrain is a b1tch...with all that extra weight to move and additional rotational mass, I can't imaging how much they must suck to drive.

 

Why not that setup on a Tundra then? I could certainly go for that!

 

Yea, for sure that would work as well and be much less of a project...part of the appeal is the project aspect though...

 

I’m partial to the 2002 AC SR5 4x4. A neighbor stopped by the other day and said I should hold on to this 02’ for the duration as its just getting started at 160k miles. Unless something happens, this will be the case for at least another 3 years.

 

No doubt. Sometimes the project aspect is as appealing as the end result. I've had far more projects than end results though.

 

3? I'm hoping for at least 10. I fear it could rust before the motor gives out. I hate the fact that they came with shitty frames.

But ya, I'm trying to bulletproof mine mechanically and drive it another decade. I think the new Tundras are the ugliest trucks on the road.

 

If she passes the next 3 year eval, she’ll stay with me for as long as I’m alive. Even if as beater to keep around. Something tells me she’ll be around a long time.

 

I love my '06. I loved my '95 T100 and I loved my '04 Tundra that my son now drives. I paid too much for the '06 to get one with 80k on the clock. I put another $7k into it because no one had done a thing for it in a long time, timing, exhaust, brakes, tires, wheels, brake lines, etc. I now have a very nice 13 year old truck that is about 80% 13 year old steel and plastic. I don't like the Taco's because they are smaller. The new Tundra's are too big. That being said I would not swap out a '17 Tacoma for an '06 Tundra unless I did not rely on either one for transportation and having a truck was just a hobby. Which it is. Hope that helps.

 

Makes total sense. These 1st Gens hit a point at the 13-15 hear mark and need some major reinvestment, even if kept pristine. The front ends and suspensions need full shake downs. Engines pretty solid but the valve covers need done. Lots of little stuff that a DIY’r can do to make things better. In my case, I paid for the suspension work to be done.

 

Yup, I'd rather invest time and money to make an older truck my own in my own preferences than to spend a lot more on a new truck that's stock and would need more spent on it to make it my own. Set aside money to a car fund at a fraction of what a payment would be and you'll have the money to upgrade things that need replacement as you go.

I don't think a new truck is worth payments for reliability. Not by a long shot. I've replaced engines, trannies, etc. and will always do it again because it's always cheaper and it means I own what I have and I'm living within my means.

But, that's just my take, and some aren't so mechanically inclined.