New Member looking to go from access to double cab/ questions.

They actually should have started to use the 5 speed in 2003 regardless of cab size. Hell the v8 4 runner got it The crew cab non vvti 4.7 paired with the 4 speed got some of the worst gas mileage out of any tundra. The updated 4.7 does get slightly better mileage even if we are talking 1 mpg. The way the vvti delivers power feels better and more linear and matching it with the a750 tranny is harmony. I will admit, my opinion on the matter is limited to the access cab 2wd model. So I have the least amount of strain on said drivetrain. Also, I believe Toyota went the wrong way with the crew cab gearing. They should have left it at 4.10 instead of switching to 3.92. Have you driven a stock 05-06 AC cab? There’s a reason you can’t find many for sale. They are quick as hell

 

My 01 with 35's and geared was getting very much the same fuel economy as my present 05 DC. I just had the timing belt done and I'm averaging 16mpg. A few mods and getting things clean on the 01 made it perform excellent. I'm starting to tweak things now on the 05 and I'm sure it will be better.

The vvti on a performance car makes sense, S2000 was beautiful. On a truck you want as much as you can get down low in the revs not up at 4-5000 rpms when the cam lobe changes

 

You. Need. Gears seriously though, you are correct on the low end torque, that’s why the gearing should have been lower in the crew; 4.10 non tow and 4.30 with tow package. 16mpg in the crew cab is pretty darn good. Without using any scientific data, or knowing how you drive. The 04 sibling would probably be around 14mpg. When my 06 belonged to my dad he went from 265/70/16 to 295/70/17. After the change, the truck was still fast, I was amazed. We are talking about a significant weight increase per corner 65lbs (stock) 93lbs (33’s)
By comparison I put 33’s on my 02 and I immediately knew that gears were in my future. The vvti 5 speed combo and power increase was undeniable. Especially when asked to work harder. More adaptive tech perhaps?

 

I blew it . . . I just missed a pristine Silver 2006 Darrel Waltrip edition with 56K orig. miles for $14,900 . . . couldn't pull the money together fast enough. Snooze You Lose. Damn.

 

I’m looking close, I don’t see it

I know exactly what that tundra needs: take those nasty wheels off, replace with pro comp 1069, put 33’s on it so it doesn’t look malnourished. Take those running boards and put them by the street for heavy trash pickup.

Sorry, the ridgeline can’t be saved no matter what you do to it

 

This is easy for me to say, but the 05-06 crew cabs come up for sale way more often than the access cabs. There will be more especially if you’ve got between 10k-14k.