Coming Back to a 1st Gen, '05 or '06?

I had and loved a 2000 Tundra that was an incredible truck. I took it to 270,000 miles before rust and constant brake problems had me pull it off the road. Even after Toyota replaced the frame it was only a few more years before the body was rusted to the point that it did not feel safe to drive, or stop considering the brakes...

Anyway, as I'm sure you all know, these trucks were the perfect size for us. I'm starting to eye the '05 and '06s as they retain the size, and even add a little height and 4 doors. How are these trucks at 15-16 years old? Had they solved the rust and brake problems? Are there other problems I should watch for with these aged trucks?

Ideally, I see that one can still find them with under 100k miles. If my 2000 was any indication they do not really care about the mileage. Please share your thoughts and what to look out for. Thank you!

 

Rusted frames obviously. haha

This time be proactive in protecting it once you buy one.

 

Still so, huh?

 

yeah Toyota still hasn’t managed to fix their rusty frames. I got a recall notice the other day on a 2011 Tacoma I had. It covered trucks from 11 to 16

 

Well, does it seem safe to look for one from the south? I live in Savannah part of the year, and see tons of them in Tenn and KY in my drives through from the north. And with my living situation, the truck I get will almost never see a northern winter.

 

Yeah buddy anything from the south should be good. Be cautious of trucks that come off the coast. I got a rusty Tacoma like that one time.or anything that comes from the southwest to should be golden. A lot of good examples of these trucks coming out of Texas. My 06 spent nearly its whole lofe in Texas and a little time in Atlanta before I picked it up. My trucks in southeast tennessee but still gets a yearly fluid film treatment

 

Fluid film, as in for the frame?

 

Yep. But it sounds like you live in a salt prone area so I'd spray it on your entire undercarriage except for the exhaust.

 

I don't think rust is a Toyota problem, it's a geographical issue. I'm a native Californian and cars out here don't have much of a rust issue, unless they come from elsewhere. We don't salt our roads and not much snow here anyway, but where it does snow they dump gritty sand. Better for the environment, autos and trucks. Look for a Tundra from SoCal maybe, or TX. My 2001 looks almost new from the bottom. Good luck with the search

 

No one's mentioning the brakes, they were horrible on my 2000. Better in the '05/'06?

 

They're not too awe inspiring on my 2001, okay in day to day driving, but they're not Brembos.

 

Slightly bigger calipers starting in 03 I think. But no, the brakes on these trucks still aren't great.

 

Try to find a 2004 double cab.

4 speed transmission that has a dipstick to check/add fluid for easy service

No VVT - easier timing belt service when you change the cam seals

No secondary air pump - more reliable

No crappy TPMS system

 

This! If looking for a Double Cab, 2004 is the best year in my experience as well. The 05/06 has the 5 speed auto transmission (instead of 4), but the extra gear doesn't affect the overdrive ratio. It remained the same, so the cruising MPG's will remain the same as well. The dipstick on the 04 and earlier makes servicing and checking a whole lot easier.

In 2003-06 all had the larger front brakes, which were an improvement over the previous years. The rear drum brakes just aren't particularly effective, and the fronts are overworked. If you keep the rears adjusted tight, it helps some.

 

FYI 05-06 DC's have 3.91 gears instead of 4.10's. That's about 100rpm drop at freeway speeds.

 

04 double cabs have unique, 1 year only headlight housings.

5 speed transmission are not hard to check.

FLUID LEVEL CHECK
NOTICE:
The fluid temperature must be between 46C (115F) and
56C (130F) to check the fluid level.
(a) Remove the overflow plug with the engine idling.
(b) Check that the fluid comes out of the overflow tube.
If fluid does not come out, proceed to step 7.
If fluid comes out, wait until the over−flow slows to a trickle and
proceed to step 8.

Did the first million mile tundra have the air injection pump? I think it did.

 

Correct, the 5 speeds are not difficult. I have serviced quite a few. Most modern auto transmissions use very similar methods now.

But its much simpler when there is a dipstick accessible from under the hood. After draining and reinstalling the plug, all you need is a funnel to add fluid.

They’re all good, but I just mentioned my preference. Ease of checking and servicing is always good.

 

I had the 04 DC now I have 06 DC. Only got rid of the 04 because of the color. I love my 06, but no dip stick sucks. I replaced the timing belt on both, the 04 was easier. My 06, I had to put the bypass kit on for secondary air pump.

 

Here is a 2002 Access Cab TRD 4x4 V8 if you wanted an older model. No relation to seller. Up in OKC.

https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/d/yukon-toyota-tundra-sr-five-x/7353031136.html

Text from ad:
2002 Toyota tundra SR5 4 x 4 off-road extended cab. Tires are new and barely used. The oil was changed every 3000 miles, this truck was well-maintained by a professional aircraft mechanic At Tinker Air Force Base. Everything is mechanically sound in both engine and transmission and runs perfectly. Cold AC good stereo cruise control, CD player, power windows and locks. TRD off-road package. This truck was an every day driver to work and back and grocery store less than 5 miles away for the last 10 years. Extremely dependable fuel injection V8. Only serious buyers please this truck is an awesome deal. First one here with the money gets the truck. Nine 1six-9 one two- seven 1 two4
Selling for $6500