Just bought an ’05!

So after nearly a year of searching up and down the western seaboard (and beyond), I have finally found the perfect (for me) Tundra. 2005 access cab, 4x4, TRD in Desert Sand. It was owned by an elderly man who maintained it perfectly! There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, albeit it has 208k miles. It drives like (better) a new truck!

The truck has a spray in bed liner, Weather Tech mats, front and back, vent visors, sliding rear windows, leading to a painted to match ARE topper with led lighting and carpeted headliner! There is one very light rub mark and a few tiny rock chips on the front bumper caps, that’s it!

All maintenece records were provided to me, showing nearly every service (every oil change recorded!) and all repairs. The only repairs over the years were the airbag recalls, ball joint and front drive axle replacements, under warranty, passenger side CV boot replaced, and brakes. Last service, at 201k, included complete timing belt/water pump/thermostat/crank seal/all fluids/tranny/rear diff service & new plugs ($3200!)

The tires are four years old with 42k, so they will be replaced soon, as will the brakes. The last brake job was 72k ago, they work fine but their close to needing done. With that said, I will need recommendations for tires and brakes, good ones, for a TRD/4x4.

The inside is near perfect, not one worn area in the entire cab! There is one small plastc screw cap missing. It’s on the rear upper grab handle, not a big deal, I’ll try and find one somewhere. The windows are tinted with no scratches. The radio is original, CD/cassett, with no navigation, YAY! Simple. Blue tooth would be nice, but no biggy.

Everything about this truck is so nice, and so easy to use; no complicated, redundant and hard to figure out electronic gadgets and instructions to figure out and use, just drive. I love this!

The undercarriage is so clean with no rust at all! The only signs of anything rusty is the muffler and exhaust pipe, which appears to be normal. The alloy wheels have minimal scratches, they are very clean. Tires show even wear on all four. Not one ding on the bumpers, anywhere. Tail gate is perfect, as are all the windows. The windshield was replaced once at 99k. This is the third set of tires and the alignment has been done three times, with new shocks installed at 171k. Battery is two years old, an Interstate.

The only things I do not care for (but can live with) are the side steps and non-power rear slding window. It currently has the oval type sidesteps, with the black foot pads. I don’t like these, neither does my dog. I need some really good flat steps, something strong and sure footed. When my dog tries to climb in, her paws slip. We need something flat and non-skid. It would have been nice to have a power rear window, to keep from having to reach back and open it for my dog.

I’ve owned a couple of Tacoma’s over the years, and they were okay…small cab area. This Tundra is awesome! Not too big, not too small, works perfectly for me and my dog.

I’m not sure of what maintenance items I should do, stay on top of right now, considering the 208k miles especailly. It has a KN air filter, which was really oily and dirty. I replaced it with a new OEM filter for now. I may or may not fool with the KN, not sure if they are worth using since they get neglected aften because people hate cleaning them; I do, hate cleaning them.

I will do all the brakes, and replace the tires here in the next few months for sure. I guess I’ll search the threads for suggestions of things to do to improve my new to me truck. As nice as this thing is, I want to keep it this way and hopefully drive it for many years to come!

This forum looks like it has a wealth of knowledge, so I shouldn’t be without a lot to read and research!

Looking forward to my new Tundra experiences!

 

Welcome from OKC! Sounds like you found a sweet ride! Well done on your part!

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Congrats on an awesome find!

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

Welcome from SoCal. Where are you?

 

Originally from Florida, but I’m currently up in Fairfield CA, for the next three years. My wife and I are military.