This Gen1 on Dealer Lot [preferred customers] , ur thots

Continuing my search for a 05/06 2WD v8 AC:
There are quite a few of these spread around Dealer lots here W of Rockies [unfortunately for me, theyre outnumbered 10:1 by DCs or 4WDs] and the majority LOOK very good to excellent, but of course the truth is only revealed upon actual physical inspections. Factoring that, Im willing to travel for a top condition, less than 200k ODO. To that end and to not waste gas/travel time to end up looking at a truck only worth 50% of asking, I've requested these 'Dealers' add'l pics of undercarriage. To my utter shock [tongue-in-cheek] nobody wants to do that, although a few will send more exterior shots, but nobody wants to reach a cell-cam under the running boards and snap a few of block/tranny joint, steering rack, cats, drive shaft/differential. About a 10 min task.

My theory:
1. Out of town customer- unreliable return on investment of salesmans' time/engagement.
2. Someone willing to travel likely doesnt need financing; IE, their preferred customer will be local and sign for an inflated rate loan, which dealership will benefit from a "loan proceesing fee", as well as sales comission.
3. By not disclosing more about truck, they have a "carrot" to get you to show up and be subject to a sales pitch; however, w/out a warm body present, they have no prospective buyer, so can work both ways.

Well, i cant prove any of above, but just FEEL some of this is true.
Your thots?

 

As someone that worked at a carmax dealer for years. It’s #3. They want a reason to get you in the door.
Also there’s a very good chance that the areas you’re asking for have issues, so they don’t want to show that and prevent you from coming in the door.

 

Sounds logical. Not really sure if they know much about what a stock Tundra of 18yrs would/should look like, so I cant give a small time lot like this much credit.
OTOH, I did eventually get some pics today...10 days and 4 different contacts later; sounded like a you g woman who eventually handed her phone off to someone willing to bend over...imagine that! Hope they had an IV bag and stretcher nearby, just in case.
So the pics arent as revealing as I hoped, but its something. I'll try uploading to get more eyes on what this 06 2WD V8 AC, otherwise appearing total stock. Stand-by.

 

Here's the link to their "Lot":

https://www.americanautodepot.net/VehDetail.aspx?Veh=2006_Toyota_Tundra_Access_Cab&stk1=6070&dlr1=831&wsid=182&mk=Toyota&md=Tundra Access Cab

and a few undercarriage shots [not a good photographr, but i take what i can get.

 

sorry about 2x pics; dont know how to delete 2nd set...

 

That's worth another look. Looks pretty clean as far as I can tell.

 

A few more shots of underneath:



Looks all stock and dry; rust looks average for18 yr old [service bday 6-25-2006]...

 

Weighing if this is worth the hike. "Dealer" is in a farming locale [modesto] and carfax only shows 7 service records to 2nd [last] owner at 171k...hmmm ? Lots of peeps in farm country work in support biz; truck doesnt look like it lived as a 'farm tool' but only in person eyes can tell that story.
Minor plus w/this one: "TO Tow Package"; downside: A 398 mi, one-way trip to test drive though...?

Only other interesting "clean" offering nearby is exact same truck, 4 mo's younger but 121k on ODO; with slightly deformed bumper, but asking $15k!...Dont need one this nice just to haul boat 2-3x/yr and maybe a few fun runs; otherwise i'll park in dr/way w/cover on...
chk this out:
https://www.caliauto.us/inventory/toyota/tundra-access-cab/478517/

Looks great and much closer, but i hate being the one encouraging the inflated market.

 

BTW: In 2nd pic, are those 2 aftermarket glasspak mufflers, side x side? Dont recall seeing that type exhaust on any 05-06 Tundras ive been under; fr/other pics it doesnt have a 2nd tail pipe. Weird.

 

forgot to reply to 'Nick' above: seems reasonable to want to minimze any defects [if you're a seller] but we're talking underside of an 18yr old truck. I dont believe 'sales peeps' would know the difference, and as it turns out, the young woman that took the pics [or instructed someone to do so] actually knew what I was asking for.

 

The underside looks really good. What are they asking for it?

Yeah, interesting exhaust -- a true dual exhaust stem to stern. Looks really high quality too, not just glass paks, and in good shape

 

That looks like pictures from two different vehicles mixed together. One set has the truck with glass packs, one appears to have a normal muffler. One has step bars on it. One has Michelins, one has maybe some BFGs or wild peaks. Suspicious

 

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Truck looks good underneath. How's to body?

 

Good catch. One pic has nerf bars, the other has running boards.

 

KNABORES wins!
In my post [#9] forget the question on dual glasspack mufflers [correct 2 different vehicles;somebody sent another vehicle pic.]. Its all orig Toyota and maybe has 10k miles before they both need replacement.
Just saw Tundra today- might be the one...got to drive it tomoro. Looks as clean as pictures, for an 18yr old.
Straight Body w/usual roof/hood Toy paint failures-no big.
Engine dusty but not a leaker; underside dry w/usual sweat stains on steering rack boots. All other dry and straight.
Like the AD stated, $9999. Compared to what Ive seen over last 2 months, appears worth it, but it would be unAmerican to not try to whittle'em down.

 

Just took ownership about 12noon today. No nerf bars, but yes running boards- im not a fan of'm since i have no issue getting into cab, but i can see wife might appreciate. If I ever repaint [fr/door handle line up to roof] it would make it easy to wash n wax roof, but thats a long ways down road.
1st up is TBelt/h2o pump, radiator, LBJ"s...
stand-by, more pics to come.

 

Running boards here. When I lifted the truck, they were the only reason my wife and two kids were able to get in the truck still. I was also eager to get rid of em. I guess it all depends on what you plan to do. Pro tip: If you opt to take them off, remove ALL the brackets and bolts and put the in a baggie. And attach them to the running boards. They’re practically worthless without all the hardware. You can’t get it at the dealership. Those boards are a custom add-on, not a factory part.

 

good advice Shifty; running boards been getting 'leave on' votes fr/almost all except me...given its gonna take at least an hour to remove and store, I'll leave on for now. Since I need to sell my 01 Tacoma to make driveway space, Tundra is temporarily parked at another property. Was so whipped last Sun nite after 400mi trip from NorCal purchase, didnt even notice i left 'park lights' on. Nearly 36 hrs later I returned to chk tires and lo & behold, 'how the hell did I do that?' Never gave the healdlight stalk a full turn to off!
I turned the key to start, but didnt crank; looked at Voltmeter on dash and it was a hair above what I interpolate to be +/- 11volts.
Gave it a shot and it cranked and started as if nothing was ever left on. Good thing I negotiated a new Grp27 battery from the 'Dealer'. Drove it around for an hour, but I'm looking at putting a 'Smart-charger' on it for a few days.
Also put on a set of 265 65 17 'Corsa' tires fr/'Americas Tire' in Merced before pushing down the I-99 last Sunday. Theyre not Michelins by a long shot, but I didnt want any tire failures away fr/home- [Sidenote: these 'Corsa' tires performed great on the freeway run home] and Im not sure I'll stick w/17s, eventho they may be best for my street use and the 2-3x/yr boat tow of 60 miles.
So, gonna schedule LBJ r&r for next week, then a 'TB-H2O pump-Rad' job about mid-summer; its gonna remain parked for the next month or so waiting for new plates and the Aisin parts...
Heres the unicorn pics..[before new tires]

 

Inside looks good too..

 

Holy hazy headlights Batman! If not planning to replace, the Cerakote kit works wonders. I’m 7 months post treatment and they still look like new

 

Truck looks Amaze-balls btw!!

 

Yep Knabores, the SanJaoquinValley sun has done its work on those headlight cans, and the roof and hood too.
Rest of truck is amazingly straight and clean for an 18yr old. No sign of any collision; I do get a "tick" when cold started, but goes away after warm-up, put in gear and driven couple hundred feet...weird, but not a big concern.
LBJs & TB are priority, but I'll personally do an oil/filter and radiator drain-refill first.
According to dealer, they used Synthetic Blend at weight spec of fill cap. Not sure if full synthetic is in order for this mileage or just stick w/Blend. Valve covers look dry, but I can see some minor stains on the drivers side, but nothing wet.
Not sure of how to check trans fluid yet; got no owners manual.

Other pluses: Toyota Remote Lock/Unlock FOB, however I wish the audio feedback was mutable- early morning departures will be heard by neighbors [neighborhood is soo damn quiet, you can hear people changing their minds].
Tailgate and lock work perfectly.
Toyota bedliner.
No signs of rust on top of cab seams.
7 pin trailerlighting plug works and receiver has a Toyota cover.
Power windows work perfectly [but do rattle over bumps when other than full up or full down].
Painted alloys w/out curb rash, but a few minor spots of 'paint lift' [brake fluid contact?]

Minor stuff/upgrades:
Toyota hub dust covers would be nice.
OnDemand rear view camera [tailgate latch mount]
Inside Rearview mirror w/compass
Alpine or better audio head, w/or w/out rear view display [not sure where a rear view display would mount securely and easily outside of headunit port.]

 

Mine lived its first 4 years in the San Joaquin valley. Bought it in Manteca.

 

The tick when cold is exhaust leak at the manifolds. The flanges crack. New ones are the cure. Or headers.

 

OUCH.
Well, after 170k miles somethings gonna fail. It must be very hairline of a crack if it quiets down that quickly. If that minor tick is the worst of, i think I can live w/it, as long as heads or block aren't being damaged. I would think new manifolds would be pricey, if available. Headers dont appeal to me, just b/c i'd like to keep it Toyota stock [fan boy]. Seems I've had this kind of tick w/other V8s like old GM 350s, but a resurface and new manifold gaskets cured that. I'll wait and see how bad it gets; it definitely quiets down after warm up and never heard it on the 400mi ride home.

 

Here’s where mine were cracked. They were around $180 a side and quite the job to install. Probably expensive to pay someone else to do them and they will 100% break some of the bolts. I was very careful and pretreated the bolts with penetrating oil. I gently worked all the bolts out and didn’t break any.

 

Ok! Interesting.
How many flanges failed? both sides?
Yeah that looks like a good 2hrs+ per side r&r, if all goes well? Or was it worse?

 

Also, if you dont mind re-visiting the pain:

Miles when you r&r ?
Heads unaffected ?
Access all from top side?
Nice that you were able to DIY...

Thx, Joe

 

Got a feeling I shoulda started another thread...

 

If you're going to do the timing belt soon anyway don't bother draining the radiator until you do the timing belt. May consider replacing the radiator too just due to age just to avoid pink milkshake. (Trans fluid mixing with coolant)

It may be able to be disabled by programming or you could just unplug the beeper, I don't recall where it is on the newer systems though.

Common, seems there may be a half ass fix for this but I haven't looked into it too much myself.

Common on these wheels, not really sure why the paint doesn't hold up too well on these. Could have them refinished if you wanted. Centercaps may be hard to find. May look around on Facebook Marketplace and see if you can find another set of wheels or at least center caps.

KNABORES nailed this one already but mine does the same thing. I just leave it be to avoid all the labor, doesn't cause any issues.