Help me pick between two Tundras

I've looked at two very similar Gen1 Tundras. They're about the same price, about $8-9k.

Both are similar in condition. Both 4.7L V8.

A 2004 SR5 with 100,000 miles or a 2006 Limited with 140,000 miles.

Would you go for the cloth interior smaller cab 2004 with 100,000 miles, or the larger cab newer 2006 with leather seats, sunroof, better stereo, and 40% more miles?

Also, is $8-9k a fair price?

I looked hard for any defects, no rust, strong engines, drove in all gears well at city speeds, climbed some curbs just fine... Anything else I need to be aware of? Any huge differences in 2004 to 2006?

{I have no plans for passengers, kids, etc. just dogs and luggage.}

 

Are they both the same engine?

I have a 2002 V6, SR5, Access cab.(two full doors, and two ½ doors, factory suicide style) Cloth interior, cd player, cassette player, AM/FM factory radio. 312,000 miles.

As a single man who does copious amounts of yard work, and travels some pretty deer laden roads. I have never felt I needed more cab than what I currently have. I am assuming since you said "smaller cab" that the 2004 is an AC as well.

I rarely have one passenger, and I can fit my medicine box, tools, and other accouterments in the cab, or bed mounted tool box. I do not have dogs, and the size of your dogs, and shedding would factor in.

Leather would probably be easier to clean with regards to shedding if your pups shed a lot. Not sure about your manicure process for them though. Their nails may ruin your leather.

Regarding luggage, you could always get some type of tonneau cover later for more "dry" space.

TL/DR as a single man I have never needed more than the AC. Dogs in the picture may make it hard to clean with cloth regarding shed.

DC (4 full doors, assuming that's what the 2006 is) leather interior may be easier to clean, but how long before your dogs nails ruin your leather?

Regarding pricing, I am not the one to ask about that. I have not shopped for ones of these in a long time.

Me personally I would spring for the 2006 because you can always have EXTRA space.

 

Both are the 4.7L V8s.

I'm relatively indifferent about leather seats. I do NOT like the way the seats fold up and forward on the 4 door Limited model. They did not seem secure, but surely there must be a way to secure them in a folded up position? The smaller 1.5 cab actually feels like it has more storage space in a weird way because of how the seats fold up.

40% more miles seems like a LOT more miles .... 40,000 more is many years of driving for me...

 

I have always heard good things about the 4.7L. I have ZERO experience with that as well. Someone who has laid hands on a similar unit will be along shortly. I trust @Darkness along with a few others regarding all my "internal" questions.

That initial impression of the "Tardis effect" (being roomier on the inside than you expected from the outside) regarding folded up seats may sway you into the 2004 model.

I personally have ZERO experience with DC trucks. I only know about AC because it is what I have. Perhaps someone else can chime in on it with experience? @speedtre

This is true, for you 40k is a lot of miles.

40k for the trucks isn't even broken in yet.

 

My buddy at work thought I was making up words when I used that one

 

04 is the best of the non-vvti years. Has the bigger front brakes and a good 4 speed transmission. People either love or hate the suicide door, I like mine.

06 has VVTi, that's a good horsepower bump, but also has the secondary air injection which can be troublesome. Has a 5 speed auto which some like, others are bothered by. Double cabs are spacious and limited are nice, but I like the feel of an access cab more than a double cab.

Either truck is an adolescent by 4.7 standards, getting well over 300k miles is the norm from these motors. The choice of truck will come from your needs and wants.

 

The 2006 will have the vvti engine and a 5-speed auto, versus a 4-speed in the 2004. The extra gear was enough to focus me on the 2005-6 model years when I was looking for my Tundra. I previously owned a 2004 Sequoia and a 2000 LX470 (both had the 4.7L V8s), and while I loved them both, the transmissions were what made me sell them - that 4-speed was always a gear too few, especially with the long grades and dramatic elevation changes in my part of the world..

 

From Wikipedia, there seems to be some difference in the engines, transmissions, and body weights. I don't know enough about these to know if any of these make much real world difference.

Engines:
4.7 L 2UZ-FE V8
245 horsepower (2000-2004)
282 horsepower (2005)
271 horsepower (2006)

Transmissions
4-speed A340 automatic (2000-2004)
5-speed automatic (2005-2006)

Length:
2000-04 Access Cab: 217.5 in
Double Cab: 230.1 in

Weight: 3935–4215 lb

 

The hp bump is the vvti addition in 05. The 04 is a mongrel year sortof. It got the double cab, but kept the 4spd and non vvti. But the 04 you're looking at is an access cab. The only real world difference is an 05-06 AC. Extra hp and less weight.

And that weight is hilarious. I'm 4500lb empty with just me.

 

The weight doesn't seem right, my access cab was over 4700lbs empty last time I hit the dump.

The horsepower difference between 05 and 06 is a change in how horsepower is measured, no actual difference between those two motors. They make the same power no matter what 05 owners tell you.

I think you should drive both. See how you like them, think about what works for you. You mentioned no kids, I have no kids and for that reason the access cab is perfect for me. I've seen so many guys sell their access cabs to buy a double cab because they had kids. Double cab are also a bit taller, both in the cab and the bed. Ive driven two double cabs and for me they're just a bit long and awkward, I'm sure its something youd get used to.

04 double cab is a real mutt, but you dont need to worry about that.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Of the two I drove today, the 04 and 06, I did prefer the 04 Access Cab feeling a bit more nimble. Not a lot but a bit. It's a tough call b/c I like some features on the 06... I think the most important thing it comes down to is mileage b/c all else equal, that's a huge difference and it means everything on the truck drove that much - 40k miles - more. The 06 has some great features though... tough decision.

And I have the 4.7L in my 2004 4Runner and it's a great motor with no complaints.

 

I'm usually a "form over function" kind of guy... so the double cab should appeal to me because it allows more usable space. But there's just something about a 4 door truck that looks visually out of balance to me. I know it makes no sense, but a standard cab or access cab to me just look right where a double cab looks too long.
In other brands of trucks the 4 door versions sometimes have a 5 foot bed (or in the case of some older Tacomas a 4 foot bed) -- which helps some with the asthetics and overall length, but then you're stuck with less useful space back there.

Regarding mileage on the two trucks mentioned: Have the timing belts been changed on either? It should be done at 90K miles.

 

I've had a 2002 AC and 2005 and 2006 Double Cabs. That DC is a better deal (assuming they are the same $) as they are more highly sought after. The non-vvti 4.7 and A340F in the 2004 have got to be one of the most reliable, least maintenance intensive powertrain combinations ever (the 4.7 vvti and A750F aren't far behind). If I was 100% sure I was never going to need to take more than 1 person regularly I'd prefer an AC...I just like the slightly smaller fell (like you mentioned). If I needed the interior space for passengers or something else (the rear seats remove with 8 bolts in about 5 minutes) it's a no brainer, DC all the way.

Based on your description of the two, it would be the DC for me...I need the space, I like the leather, and on these trucks,, the sunroof open and all 5 windows down is dam near jeep like on mountains roads rolling along. I really miss that in my 2005 DC...

 

I think you should consider a pre-2000 Ford Ranger if you can find one that still runs.



j/k. I agree that you need to drive both and see what you like. I'll add that the double cabs seem to have a few more features that the access cabs don't have such as steering wheel audio controls and the roll down rear window. Those are the only features I wish I had on my 02.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about mileage.



I'm actually at 319k now.

 

I wouldn't worry about the mileage either but if it is important to you and you already said that it is,I think you have your answer right there?

I do not like Leather really and would not have one with it and the more simple the better means less to break to me too but I need power windows and that is about all.

I also need more bed and less cab but all options are up to the needs of the user so who cares what someone else thinks about them?

 

The AC rear seats only look usable. They sit bolt upright and are uncomfortable on longer trips. With no plans for passengers, not a big issue. If the dogs are large, then maybe the double cab would be better. There is essentially zero storage in the AC. Had to add a tool box in the bed of mine just to carry some standard things with me like tie down straps and jumper cables. Bed length is essentially the same for both. Sunroof would be awesome. Roll down rear window would be awesome! 5 speed auto would be a welcome upgrade. All Double cab features vs. that AC. Haven't driven the VVTi version of the 4.7 to comment on whether it makes a big difference in every day driving. VVTi usually has it's biggest effect at higher RPM's. $8-9k for the 2006 Double cab? Is it 2wd? Would love to find a 4wd Limited with low mileage like that for $8-9k. As others have said, mileage is not a big deal on these with proper maintenance.

 

No affiliation 2005 DC

TRD 4x4 everything works 160k and going as it's my daily. Cold AC, fresh oil change, newish fallen wild peak 33s on fj cruiser wheels. 1.25 wheels spacers. New inner, outer ties rods, new upper and lower ball joints(mostly OEM replacements), koyo wheel bearings and alignment and all work done in the previous 6 months. It has mismatched camper shell(willing to separate) a bedzilla bed slide(slightly modified to fit first gen tundra.(if the tailgate is locked underneath becomes lockable storage. It holds up to 1000lbs. A very nice previously dented bumper. It was highway truck so the paint on top the hood and roof are iffy. Could use new shocks up front. Price is pretty firm open to trades and cash or I can put stock tires on or remove that slide camper etc and adjust price. Savannah GA Read Less

 

Go with a 00-02 with the sweet front bumper/fog lights and non-vvti (non-problematic smog devices). AC of course. Been hauling/towing for 18 years with 170k miles with no problems so far.

Plenty of room in the back for Tatto.

 

There is also ZERO leg room for anyone that sits in the back. Literally none unless the front seats are moved forward into ball crushing zone. I've been able to haul 1 person behind the passenger seat, but only after the passenger in front sacrificed all leg room. It's ok for short trips only at that point. My 2 big dogs can't even ride comfortably back there for long.

 

Like said above, the DC is a better deal. Do your dogs like to stick their heads out the windows when you drive? Cant do that with an AC.

 

My dog used to stick her head out the rear slider. I can only imagine how many cars behind me on the freeway got dog slobber on their windshield.

For years I rolled around with the back seat removed completely. Made for a better work truck and my boxer appreciate the room to lay down or stand up to check things out. The back seat is pretty much for kids or short trips only.

 

Well, thanks everyone! Excellent information.

I did not get either of those. A deeper dive showed they both had been in accidents, abused, and salvaged titles. I decided too much risk.

I prayed on it, and the near perfect truck appeared that night. I went the next morning and I ended up with a 2000 4.7L Gen1 Tundra Limited with a 6.5 box. I'll start a different thread to share.

 

my 04 SCLB v6 is 4450 and the 05 SCLB 05 v8 is 4500, per the dump.

 

Congrats - nice looking rig. Paging @Darkness for an assessment.

 

Looks clean. Is it missing the front flares? And can you tell what kinda lift it has?

Or are those FG fenders?

 

This truck looks better than mine! I'm positive that you, and your pups will enjoy! Best of luck to you, and them.

Feel free to pop on into the 1st gen thread, found here. https://www.tundras.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-1st-gen-tundra-today.2558/unread

 

Don't know more about the flares. Here's two good pictures.

The lift kit has King written on it. I'm not experienced with lift kits but some research suggested they are very good. The wheels and tires are 305/70/16 BF Goodrich KO2 ATs and they all appear nearly new.

 

I have those tires on mine. I like them.

 

Nice score! Someone has some some nice body and paint restoration.