Keep My 1st or Buy A 2nd

Alright guys, gimme some reasoning. Should I keep my 2006 DC or sell it and get a 2nd gen? Here's what got me thinking about this:

1. I get about 15-17 mpg with the 4.7 and a 5.7 gets 13-15 but has a lot more power.

2. I'm worried about having to continue fixing things on this truck. It's only a 2006 with 168,000, but I think it was ran pretty hard off-road before I got it. It was used to spotlight mountain lions, the lower CA mounts were both bent back, the rear grab handles and doors are worn out like someone was jumping in and out, the bed on the passenger side is torn up on the rear from the rack I had on it like an idiot, and various other small things. Knowing what I do now and what to look for I would not have bought it as there are ones in better shape. I have already had to replace the rack and pinion.

3. I have started to upgrade it and add things (ICONS, Brembo brakes, brake lines, rack and pinion, etc) and would like to continue doing so, but I'm wondering if it would be wiser to put the work and money into a newer truck.

4. I paid $14,800 for it with 135,000 miles and I have 168,000 on it now, but I can find 2nd gen ones for a comparable price. There is a 2010 DC for $11,950 near me and I've seen others. I think I could get 10-12,000 for mine.

Anyway, lemme know what you guys would do.

Thanks!

 

I found a way to keep my 1st gen Tundra while adding a 2nd gen with the 5.7L, I just can't find a reason to let my '02 go. The '02 serves as my 4WD work truck, and it is basically stock. The '07 serves as my 2WD daily driver street rod, it is slowly being modded & upgraded. The 1st gen has about 165k and the 2nd gen has about 285k, I enjoy driving both of them.

 

I've considered that option, just don't think the finances line up.

 

Finances are a concern here, but I paid the '02 off years ago and paid $5k cash for the '07 so it's hasn't been a strain. How much do you think you can get out of your '06? What do you owe on it?

 

I think If you could get 10-12K for your GEN1, knowing what you do about it, I would be done and out. Maybe get a cleaner Gen 1 or Gen 2. I would lean Gen2 just to get a bit newer.

Good Luck!

 

I was at a similar point (at least in terms of concern, as my old Tundra, a 2002, was in good shape externally but was starting to cost serious $$ (had to do steering rack, front struts, brake and steering cylinder, it even needed rear drums along with brakes and all that added up and could have been used towards a new truck...). I knew timing belts at the very least, were coming up, along with tires, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to put that money in there. What if I did that, and it then needed tranny work or something else that I would have to think seriously about before doing. So I drove it for a couple years after putting all that money into it but I really didn't want to take any more serious money out of my 'new truck piggy bank' to fix another major item. Yes the truck was reliable and what I had problems with were 15 year old parts and yea, wear happens, so I'm not complaining, but that's the point. The rest of the truck was also 15 at that time. So I got 2 more years out of it for all that I put into it before caving and getting a new one. Probably the biggest thing that pushed me over was selling my old truck while it was looking OK and running great so I could get the most for it. If I kept it till something that I wasn't going to sink money into fixing happened, it would have a major impact o what I would get for it.

 

I'm guessing I could get $10-12K for it. Not sure if I should leave the ICONS on or replace them with standard shocks if I sell it. Still have about $7K left on it.

 

Add up what it would cost to bring your 1st gen up to the level you want it, then compare that number with what a Gen 2 will cost including whatever you want to do with it. As long as the frame and drive train are solid, you can keep them going for a long time without much fuss. I bought my '07 cheap, and I knew that I was going to spend a few grand on it pretty quick; (shocks, tires, springs, all filters & fluids, plugs, the drive shaft and transmission seal). The only surprise expense thus far has been a new fuel pump about 15,000 miles ago, everything else has been part of my original plan for this truck.

 

That's a good idea. I think what I'm worried about though is surprise costs and if they are going to start popping up.

 

https://jalopnik.com/most-underrated-cheap-truck-right-now-the-original-toy-1744623089

 

Haha! Yep, I read that before I got mine. Seems the 2nd gen prices are at the same level now, though.

 

Keep in mind the new 2nd Gen truck is aging and may be coming up on the same cycle of repairs, upgrades, etc.

I say keep what you have and ride it out. If you can get big money for your truck, then sell it as long as the lateral trade is equal $ and not needing any (upcoming) improvements.

You have alot invested into your existing truck. Even though its beat up a little sounds like its still running good.

 

True. I'm just thinking out the pros and cons.

Maybe an option would be to pay it off and then get a 3rd gen (or 4th).

 

Sometimes it is cheaper to keep her.

 

gen 2 trucks are much bigger too.has pros and cons.

 

My '06 is paid off but other than that, I'm basically in the same position as you. I've put all the money into it that I think is worth putting into a 13 year old truck so now I'm just going to hold it for the next 12 to 18 months then upgrade to a 3rd gen I think.

 

or go all out HULK SMASHER style..@Sunnier

 

Honestly, that's my goal, either with this truck or the next. LT and everything.

 

The wheelbase and overall length & width of his '06 are slightly less than the same on a 2nd gen regular cab long bed.

 

I wonder how much that project co$t?

 

There's a thought!

 

@Sunnier

 

Are the 1st gens the same width?

 

Without fender flairs on either truck it looks like the 2nd gen is about 5 inches wider than the 1st gen.

 

With my 06 sitting next to my brother's 12 it was surprising how close they were in size. The 06 "looks" smaller whereas the 12 is bulkier, yet they are really close.

 

I started adding up the basic components for a LT conversion, plus fenders, bumpers, winch, etc. and got scared.

 

Sounds like you're ready to afford only one right now.

I got employee pricing on my 3rd gen (payments still freaked me out tho). Then bought the 1st gen for $5700 with 209k miles and put about $1.5k into repairs (new coils was the major bit). But the body and frame are in great shape. Not the paint tho- which was why the price wasn't higher.

I can't bring myself to write how much the LT conversion has been. I kept picking up extra OT shifts to stay ahead of the costs that were on top of the main suspension parts (that I financed), but I've started working on compiling everything to post a parts list and yeah... it's scary...

My ¢.02 re size differences: although I know the "official" measurements, the 1st gen drives much smaller than a 2nd or 3rd. Mostly to do with what the driver can see. The bulk of the 2nd and 3rd gen requires different handling.

 

Get rid of it. Sleep better at night. You can buy anything but sleep.

 

It all good. Its your money. I wasn’t trying to be nosey, but posed a rhetorical question in light of dumping/selling and buying new used truck again. $carry Larry!

 

No worries. I'll end up with it all out in the open once the parts list is up. Nothing more than a note of caution in the meantime; its like they say about a boat: a big hole in the water where you throw your money.

Anyway, it's been a fun project and I'm learning a bunch. As long as I can drive it like I hope over the next 5 years, it'll be play money well spent.