New 1st Gen tundra owner

Just bought an 06 DC sr5 and I’ve got nothing but great things to say. I’ve spend a lot of time stalking posts on this forum, and even used some of the posts to help ChatGPT to make me a useful checklist of maintenance items, upgrades, etc.
I came from a long line of sinners, half losers, half… well… still losers. Started my truck journey off in an ‘11 Ram 1500. Told my dad, “it’s got a tractor engine, it’ll run forever”. At 74k miles she ate through a cam lobe from a seized lifter rod and blew the exhaust manifold. Replaced it, all the rods, lifters, valve, valve springs, you name it. Did it all, and upgraded lots too while I did. Then at 115k she gave me a scare and broke down in tow, no warnings, in the middle of “T” intersection with incoming traffic, wife in the truck, and boat in tow. Fixed it, sold it.
Next sinner was a ‘22 F250 6.2L gas. Bought it brand new off the lot. Yeah, stupid, but I had the funds and had never bought new so I went for it. How bad could it be? It was a nightmare. Transmission issues, PCM problems with reluctant help from Ford, and the last straw, a faulty fuel pump they recalled but had no fix for. To top it, I was only at 78k. They got really sketchy at the dealership(s) because I had a lawsuit against them trying to get them to buy it back. I don’t have time for lawsuits. They “fixed it” and I sold it. That one is still fresh, so it hurts a little more than the ram I bought used.
So I find myself with no truck, and trading in my wife’s car we planned on keeping to get something better for the family. Ended up with an ‘18 4Runner limited (great SUV so far). I started digging and originally thought I’d go for a newer used tundra, then realized how expensive they are and dropped that pretty quick. Switched gears to a newer taco, thinking that’ll save me some money, wrong again. Went to look at a ‘19 Toyota and it was so covered in rust on the body I passed the keys right back to the sales lady. I went to tell my wife we were leaving when she said “aren’t you gonna look at that tundra”.

I Honestly didn’t plan on falling in love that day. She was dirty, listed at 14k and had 177k miles, “not worth 14k”, I told my wife, “but I’ll check it out.” Didn’t even look inside, just started looking underneath. Clean. No rust. Looked in the back, no rust. Found a couple minor things I could use as bargaining chips, but nothing major. Sales guy walks out with the keys and I’m impressed with it so far. I hopped in, started it up, and got going.

Pointed out a few other things and hustled them down to 11k out the door. Some of yall are probably going to tell me I’m nuts, but I was so ready to have a truck that started when I turned the key I didn’t even think twice. I drove it 200 miles home that day, and every day since I find myself asking “what took me so damn long to find this?”
It’s got some work to be done, and some things I want to do to get it right, but it starts. That’s what matters. And it’s in the family until it rusts out or I die, whichever comes first.
Now you know my story. I hope I’m here a while because I don’t want to type another intro anytime soon.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Great story!

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome. Read this first
https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

 

Oh, Trust me that post has been my road map so far!

 

She's a beaut! Congrats!

If you're anything like the rest of us you will develop a borderline unhealthy obsession for your Tundra.
But it's ok. When the rest of the world thinks your a bit loony, you can come hang out with the 1st gen crew.
Welcome from MI

 

Welcome from NC - rock that 1st Gen !!!!!!