New Member looking to go from access to double cab/ questions.

Hello there,

New member, but long time lurker. Great info on this site.
I have been in a 2003 access cab V6 2WD for the last 7 years. Great truck, love it, but am looking to get into a double cab (for kids) and V8 for pulling a very small boat (boat motor and trailer under 2000 lbs.)

I am in Southern California and am looking for a Sub-100K mile 2006 2WD 1st gen double cab. A few pop up from time to time, usually in the $15K+ price range. Most of the time they are at dealers, which kind of gets me leery, as it's impossible to know the vehicles true history from the actual owner.

I know the long running history of great reliability with these trucks. A couple questions I have are: 1. The transmission(s), is there anything I should look for, or look out for on these models? I know that remote trailer brakes are a sign that it may have been used heavily for towing etc. Just curious if there was anything else to be cautious of.
And #2, I see that some models came with a sunroof option. Were there any outstanding issues with these, like leaking water, rusting, or electric motor failures?

Thank you for any input in advance, and anything else I should look out for.
I'm on my 4th Toyota , 1- Landcruiser, 2-Tacomas, 1-Tundra, looking to make it #5.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome! Are we Huntington neighbors?

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome from CO.

 

Yes Sir . . .

 

I would just look at the frame real good for rust. Welcome from NC!

 

I have had my tundra dc for a few months now and I love it so far.

Transmission shifts weird on mine bought it with 130k. I believe it's only because I'm not used to the downshift in an auto specifically these trucks. Other than that im going to check fluids soon and I'll report back.

I haven't noticed any leaking with my sunroof, or any operating issues with it. Even with the rear window I haven't seen any issues with that either.

I'd say for towing issues take a good look at the hitch to see if it has decent wear marks in it, might give you a clue as to how much it was used for towing. My truck came from factory with the towing package but doesn't look like it has been towed with.

Good luck and welcome from PA

 

I'd look for a later model 1st Gen to get VVT-I and 5-Speed Auto. I have a '05 Dbl Cab and '06 Landcruiser both with the same engine & transmission. It's a rock solid paring. I've got a brake controller on mine but I certainly get your concern about coming across one with it. I'd take it to mean it was used to tow something fairly heavy. It's the frequency of it that would cause me concern. What series Landcruiser do you have?

 

It was an FJ 55 the old wagon style. Thank you for the insight. I like my access cab V6, but the back is kinda useless for anyone over 10 years old, and I'd like a little extra hp when pulling my boat, even though its a light set up.

 

I'm on 1st gen Tundra #4, presently 05 DC 2wd. There is a SR5, Limited, Darrell Waltrip and Luchesse editions. There may be a few more I don't know of. 05-06 vvti engines have some crappy emissions pump mounted on the rear of the engine that locks up. CEL light and crappy running when it goes south. Cost to fix is in the thousands. Keep this in mind because you may find 1 with this issue for sale and it may help you score a deal. Repair is in the thousands but the bypass is something you can handle for $250 and about 30 minutes of your time

 

I have an 06 SR5 and really like it. I was in F150's and Silverados for 15 years prior to this. Do some research on the 05-06 air pumps as Hoopty mentions. Hewitt kit is the bypass to get for those. Other 05-06 differences that maybe worth mentioning:

VVT engines require removal of the camshaft and phasing mechanism to change the cam seals. 04 DC non VVt has the simple cam seals. Most contributors say cam seals rarely leak before 300k.

05-06 have head curtain airbags, 04 does not.

05-06 have the weird master cylinder that is only sold oem with the booster attached for $800 or something ridiculous. 04 does not have this issue.

 

Timing belt is supposed to be done at 90k.

 

03-04 has a beefed up 4spd, 05-06 have the 5spd. I have to say I am kinda wishing I grabbed a 03-04. The 4spd 5spd difference in performance is minor, the non vvti engine seems to have more punch down low

 

Do you know what's different about the 03-04 4 speed?

 

00-02 transmission had some failures and shifting issues. Toyota ripped the guts out and beefed it up for 03-04. If you look on the side of the transmission you will see a identification plate with A340 stamped on it. 05-06 went with a completely new unit

 

OP wants a double cab, which are mostly vvti gen trucks


The pre vvti trucks have a more direct throttle response.

 

Double cab started in 04 and there are plenty out there. They look identical except there are differences mechanically

 

Unreal info . . . wow. You guys really know your stuff ! Much appreciated.

 

Welcome from Ohio.

 

I'm sure this has been said a thousand times over on these forums . . . but it seems to me that the Gen 1 Tundras are still a good value for what you get. Used Tacomas are priced WAY higher 'all things considered' here in Southern California. I can't afford anything new, and to be honest, I'd be so worried about my expensive 'new truck' that it'd take away from owning one in the 1st place. I like to take good care of my trucks . . . but I like to use them as well. I don't want to freak out if someone opens their door on mine, or if someone gets in with mud on their feet. Even if I have to pay $15K+ for a clean Gen 1 ... that's a 1/3 of the price of a new Tacoma and about a 1/4 price of a new Tundra. I was recently at a kids soccer game, and a dad came in with a loaded dealer demo model tundra . . . sticker price was $76K !!! That's some serious $ for a 'truck' . . . kudos to those who can afford it . . . but not this guy. Even if I had that king of dough . . . I'd buy a newer used one.

 

The 1st Gen wasn't very popular during it's release years and resale value had dropped pretty low in the early teens. People started to get smart and realized how pricey those used tacos are and crossed shopped the tundra. Before you knew it, value was up and has not come back down in at least the last 5 to 7 years. I'm still surprised at how much my 05 is worth. The 00-02 can be had for very reasonable numbers but not the 04-06 DC

 

I paid a premium for my 02 back in 2016. At the time it seemed like a decent deal. But it was 1 owner, low miles, and looked as though it came out of a time capsule. It also had a lot of maintenance records so I knew the previous owner had taken care of it. Even the arm rest/center console had zero wear. But knowing what I do now, I would have looked around for a better deal. Also, the mileage on these trucks doesn't scare me anymore. I'd like to drive an 05-06 DC to see what that's like. If something ever happens to this truck I'd likely get the more usable space that the DC offers. Suicide doors suck.

 

The suicide doors do suck but overall I kinda miss my 01. It performed differently than my 05. The 05 is smoother and a bit more refined, the 01 felt like it had more pulling power down low in the revs and those metal bumpers come in handy. I am really happy with the 05 but I should not have written off the 04 DC and I should have spent some time driving it and getting a feel for it

 

It's an option, not standard....my 05 DC did not have them, but my 06 DC does.

 

Do double cabs look like Honda Ridge Lines? A little bit.

 

The 05-06 double and access cabs are the cream of the first gen crop. When Toyota released the 04 double cab, the 4.7 was fine, but that big bitch needed the 5 speed tranny. It only took them a year to realize they made a mistake.

 

negative.

 

It took 4 years to get a 5spd tranny and I'm not sold on the 5spd being better or making the truck drive any better. The vvti may be what's clouding my judgement, I don't see the benefit of vvti in the truck other than making it run a bit smoother at low speeds

 

welcome aboard