Head Gasket on 2nd Gen 4.0 l

I have a 2006 Tacoma 4.0l. A friend has a 2005 with 180,000 and just had a head gasket go on it. Luckily he was able to just replace the head gaskets, he paid $3500 for the work at a Toyota dealership, which is very high if you ask me.

Question is do these 2nd gen models have issues with the head gaskets going around this mileage area? I have 161,000. I thought I read somewhere it may have been an issue on 2005 models only, but can't find that now. If mine is suspect for blowing I might start looking for a replacement before it goes or do it now before I risk blowing the motor up.

 

I think it was 05-08 or 07, there was a HG revision at some point though and it is no longer a problem on newer models

 

The 05-06 models are known for this problem. Same with 03-04 4runners with the 4.0

 

05s and early 06s have a known head gasket issue. Late 06 and up have the issue fixed since toyota updated there gaskets

 

But Tonka never admitted to the fact and does not back it up with a repair if it happens.

 

Wow $3500 for head gasket job!

 

He could have bought a newer motor with low miles from a salvage yard for cheaper. I know it's the route I'm going if my 2005 ever blows a head gasket.

 

My truck was built 07/06. I hope that has the revised HG

 

I know. I didn’t want to rub it in. He knew he got taken.

 

That’s the dealership for you.

 

I hope they fixed it by 07/06.

 

Late model year 2006 saw the updated part number used on the 4.0l Tacoma's head gasket

 

What’s late model?

 

Anything past 2006. Any 2007 and up.

 

$3500 for head haskets!?

Holy shit, I have an AZ snowman to sell him.

 

I wouldn't stress it, if you can turn a wrench.

4.0's have a pretty good track record overall

 

This thread says build date Dec 2005 is the cut off date.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/headgasket-problems.522600/

 

I'm halfway thinking about going ahead and replacing mine, it just looks like it's going to be a huge PITA to do. Given that almost every freakin' bolt under my hood looks like it's been salted I'm dreading the thought of one snapping. I'm sitting about 120,000 miles right now.

Thanks once again Toyota; I've been driving Toyotas since the 80s but I don't see me buying another made in the US model again unless they do some serious improvements to their QC.

 

Are your HGs leaking right now?

 

Nope, not that I'm aware of which is why I'm not messing with them but I tend to take long road trips so I'm big on PM. I've been out of the country for a couple of years though and my dad didn't put many miles on it while I was gone. I just haven't been overly impressed with the overall quality of this Tacoma (mine's a late '04 production date), just my personal opinion.