2006 Tacoma durability question

I am inheriting a 2006 Tacoma from my father and it has approximately 255,000 miles. It also had the frame replaced at 240k miles. I am just curious about the durability of the parts on the truck because I wanted to start to mod the truck with 3" lift, wheels, and possibly a turbo kit. I am worried about getting started on the mods and the truck dying on me because of the mileage. I am really excited but also worried about the car breaking. There are no ongoing issues with the truck besides its age and a few minor dents but my real concern is if I install all of these mods how long will my truck last.

 

Doing that right, you just spent close to what the wholesale value of the truck is. Just be aware.

Do a compression and a leakdown test on the motor. If you boost, be prepared for a clutch if manual at minimum, and breakage of various aged driveline parts as time goes on. If you don't boost, those things will happen anyway, just likely not as soon.

You could be broadsided tomorrow and lose it all, as insurance isn't gonna pay much for that, regardless of mods.

You could blow it up from carelessness or a poor tune (boosted)

Or it might last 200k and be a hootenanny the whole time.

Sounds broad? Yep. There are too many variables for anyone to give you that answer.

 

Thank you for that. But as the truck is should i do a compression test and inspect internals to see if doing lift/wheels would be worth it.

 

I would do a compression and leakdown test just to have a sense of things.

To me a lift and all that is based on function. If you have to have it for the truck to do what you want it to (functionally) that's one consideration. If it's just for looks, that's another.

A take off suspension from a 3rd gen OR will fit, give you a touch of lift and a decent ride. The wheels will fit too, making a 'fresh' look for the truck at budget friendly prices.

 

I would most likely get a lift for functionality and because I have a group of friends who are jeep guys and I wanted to take advantage of the truck I am inheriting so I can go on fun excursions with them. I had a rough country lift kit in mind or get a fox suspension kit. And also what is the biggest sized tire/ biggest offset tire i could get that would fit on stock suspension if i decided to not go with a lift kit.

 

How do you know you can't keep up now? Unless they are going places that only a short wheelbase can navigate........ if they are seasoned and have recovery gear and skills, go out and see what happens. Usually the driver matters as much as the vehicle. Just don't do anything stupid, then decide what might help you out.

Popular with Jeeps, not so successful in the Tacoma world. If you get to that point, Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road is a name to keep in mind.

We have lots of forums here........ https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/largest-tacoma-tire-sizes-on-stock-suspension.67550/

 

I dont get my license for another 5 months lol, but i am just getting a good idea of what people know about the tacoma world. thank you for the insight.

 

In that case I'd suggest learning all the steps needed for routine maintenance on the truck, building a basic tool collection, and eventually mastering the capabilities of the truck as it sits. Slowly.

Hooning from day one with older friends who will goad you on is a great way to wind up busted or stranded, so be careful to not take their bait.

Otherwise you could find yourself

 

Don’t worry about it. Replace what needs to be done bearing wise, that truck has tons of life left if it was well taken care of.

 

Who else thinks Billy has the best memes on his posts? ... (My personal favorite is Danny DeVito mumbling "NOPE".)

 

He’s a cool guy, seems like he knows what he’s taking about and gives good insight. I am still a young man and I haven’t lost all my money yet to a vehicle so he is keeping me in the right path of not shooting my bank account in the head. Lol

 

Billy is one of a handful of people on TW that I will make a point and stop to read his posts. What I like about his posts is the experience behind them, as well as him being an outstanding person too...very personable/friendly. You will do well listening to him and learn a lot too.

 

That’s good to know that such an experienced voice is the first to respond on my very first post. I am only 16 and I am just starting my journey to be a Taco expert. Excited to learn from all of the experienced people out there.

 

Turbo kit on a motor with 255k? I can hear your wallet crying from here just thinking about starting that mod. Bodies on these trucks hold up well, drivetrain is also very reliable but motors and transmissions dont last forever.

I say do the lift,wheels, tires those can always be taken off if anything bad happens.

I too got my 06 tacoma in highschool, very good truck for a young lad and they are very capable offroad, just be mindful of undercarriage damage out on the trails!

 

Of course, I was very skeptical of doing forced induction because of mileage and it was possibly a dream this whole time. but I think I should do a shakedown of the whole truck and inspect it thoroughly as Bill had said, And from here on find a good set of tires and a cheap lift that will satisfy my needs. Also getting custom bumpers with skid plates and trans covers would be something I save up to get in the long run.

 

Forced induction on a naturally aspirated engine is a fast track to blowing that engine.

I don’t care that a couple guys had good luck.

 

Depends on the mods and which insurance company you have. Lift, tires, etc... State Farm will pay for. Turbo... I don't know, never had that come up. My guess is no.

Now, USAA, Progressive, Geiko, GMAC, Foremost, Allstate WILL NOT pay you for upgrades.

Lol, USAA, won't even pay you for your damages!!!! I own an insurance agency. I currently have TWO employees involved in disputes with USAA, both hit by someone with USAA! Both rear ended. Clear cut cases. USAA has delayed payment for over 2 years for one of them, the other will be one year next month. One has already made a claim against their insurance for repairs and their insurance company is going to subrigate.

The other is still holding on.

From personal experience, State Farm covers anything permanently attached to the vehicle. They covered damaged mods on my Tacoma twice so far. I have State Farm insurance, I was hit twice, not my fault, by other people who had State Farm, State Farm covered damaged mods.

Also, my next-door neighbor's truck was flooded in the great Louisiana flood Aug 2016. 2006 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner SR5 with 3"lift, , after market wheels, 33's, Kenwood head unit, 8" Bazooka, and small Kicker Amp.

They paid NADA plus cost of add-ons. About $20,000.

That being said, none of it really matters. You have a good truck! If you love it, mod it. WARNING though, it's addictive!!!!! Hell, eventually you will mod enough to about zero out it's 'market value'. If your worried about investing money in mods, Vs return on investment... Don't mod...

 

I think that the truck is so old that I will probably run it until the wheels fall of. I think I will take it easy and I actually do have State Farm which is awesome! But for now I think that lift, wheels is good for me eventually roof racks and led’s... the whole 9 yards but I had originally wanted wheel spacers before I thought of lift ect. I was told by a friend that it will put a tremendous amount of stress on your axles and I would prefer not to break them as that would suck a lot. But I just want to know is this true.

 

If you're willing to cut a lot you could fit much larger tires on with no lift...

 

I don’t think I would want to cut that sound like a pain in the ass but I just love the look of a wide tire and I love how it sticks out of the fenders.