Help Me Decide

Bought an 06 TRD with 155k about a month ago, got a good deal on it ($4500). After replacing radiator, coil packs, plugs, and thermostat....the news I have not wanted to realize is true...it needs a head gasket.

I have looked at new ones, and can get a 21 TRD Sport for $37kish-and they will allow me $5500 for my 06 towards it (Yes, they know it needs a head gasket, Ive been 100% honest with them.)

My dilemma is I will be reluctant to use the new one for hunting/farming-and of course the thought of getting into a payment. On the other hand, I haven’t had any luck finding replacement engines (with warranty) for a decent price. I am afraid to just do the head gaskets-and not do timing chain, oil pump, etc-and if you add those in you are close to the price of a new motor.

I absolutely love the 06-body is in awesome shape, everything works...and it is paid off.

Any suggestions? I am in Delaware if that matters/helps.

 

Have you looked into trading in towards another 2nd gen? There’s gotta be a compromise between a brand new truck and one that needs a new engine potentially.

 

Fix it.

 

I agree fix it. If you fix it you can drive it many more years. If you can’t fix it, then make a choice

 

It is burning water as fast as it can, and runs like crap (CEL light and entire Christmas tree on dash lights up), milking substance in the oil filler cap, building pressure in radiator, etc.

How bad are the manifold bolts to get out? Have other had much problem removing them without trouble, or are the prone to breaking off? Also..I cant find much, prob not looked hard enough, but are these heads subject to warping or are they pretty tough? I understand they may need to be shaved a bit-but replacement can get pricey.

 

Typically with the vehicle already at that age and mileage, it's more cost-effective to swap in a lower-mileage used engine from a salvage yard.

Use Car-part.com, and broaden your search area to the Northeast region. There's one yard in Ridgewood, NY selling a 77,000-mile engine with 6 mo. warranty for $2450. Call them and see how much it would cost to ship to your local shop.

 

head gasket is like $130 from the dealer
why don't you just put a new one

$130 gaskets are cheaper than a $2.5k engine

 

It'll catch up really quickly once you add labor. 15 year old engine with 155k miles. How many more things you reckon would need replacing once you pull the timing cover? And all it takes is one rusted bolt that breaks off to add a day to the work.

 

$4500 used truck + approx $3k new engine = $8k max

how long U plan on keeping Ur truck

amortize that into real world $$$$ to keep

not so bad

way less than putting $30k into new truck

if it runs another 5 year w/o major repair

good times

 

If the rest of the truck is cherry then fix what you have. You have to disengage the timing system to pop even one of the heads so there's your opportunity to replace those parts as well.

 

Awesome.

Thank you.

 

fix the older truck. and then use the hell out of it. you won't be afraid to get a scratch. a 37K truck you'll be afraid to use the same way. the older truck will be way more fun.

 

DIY

Not much

if the engine is in a place that doesn't salt the roads it won't have much rust
Bolts break less when you warm the engine before working on it and have nearby some PB blaster and MAP gas torch