Upgrade or Sell 2006! Opinions Wanted!

Hey Tacomaworld,

First-time poster, but a long-time lurker here. I've gotten a lot of great info from the forum over the past years from general opinions to DIY fixes with step-by-step instructions - this community seems awesome and it's helped me a bunch. But now I'd like some "Personal Opinions".....

I've owned my 2006 (145k miles on her currently) for 5 years, it has served me well other than some minor issues that I easily could fix....Other than the compressor that just pooped out on me. I've reached a crossroads where I want to upgrade my 2006 or jump up to a 2017 or newer model. I'm looking to upgrade my headlamps (Spyders suck), install a full OME lift kit 2" - 3", new ARB front bumper, offroad lighting, and a few other odds and ends. At the end of the day, it will come out to $4K in parts, my dad and I will do all the work.

My question may be a little silly, but I'm going back and forth crazy and figured I'd turn to the internet for some discussion (Typically a bad call)..... Is it worth it to install 4K of upgrades on a 15-year-old truck? I've read that 2nd gens have some issues with frame rust and potential head gasket issues for the 2005 and 2006 models. I live in Denver so Tacomas and Toppers that fit go for a pretty penny. If I pocketed the upgrade money and sold my current setup I could have a newish Tacoma if I ponied up 8k.

What are yalls thoughts? I know it's a personal decision for most variables, but is throwing 4K onto an older truck foolish? Any big issues with 2006 that should make me sell instead of upgrade?

Obligatory pics below + my custom sleeping platform setup.

 

Forget the 3rd gen. Stay with what you have,but remember if your truck is ever gets totalled,you will not get a penny of any upgrades you do back.

 

If you’re worried about the frame rust, I’ve read here how people check the known to fail areas with a hammer. If you live where the roads are salted you should be proactive with hulk jizz, wool wax or something similar.

At 145k, you should be able to get plenty more life outta it. As long as you’re keeping up general maintenance.

I test drove a 19 with a 3.5, and the 07 I bought with the 4.0. On paper the 3.5 puts out more power but it felt like less.

Some things to consider. If you get the newer one, the upgrade money is gone. You don’t know how well the replacement was maintained or what surprises might come up a few months away. When you have something you’ve had for a few years, you know what’s been done, what it might need soon. Ya gotta ask yourself, do you want a new can of worms bad enough, that you can’t afford to upgrade for awhile. If you do, maybe hold on to that cool sleeping platform to put in the new one. Removing it won’t affect the selling price enough to be able to buy another one.

 

That's a good point, I would be SOL on all those upgrades if I got in an accident! No accidents with it yet......knocking on wood.......

 

Thanks for the feedback!

The truck was owned in Michigan and the North East for half Its life so I know that it fell under the limited recall or whatever they ended up calling it. The owner before me had the frame sprayed by the dealership about 6 years back..... But small signs of rust are starting to appear through the undercoat they applied. I'll post some pictures in one of the rust threads to get some feedback.

I guess my thinking is a little bit wrong on the newer truck. I'm making a big assumption thinking a 2017 or newer would be further from a major repair than my 2006. Statistically, if the miles are lower on the 3rd gen it should be but there are no guarantees on this, and I know my 2006.

The sleeping platform is definitely coming with me if I upgrade - That SOB took too long for me to build and design

 

I’m for you retaining the 4.0. You don’t trade in your wife for a younger woman, right?

 

Sometimes I wonder.....

 

??! Oh wait, I did that already, got a Honda nighthawk in the trade. It was my divorce gift to myself, dmv declined my vanity plate “86ED HER”.

 

Lol, that is gold - It's a shame that the DMV didn't give that a pass.

 

My opinion, keep the 2006 and put on those upgrades. I agree with Waasheem, you know your 06 and you know what it will need down the road.

 

I agree. Keep it and upgrade it. You’re doing it with your dad - you’ll have those memories and enjoy it even more. And it sounds like you have another 4K for more upgrades lol ...

 

Go drive a 3rd gen. That was all it took for me to hold on to my 2nd gen. The lack of torque is eye opening. Other than that, its essentially the same vehicle with a few bells and whistles.
Since my 2019 test drive, i've put some money into my 09. Took care of maintenance first, re-freshed the wool wax treatment, then new suspension(2.5" lift) and new wheels and tires. More little stuff coming that I've always wanted.
I'm enjoying what I have a lot.

If your frame is good, I'd stick with it.

 

That my friend is a very very good point, and one that I kind of forgot about. He's not getting any younger and projects like this will start to become few and far between.....