2006 Hunting/Woods Rig - Buy or Pass

Hello Tacoma World,
I am new here and have lurked for a while; thanks for the info. I am selling my Jeep (2nd car) for a 2nd Generation Access Cab. The Tacoma will spend 80% of its life on logging/unimproved goat trails for hunting. I will add a winch bumper, 2” lift, and 255’s, not a ton more.

I found a super clean 1-owner, 2006 Access Cab, 4.0, 6-speed, 4x4, 165,000 miles

Question: will this fit the bill for an uber reliable hunting/back country rig or should I look for a different combination (4cyl, auto, etc…)? All comments/suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

I like a stick for offroad, feel like i have more control.

Id suggest look at routine maintenance items, is this truck a private seller or dealer? What maintenance history does it have?

Use the hammer test to check for frame rot and do a full visual inspection of the undercarriage for RUST, leaks, etc.

Whats it priced at if u dont mind?

 

Also since its a stick, is the clutch original? How does it feel with engagement?

listen for sound differences and potential rattles with the engine running and clutch depressed/released. Throwout bearings arent the best design and tend to be noisy as they get old

Did you test the 4wd system to make sure 4hi and 4lo both work?

 

Thank you! The truck is a private seller, no salt state (Montana), frame looks good, clutch feels fine, intermittent maintenance records, $12,000 firm. Truck is super clean and factory original in every way. Like a grandpa had it. My wish is to find something bullet proof that I can lightly modify for a specific woods/hunting purpose.

I am a bit leery of the 6-speed MT reliability/stories of 4.0 head gaskets. I don’t know if my fears are just noise from the internet or I am better off with an AT/4cyl/different year? I will never tow with it or put on anything bigger than bigger than 33” tires. I am fine with buying any combo that will provide the top reliability and willing to spend up to 20K.

 

Not too familiar with headgasket issues on the 6cyl, maybe someone else can chime in on if this issue was isolated to specific years.

sounds like a great price pending any problems with it…

good luck with the potential purchase

 

Montana doesnt use salt, really? If thats the case then thats a good start. Still Id want to take some time and crawl around underneath. Surface rust is totally normal for any vehicle, large delamination's or rust perforations etc are big red flags. Typically the problem areas are up by the cats and in the rear by the gas tank. Check lower ball joints and TREs for leaking grease, uneven tire wear, leaks, etc

Id stick with the V6 for sure. Nothing against the I4 but having the extra grunt can be nice. Some 05 and early 06 V6 models are known for the head gasket issue. But its not a guaranteed issue.

I dont follow the MT threads as much (I actually prefer auto trans off road now that Ive been doing it for a while). I think some folks have issues with the throwout bearing but the trans itself is solid from what I read.

Definitely take the 4x4 for a spin. Rolling down the road in a straight line for 2Hi <> 4Hi. Stopped in N (or clutch) just barely rolling lets the gears mesh nicely for the 4Hi <> 4Lo shift. The 4x4 system in these trucks is solid unless water gets into either of the two electronic actuators. If the vent lines fall off or dry rot then water is prone to getting in and messing up the electronic contacts.

Tons of good info and good folks on here if you are the DIY type and need to get some service done after buying it.

 

as per montanas department of transportation, montana does in fact use salt....

they just use a lot less in their mixture when compared to other states

https://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/r...materials are used on,further up on this page.

 

Sounds like a great price. I doubt it would last more than a week. That truck will take you wherever you wanna go, on or off-road.

What 6-speed reliability issues are you referring to? The 6-speed in my '09 is still great at 270k. I think the head gasket issue was mainly the '05's and early '06's. I think it was late model '06's that got a re-designed head gasket. Head gaskets aren't that big of a deal to replace if you can DIY.

To answer your question, I think any 4x4 Toyota would more than fit the bill as a reliable hunting/back country rig.

If you've not found it yet, there's a buy/sell/trade section here where there are some Taco's for sale: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/buy-sell-trade.17/

Would be worth taking to a trusted mechanic for a review (never hurts to have a second set of eyes).

 

Thank you all. I have scoped the buy/sell forums for a while and will look at having it checked out by a mechanic. I appreciate the real world examples/advice.