Looking For A Tundra

Old member here, but new to Tundras. I posted this at Tundras.com, but figured there might be more traffic here still. I've owned only Toyota's my entire life and currently have a 2000 4runner that I've put way too much work into haha. I love the 4runner, but I'm looking to buy a house soon and hopefully a 2nd kid, so the wheeler needs to go and the family truck is going to replace it. Enough rambling, onto my actual questions.

I'm looking to get a 04-06 4wd Double Cab, but really don't know what to watch out for. From my research, ball joints are horrible like my 4runner, so those will be replaced. Also it's an interference engine, so WP and TB will be replaced if not done recently (90k interval). Besides those two, any real big issues to watch for? I've read about the

I'm not too worried about suspension because it will be replaced for some Fox coilovers and probably AAL until I can afford a full leaf pack (don't tow or haul very often).

Right now I'm interested in a 05 SR5 DC 4wd with some exterior scratches, 161k, clean title 2 owner and needing a TB. Listed for 11k, but I'm thinking I could get it for 9.5. http://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/5113923466.html

 

I don't know of any tundra issues but good luck, congratulations, and what makes your t4r not family friendly?

 

Nothing really besides I'm fully armored, modified and the back seat is cramped. Two car seats is pushing it, so the wider Tundra will work better. I love my 4Runner and it's going to annoying going from a nimble 4Runner to the big tundra.

 

The 4runner is cramped? I figured a t4r would have been a suitable family vehicle but it's probably bigger now. As far as armor, what mpg do you get now? The Tundra I don't think will get much better.

 

The 4Runner has room, but the 3rd gens are kind of narrow seating wise. I can fit two car seats in the back and that's it. Plenty of room in the trunk area but since we are having #2 at some point it makes sense to go bigger. Plus the cargo area fills up real quick with a stroller back there. Those are the only complaints about room in my 4Runner. I absolutely love it and it will be sad to see it go.

Also for MPG I typically get around 15-16 combined. I've gotten 20 on trips but city isn't the greatest. So I'll basically be getting the same from the tundra but with more power and room. MPG wasn't an issue as I knew any truck I got would be all about the same. If I was really worried about mpg I'd get a Prius haha.

It's going to be bittersweet but I've been dealing with vibrations in my 4Runner for years that I can't get rid of and I feel like I'm wasting its capabilities just driving it to work and back. With another baby eventually on the way and we are buying a house next year I'm going to be way too busy for any substantial wheeling and too broke as well.

 

Had an '04 DC that I put 200k on. Lots of highway and lots of dirt roads camping, MTB, and rock climbing. Dragged two growing kids around in it all the time. All I ever had to do on a regular basis was change the oil - I just ran full synthetic and and changed every 5k - easy for me to remember that way. Did the TB at 130 - got lucky on that. I think I flushed the transmission with the TB b/c the dealer offered to do it cheap, I might have done the fluid one or two other times. Other than that I did occasional preventative stuff like transfer case and diff drain/fill and brake pads etc. The stock radio eventually dies and was replaced but I am not a big "gotta have sweet sound" kind of guy - I was fine with the Bose system speakers. Gas, oil, drive - with 2 kids you won't have time to remember anything else Great trucks. Oh, they eat tires though - I eventually found that the Michelins were the only ones that would get past 30k - got a solid 60k out of the LTX M/S and they were actually good dirt road tires and did well on snow and ice for this truck.

 

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5163522918.html

How about in Blue?

 

Looks awesome but I'm sticking to 05-06. Had the vvti and 5 speed trans. There are only a couple in the bay right now and I've been looking south as well.

 

Whatever you do, don't buy a 2011 Tundra.

 

Haha not into your 11? I ended up getting an 06 DC and absolutely love it.

 

What's it cost to purchase that 2nd kid? Got some insider black market kid trading? lol

 

Depends on the connections you have....this one only cost me a few drinks for my wife. Actually my daughter is due in 3 weeks and we got pregnant 3 months after making that post. Glad I went to the Tundra as I have a ton more room and the family has loved having a truck.

 

Haha I didn't even check the date on the thread, just saw it on my main page. Congratulations! I will own a Tundra one day too.

 

Thanks, I think eventually I will upgrade to a 2014+ so I can have some more towing capacity.

 

Yeah, the '11s have an issue that 07's to 10's have but Toyota wouldn't recall it. Had to do the repair myself.

 

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I had a Gen. 1 Tundra (about 2000 IIRC) and also a 2007 Tundra ... love the 5.7 in the 2007 ... but the best Tundra was the 2006 (last of Gen.1's) ... many past bugs were fixed in 2006.

I think the 2006 was the perfect size truck too, especially with the 4.7. ........ Today, because I am down sizing, the new Gen. 3 Tacoma is almost too big for me now.

Good luck finding a good 2006 ... many people here are looking for them too.
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Gotcha, if I went with a 2nd/3rd gen Tundra it would be a 2014 or 2015 as it has the facelift and currently supported for the supercharger (2016 reflash isn't available). No way I'm buying a 5.7 without the option for a supercharger, although they will sort that out for all future 5.7 models by the time I'm ready to move up.

I ended up finding a 2006 DC TRD 4x4 and have been in love since. Performs flawlessly and rides amazing. Only gripes is the back doors don't stay open on their own and no latch carseat system on the rear passenger seat. Other than that it's been perfect.