Is it worth fixing this 06 Tundra?

Hello everyone. I was recently offered a 2006 tundra 4-door V8 4.7L RWD w/ 215k miles for $2000. The truck was not used for towing and ~90% of the miles are highway miles. Since the seller is a trusted friend, he allowed me to send it to Toyota for a thorough inspection. I do not think he did much for the truck besides oil changes. Below are the the recommendations from Toyota w/ the cost for each task:

· Replace both license plate bulbs - $57

· Perform power steering system fluid exchange service - $127

· 4-wheel alignment - $90

· Perform 8-cyliner tune-up - $380

· Replace both front struts w/ mounts - $1k

· Replace air filter - $40

· Replace front brakes - $450

· Replace serpentine belt - $225

· Replace both valve cover gaskets (found engine oil leak) - $580

· Replace positive battery terminal end - $105

· Clean and service throttle body - $105

· Replace spark plugs - $380

· Perform rear differential service - $125

· Perform transmission fluid exchange service - $170

· Replace timing belt and water pumps - $1.2k

So do you guys think this truck is worth fixing? I am worried it will break down on me within a few months after fixing. Are these trucks capable of going up to ~270k miles or so? I won't be doing any hauling or anything with the truck and would like to get a few years out of it. Also, I have absolutely no experience under the hood of a car/truck and am not confident in doing the tasks mentioned above (except the air filter and light bulbs).

 

I'd buy that in a heartbeat from you for $3k... you can make a grand in 5 minutes!!

The 4.7 is an awesome engine, I'd pay toyota to do the timing belt & water pump if you're not ok doing that yourself. Some of the other things seem overly cautious and I'd do them if/when you have problems rather than preemptively. There are plenty of guides on this forum that will talk you through some of the service items that are insanely simple and if you're local to some members, they may be willing to help you out.

 

Lol that was quick, did you even look at the needed repairs?

 

If you’re able to do everything that Toyota recommends in a timely manor, yeah man, I’d be all over it.
I know a guy with an 07 or 08 with like 270k and aside from some cosmetic and interior issues, it still runs like a champ. Just stay on top of all the service and I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to get some more life out of it.

 

Given you've said you're not confident in the work, I'd pay for the things above... they are time sensitive and will help with longevity. The rest of that crap, either youtube how to do it (pretty simple) or defer until you actually have a problem. Dealership's can be super sensitive about what needs to be done and what doesn't. I took my 4R in for some warranty work and they told me i needed a differential service... I'd actually done it the week before so knew that I didn't.

 

Offer him.1k and then pay for the services and u will have urself a reliable truck

 

Agree, offer 1k and get the repairs done. It’s mostly stuff your buddy didn’t do for the truck to keep it maintained. As long as engine and transmission are good, these engines could go to 1 million miles.

 

It is a shame you do not feel confident in these tasks... I would do every one of them myself, except for the valve cover gaskets.
Honestly, I will likely get some Flak for this but, the 4.7l is most likely more reliable than the newer 5.7l. You should not have trouble getting 270k+ miles out of the truck.

Many of the prices that Toyota quoted you are ridiculous, you could find a privately owned shop to do all of the tasks for a fraction of the price. Most of the tasks would not really require a specialized Toyota Tech anyway.

Have the Toyota dealership handle the timing belt/water pump and the valve cover gaskets. The have a private shop do EVERYTHING else or you could try to do some of it yourself. There are many great videos and guides on that stuff.

Even if you do pay 2k for the truck and pay the Toyota dealership for all of those services, you will still be able to resale the truck for the $$$ that you have invested in it.

 

Even with no automotive experience you could do most of that following Youtube videos, the prices are crazy high for some of those.

 

So do you think the cover gaskets should be done at only Toyota or should I check around for a local trusted mechanic?

 

Woops just realized you said to have that done at Toyota. So lets say I get that done at Toyota along with the timer belt/water pump (around 1.8k) and attempt to do some of the easier tasks at home. Should I buy the parts for the harder tasks maybe and send it to a local mechanic? Example: I can probably find the struts w/ mounts online, that way I will only pay for labor.

 

Thanks a bunch this is very helpful

 

Depends on the mechanic, some won't install parts they don't provide.

If you're looking at doing a whole coilover/strut assembly even that's pretty easy with basic hand tools and a jack and stands.

The only things I'd leave to the mechanic would be valve covers and timing belt.

Transmission service is a pretty easy drain and fill, drain it into a pan pour it into a measured bottle (I.e. an empty 5 quart oil bottle) and refill with the same amount of new fluid. Should take roughly 4 quarts. Do that for your next 3 oil changes and it'll be good to go and you'll be out maybe $75.

 

It's $2k for an 11 year old Toyota Tundra. That is a deal! The dealership gave me $3500 for a 18 year old Tacoma that had been in an accident.

So yes, buy this truck.

There are several things they are pricing WAY too high. Battery terminal end for $105? It sells for $22 tops for a genuine Toyota one. Clean and service throttle body? You can do that. New air filter? They always do that one, just check it to see how bad/old it is and beat the dust out of it. Then drive on down to the VAutozone and pick up a new one. Don't bother with a K&N one. Those do more harm than good.

Have the dealership take care of the heavy stuff. Water pump and timing belt, valve cover gaskets, etc. They'll use Toyota parts and the receipts help with the resale value having proof that it was done by a Toyota mechanic. The rest of the stuff you can do by your self or at a independent mechanics shop.

$57 for license plate bulbs? GTFOOH. Half the threads on this site are about replacing light bulbs with LED bulbs.


And depending on what you want to do with this truck suspension wise, I'd hold off on new struts for $1k. You can get a set of Fox shock for the front for $450. Stocks are $150. You're paying a lot for labor on that.

 

you can do a lot of the repairs yourself for sure and also upgrades. why go with oem struts, get some aftermarket ones. lots of those prices are inflated..$450 for front brakes ? I hope you getting Brembo pads for that price :0
Have them do the belts, transmission flush, leak. Rest can be done later one one by one. Try getting the truck for $1.5K ish

 

As others have said that is a steal and the repairs are completely doable/overpriced by the dealership. Spend a couple weekends and you can do all the work for 1k with parts.

Where you located? Some members might be able to help out.

 

As others have stated those prices are severely inflated.

I paid around $750 for timing belt/water pump replacement on my 06. This isn’t really something that Toyota has to do, any decent mechanic should be able to handle it no problem.

It is most definitely worth 2k.

If you don’t buy it let me know!

 

like the other guys said the prices are inflated just shop them around. Check with another dealer. I was quoted $1200 for the timing belt in my 2000 shopped another dealer and got it done for a lot less. Don't be afraid to attempt to do some work yourself especially those $57 bulbs!

 

Louisiana. Thanks for all the help everyone. I will most likely purchase the truck very soon.

 

My sister's 4Runner has +350k miles and it still runs strong

 

Hell yes!

 

$57 for license plate bulbs???? I'd buy it for 2k.

 

got any pictures?
sounds like a good deal...

 

I agree with the others, youtube and this forum are your friend, if you check the first gen threads there's some super high mileage 1st Gens out there. Hope you get it!

 

I would have the Toyota dealership do the valve cover gaskets as well as the Timing belt/water pump. Everything else should be no problem for a local shop.

 

Not yet, but it looks exactly like this

http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/13095747.jpg

 

Ok everyone I may be getting the truck for 1.5k. I called different toyota dealers and was quoted $803 for timing belt/water pump (parts+labor) before tax. I may have my friend drop it off on Friday to get it fixed. Here are the things I am looking to get done at Toyota:

Timing belt/water pump - $803
Valve cover gaskets - $580 (gonna call around and try to get this down to around ~$500)
Transmission fluid service - $170 (same thing, will attempt to get this dropped a bit)

So I may be spending around $1.5k at Toyota. I will attempt to do some tasks and have a local mechanic do anything I am unable to do. I may hold off on the struts w/ mounts for now (and the wheel alignment). Do you guys approve of this plan?

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

I paid $15,000CDN for my 2005 double cab with 150,000KMS on it. I'd say if you snag that truck for $2K, and then don't bother shopping around and pay those inflated prices, you'd still be into an awesome truck for under $5K. That's puts you deep into the "I hate you, you suck. Great score" territory.

 

go for it

 

go for it. even better at $1.5K. no regrets.