2005 Golden Tree

Anyone else sick enough to have 3 of these body-on-frame V8 Toyotas? Just picked up this 2005 Toyota to go with the Tundra and LC. My son turns 16 later this year so we needed a beater. Can’t wait to go through it and see what fun we can have.

 

Day 1 mods - remove old man bug deflector and add some @ToyoMafia art. Ordered timing belt kit and some LBJ from Sparks.

 

That’s a good old truck. Love the slaps man.

 

Thanks - you can see Abby in the first pic dreaming - she’s probably sat in the thing for two hours since I brought it home this morning.

 

Now that’s awesome.

 

That thing should do great on the trails out here

 

It better since I just spent my gears and locker money for the truck.

 

Aww what a good dad!!! It should be a fun experience wrenching on it with him though!

 

Day 2 mods - we knocked out an oil change and exchanged the power-steering fluid reservoir a couple times - checked the rear diff to make sure it was full then we ripped off the lady-steps.

 

Precision Toyota! We definitely had a few vehicles from them.
Definitely going to be a great ride for your son! How's the interior?

 

I think this was my 5th vehicle from them - my truck is the only one that was new but I’ve always been able to get them to a reasonable price.

Interior held up amazingly well IMO for 245k miles.

 

Column shifter! Not a bad looking interior for 20 years in AZ.

 

The hood and roof didn’t fare as well. Might hit it with some bedliner if we decide we don’t want the peeling sunburn look.

 

Add a wrap? Either use a similar gold or wrap with a matte black and also cut down on glare. But bedliner is probably easier and cheaper and will be more durable.

 

That’s where I’m at. Of course vinyl would be way nicer but I tried wrapping something once - the skill involved to make it right and the prep make me think the $50 raptor liner option with 20 minutes of prep is the ticket. This is the ultimate budget truck.

 

Day 3 - didn’t do much today - checked the front diff oil, ordered some ARP bolts for the ball joints - put some more miles on it. Haven’t been able to break loose the transfer case fill plug or the transmission fill plug yet - ordered a 6 point 24mm socket to try to get those broke loose before we start destroying stuff.

 

Day 4 - Greased her up - hit the ball joints and both drivelines with some red and tacky then my son helped me jack up the front and check the ball joints. Peeked at the spare tire - it’s the original with dry rot that emulates the Grand Canyon. DOT date code of 1505

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/FH_qFd5TC8g?si=NSyu1pHaWgbeRp4j

The exhaust leak is a little more pronounced in the video than I can hear but this engine is definitely smoother than either of my 5.7s. Don’t get me wrong - you notice the 100hp missing but it’s a sewing machine.

 

Nothing on Day 5 since we were up in the Basin watching my son play a baseball tournament. Rained out today so

Day 6 - 24mm 6-point socket arrived allowing me to break open the transfer case and transmission fill plugs. Did a 3 quart drain and fill on the transmission - someone definitely kept up on the maintenance looking at what came out vs new.



Ball joints, spark plugs, water pump and timing belt parts should be delivered today.

 

Haha, I have 4, each of my kids got one when they earned a college scholarship and didn't lose it after freshman year.

 

That’s awesome. Let’s see pics! Car for free college sounds like a great deal for you and your kids.

I was hoping to find a 4R with a 4.7 but came across the Sequoia - I’ve got two more kids coming behind this one so hopefully I can get to 4 or 5 in a few more years.

 

Took her out for a little desert snow wheeling. Got the traction control to beep at me a couple times sliding around on the dirt road in 4Hi unlocked.

 

Son's Black 2015 Parked next to my MGM 2018


Back when we picked his up 4 years ago.


Oldest's '02 LC while visiting friend in South Bend, she is about to trade in for a Tundra
Wife's GX460


My Tundra Bison spotting in Custer State Park


Youngest went Rogue and picked out a 4Runner, but it will probably outlast all others

 

AJT fob case

 

Dang fancy window button too?!

 

@FrenchToasty - do you know what ball joints came with a zerk fitting? My Sparks order was delivered today and I’m realizing the ball joints on the truck are not OEM…

 

If I had to guess probably moog, which are usually ok for 5-10k miles hahah

 

You had also mentioned some rickety cricket noises from the engine bay, possibly exhaust. Valve cover bolts are known to work themselves loose pretty easily. It’s a super low in/lb torque value so be careful and just hand tight basically

 

I’m convinced the exhaust manifolds are cracked - apparently that is fairly common on these. Trying to decide if I should pull the trigger on shorty headers… it’ll probably end up being 40% of what I paid for the truck.