Rebuild Engine or Replace Truck?

Hey there everybody. I didn’t know where to ask so I’m gonna put this in the general discussion. I have a 2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab with the 4.7 V8. It’s got roughly 300k miles. I love this truck to death. However, it’s becoming a money pit. The rings are shot, needs a rebuild, I really don’t want to engine swap it because I don’t know what I’m gonna end up with plus strict CA smog laws. Even after I get the engine rebuilt, It needs a driveshaft rebuild and a new cat. The engine rebuild alone is gonna cost me $8 grand. Should I just pull the trigger and get a new 2021 Tundra?

 

I don't know how an engine rebuild will cost $8k. Find a used engine and check compression, look at it with a bore scope, etc. If you inspect it there shouldn't be any surprises. I'd do that if you're looking to have it running soon.

 

How is the rest of the truck? Rust issues? If the ‘06 is solid except for your engine, cat, and driveshaft issues, I think I would repair it. If the truck is going to succumb to rust or there are litany of other issues that will keep draining your wallet, maybe consider buying another truck.

I wouldn’t jump straight into a new truck right now, but if you can afford it and it makes sense for you to buy new now, go for it. I went from a 2006 to a used 2017 and am very happy.

Good luck

 

I have rebuilt automobile engines in the past and put in used engines from the junkyard. Same for transmissions. If I had to do it today I would go the used engine route. For a daily driver I think installing a used engine make the most sense in the long run. I don't have anything bad to say about doing a rebuild. It is just not something I would probably do if I could avoid it.

 

Looking on car-part.com, used engines are around $3,300 in California. Some more some less. Another couple of hundred for a timing belt and water pump. Used driveshaft another couple of hundred.

If you do the work yourself you might get by with $4-$4.5K. Much cheaper than a new truck. But, you would still have a 300k truck.

 

That's really for you to decide. I agree with the others, you should factor in what other things may have to be done in the future.

Do the math on monthly payments for 5 - 6 years and decide what works for you.

Personally I like not having a monthly payment. But at some point it gets to be too much..

 

I just had to do an engine rebuild because of a blown head gasket. For me keeping my truck was worth more than paying overinflated prices to replace it. It was a great opportunity to replace some other wear items like a starter.

 

CA used engines tend to be very pricey. There are tons here in Denver for $1,000 with 150k miles. Another $1,500 to swap it. I just called a driveshaft shop for the front shaft on my 01 Sequoia and it was $150 with u joints. So let's say the full driveline rebuild is $500 because of the extra joints. Or buy used. My 06 DC has 270k miles and the driveline is original and no issues so a used one should be pretty solid. $500 for a used cats here in Denver also. So budget $3,000 to get it all fixed up. I love my DC, but it's almost 20 years old, has very limited aftermarket support and and little things are starting to go wrong.

If you do sell it, though you can get stupid money for the 1st gen double cabs.

 

How long have you had it?

If its already starting to nickel and dime you are 15 years / 300K, its only going to get worse, and you will then have just sunk that money into a rig with 300K miles.

I have no problem on maintaining my vehicles, but engine / drive shaft / cat / etc tells me there will be a continuing stream of repairs as the truck ages.

Firmly in the buy a 2021 camp.

 

Buy another Tundra. Pay it off as quick as you can.

 

Sell it and get yourself a newer one or a brand new one. The 2006 served you well. Good luck with your decision.

 

If you need a new truck because of your work or lifestyle then yes.

I would also ask how good is the diagnosis of the rings being shot? Was this from a repeatable compression test and leak down test? Are plugs getting fouled?

I would suspect that a simple overhaul could get you back in shape for much less than $8k.

Here is what I recommend. This will likely run close to or over $8K. But after this scope and cost you are done. No payments. Yes you can put $8k into a downpayment on a 21 or 22 but then you are looking at a long term payment plan of $400-700/mnth. I doubt highly, seriously, soberly, that the below scope of work would be anywhere near "breakeven".

Engine "maintenance overhaul" : replace high wear parts like bearings, seals, rings, Timing set, water pump. Dingle ball hone cylinder. Measure for any serious taper or out or roundedness.
get valve job done on cylinder heads with new seats, guides, and seals.
Replace all hoses and other small things that break during the engine r&r.
Rebuilding the driveshaft and getting it balanced is way cheaper than a new one.
Put a fuel pump into it while its down.
Drain torque converter and transmission for full fluid exchange. Replace filter. Replace front pump seal and rear output shaft seal.
Replace front, center, rear diff fluids.
Replace radiator.

Get it back on the road.

Then save $100/mnth for front end parts like ball joints, tie rod ends, and a steering rack. Next year or two replace those.

Still no payment and your truck is almost 80% mechanically restored (minus a transmission rebuild).

Then save up for a transmission overhaul.

I've done this many times with older, beat up, high mileage Toyotas of mine, family members, and previous customers at a garage I worked at.

 

It might be best to pull trigger on a newer Tundra is what I'd recommend considering you are not doing the work your self and not only having to pay for parts but California labor rates. If the trans hasn't been replaced yet or been through regular scheduled maintenance it might be around its time also and nothing more would suck then to spend 8k plus a cat and drive shaft rebuild just to have the trans on the way out in 20k-50k miles.

 

Plumbers philosophy: We don't repair, we replace. Eliminates call backs.

 

I remember look up the cost of a 5.7 for a LC200 and it was 25k … had a buddy buy a tundra needed a 5.7 was lucky to find a low milage wreck in a yard pretty cheap .
I like low milage yard motors over rebuilds , right now is not the time to buy any vehicle , this was the first time I ever paid MSRP on a vehicle ever , no extra mark ups like a lot of dealers are doing , calling it a market price adjustment or some other made up BS rip off .
I like new .. LOL depends on your budget .

 

I think it’s fair to say you got your moneys worth out of that rig. You only live once enjoy your life get yourself something new or slightly used

 

8k for a rebuild sounds insane, if it was on a new, modern, hybrid engine or something I could beleive it, but not on a simple V8.

 

I used Jasper remanufactured motor for my 2006 V6 4.0 and used their vendors list to pick out a reliable and trustworthy shop to do the work.

DeYoungs did a fantastic job and it doesn't leak any oil. Amazing