Well now that all of my debt (except student loans) is paid off , I'm looking to pick up another 4 wheeled vehicle. It's going to be another truck, because, well they're just so damned useful!
Looking around, I definitely want a 4 door cab this time. Hauling around the dog, friends, and stuff honestly got pretty constricted in the club cab Dakota. If I got an access cab or similar I could pull it off I'm sure, but the lack of a B pillar is kinda concerning considering how my last truck was totaled . But I also want a bed long enough to put a bike in without having to put the rear tire on the tailgate. If it closes, that's gravy, if not, as long as it's before the hinge. Unfortunately, no mid-sized truck does that, so full-sized, here I come.
I'd love to pick up a diesel, but honestly any diesel in my price range (17K or less) is going to be older or very high mileage (200K+). While the mileage on a diesel doesn't scare me, the mileage on the rest of the drivetrain does, esp when it's a daily.
It seems the most reliable pickup that suits my needs in my price range would be the 1st gen Toyota Tundra.
- I've done a bit of research on them already, and unfortunately they didn't make the V8 version in manual, so that's going to be a wash, but if I get the V8 auto in an 03+, the tranny seems fairly reliable. Apparently the 99-02s liked the blow up the OD gear.
- The 4.7L that comes in them seems to be pretty reliable, and is more powerful than the Dodge 4.7L I had in the Dakota, not to mention there's an aftermarket that's actually effective for it.
- Aftermarket for it is fairly decent, and lifts don't cost a grand.
Soooo, does anyone have any experience with the 03-06 Tundra? Bonus points if you do in a 4WD, Double Cab, V8 configuration. Trim matter doesn't matter to me, I'm one of the odd ones that prefers a cloth seat to leather anyway, so the SR5 would do fine. Wouldn't go with a V6, mainly because I have the bike for fuel efficiency (Mick can tell you how speedy it is... ), and well a V6 in a full-sized truck just isn't right, not to mention I'd like to have the ability to tow a decent amount into the mountains if the need arises (zombie apocalypse anyone?).