I'd like to introduce you all to "The Blue," my 2006 Toyota Tundra Limited Double Cab. It's name comes from diving (and the color of the truck). Normally you've got a reef or some ground as a point of reference when you're diving but sometimes you go out into The Blue to look for a big water creatures like a school of hammerhead sharks. It can be an uncomfortable disorienting place but it's unlike anything on land.
Here's how she looked the day after I bought her:
Here she is as of June 2022:
The Background and Search
In February, I sold my 2016 Toyota 4Runner that I'd built out. Unfortunately I never did a build thread. I bought a rusty old 1993 Land Cruiser for next to nothing to get around but it turned into more trouble than I think it's worth (thanks Iowa salty roads). For about 2 months I searched almost nationwide for an 05-06 Tundra DC. I wanted to ensure this was a rig that would last a long time and that would be ready to build out for exploring the mountains and deserts of the west. It was a frustrating search. These trucks are hard to find. I remember seeing a rust free well cared for specimen pop up in Amarillo, called first thing the next day, got the pics and info I wanted and was giving a deposit by 10am but was interrupted by someone else making a deposit. These trucks are hard to find and I can see why. I was very happy to find this truck within about an hours drive. I bought her with 152k miles. Minimal surface rust on the under carriage, paint is in great shape, interior is in great shape and she runs awesome.
The Purpose
We all know the importance of deciding a purpose for a truck before you start planning a build. I live in Wyoming so I can enjoy the outdoors. The 4Runner loaded with gear, two dogs, a wife, and 1 year old was getting crowded. Also, having a 1 year old changes camping (and everything else)a. Before having a kid we camped about 10-15 nights a year. I want to streamline our camping experience so it's easier to get out (esp with the little guy). I want to be able to get a bit further back into the mountains than most and drive the trails in Colorado and Utah (Wyoming oddly enough has few 4x4 trails). I chose the 06 Tundra because I know it'll be reliable, fit my family comfortably, and I have plenty of payload to create a more streamlined camping experience.
The Plan
I'm looking to find that happy medium between adding off road capability and maintaining the factory reliability of a Toyota. I'm not looking to do any high speed desert prerunning, nor am I looking to build a rock crawler trailer queen with a SAS on 40s. I'm looking to make my rig a bit bigger, add some armor but for now I want to maintain the factory look. I'll be adding an OVRLND camper so I'm saving most of the rear suspension upgrades for later.
Upcoming Mods
Diff Breather Extension
Camper buildout
Upgrading to 700lbs coil springs in the front
Mods/Maintenance
2022-05-05 - OVRLND Camper!
Several other Oil changes lol
2020-10-03 - 155765 - Oil change - Mobil1 Full Syn High Mileage Ext Performance
2020-08-01 - Removed running boards and installed Front and Oilpan skid plates from Skid Row
2020-07-30 - Timing belt, plugs, coolant, transmission, transfer/diff, brake, and power steering flush
2020-07-15 - Toyota's 150 point inspection, passenger airbag recall
2020-07-13 - Bought, courtesy oil change
SCS Stealth 6 17" 4.3" BS
Skid Row Transmission/Transfer Case skids
BFG KO2 285/70/17 Load E
White Knuckle Sliders
Icon Stage 2 suspension incl AAL, SPC UCA, OEM LBJ and CV half shafts
This is my first build thread. I've always soaked up the information from online forums like this one, T4R, IH8MUD and now Tundras.com and Tundra Solutions. I'm excited to document my journey both in terms of the builds and the places this truck goes. I'm also excited to hear feedback as I contemplate directions I go. Thanks for reading!
Here's how she looked the day after I bought her:
Here she is as of June 2022:
The Background and Search
In February, I sold my 2016 Toyota 4Runner that I'd built out. Unfortunately I never did a build thread. I bought a rusty old 1993 Land Cruiser for next to nothing to get around but it turned into more trouble than I think it's worth (thanks Iowa salty roads). For about 2 months I searched almost nationwide for an 05-06 Tundra DC. I wanted to ensure this was a rig that would last a long time and that would be ready to build out for exploring the mountains and deserts of the west. It was a frustrating search. These trucks are hard to find. I remember seeing a rust free well cared for specimen pop up in Amarillo, called first thing the next day, got the pics and info I wanted and was giving a deposit by 10am but was interrupted by someone else making a deposit. These trucks are hard to find and I can see why. I was very happy to find this truck within about an hours drive. I bought her with 152k miles. Minimal surface rust on the under carriage, paint is in great shape, interior is in great shape and she runs awesome.
The Purpose
We all know the importance of deciding a purpose for a truck before you start planning a build. I live in Wyoming so I can enjoy the outdoors. The 4Runner loaded with gear, two dogs, a wife, and 1 year old was getting crowded. Also, having a 1 year old changes camping (and everything else)a. Before having a kid we camped about 10-15 nights a year. I want to streamline our camping experience so it's easier to get out (esp with the little guy). I want to be able to get a bit further back into the mountains than most and drive the trails in Colorado and Utah (Wyoming oddly enough has few 4x4 trails). I chose the 06 Tundra because I know it'll be reliable, fit my family comfortably, and I have plenty of payload to create a more streamlined camping experience.
The Plan
I'm looking to find that happy medium between adding off road capability and maintaining the factory reliability of a Toyota. I'm not looking to do any high speed desert prerunning, nor am I looking to build a rock crawler trailer queen with a SAS on 40s. I'm looking to make my rig a bit bigger, add some armor but for now I want to maintain the factory look. I'll be adding an OVRLND camper so I'm saving most of the rear suspension upgrades for later.
Upcoming Mods
Diff Breather Extension
Camper buildout
Upgrading to 700lbs coil springs in the front
Mods/Maintenance
2022-05-05 - OVRLND Camper!
Several other Oil changes lol
2020-10-03 - 155765 - Oil change - Mobil1 Full Syn High Mileage Ext Performance
2020-08-01 - Removed running boards and installed Front and Oilpan skid plates from Skid Row
2020-07-30 - Timing belt, plugs, coolant, transmission, transfer/diff, brake, and power steering flush
2020-07-15 - Toyota's 150 point inspection, passenger airbag recall
2020-07-13 - Bought, courtesy oil change
SCS Stealth 6 17" 4.3" BS
Skid Row Transmission/Transfer Case skids
BFG KO2 285/70/17 Load E
White Knuckle Sliders
Icon Stage 2 suspension incl AAL, SPC UCA, OEM LBJ and CV half shafts
This is my first build thread. I've always soaked up the information from online forums like this one, T4R, IH8MUD and now Tundras.com and Tundra Solutions. I'm excited to document my journey both in terms of the builds and the places this truck goes. I'm also excited to hear feedback as I contemplate directions I go. Thanks for reading!
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