Im in the market for a tundra AC, I test drove a few but no good long rides to really check it out. I noticed the nice extra power of the 05-06 engine and 5 speed, but now I read up and find out it has a sealed transmission pretty much with no dipstick (which I find stupid).
Is the 05-06 really worth the extra power the engine has and the 5 speed automatic? Does it really differ much at all from the older trucks besides perhaps some styling and such? The no dipstick trans REALLY worrys me as a mechanic b/c it just seems to0 complicated and wouldnt work right trying to flush. Havent had one in the shop to even check out this trans thing either so I really cant comment besides the info I gleamed from TS.
I have an "05 and it has a dipstick for the tranny. I can't imagine a vehicle without it. Sounds like somebodies pulling your leg.
As far as power and handling, I LOVE IT. Beats the heck out of the '06 F-150 I had. It left me stranded four times. The fourth time I had it at the dealer I spotted my Tundra on the lot, left the Ford there and never looked back!
Oh, well i know the 05+ V8 uses a 5 speed auto vs 4 speed and I read here it doesnt have a dipstick at all and doesnt get flushed the same way conventional trannys do. Something about lifetime tranny fluid or good to 100k.
the fluid is rated to 100K and it is a "sealed" tranny...toyota just doesnt want normal people messing with the tranny but it can be dealt with there are posts on it. I would reccomend the 05-06 over the 04 (-) but any tundra will make you happy
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2005 Toyota Tundra Blue Steel Metallic (SR5® Access 4.7L i-Force V8 with VVT-i)
( De-Badged, K&N 77 Series Intake With Painted Tube (Wrinkle Black), ScanGauge II, V-LEDS 5000k Hi/Lo Headlights, V-LEDS 5000k Fogs (as DRL), Blacked Out Headlights, Tinted Side Markers, Black LED Tail Lights, Black Side Molding, Black Billet Grille, Kenwood Deck, Infinity Speakers, Alpine 5-Channel Amp (Doors), 12" Infinity Sub(Custom Box), Infinity Mono Amp (Sub)
(Future: 3" Lift Kit, Magnaflow 22" Single-Dual Exhaust, Electric Fan Conversion, 17" Sport Tundra Rims/or/17" Limited Rims Powder Coated Black)
Yea after discussing with with a friend we agree its probably ok and if i want to play the "i want to make sure my trans lasts" i will have it flushed every 30-40k maybe even 50k to play it safe.
I usually flush all my own vehicles transmissions every 20-30k depending on the fluid color and use of the vehicle. Im just usually uppity about maintenance and this really kinda annoys me b/c it means you can easily do it the old way anymore.
I have an "05 and it has a dipstick for the tranny. I can't imagine a vehicle without it. Sounds like somebodies pulling your leg.
As far as power and handling, I LOVE IT. Beats the heck out of the '06 F-150 I had. It left me stranded four times. The fourth time I had it at the dealer I spotted my Tundra on the lot, left the Ford there and never looked back!
I'm not doubting weather or not yours has a dipstick or not.. but I've never seen an 05-06 with a dipstick. if it's possible could you post a pic of it? is it sill using type WS fluid? is your truck vvti?
I've serviced these transmissions before. you do it from underneath, there is a check/fill plug and a drain plug..takes about 3.2 quarts to drain and fill. you have to pump the new fluid into to fill hole. put about 3 quarts in there, start the truck and while its running, continue to add fluid until it starts flowing out of the fill hole.. kinda like the rear diff, it's full when it starts coming out of the hole. again it's about 3.2 quarts.
I have an 03 and often wish it were an 05. Both the 5spd and the vvti would be nice. The 4spd is cool actually, I just wish I had the 30 extra horses! I get mad thinking when I do get headers a stock 05 can still smoke me!
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My name is Tundrunk, and I have M.A.D. disease.I swore I would leave it stock...but then...
I am kind of partial to the 05-06 Tundras. I like the extra power, the 5 speed tranny and there are a few cosmetic differences, such as the updated dash, that I like.
But similar to what others have said, I wouldn't turn down an 04 if I came across a great deal.
....I get mad thinking when I do get headers a stock 05 can still smoke me!
that is why I love my non-VVTI 4speed Tundra its easy to modify it to be very fast. I had no problems smoking 5.7L Tundras
soon, I will be close to 5.7L Supercharged speed.
__________________ 2006 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4x4 w/ lxr package, 7008 navi, rear entartaiment system, 20" x-sp enkei. 2001 Toyota Tundra SR5 4x4 - TRD 9+Psi Supercharged, JBA Ceramic Headers, Walboro 255LPH Fuel Pump, 1UZ Rods, IPT valve body, 20" x-sp enkei wheels, 7009 navi w/custom JBL wire harness + OEM XM/Sirus radio, drive by wire, and many other mods.
that is why I love my non-VVTI 4speed Tundra its easy to modify it to be very fast. I had no problems smoking 5.7L Tundras
soon, I will be close to 5.7L Supercharged speed.
How, and why?
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The Ninjalectual drove a dark green 2003 TRD AC until it was totaled by a drunk. He was not the drunk in question.
He now drives a light blue 2005 TRD DC with a 2" Blistein lift and Borla dual exhaust.
As a new owner of a 2003 limited I did a lot of shopping I looked at and drove 23 different tundras . the extra horse power would be nice but in my market the same 2006 truck with the same millage and options would be $7000 to $10000 more. I can buy a lot of stuff for that kind of money.
05-06 Worth it over 00-04
that is why I love my non-VVTI 4speed Tundra 
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