Used 2006 Toyota Tundra Consumer Reviews
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1st Gen Tundra: Best Toyota Pickup Ever
JK, 01/29/2018
updated 07/31/2018
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Access Cab 4WD SB (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
109 of 113 people found this review helpful
I’ve had my 06’ Tundra Access Cab SR5 4x4 now for a number of years and this 12 year old truck just keeps going and going without issue all the while being driven pretty hard. Keep on top of the basic maintenance and the 2UZ-FE 4.7L v8 will go and go and go. There’s a good reason why Toyota selected the same power plant for the $75,000 Land Cruiser (price at that time): these engines can EASILY exceed 250-300k and are dead nuts reliable. I swapped the stock suspension for the Old Man Emu suspension kit Slee and Toytec offer for this truck. Stiffer ride with a slight lift but handles better in general, especially with a heavier load. Otherwise it is stock although I will be adding a winch bumper, sliders and some skid plates as part of some overlanding/off-road mods. Now here’s why I believe the 05-06 1st Gen Tundra is the best Toyota pickup ever made: - JUST BIG ENOUGH: for 2018 standards, the “full-size” 1st gen Tundra is a mid-size pickup. It’s about the same size as the latest gen Taco. Very comfortable on the interior but small enough for tighter trails, parking etc. It’s also relatively light weight. My curb weight is 4,700lbs…a new Taco weighs almost the same. - 2UZ-FE: Legendary Toyota 4.7l V8 that powers the also legendary 100 Series Land Cruiser. The 05-06 Tundra gains 42HP over the 04’! Plenty of power and low end torque even with running larger tires up to a 33” which is the largest sized tire I would feel comfortable running on a mostly stock IFS. 05-06 also gives you a 5 speed auto tranny vs a 4 speed of the previous years. It’s these reasons I would recommend an 05-06 Tundra. - POWER: My Tundra Access Cab hits around 4,700lbs and has 270HP and 313 lb ft. of torque with much of that torque available on the low end given that it’s a V8. It runs really, really well and EASILY pulls 75 up I-70 to the Eisenhower, even with a bit of a load. For perspective, a 2018 TRD Pro Taco weighs about the same but only has 265 lb ft. of torque. - SIMPLE: My 06’ AC has power windows, power locks, AC and cruise control. No crazy electronics that start to show age after 12 years of use. No redundant navigation that my iPhone and/or iPad does a better job of anyway. No unnecessary complications that can fail when out in the mountains or bush. For all intents and purposes, it’s just a TRUCK back when trucks used to be trucks. This also makes it easier to work on if you turn your own wrenches and less expensive to pay someone to repair, if you don’t. The independent front suspension (IFS) is quite easy to work on. Tie rod ends, CV axles, steering rack bushings, etc. are all pretty easy to replace. The engine is fairly simple with exception of the starter location. It’s as if the Toyota engineers picked the worse possible location for the starter. Good news is that I haven't had to replace mine. - INEXPENSIVE: in the age of $60,000 F150’s (let that sink in for a second)….one can pick up a well-maintained 1st Gen Tundra for 10-20k and it will probably still outlast that sixty thousand dollar 2018 F150…These 2UZ-FE engines routinely hit 300,000 miles with basic maintenance and consume very little oil. It’s a proven engine. The tranny, diffs, etc. are all pretty proven as well as long as you don’t push it by running too big of tires or towing without a transmission cooler or other self-inflicted problems. Seems to be a bit better priced than a Taco of similar vintage, miles, etc. at least in this area (Denver metro) where a used Tacoma . - COMFORTABLE: we’ve road tripped the Tundra thousands of miles for 10-12 hour days quite comfortably. I would not however, recommend the Access Cab for more than 2 people. A 3 year old in a child seat barely has enough room in the extended cab, speaking from experience. If this is an only vehicle or you need to carry more than 2 people than definitely get the double cab. - RUGGED: Keep the weight low (within payload limits) and this truck does quite well in rough terrain even considering the non-boxed frame. It is a Toyota truck after-all. I’ve hauled literally tons of firewood without issue. I would not however, make a practice of carrying really heavy loads while driving in rough terrain. Get a Power Wagon if that’s your cup of tea. Also, the stock suspension, even the stock TRD Bilsteins, were somewhat meh. Fortunately there’s lots of options today from the after market. I went with the Old Man Emu kit because it’s simple and proven. - PROVEN: The 2006 Tundra is the last year of production for the 1st generation. This should translate to getting the best version of the series as Toyota had time to “work out the bugs”. With improvements to the lower ball joint design, exhaust manifold durability, significant increase in HP and extra gearing, the 05 and 06 is definitely worth holding out for if you’re in the market for a 1st gen Tundra.
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Love this truck
truckie124, 02/14/2011
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Access Cab 4WD SB (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
28 of 28 people found this review helpful
Bought in 2008 with 18000 miles and have put 30000 on it since then. I used it for 2 years for my carpentry business. Rear sliding window came in handy picking up lumber. My father has a 2004 SR5 and the 2006 rides much more car-like than the 2004. It really feels smooth and is an all around great truck. Used to drive a Chevy but had problems with the transmission at 30K miles and the dealership wouldn't do anything for us (after our family had bought 4 cars from them). Will never go back after driving this truck! I love this thing!
Another great Toyota truck!!
huladog, 01/28/2014
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Access Cab SB (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
44 of 46 people found this review helpful
My previous Toyota truck was a 1992 4WD V6 with a 5-speed. I racked up over 285,000 miles on it with no problems. Take care of your Toyota, it will take care of you. Same has held true for my 2006 Tundra. I found an extremely rare 2006 SR5 Access Cab with the 4.0L and a 6-speed manual transmission and had to have it. Bought it in 2011 with 181,000 miles. Miles mean nothing on Toyotas if they have been maintained. Replaced the shocks with Bilstein HD's (Yellow), and it made it ride like a new truck! With 220,000 miles on it, I am ready to declare my Tundra the worthy successor to the Beast! Had one single failure, a bad coil, which was easy to replace. 400,000 here I come!
No Problem -Toyota-
Terry C., 10/27/2006
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Access Cab SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
This is the most solid pickup I've ever been in in my life! Nary a squeak or rattle anywhere. This is my third Toy pickup and I'm impressed with their product. The V-6 provides ample power, I didn't want a six cylinder until I tried one. Buy with confidence!
2003 toyota tundra
george painter, 09/10/2005
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Double Cab SB (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
29 of 32 people found this review helpful
fun to drive. very reliable. good simple interior design. gas mileage is poor.
Love My truck
DHoward96, 03/12/2009
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Double Cab SB (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I love the truck more and more everyday. I bought it 7/31/06. I was a Chevy man to the core, traded a 00 Silverado ext. cab to get this truck. I have used it to tow everything from my 24 ft. pontoon to my 25 ft. camper. I tested 06 Silverado and Ram crew cabs, they didn't compare to this truck overall. Had a bigger bed than the 06 Silverado and interior is just as comfortable. All the Dodge had going for it was that gas-sucking hemi. Toyota in my opinion had it beat everywhere else. If Toyota ever produces a diesel, I will never drive anything else. That is the only way you will ever get decent fuel mileage towing a camper. Great looking truck too. Large truck fuel economy though.
OL PHART and his Tundra!
Ol Phart!, 10/01/2016
2006 Toyota Tundra Limited 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Owned a T-100 SR5 as a dealer offer for a problematic 98 Tacoma lemon. Great truck but the later TUNDRA was THE answer. Now on my 5th Tundra(all have been used buys). 2 Access Cabs(the rear door opening was a pain) and 3 Double Cabs(1 SR5 and 2 LTDs)-always a superb performing tool and toy for fun. Just found the latest Limited with all the options in NYC - 14,000 miles and drives as new as it was only used to drive to church on Sundays. For those hauling/towing a load-yes-the 07 and newer do the job better but for a roomy truck(no towing) that rides/drives like a luxury vehicle on the highway/none better. The rule is how much FUN do you want to have and HOW MUCH are you willing to pay for that FUN! Some want a Porshe-some a RAM/F150/SILVERADO. The 06 TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB 4WD LIMITED is my FUN and does it extremely well as it was the last year of that body style. Air bag recall a noted problem but not TOYOTA's fault-Takata's fault! Just wished I would have bought one new in 06! So choose wisely on YOUR version of FUN! And enjoy the RIDE!!!
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Love my Tundra!
Felix, 02/02/2018
2006 Toyota Tundra Limited 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Tundra used with 36,000 miles 9 years ago and I have added almost 200,000 miles since picking her up. I switched to synthetic fluids immediately. She has been used for everyday driving, family trips, heavy payloads, and having people move. The wife and I just took a 5,200 mile road trip and visited 3 national parks on and off road. Only minor issues I have had is that my valve cover gasket was replaced once at 200,000 mile mark, which took care of a small oil leak and the front ball joints were recently replaced. Beyond that... just the basic maintenance. I tell folks that she is my convertible truck. With all five driver, passenger, and rear windows down, plus the large moon-roof opened I have the best 4x4 luxury convertible bar none. I look to keep her in the family as long as possible.
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Great TRUCK!
yangk, 11/24/2011
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
17 of 19 people found this review helpful
Bought this truck used with 14,000 miles in 2008. Now has 56,000 miles and needs it's first pair of brakes. It's a V8 so gas/fuel consumption is not like a PRIUS so I'm not whinning. I average 18 mpg mix hwy/city and about 19-20 hwy. Tows my 18' Lund fishing boat nicely. 6' bed is a must, I didn't buy a new Tundra because of the bed. The crew cab is great, handles 5 adult passenger w/ ease. Interior is ok, when it's cold, it creeks when you go over bumps. Parking is a-ok, like any truck, it won't have turning radius like my wife's Lexus. Overall, I love it, and plan on keeping it for a LONG LONG LONG time! These trucks are also hard to come along. If I find another one, I might snatch er' up
The best vehicle I've ever owned, Period
Jason, 12/31/2016
updated 01/09/2019
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (4.7L 8cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Tundra in 2008 and could not be happier with my purchase. I've owned the Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Nissan trucks before this one and those trucks are not even playing the same game as the Tundra in terms of dependability and quality. In my opinion when it comes time to replace this truck, in the year 2026, I will only be looking at another Tundra. Having this truck for 11 years and putting over 100,000 miles on it without so much as an unexpected clunk or rattle has been an enjoyable experience. I live up in the hills as we call them around here and travel 50:50 between country roads and town driving. It will plow through 8 inches of snow on the road without blinking and then travel on the highways for a 2,000 mile trip with the best of them. The double cab offers lots of room, even for adult passengers in the rear. I tow 7,000 lbs regularly with this truck and put a ton of wood pellets in the bed six times a year with no issue. If there is a weak spot on the truck it would be the factory exhaust, the Upstate New York winter's are not kind to the underside of any vehicle and the exhaust has suffered. That truly is the only negative I have to say about my over a decade with my truck. If you are looking for a truck with high maintenance costs and unreliability; look somewhere else.
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