'06 Tundra DC quasi kinda 'build'... got some questions

[slowtwitch]

Hello all. We got rid of my 98 Taco 4 banger and bought an 06 Tundra DC. I'm a mid size 4 banger guy, but oh well. Need room for the kid.

Anyways, I have the green light from the wife to do what needs doing so we can have some fun with our two year old. Lots of time in MT, WY, ID, and trips to the desert, and west coast.

The truck is pretty stock. Spray in and some bigger tires. 60k.

We were looking to go FWC used route, but have bagged that. Now going topper/sleep platform/awning route. Rear seat behind front passenger will be removed for cooler storage.

I have located an above cab height topper used for a good deal, and it comes with one of those carpet/sleeping platform kits. The kit is not what I want, but may provide good fodder or offset the cost of the topper via Craigslist.

I've poured over this site reading about platforms, storage, coolers, etc.

This will be a fairly mundane family/daily driver deal, so no fancy bumpers or other crazy mods. I do plan on making a custom bike rack. Don't want them on the top, and prefer not to have them inside on family trips (saw the platform with bikes inside thread). It will be a swing away deal. Already went down the rock crawler road years ago with old Broncos. Don't want to hemorrhage anymore money either. What a gas hog this thing is.

I've tried searching for this info, with less than stellar results:

1) What's a good basic suspension upgrade? Bilstein TRD stuff? That's what I did to my Taco. I see Toyota kept up it's penchant for soft sagging under performing suspension.

2) Any mods to improve gas mileage? Dual exhaust? I know I know, buy a Honda or drive slow. Thought I'd ask.

3) Any tips for sealing the tailgate/liftgate area? There are big gaps all around the tailgate. I'd like to keep dust out.

4) Anyone have used suspension, coolers, awnings, etc, get hold of me.

Thanks,

st

 

[jim65wagon]

The truck is pretty stock. Spray in and some bigger tires. 60k.

This will be a fairly mundane family/daily driver deal, so no fancy bumpers or other crazy mods. I do plan on making a custom bike rack. Don't want them on the top, and prefer not to have them inside on family trips (saw the platform with bikes inside thread). It will be a swing away deal. Already went down the rock crawler road years ago with old Broncos. Don't want to hemorrhage anymore money either. What a gas hog this thing is.

Welcome to Tundras. It'll make a wonderful daily driven family fun ride.

1) What's a good basic suspension upgrade? Bilstein TRD stuff? That's what I did to my Taco. I see Toyota kept up it's penchant for soft sagging under performing suspension.

Bilsteins adjustable 5100s up front for the inexpensive route, ICON coilovers for the dollars up version. Either are an improvement in your ride. For the rears you'll have to call Deaver or Alcan and get some custom springs made. A few members on here have done either of those with success.

2) Any mods to improve gas mileage? Dual exhaust? I know I know, buy a Honda or drive slow. Thought I'd ask.

Not much here, do regular maintenance, run synthetic oils, change the sparkplugs. if you do an exhaust do not run large tubes. 2-1/2" for a single exhaust or 2" for duals. What kind of mileage are you getting?

3) Any tips for sealing the tailgate/liftgate area? There are big gaps all around the tailgate. I'd like to keep dust out.

I've put foam window seals from the hardware store around the tailgate. It helped, but it's not perfect.

4) Anyone have used suspension, coolers, awnings, etc, get hold of me.

nothing, sorry....

Good luck with your new ride.

 

[JCMatthews]

There was a thread around here somewhere where they bought a kit from Cabela's that is designed to seal the tailgate gap. By the way welcome to the Tundra family. I love mine and I'm getting 19 mpg if I travel at 65 mph.

Edit: Here is a link for the Cabela's tail gate seal. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...il+gate+seal&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I've tried searching for this info, with less than stellar results:

1) What's a good basic suspension upgrade? Bilstein TRD stuff? That's what I did to my Taco. I see Toyota kept up it's penchant for soft sagging under performing suspension.

2) Any mods to improve gas mileage? Dual exhaust? I know I know, buy a Honda or drive slow. Thought I'd ask.

3) Any tips for sealing the tailgate/liftgate area? There are big gaps all around the tailgate. I'd like to keep dust out.

4) Anyone have used suspension, coolers, awnings, etc, get hold of me.

Thanks,

st

This is just my opinion, so take it as you would like. But I have owned a first generation Tundra for about 5 years so its from that experience.

1. Bilstein's + airbags would be my choice.

2. HaHa... its a V-8 truck... so don't get your hopes up. But I picked up a little bit swapping to electric cooling fans and a under drive crank pulley. A "scangague" ( http://www.amazon.com/ScanGauge-Automotive-Computer-Customizable-Real-Time/dp/B000AAMY86 ) It will let you monitor your MPG real time and adjust your driving accordingly. Headers and duals do help some, but the cost will never balance out...but they do sound amazing!!!

3. Foam weather stripping, or google "tailgate seal"

 

[slowtwitch]

Thanks much guys. I'll post in now and then and show the progress.

Took the 1/3rd rear seat out today and got a good deal on a Coleman Xtreme that will fit in there nicely. Picking up the used topper end of the month. I'm going to try with all my might to take a conservative approach to this although lordy knows I'd like to splurge for the trick top shelf new stuff.

I poured over all the stove info on this site, and think I'll stay with my 'vintage' green Coleman with an MSR as backup. Funny now that green Coleman stoves, metal coolers,and rectangular Rubbermaid 6 gallon water jugs are now 'vintage'.


st

 

[slowtwitch]

Bilsteins adjustable 5100s up front for the inexpensive route,

These sound great. Gets rid of 'factory rake'. Don't care for the factory rake.
I notice these shocks say they are for lifted vehicles, but they fit stock Tundras ok huh?

st

 

[jim65wagon]

These sound great. Gets rid of 'factory rake'. Don't care for the factory rake.
I notice these shocks say they are for lifted vehicles, but they fit stock Tundras ok huh?

st

They provide the lift. There is a "C" clip that fits into one of several grooves on the shock body (someone may have photos) which allows you to choose the height of the lower spring perch. Put the stock springs on the new shocks (you'll need a very stout spring compressor) and you've got a nearly instant lift. As a matter of fact I have a photo of Haggis and I putting them on his truck.

 

[JCMatthews]

Here are some pictures

I just installed the Bilstiens on my Tundra. On the first picture, you can kind of see the grooves. I have loved the lift and ride from them.

 

[slowtwitch]

These only are adjustable for the fronts right?

st

 

[Falkon]

I blieve that is correct. Different part #'s and shocks for rear install.

 

[slowtwitch]

I blieve that is correct. Different part #'s and shocks for rear install.

The front is only adjustable b/c of the strut/coil combo now that I think about it.

st