2006 Toyota Tundra first gen camper build

sn_85

Observer
I'm starting a build thread for my 2006 Tundra Limited Double Cab 4WD so that I can share the build process and my adventures along the way. I picked it up a few months ago from a Chevy dealer in Nevada with 83k miles on it. I wasn't necessarily looking for a FGT and really wanted a full size 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton truck but with the way the current market is I decided against it. I expanded my search and was able to find this well sorted FGT. I paid way too much for it but who isn't in this current market. The truck was semi-local, in great condition and a reasonable price given that it was what I was looking for. Its previously a three owner vehicle that has been well cared for and not driven much at all. The condition inside and out is fantastic and it almost seems new. The truck has spent most of its life in the Tahoe area.

I'm more of a Land Cruiser enthusiast at heart but I've always thought a well sorted clean first gen Tundra Double Cab is the perfect adventure truck. It's the perfect combination of size and power with the venerable 2UZ-FE. It's not my daily driver and I'm trying to keep the miles on it as minimal as possible. I've been mostly driving to baseline it and keep it up to date while doing maintenance items. So far I'm really enjoying the drive and take it out for a drive once or twice a week for fun. There's something visceral about the driving experience with the first gen Tundra that really makes you feel connected to the truck. The low end torque combined with its simplicity give it a rugged character. My other rigs are a TRD supercharged 2011 Tacoma and 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser. Each has its own feel and unique driving characteristic. The Tacoma with the s/c has a lot of pep and is fun to zip around while the Tundra with it's 4.7L V8 feels very workman like and durable. The 2013 LC with it's 5.7L V8 is, well, the pinnacle of driving experience and is unmatched by any other vehicle as far as I'm concerned. I'm a Toyota guy at heart and can appreciate a purpose built vehicle and the FGT will definitely have a purpose in my fleet.

I picked up this vehicle as our primary camping and outdoor rec vehicle. Mainly for camping, fishing, ski touring and chasing powder. Over the next year it's going to get a flatbed tray along with a composite hard shell camper for true 4 season capability. To handle the camper it'll get a suspension overhaul with OME or Dobinsons, airbags, hellwig sway bar, a regear among other things. In the short term I'll make sure it continues to get baselined, address any FGT issues, and get the timing belt done. Also will need to modernize it a bit with lighting upgrades, get an Android Auto or Apple Car Play headunit and perhaps some katzkin leather and seat heaters

I hope to keep this updated frequently with so many projects going on, still need to build up my Land Cruiser to be a stealth wheeler, but I hope to at least have the flatbed and camper ready for next winter.

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sn_85

Observer
Not much going on except for some maintenance. Took the truck to my local Toyota specialist to do the TB/WP and fluids.

In the meantime, you can always have some fun in a stock Toyota 4x4 in Moab :D

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redthies

Renaissance Redneck
Nice truck. Took me a few minutes to figure out what you meant by FGT (maybe I’m a bit slow today?). We have a FGS (?) that is a fantastic rig. The Toytec Ultimate with SPC control arms and OME rear leafs is phenomenal on fire roads. You can really let it rip! I looked at a few 1st gens before buying my ‘19 Tundra, and found a super sweet one owner truck for a low price, but the tow ratings lead me to the newer truck. I’m going to need a camper for mine eventually too, so will keep an eye on your build.
 

sn_85

Observer
So one of the major flaws with this vehicle and similarly with the first gen Sequoia's, first gen Tacoma and 3rd gen 4Runner is the lower ball joint design. They're designed to work under tension and not compression. This leads to a lot of stress on the lower ball joints which can lead to pretty catastrophic failures depending on the circumstances. It would be hard to imagine having a LBJ failure going 70mph on the freeway. At this point it is a must do maintenance item for those trucks. Without knowing the full history of the truck and whether or not it's had the recall or a replacement done I decided to go ahead and change the LBJ to OEM ones.

One thing that was discovered was that the LCA bushings were shot so I decided to go ahead and spring for new lower control arms while doing the LBJs. Only question was do I go with OEM or with an aftermarket one. I took the plunge on some boxed lower control arms from Solo motorsports. They move the LBJ forward by an inch so it pushes the tire forward and gives a little more clearance away from the rear body mounts. This should help me clear 33" skinnies no problem which is coming in the future.

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FleshEater

New member
If you can afford it in the budget, I highly recommend going Icon over anything else. They make these Toyotas ride like a dream.

If you swap leafs, add air bags to assist with weight. Icon in their packages focus more on flex, than carrying.
 

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