2006 V6 SR5 Build

Here’s my 2006 picked up recently from a family member with 207k miles. The plan is to leave it mostly stock and make a nice driver out of it.

How it sits today


Early pictures



Did head gaskets at 193.5k miles about a year ago. It was puking coolant into the overflow and then the radiator would get low and it wouldn’t pull anything from the overflow back in. Did the basics during this job like timing chain guides, water pump, hoses, thermostat, etc.




Engine/drivetrain:
- Stock- head gaskets replaced at 193k miles: 9-17-22
- Secondary air filter removed: 11-17-23
- URD Spec-U LT headers: 12-10-23
- URD o2 extension harnesses: 12-10-23
- ARP 434-1301 LS1 exhaust manifold studs: 12-10-23
- 5th gen 4Runner 70mm throttle body & URD adapter: 3-17-24
- NST water pump pulley: 3-23-24
- NST stepped alternator pulley: 3-23-24
- 2003 Lexus LX470 transmission oil pan & dipstick tube: 1-15-25
- URD MarkIV 3” catback exhaust: 1-16-25

Suspension:
- 3rd gen Tacoma OEM Hitachi front coilovers: 12-9-23
- Mevotech SMS81081 FJ cruiser rear coil springs: 5-30-24

Armor:
- RCI aluminum fuel tank skid: 12-8-23
- Greenlane Offroad aluminum sliders w/ 12.5* angle & kickout: 3-19-24
- RCI aluminum IFS skid: 7-1-24

Towing:
- Toyota OEM 7 pin connector
- DrawTite Class IV receiver hitch: 12-19-24
- Smittybilt shackle receiver: 1-3-25
- Hayden 698 transmission cooler on Iconic Fabrication bracket: 1-15-25
- RedArc EBRH-ACCNA brake controller

Interior:
- Auto Custom Carpets black vinyl flooring: 9-17-22
- Toyota console w/ dual 12v outlets 74110-35010-B0: 11-13-23
- Toyota transmission shifter 33504-35070-C0: 11-20-23
- Wet Okole front seat covers: 12-31-23
- RedArc TPSI-007 plug: 1-25-25

Lighting/Electrical:
- NorthStar 27F AGM battery: 8-25-17
- Passenger blinker harness replaced: 8-29-21
- Throttle body connector repaired: 10-21-23
- Cleaned up ignition wiring: 10-22-23
- Cleaned up 12v outlet wiring: 11-13-23
- Sylvania 168 LED license plate bulbs: 2-25-23
- Horns relocated to passenger side: 1-13-25

Wheels/tires:
- Michelin LTX A/T2 P265/70R17 OWL: 11-24-23 & 207,700 miles
- Stock 17x7.5 alloy wheels: 11-24-23

Exterior:
- Cerakote restoration on OEM headlights: 10-28-23
- 53100-35A03-C0 Limited 06-09 grille in 202 black: 12-31-23

Removed:
- Stock running boards: 10-29-23
- 2nd Gen Tacoma TRD Off-Road 16x7 wheels & P265/70R16 Michelin Defenders: 11-24-23
- Stock KYB replacement front struts: 9-17-22
- Toyota stainless exhaust tip: 11-16-23

Awaiting install:
- URD 3* retard exhaust cam gears
- RedArc Liberty trailer brake controller
- OEM oil cooler
- Hefty Fabworks Aluminum front bumper

Future Plans:
- Repair sun roof
- Replace climate control bulbs
- ARK splash guards
- Limited mirrors in 202 black
- Door handles in 202 black
- Bilstein rear shocks
- Hood lift shocks 53450-69065
- Lower link skids
- Coupe billet aluminum battery tie down
- SDHQ billet aluminum battery terminals
- Custom y-pipe
- Intake manifold spacer
- NST crank pulley
- Detroit TrueTrac
- Backup camera
- Replacement fog lamps
- Brite box anytime
- AWD or 4WD conversion


Before and after cleaning up the headlights

 

Removed the stock running boards today

 

Installed an OEM console with two 12v outlets since the lid on my original one was broken and wouldn’t stay closed. Part number 74110-35010-B0. The wire harness for the second outlet was already in place nearby, so this was plug and play.

 

Changed out my shifter for a new Toyota one and threw on an exhaust tip I had laying around for the Tacoma. Also ordered some URD equal length headers and an RCI aluminum fuel tank skid for Black Friday

 

Added some new Michelin LTX A/T2 in P265/70R17 on the stock alloy wheels yesterday. 3rd gen tacoma coilovers should be here soon to level it out some and then I can align it. Aluminum RCI fuel tank skid should be here soon too

 

URD equal length headers and ARP hardware showed up today

 

Aluminum RCI fuel tank skid installed today. ARP header studs and URD headers going on tomorrow.

 

Installed some 3rd gen Tacoma hitachi shocks and springs today. Before the lift, from the center of hub to bottom of fender was 19”, and after it’s about 21.75”. I am hoping it settles a little, but we will see. I also got started on the URD equal length header install. Got the more difficult driver side one installed, which required disconnecting the steering shaft. Started getting dark after that so I’ll finish up tomorrow. Things should be downhill from here hopefully.

 

Nice looking rig, how did you clean the headlights?

 

Thanks! I used the cerakote headlight kit on them, it works pretty well

 

Finished up installing the URD headers and LS1 ARP header studs today. Install was time consuming, but it turned out nice overall.

 

New NSK driver rear wheel bearing, Toyota brake caliper, and washed it up last weekend. Also ordered some aluminum side steps from Greenlane off-road. The wheel bearing made a big difference in cabin noise, the old one was in bad shape and the seal was leaking gear oil everywhere too.

 

Love it

 

Did an alignment tonight at home. SPC tool made it easy

 

Is that a precision instrument on the lower left?

 

Precision persuader

 

I installed a 5th gen 4Runner 70mm throttle body with a URD adapter plate today. I managed to keep the stock air box but had to ditch the stock engine cover because the studs no longer line up. The stock clamp also had to go, because it wasn’t physically big enough, so that was swapped out with a hose clamp that I had on hand. I reset the battery and it idled down to around 700rpm after warming up so I’d call that a win. Also installed a new sealed AGM battery today and some new hood struts yesterday

 

Installed some Greenlane aluminum sliders/steps today. Beautiful welds and they fit perfect. Also only weigh 25lbs per side, so about 50lbs lighter than steel per side. For the light use this thing will see, they are perfect for me.

 

NST water pump and alternator pulleys installed yesterday. Also replaced an upper idler that was missed last time everything was apart.

 

Read this, then kept scrolling and was like... we have different definitions of 'mostly stock' ha ha.

How do you like that center console ashtray replacement? I see on toyotpartsdeal.com its like $64. Worth it? My OEM tray door works fine, but my cigarette lighter cover is broken, and have been thinking of doing something to fix it. This seems like a good option.

 

lol yeah I have a hard time leaving things alone. The center console tray is a nice upgrade. My original one wouldn’t stay shut, and I wanted an extra DC outlet, so that was why I upgraded. I use the extra one for my radar detector so it works perfect. I haven’t used the ashtray since I don’t smoke so I can’t comment on the functionality of that. It is removable though, so you can clean it out

 

lol I don’t smoke either I just don’t like broken things in my car. Although I do keep my tray door closed most of the time so it’s not too big of a deal. Maybe I’ll get the one you have one day.

 

Installed some FJ cruiser mevotech SMS81081 rear coils today. They have pictures of front springs for this part number on rockauto (but lists them as for the rear), so I took a gamble. They were correct and for the rear though and they leveled things out nicely or it has a little bit of rake now. They were $62 shipped for a new pair and have the same 81081 part number as the Moogs, but for half the price roughly. Ride quality is unchanged and as of right now they gave me about 1” of lift. I expect them to settle a little though.

 

I finished up my 03 LX470 transmission pan swap and cooler today.

I plumbed the cooler up first - I’ll be changing out those two worm gear clamps for some constant tension clamps soon


Here’s a comparison of the pans. I got everything installed this evening. The dipstick and tube is from a 2002 and the pan from a 2003. From what i can tell, 1998-2003 parts should all work.

Everything bolted right up but i had to bend the dipstick tube a little to clear the exhaust manifold stay bracket. I zip tied the tube to the valve cover but I’m going to come up with another bracket or way to secure it to the valve cover. There is an open threaded hole on the back of the valve cover that would work well for this. Overall though, super simple swap. I changed the filter out today too and ended up using 4.75 qts and also 10oz of lubeguard platinum.

 

that’s some legit work. respect! nice build.

 

Thanks man!

 

Installed a URD MarkIV 3” catback last week. It is 304ss and has a passenger side exit. I did some highway driving this weekend and towed about 3k lbs. After doing so I can say I am happy with the noise level. Its not too loud, but its louder than stock. I am running URD LT headers and the stock y-pipe. For me, the volume level is just right with this setup

 

I installed a RedArc brake controller today