opinions on TOYOTA TUNDRA for my towing needs

[KAB]

How come they went back to rear drums in '05?

Only 1/2 tons - The new body uses Drums with the exception of the heavy duty to package (NHT) (all 3/4 and 1's use disk)

They went back to a perceived and a real problem in the rust belt.
Perceived - Brakes felt mushy which meant a longer stopping distance. Reality - Brakes were mushy but it had no impact on stopping distance.

Real - Rust issues with the brakes especially parking.

The new brakes are Bosch (old Delphi or so I am told). The new brakes (to date from what I have seen) have fixed both of those problems. I know that some people have a dislike of drum brakes, I have not heard of any problems to date (but I don't hear a lot). The new brakes are supposed to have better stopping power than the old brakes with better life.

Kurt

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I tried to read the fine print on their commercials but I just can't do it. All I keep seeing though is that they are trying to push this truck as being able to haul 1 ton of manure/fertilizer in the bed, pull 5 ton of blocks up an incline and stop them also. Things you would expect to find in 3/4 ton trucks. So I guess I need to either get Tivo or something so I can pause those stupid commercials and try to read the fine print to know what they are trying to "actually" say.

 

[KAB]

I had a chance to talk to a General Manager of a Toyota dealership. He said that the Tundra was not the best truck ( I did not ask which he thought was) but it is a lot better than what they had. I drove as I expected, good ride good exceleration (5.7, 6sp, 4.3:1). I did notice the steering felt a little loose and it had the characteristics that I hate with 5 and 6sp transmission: which gear to use (transmission can't decide). Average fuel economy after 500+ miles according to the computer 10.6mpg.

Being used to a loaded 02 Envoy, I noticed that the Tundra's electronics left a lot to be desires. Tire Pressure Monitor does not indicate the tire pressure in the vehicle (not on my 02 but on the new models). You still have to do that the old way, manually. It has Manual Dual Zone Climate control instead of automatic.

Like I said before it looks good on the surface, Rides Good, has some really neat features. Under the skin is a different story. 2 peice drive shaft, Frame concept good but execution failed, check the crossmembers. Lightweight hood. Small door hinges. AC line less than 1/2" from the front bumper. Stamped steel banjo style rear end. Timing belt instead of a chain. No real limited or locking differential and what they have only works in 2wd. Just to list a few items.

Let me be fair some +++ Standard Electronic Stability Control (I have heard it is a bit intrusive though). Nice tailgate operation. Good torque 5.7 (90% available from 2400 - 5500 rpm who cruises in that range?). Good acceleration (1sec better than GM and just a bit better than the others). 10.5" ring gear (Have not heard of a bad rear end lately). Backup Camera (needs Nav). Double Sun Visor (Can have a front and side visor at the same time).

Kurt

 

[workinallthetime]

Workin,
Sorry the 3/4 get the new 6.0VVT no AFM. The only GM's at this time with the 6.2 is the Cad. Escalade, and GMC Denali's. The HD's, 3/4 Suburban and Yukon XL get the LY6 with VVT. The 1/2 tons with 6.0 is the L76 with VVT and AFM accoring to media.gm.com

Kurt

wow they have changed that in the past month or so, they actually had the numbers out for a 6.2 gas in late jan early feb, wonder what happened

 

[jcmseven]

As I noted in my previous post, the Toyota seems to be a nice truck, but why would someone pay the same price and buy a 1/2 ton, when one can get a 3/4 ton truck, perhaps with a diesel engine and heavier everything for only slightly more money??? I was looking at my F250 PSD 4WD in our parking lot today sitting beside my friend's Nissan Titan. Yes my truck is larger, but the difference is really quite small, and width wise, they seem about the same. My other friend's Chevy 2500 Duramax looks very similar in fascia and size to a 1500 but it runs and pulls much better. My point is, the 1/2 tonners are getting larger and trying to be 5/8 tonners, and the price is doing the same, yet the capabilities for hauling, etc. fall behind the 3/4 ton trucks.

John M

 

[wroughtn_harv]

As I noted in my previous post, the Toyota seems to be a nice truck, but why would someone pay the same price and buy a 1/2 ton, when one can get a 3/4 ton truck, perhaps with a diesel engine and heavier everything for only slightly more money??? I was looking at my F250 PSD 4WD in our parking lot today sitting beside my friend's Nissan Titan. Yes my truck is larger, but the difference is really quite small, and width wise, they seem about the same. My other friend's Chevy 2500 Duramax looks very similar in fascia and size to a 1500 but it runs and pulls much better. My point is, the 1/2 tonners are getting larger and trying to be 5/8 tonners, and the price is doing the same, yet the capabilities for hauling, etc. fall behind the 3/4 ton trucks.

John M

Of course the logic of that argument can be followed with mine. Why would I buy a three quarter or one ton when I can buy a 4500 or 5500 for the same money? $45,000,00 will buy me a four wheel drive four dour Duramax Allison 5500 cab and chassis. That would work.

 

[txdon]

...will buy me a four wheel drive...

and if anyone needs a four wheel drive, you do Harvey!

 

[KAB]

Workin

Check your PM.

Kurt

 

[gemini5362]

Of course the logic of that argument can be followed with mine. Why would I buy a three quarter or one ton when I can buy a 4500 or 5500 for the same money? $45,000,00 will buy me a four wheel drive four dour Duramax Allison 5500 cab and chassis. That would work.

I never thought about being able to buy a 4500 or 5500 for the same money. Is that for all the bells and whistles cab or just a bare bones cab with cloth seats a stereo etc ?

 

[_RaT_]

PS: just rememeber folks that what ever you buy, gas and diesel will not get cheaper, it will continue to go up. Buy accordingly.