Truck purchase help

[lzicc]

Yep, my 2011 Tundra Double Cab, 5.7 is rated at 10,500 lbs towing.

You'll be able to find an 07-08 2nd gen Tundra will some miles for that price, if you look around a bit.

Either of the larger two cabs are huge, but the crew cab is absurdly large. The 5.7L is a must for towing that load.

I regularly get 16.0 mpg combined with my '08 5.7 double cab 4X4 if I don't mash it too often. When I tow my big enclosed trailer loaded to 7K+, I get 9-12mpg. On the highway, I can easily get 18+ unladen.

Many will look down their noses at the big Toyota, but I'll put my powertrain up against any 1/2 ton truck.

$0.02

 

[slowzuki]

Its been replaced because their newer transmissions have lower first gears than their old trucks and don't need as low of rear end.

Don't feel bad. All I ever had to pick from were single speed American bikes or 3 speed English racers. BTW - GM hasn't used the 3.55 in a long time. It's been replaced by the new and improved (?) 3.42 ratio.

 

[schmism]

Its been replaced because their newer transmissions have lower first gears than their old trucks and don't need as low of rear end.

Thats only the case starting off the line, what about the rest of the time the truck is moving with 8K behind it!

The true answer is more likely, they realized not everyone tows 8000lbs around with the half ton truck all the time and spends way more time getting groceries with it. So to get ok gas millage they bump the gearing WAY up to drop the engine RPM way down so it sips less gas going down the highway.

But put that 8K load behind it and the trans is going to hate you for it the entire time your cruising around town. Much more so if you have hills.

3.73 at a min 4.10 in a half ton would be my choice.

my little toyota came with 4.56 from the factory but i got no engine hp either :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

The 3.42 and 3.08 gear GM has one does one thing, give them MPG bragging rights. The 4 speed trucks were pigs pulling a load with these rear ends. Now I am sure the new 6 speeds are better but would not be my choice.

Chris

 

[buck12]

When I bought my 09 f150 3.31 was the highest available and 3.73 was the lowest available.

 

[adjusterr]

Whatever you do, stay away from the Avalanche! I had an 04 with 5.3 lt engine and .373 differentials. I loved every thing about the truck except it would not tow worth a ****, all it did was shift gears, it had a tow package but still wouldn't tow. I was told the Avalanche engine used the Corvette block and developed high RPM but low torque. If I gould get another Avalanche with a different engine I would take one in a minute.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Whatever you do, stay away from the Avalanche! I had an 04 with 5.3 lt engine and .373 differentials. I loved every thing about the truck except it would not tow worth a ****, all it did was shift gears, it had a tow package but still wouldn't tow. I was told the Avalanche engine used the Corvette block and developed high RPM but low torque. If I gould get another Avalanche with a different engine I would take one in a minute.

There is nothing Corvette about the 5.3L engine in the Avalanche. The salesman that told you that should win a Academy Award.

Its just a plain old 5.3L, nothing special. Same thing that was offered in all the 1/2 ton SUV's and Trucks.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

My 05 Z71 hunted gears also. I have a feeling my 11 Z will do better. For one it has a very low first gear plus two more gears than the 05. Also feels a little stronger. I have not towed yet.