Toyota 3/4 Ton with Big Block V-8

sc0rpi0

Yes, I was a 3rd owner. I kept a stack of receipts from my uncle's driving the truck, and him being a second owner, he's had all sorts of problems too. Got stuck on the road because fuel pump decided to call it quits. AC quit working while he was in New Mexico in the summer.

You can imply that I don't know how to do oil changes and tuneups, thats fine. The Chevy was a real piece of [non-permissible content removed]. It was not overworked (towing within limits), but after a year of that the truck simply gave up. I tried keeping it in working condition and doing all repairs, but when I'm looking at $1000 bill for repairs, it makes me wonder whether I should get a new truck, and I did. It's your personal experience that your truck went to 285K miles. Good luck with your next purchase. It's my experience that the year I owned a chevy it's been nothing but a drain on my financial resources. Before that I owned a Plymouth Reliant (my first car). It was made in 1987, and I've had it from 1997 to 2000, with about 112K miles on it. In the time I've had it, it's been a very good car. I was also at least a third owner, but there were nowhere near as many problems as with the Blazer. Based on my experience, I'm not going anywhere near a Chevy again.

quadrunner500

So...$1000 is a drain on your financial resources, but $500 a month truck payment, is not? Funny!

I truly understand why someone with 193,000 miles could be ready for something new. Check back when the taco has 193K miles on it. Odds are, it'll belong to someone else too.

dmetzger

More flame for the fire!

My dealer informed me that the rumor mill has it that there will be another V-8 engine, 5.3 litre, that is suppose to be around 300 hp. Also, extended cab may come with a long box. And the remote possibility of a crew cab.

Towing or payload increase? Didn't know. He said a diesel motor is also in the works. If all of this is so, looks like they are trying to catch up to the Big 3.

The Tundra is suppose to have a re-do in 2005.

sc0rpi0

$1000 today, then $100 a week from now, so on and so forth, yes, it is a drain. At least with new Taco I know that if there's a problem, it'll be covered by warranty, and even though it's not a good investment, in 3-5 years I'll be able to get back a good percentage of the money.
Besides, I know when I have to mail in payments. Chevy used to just die when it felt like it.

tomh12

Let me be sure I understand this.....You bought a HIGH mileage vehicle from your uncle who had used it HARD ("drove it all over the states, loaded and towing maybe around 80% max payload/tow"). It was approximately what, 7-8 years old with maybe 160,000 miles on it when you got it? And you expect it to be trouble free? You gotta be kidding me! I have a buddy who swears by Toy pick-ups. He has a '92 with 91,000 miles that he's had to replace starter, muffler, clutch, and work on tranny twice...last bill over $1,000.00. Point is very few vehicles of any brand get to 200,000 or even 150,000 without a fair amount of replacement parts. IF serviced properly and not abused, those with well designed engines should make it without an engine overhaul. Short of that, when a vehicle gets to 100,000 miles and 5-6 years old, its going to start needing replacement of some parts, in my experience. If you put another 81,000 miles on that Reliant, you might think the Blazer was pretty reliable after all.
Tom

bamatundra

Tommyboy has a buddy! Everything he says must be true!

Every time you want to reference a statistical analysis such as J.D. Power or Consumer Reports, the Chev boys are outraged. I wonder why? Could it be the lemming effect?

sc0rpi0

I realize that some repairs are required in a vehicle thats old. It's just a matter of how much you are willing to put up with. Spending $500/trip to a mechanic is not justified for me. In the 2 years that blazer has been with us, we've replaced pretty much everything in the truck except the body (which by then has started to rust), and done an engine overhaul. Most other components have been replaced.
For a 7 year old vehicle thats pretty pathetic. Does not go with the image of "tough trucks" that truck makers try to pass onto the public...to me the blazer was "Like a rock. Expensive monthly repairs may apply to keep it tough like a rock."

tomh12

I don't like trips to the mechanic either. Therefore, I don't buy vehicles with 100,000+ miles on them. My point to you was, I do not believe there is any surprise in having the repairs you had on a vehicle with hard, high miles. Sorry you had a bad experience with the Chevy. I have a feeling that Blazer was "rode hard, and put up wet" before you got it.
Tom

quadrunner500

...it reached 193,000 miles. Doesn't sound pathetic. And then..."done an engine overhaul." Question is, why, unless somebody thought it was worth it? Hmmm? Simple fact is, you can't break the 4.3L unless you try. Which is generally the way it happens. People stop changing the oil at some point, or never change the coolant. They get glycol ooze through rotted head gaskets and sludge, something toymota engines are famous for but at a much earlier age.

xyz71

This is too obvious - but a lot depends on how many miles you drive. My brother in law drives a little over 100 miles per day (round trip)- just to get to work. He normally puts on 40K+ per year. At this rate almost every car and truck built today will last past 150K - He normally trades every 3 years - and has never had any major problems. He use to go for a car that got good MPG but since he bought a boat - then an F-150 to pull it- he says he will never go back to the econo box. His 2000 F-150 has over 100K and still runs like new -

dmetzger

My new issue of Motor Trend says that the Tundra will have a one ton model out in 2004. With the new 5.4 litre V-8. Posted 5.3 in error on post 254.

saddaddy

As in a competitor with the 3500s and 350s? WOW, sure that one won't be a 3/4 ton? What else does the magazine say, anything? Did I say WOW?

saddaddy

What issue was that? May?

mrb11

No,no,no,no.no........A one ton with a small block??? What is the matter with Toyota??
I guess I won't live long enough to see that hoped for Toyota big block engine.

dmetzger

Motor Trend had only a brief side article on it. It is the newest issue, which is May, I think. Just got it in the mail last night. I am curious from what my dealer told me about a diesel engine that may end up in it. They said quite a few changes coming in 2004. Other sources were saying a make over in 2005. So who knows. Might just make it that 1/8 bigger with a deeper box.

For me, the size is just right. And no, I do not own one. I do have a, OH GOD, HEAVEN HELP ME, 1996 T100 4X4 SR5 Xtra-cab that has fit my needs. And I do have two boats that I pull with it. 17' Jetboat and a 19' Bayliner. Works fine for me. Maybe not for someone else.

ndahi12

The Japanese big three have just post more profits than the US big three. First time it has happened in 9 years

http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=1859

moose100

I was reading above about truck reliability and wanted to post my experience. I drove a 1986 Toyota 4Runner for over 500,000 kms (300,000 miles)and put a total of $163.00 Canadian into parts, no warranty issues, lots of oil changes, tires, brakes and shocks and regular maintenance items but that was it. Believe me when I traded it in it was worn out, but I still got 40% of what I paid for it new 5 years earlier! The parts replaced were an oil sender unit, a V belt tension bearing and an alternator. When I sold it it did need some work including the first clutch job. Presently I have 2 Dodges with Cummins 2 Chevy crewcabs a 95 Tacoma plus many other heavy machines. I've also had 3 other Toyotas. Every other one of my vehicle requires more per year or more per 10,000 miles than any Toyota I've had! For me it is hard to drive N. American but if you are pulling or loading heavy, Toyota is not quite there yet.

modvptnl

that said "1 TON" on 'em??? They were before the taco.

Pretty sure the tundra being a great midsize will mean the new 1 ton will be a great 1/2 ton. God, I'm confusing myself.

lariat1

I thought the current Tundra was a heavy duty truck? Why would Toyota make a 1 Ton, after all the Tundra has a "standard" towing capacity of 7200# and "standard" payload of 2000#..... oh yeah Toyota also fails to say that their "standard" is also their MAXIMUM.

xyz71

Anyone know what makes makes an engine a "Big Block".

I know the Chevy 396 was considered a BB, but they also made a 400 that (I think) was considered a small block. So it is not cubic inches -

lariat1

I believe to be a big block the engine has to have a stroke that is longer than the diameter of the bore, it could be the other way around but I am not sure.

kg11

You're right.BB has a long stroke producing more torque per cubic inch than a typical "square" engine(bore and stroke about the same) which usually revs quicker and produces better peak HP.
I prefer torque in a truck and HP in a car.

kip

modvptnl

It has NOTHING to do with the bore and stroke ratio.

All the Ford and chevy BB's were oversquare(bigger bore than stroke)

The answer is fairly straightforward in that if a manufacturer has more than 1 distinct engine family one will usually have larger physical block.

Ford has the /289/302/351W/351M/400 which all share identical bore spacing, bore(heads are interchangable with minor mods) and all share motor mount and bellhousing pattern(except 351m/400) These are Ford small blocks.

The FE's 352/360/390/427/428 are one family and are big blocks.

The 385 series 370/429/460 are another family and are also physically bigger blocks.

The chevy family is the same. The 265/283/302/305/350/400 are all small blocks that share bore spacing etc..

The larger block chevies include the 396/402(AKA as a 400) 427/454 and the current 8.1. All the chevy big blocks like the Ford's(except the 8.1) have a larger bore than stroke.

Somebody else can do chrysler...LOL!!!

hillhound

http://www.toyota.com/html/about/news/archive/press_release/manufacturing/docs/2002/20020107_growth.jsp

"Toyota also broke ground this year (June 2001) for a new V8 engine plant, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc. (TMMAL), in Huntsville, Ala. The plant will employ some 350 people and produce 120,000 engines a year beginning in 2003 for the popular, full-size Tundra pick-up truck made exclusively in Princeton, Ind. TMMAL will be the first plant outside of Japan to make V8 engines for the company."

I didn't realize the Tundra's V8 engines were built in Japan.

losangelesemt

Doesn't the 5.3L engine that GM uses in its Rados/Sierras go in the trucks which are considered 1/2 ton (1500s) ??? If so , then how could it be that a similar 5.4L is going to fit the bill in a full 1 ton Toyota ??? I find it hard to believe Chev puts out a 8.1L engine for its muscle, not sure what Dodge/Fords are rated at, and Toyota is going to use a 5.4L for its beef ???

hillhound

http://www.toyota.com/html/about/news/archive/press_release/manufacturing/docs/2002/20020107_growth.jsp

"Toyota also broke ground this year (June 2001) for a new V8 engine plant, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc. (TMMAL), in Huntsville, Ala. The plant will employ some 350 people and produce 120,000 engines a year beginning in 2003 for the popular, full-size Tundra pick-up truck made exclusively in Princeton, Ind. TMMAL will be the first plant outside of Japan to make V8 engines for the company."

I didn't realize the Tundra's V8 engines were built in Japan.

obyone

Mod already covered that subject. For your benefit here is his post.

269 of 277 Does anyone remember the little toys........ by modvptnl Mar 28, 2002 (04:34 pm)
that said "1 TON" on 'em??? They were before the taco.

Pretty sure the tundra being a great midsize will mean the new 1 ton will be a great 1/2 ton. God, I'm confusing myself.

I'm sure we would all like to see exactly what a Toyota 1 ton will look like not to mention its capacity and size.

bamatundra

ObywannaTundra has posted another "Mah truck is biggern' yourn" post. Pathetic.

Why is Oby so insecure about size? Will he ever grow up?

obyone

Just setting the bait in the rat trap...haha!!

dmetzger

I remember the old Toyota one ton Hilux pickup. It came only in two wheel drive. Still don't know how they really could classify it as a one ton. Was it because it had a 2000 lbs hauling capacity?

I figure Toyota will do about the same thing with the Tundra. Put Heavier suspension and axle to rate it higher. Physically, not any bigger truck.

bamatundra

Looks to me like the rat got caught in his own trap. LMFAO!

mrb11

Toyota 1 ton with a 5.4L? It has to be a misprint. I'm sure they meant 7.4L or 8.4L.
Might we have another T100 coming down the road?

bamatundra

Not likely. I think that Toyota is getting the U.S truck market figured out. They already have taken a chunk out of it to the tune of 2.5 million Tundras.

mrb11

Well duh...What was there to figure out. Want big truck! Want big engine!
Toyota 1 ton (true 1 ton we'll see) 5.4L....not big engine!

modvptnl

Quote from blama;

"Not likely. I think that Toyota is getting the U.S truck market figured out. They already have taken a chunk out of it to the tune of 2.5 million Tundras."

How does 100,000 Tundras a year X 2.5 years equal 2.5 million???????

Now we know why blama can't figure out tow ratings!!!

bamatundra

I was only off by a factor of 10! I think it is certain Furd Stuporduty owners that can't figure out tow ratings.

losangelesemt

I saw Mod's post prior to posting that question ... was looking for more of a plausible explanation though lol. I can't say what Mod said wasn't accurate, but I just refuse to believe a 5.4L is going to capture domestic owners who will be used to bigger trucks all the way around.

If you look at the HP ratings of GMs 5.3L vs Toys. 4.7L, you see that when it comes to torque, the 2 are almost identical. I believe its something like 5.3L - 325 HP / 4.7L - 315 HP. I think Toyota is onto something with the DOHC design, in addition to gaining some extra HP due to the smoothness of their engines. With all that said, theres still no way I can see them using a 5.4L to compete with any of the true 1 tons out there. Hope its a misprint.

obyone

Add a supercharger to a Tundra with a 5.4, beef up the springs and hopefully the brakes and there you go a one ton which can haul 2000#. My question is Toyota specs their vehicles different from everyone else. So would it surprise you if the max haul be 2000# to qualify it as a one ton? I think it may have started with the way they measured ground clearance.

eric2001

You fishing for trolls?

bamatundra

So the Chev imp (mascot?) is still on the "Mah Truck is Biggern yours" jag? Maybe someday he will be "full size"? ........ NAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!

Here is a post for your enjoyment:

nomoregm "GM ENGINE KNOCK" Mar 29, 2002 3:54pm

bamatundra

The Tundra is the most capable 1/2 ton pickup out there. If and when Toyota comes out with a 3/4 ton it will also be the most capable.

Trucktrend preferred the Tundra for towing 5000lb over the Whimperado. The Tundra got 3 mpg better mileage towing while embarassing the Whimperado.

Trailerlife hooked up 6500lb and towed through the Sierra Nevadas in mid summer and claimed that the Tundra towed as capably as any of its 1/2 ton counterparts.

When the Tundra can haul and tow just a capably, and be more reliable to boot, Why would anyone want to buy a Big2 truck? Blind brand loyalty?

Now as far as the 1 ton goes, WATCH OUT!

quadrunner500

Code name "Super-Wee"

LMAO!

bamatundra

The two Chev imps, ObywannaTundra and flaprunner are posting the same "Mah truck is biggern yourn" nonsense.

I am having a hard time understanding why two Lemon Chev owners are posting to a Toyota topic bragging about how huge their trucks are. Very Sad. I guess that it is the only thing they can take solice in while they are waiting to get their trucks back from the service department.

What is that? YOu say Obywannatundra has had his Lemonado in the shop over 4 months? He is using this as a sign of Chev quality?

Oh, Well, the imps are entertaining if nothing else.

obyone

trolls like fish are easier caught with the right bait.

I wonder if the Toyota HD would have 20" ground clearance specified by Toyota. Figure it this way. If the Tundra carries its rated weight on its jounce bumpers the 3/4 ton would need more ground clearance to carry a heavier load on its jounce bumpers.

bamatundra

Still floundering around in that rat trap trying to fiqure out what the right bait is? A hint - if you want to fish, you have to be smarter than the fish. In your case, the worms have the upper hand. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

I admit that the six foot ground clearance that your truck has while it is in its usual spot on the service lift is pretty impressive. That's funny - my truck has never been back to the dealer, yours has been in the shop over four months! Go figure.

Now here is the spot where Oby brags about the size of his back seat. Pretty predictable. I swear this guy must be 6" tall. He would make a good model for bowling trophies. Hey Oby - Why don't you try the Tacoma crash test results? LMFAO!

losangelesemt

obyone

Keep trying Bama you may get it one day!! Until then good luck with your jounce bumper hauling Toyota. Bored? Read this...should keep ya busy for awhile.....

cblake2 "Engine Sludge? (Discussion Re-Opened)" Jan 5, 2001 6:13pm

bamatundra

At least we got ObywannaTundra off of the
"my truck is biggern yourn" jag. Maybe he grew up just a little. We can all hope.

Now he is talking about sludge? He can't produce a single Toyota Tundra owner with sludge? Oh well, the Chev imps have to post something even if it is nonsense.

oldharry

A Toyota one ton will do what the tundra did for half tons. Gave the suburban soccer mom a better stereo, nicer seats, and softer ride. Those little soccer players will be thrilled to sit higher and look over the top of the Lexus their dad drives.

Harry

xyz71

I don''t know the exact numbers - but I would guess GM and Ford sell 5 or more 1/2 ton trucks for every 3/4 - 1 ton truck they sell.

Toy sells 100,000 Tundras per year - so if the % remains close - Toy would sell maybe 20,000 1 tons per year.

No way will Toy get into this market - they are smart enough to know it would be a big (one ton) mistake!!