What's new for the 2003 Tundra?

grazkgrazk Member Posts: 18
edited March 2014 in Toyota
Anyone know anything about the 2003 Tundras? I read in Motor Trend magazine that there was supposed to be a significant update and an engine upgrade, but there was no additional info. Any ideas?
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  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    a crew cab? That's a rumor I heard a while back. I also heard the V6 may grow to 3.8L.

    Bob
  • tgravo2tgravo2 Member Posts: 70
    They are showing a stepside version at all the car shows this year, I dont particularly like them though.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    They had the stepside at the chicago autoshow.

    That color of the truck (nice blue) looked real good. very shiny
  • tgravo2tgravo2 Member Posts: 70
    I like the color and design, I just dont particularly like the rims and rear lights. I think they could have fixed that up a little better.
  • jaguar0027jaguar0027 Member Posts: 387
    making the stepside in a 4X4 version as well?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    at the NY auto show on Tuesday. The bed is indeed deeper than the current Tundra, and it appears to be just as wide between the the wheel houses.

    I gotta say, I absolutely hate the gimmicky styling.

    Bob
  • pipesmokerpipesmoker Member Posts: 23
    What's the scoop on when Toyota Tundra will be offered in a TRUE four-(4) door????
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    I believe there was a pic of the step side in one of these threads. Was blue and lowered, and I gotta agree that the gimmick styling was horrible. The tailights, as well as other pieces, looked like they were straight out of the Jetsons, very cartoonish. Can't necessary say the rest of the truck was to my liking but it was different, which is what auto shows thrive on.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    ...it should haul more than the regular tundra, due to the deeper cargo bed. Which by the way, to get that, looks like they slapped fender wells to the outside of the regular width bed, and widened the track, allowed room for the bed to drop down. Agree it sure is ugly, but probably more useful.
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    I agree, plug ugly. I never have liked newer stepsides. The stepsides from the 50's are another matter - beautiful!

    I like the fact that Toyota kept it full size by not compromising bed width. The tail lights are hideous!

    If I was going to buy a stepside, I would spend $5-10K on a 50's model Chevy or Ford.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is spot on; it's a great idea. Unfortunately every late-model stepside out there is nothing but a joke. The "step" is 1/3 the way up the rear fender, which makes it useless. GM, Ford, and now Toyota too, took a great idea, and screwed it up with their execution.

    Bob
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    I have stepside on mine. Step right up on the rear tire. Works for me.
  • plutoniousplutonious Member Posts: 799
    because when you load/unload a boat on the ramp, it allows you to get from the truck's cabin to the bed without getting in the water. That's the only useful aspect of the stepside I can think of.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    it's just the execution of today's stepsides that's bad. The step should be at or near the bottom of the rear fender, just like they were 40 years ago.

    I'm 57, and my old body doesn't work like it used to, so I'm looking for something that's easy to use. Steps that are high on the fender just don't cut it for me.

    Bob
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    Quad is right, the best stepside is the tire. My daughter has been climbing in the bed since she was 5. She uses the inside of the rim as the first step, the top of the tire as the second, and then she easily steps into the bed.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    works if the rim is designed so that your foot can find a place to to step. With some rims, that may not be possible, especially if you have a large foot. Also this may require a bit more dexterity and effort for someone who is older and/or less nimble (such as myself).

    I still say a properly "located" fender step is the best answer.

    Bob
  • riffderekriffderek Member Posts: 2
    The stepside is more of a flair side in the Tundra. No bed space is lost on this stepside. How do i know? My father works at the Toyota plant in gibson county Indiana. As far as looks go, i've seen it close up. It is amazing! Best damn looking truck i've seen in years and I'm used to seeing Chevys in my family. If you go to www.toyota.com you can see the concept which is a little different from what they will really produce. In the pic you see the truck is lowered 4" and has cool 17" rims and a painted grill (also special shocks). The stepside will only be available in extended cab which is perfect for me. The stepside will not come out of the factory lowered with the cool wheels and grill. You can get this package by ordering it special through the dealer and right after it gets off the line, toyota has a specialty company change the suspension, grill, and wheels. I would definitely buy this over a regular tundra
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    Isn't that the same design they pulled out in the Detroit auto show or somewhere recently. The lowered blue one that looked quite cartoonish. It's definitely a different idea for Toyota, but the tailights looked like something off the Jetsons lol. Maybe if the factory version isn't as gimmicky looking, it might be worth a try.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I saw the concept truck in person at the NY auto show. Sorry, but it's not to my taste.

    I did like, however the deeper pickup bed.

    I'd much rather see Toyota do a full-crew cab on the Tundra.

    Bob
  • tgravo2tgravo2 Member Posts: 70
    I did see a post on edmunds somewhere and someone said they are supposed to be coming out with a crew cab Tundra. I forgot what board I saw it under, if I find it I will let you know.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    It's been rumored for a while. I just wish it would get here. I've heard that it may come out as a Tundra HD (3/4 ton?). So, if not for '03, then by '04 for sure.

    Bob
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    Didn't your "Toyota can't build trucks" topic just get shut down? What are you doing here? Just curious.
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    Why are the farmers posting in a Tundra topic. We all know theres no Tundras on the farm !!! Maybe they mistook this topic for whats new for the barn. Good luck on .... blah blah
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    I guess that Libby uses her Big2 p/u to plow her fields. It is too bad that she can't use the Tundra for plowin'.
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    Same farmer, different Edmunds username. What that had to do with the 03 Tundra, not sure. Not to mention its pretty bad when an American magazine .. CR , recommends primarily import cars over domestics in its latest used car survey. There doesn't seem to be many Tundra owners looking to switch to GM/Ford/Dodge, but there sure seems to be a lot more domestics, looking into the upcoming 03 Tundra.

    BTW - Thanks to PF for pulling the E brake on the Toyota can't build trucks thread. It's just the same farmer with nothing better to do, probably because his big2 is broke down on the ranch. When Toyota gets to the top of the American market, we'll see who's lacking in truck quality.
  • kg11kg11 Member Posts: 530
    I've seen that same character here 3 or 4 times and always claiming to be "Bob Jones".Whoever it is needs new material cuz thier one joke is getting pretty well worn.They've obviously never owned a toyota or driven a jeep trail.Just becuase Toy never made a big truck don't mean they don't make good little ones.

    As for you asking him(her?) "What are you doing here?"The answer should be obvious to you.What do you do in the GM pages?I don't recall seeing you offer any constructive advice but you spend a lot of energy there.

    kip
  • kg11kg11 Member Posts: 530
    What did a Toyota ever do to you?Just becuase you never tried to work one don't mean it can't be done.I'm not a fan of the tundra but Tacoma gets it's 190 horses to the dirt better than anything else street leagal on the market today.I sold mine a few months ago with 106k HARD miles on it and it was like new(except for a few scratches and small dents).There was ALWAYS 1000 lb in the bed and I towed a 4000lb ski boat with it 1000-1500 mi a year.

    kip
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    Very well said there KG
  • kg11kg11 Member Posts: 530
    My Dad has a '47 Power Wagon that's been around the block more times than the ice cream truck,but I rebuilt the flat head 6 in it once and he did it twice.Nothing can go wrong on it cuz there aint nothin on it.The same is probably true for your '53 chevy.As a tool you've got your money's worth a long time ago ,but is it what you drive when you dress up and go dancing?Do you take it to the grocery store or drop the kids off at school?My CJ2 is the best off road vehicle I've ever driven but I don't use it for anything else and I've done a lot of work on it in the last 28 years.
    Most pickups sold today are used as a family car and only worked occasionally.If you want something to work hard every day I would never recomend a toyota or ANY 1/2 ton on the market.The're ALL cars.

    kip
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    Man (UN)Truthteller, you crack me up. Been away from this site for a couple days and pow! Instant entertainment. Anyways, whatcha doing typing on a comp'tr ? Shouldn't you be plow'n the fields or milking the cows or some'n? Truth be told truthteller, I don't think you can afford a brand spanking new ANYTHING including a forien (sic)brand. You gots new (or relatively new) truck envy! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    We are NOT going to start this battle up again.


    We KNOW who likes what brands of trucks and it's obvious that nobody is changing their mind.


    Arguing about it and taking personal shots at each other is NOT "entertainment" and is not approriate behavior in Town Hall.




    PF Flyer

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    Pickups & News & Views Message Boards

  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    Lol wheels
  • ricschricsch Member Posts: 540
    I was at a Toyota dealer last weekend (looking at Corollas for my sister) and asked out of curiosity if the Tundra would be getting a larger Access cab, or the double cab, and the salesman said possibly sometime in '03, as a '04 model, if you can believe a salesman.
  • rosey4rosey4 Member Posts: 42
    I read in Motortrend magazine that the 2003 Toyota will build a Stepside version, which I've seen pictures of, but they also plan to build a heavy duty crew cab. A double cab similar to the Tacoma. I've spoken to several sales people who tell me it will be a 2003 model. Does anyone know whether it will be out in early or midyear?
  • pompinopompino Member Posts: 7
    I am waiting for the 03' because there is "suppose" to be a color change.The Tundra gets the Camry colors Salsa Red,Aspen Green,Strato Blue and Phantom Grey.I have my 93 little Toyota truck and I promised the wife I would keep it for 10 years.The crew cab wont be out until 04'.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Camry colors you say....
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    haha

    obyone behave

    hey whats that silver color on the 00 camrys? My grandpa is having paint problems
  • pompinopompino Member Posts: 7
    Just another Tundra rumor but I still would like to see a brown color,LIGHT BROWN!!
  • bob259bob259 Member Posts: 280
    Any updates on when the 2003's will be available and/or dealers able to order?
  • sbell4sbell4 Member Posts: 446
    SR5 COLORS
    Natural White
    Silver Sky (NEW)
    Phantom Gray
    Black
    Salsa Red (NEW)
    Desert Sand
    Imperial Jade
    Stratosphere
    LIMITED COLORS (NEW)
    Natural White
    Phantom Gray (NEW)
    Black
    Salsa Red
    Imperial Jade

    2003 stepside will be its own model number (7726,7728 for 4x2 and 7826,7828 4x4) both are available in V6 and V8 and it will be for September delivery

    2004 will be the Tundra doublecab and it will have the full size bed. (2004 info is always subject to change)
  • xyz71xyz71 Member Posts: 179
    When you say the 2004 double cab will have a full size bed - do you mean same as the current Tundra or full size as in F-150 / Silverado / Ram size?
  • johnxyzjohnxyz Member Posts: 94
    Is Toyota considering adopting the Sequoia coil spring rear suspension for the '03/'04 Tundra?

    Thanks, John
  • sbell4sbell4 Member Posts: 446
    xyz71, 6 foot bed that is on the Tundra now. Not the 8 foot bed ont the regualr cab.

    johnxyz, I havn't heard anything about changing the rear suspension.
  • rosey4rosey4 Member Posts: 42
    I've seen a picture of the step side version of the 2003 Toyota Tundra, but nothing of the double cab Tundra. Motortrend says Toyota plans to come out with the heavy duty crew cab in 2003, but Toyota isn't saying anything. A few sales people have told me the double cab will be a 2003 model. Does anyone know for sure?
  • lustofinlustofin Member Posts: 1
    I am buying the 03 Tundra and have narrowed my choices to white or black. My bad boy side tells me black but my practical side screams white. If you own one of those colors, would you change anything? Thanks in advance!
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    I had a black nissan pu before that. If you don't mind washing the black one every week, then it's ok. Also scratches show up on the black fairly easily. But when you got it shinin real good, its a nice site! The white is great also it's not bright white, sorta off whitish.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    a pearl white. Other than that, black is the way to go.
  • billclinebillcline Member Posts: 1
    Just wondering if anyone has heard anything new about the 2003 Tundra? In paticular the double cab like the Tacoma.

    Bill-
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    Looks like the doublecab Tundra will be introduced in '04, possibly with a higher horse V8. See www.tundrasolutions.com for more info.
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