OK Dave, you went out and got that bad boy 6.0 when it came out. You going to go get a 8.1/Allison to do your haulin' now???
Hey, what mods did you put on your Vortec 350 you had? i've bought a '98 CC with 5.7, and was wondering about exhaust mods, maybe even hypertech, if i think its worth it.
I will wait for the 2002 HD 3/4 ton 8.1... I had dual 40 series Flowmasters and HPPIII on my 96 5.7 ..skip the Hypertec and get some headers and Gibson exhaust that should do you right ...
The Tundra is the most competent light duty pick up on the market. They are a bit smaller in size but the quality is evident everywhere you look and with Toyota reliability, should last a long time.
Toyota has been making great trucks for over 40 years and they are sold around the world. They are a highly respected company and they turn out high quality and reliable products. Be thankful that they came to the USA....otherwise, we would still have crappy quality vehicles. Everyone benefited from the Japanese products, even those that haven't owned one.
I never debated that they were a bad truck, but no better than any of the big 3 trucks in reliability or quality, they have less options available, they are much smaller, and cost way more.
The two Toyota's I had were good trucks for what they were, but were more trouble and cost me more money than any of the GM trucks I have owned. The GM trucks have given me much more use also.
Not bashing Toyota. I just know that the Toyota superiority thing is a myth. I guess all that Toyota quality is reason that Toyota only sells a very small fraction of the trucks sold compared to the big 3.
The Toyota bashers have gotten me going. I am starting to sound just like them. God help me.
I know the Toyotas use goldplated parts when it comes to prices, but I'm interested to know what problems you had with them and how you were using them. The only compaint I've ever seen on a toyota truck is the output on the engines, and for city driving thats not really an issue (gridlock), and I haven't seen anything else.
If I give my personal experience with Toyota trucks and 1 car, am I going to be labeled further as a Toyota basher. Someone else asked me about what problems I had with the Toyota's I had owned. I gave my experience without any bashing or disrespect. I even went further and explained that part of my point has been that even though I personally had problems with Toyota, it hasn't made me Toyota bitter. It hasn't forced me to come to the Toyota topics to bash Toyota owners and their trucks. I still don't think that Toyota is a bad or poorly made vehicle. I don't claim any big 3 superiority either. However, I know that Toyota doesn't have any more reliability or quality advantage than any of the big three. It may seem like it because there are far more big 3 vehicles sold. Toyota owners seem to be quick to [non-permissible content removed] about a single bad experience with an American make and then forever bash the vehicle, claim that America builds junk cars, and go off an a tangent about how superior their Toyota's are. All the while, you ask them to elaborate in mechanical detail how their Tundra's design is superior to the big 3 designs, why they are supposedly more reliable and higher quality, and none of them can, because they don't really know. They bought based on past false reputation and what they read in the marketing brochures for the Tundra.
A good salesman can sell a pile of [non-permissible content removed] in an ice-cream shop. Not saying the Tundra is a pile of [non-permissible content removed], mind you, but the old myth of reliability advantage and marketing ploys are what sell this truck, not a true advantage over the big 3.
I learned to drive in a Corvair, then I was given the Vega (since no one else liked it) to drive, then I bought my "dream" car, a 73 MACH 1, BOSS 302 Mustang, boy did I pay dearly for all the parts that died on that car. I loved the way it ran but it cost me more in repairs than the cost of the car. Thats when I decided I wasn't a rich kind of guy who had a personal mechanic and parts warehouse so I went with honda's and toyota's ever since...
when it comes to quality and reliabilty, I just compare the wiring, belts, plastics, fasteners, welds, fit of panels, buttons, seals.......THEN I test drive it and let me tell you, you don't need to be a claravoyant to tell the diference between a quality car and some of the garbage coming out. So back to my original question before I wander off here: I'm interested to know what problems you had with them and how you were using them, to see if it's something I've come across before.
93 Camry - continually chewed up flywheels and starters. Nobody ever could figure out why. Idle vibrated the whole car. Ran very rough. I bought the car new. A "rebuilt" starter was $120, a comparable "new" domestic starter was $40. Flywheel and labor if outside of warranty, over $700.00! There were various other annoying things about the car, but not worth talking about. The Toyota owners here at Edmunds seem to equate annoyances like a rattle or a door squeak as a problem. I don't see it like that. The camry had those types of annoyances, but it was not really a problem.
Trucks. The trucks were good trucks, but both had the head gaskets go out and spent about 8 weeks in the shop to get replaced due to the line of customers with the same problem waiting to be repaired. That Toyota head gasket problem spanned many years of the 6 cyl trucks made. Why could they not rectify the problem within so many model years? A 97 model was the last model I had and it had the problem. I heard of the problem in even some of the 99 models like one of by best friends Tacoma 4X4 TRD.
Nothing heart stopping, but enough to know that Toyota is no less prone to problems and lack of customer concern than GM, Ford or Dodge. They all have their problems. Just because you had problems with domestics, doesn't mean they are junk. I had problems with Toyota's, but don't consider them junk still.
The American car industry had some admitted quality issues back 10-15 years ago. That is when the imports started getting some of the American car buying business and how they built a "reputation" for having a better made product. That "reputation" of being of higher quality does not exist today as the domestics have stepped up to the plate and equaled the playing fields. They have done an excellent job of improving quality and service. The import and domestic reliability differences are almost a complete stalemate today.
Another thing, what import owners equate to "reliability" are not issues of cars and trucks completely breaking down. They equate reliability to the whiny little annoyances that are inherent in all makes to deal with.
I have owned many many domestic vehicles and I have NEVER walked because of ANY complete breakdown in over 16 years.
When I bought the Toyota trucks, it was not due to wanting a "more reliable" truck. My need was they had the most hp and tq in a small truck (at that time) with a comparison also to fuel economy. They were both secondary transportation for mostly highway driving. I still had my full size GM trucks for what I "really" use a truck for. I have worked my GM trucks, actually overloaded them many times, and I have never been left stranded. They have always cost less in purchase and always had fewer repairs of actual problems than the two Toyota trucks. Repairs of basic things that go out on both imports and domestics, not even including engines and transmissions, are much more expensive to replace and repair. The aftermarket parts going on imports are no more reliable than domestics either. Often times, the same company makes the parts for both, but every time, the import part is more expensive and is made in the same US plant. Explain that one.
My whole issue is that I get tired of coming here to gather "useful" information, only read a bunch of school kids bashing each other about who's truck is better. It has even started to rub off on me. I guess I "am" being run out of here, which I know will make the Toyota buttheads causing all the trouble, very happy. I really thought that even acting alone, I may be able to get these topics back to useful conversing again, but I find myself retaliating and bringing myself down to their elementary level, so I think I am going to leave these topics now for some meaningful info in other topics.
I bought that choice, the Chevy Silverado. Even if quality and reliability were the only issues, lets say it was a commuter truck only, I still could not say that it would be the Tundra I would buy. It is more expensive, less options available, smaller.
It has not been out but since July 99 and it hasn't proven any less problematic than the Silverado has. There "ARE" many owners that aren't as satisfied as what they claim, regardless of what people want to believe. They aren't about to let anyone here know about any problems or dislikes. That would mean they would have to eat crow and save face.
Truth is, the Tundra has not been around long enought to claim any superiority, even if it is a more quality truck. You can't even claim superiority based on past Toyota models, because it is a whole new truck with the exception of the transfer case and transmission taken from the older brothers.
There are just as many reported problems with the Toyota as are with the Silverado and with the Silverado, you get more for the money. I would say about the same for the Dodge and Ford trucks too, not just GM.
I won't ever say that Toyota does not make a good truck, just not any better than any of the domestic trucks and for the money, you get more truck with the domestics. That is not to say that it will always be this way. In a couple of years, Toyota may better compete in all areas, not just the one area every Toyota owner buy's on, the myth of superiority. If Toyota brings to the table all the available engine, transmission, and accessory options, at a more competitive price tag, I will seriously consider one. Until then, I refuse to buy a truck based on past reliability reputation alone.
I have not had any problems with my new Silverado. All of what you hear about the Silverado is bunched into one area of Edmunds, mainly the vibration issue. The vibration issue is no more severe than the Tundra's and it is isolated to the 2WD trucks. My 4X4 has not had ANY vibration. The only thing I have had done is the intermediate steering shaft replaced. There was a Recall for all the GM trucks to have it replaced. It was not safety or reliability related. It had the "possibility" of the torque of the bolts being incorrect and could "possibly" loosen over time.
That is it. I get better gas mileage than the Tundra. I have more room than the Tundra, both interior and in the bed. I have more options and choices than the Tundra, like a locking differential. Tundra can't be had in the access cab with a long bed. I don't quite understand why they missed the boat there. There are many reasons that the Tundra just doesn't compare to the full size trucks yet. If you don't have a need for the things I mention and you don't mind paying the money as if you got those options when you didn't, by all means, the Tundra is a good truck to buy.
Just the thought of a GM product sends shivers down my spine, I rebuilt that Vega engine 5 (five) times, then I put an ad in the paper "first $100 takes it". So Ford is what I've been comparing the Tundra too and if I could just get the same feeling of confidence in the Fords as I do the Toyota's I'd buy one. But the postings here are showing some serious issues with the Fords, and in terms of trucks my opinion is Toyota and Ford make the "toughest trucks", in my opinion.
Not for nothing but what makes you think your Tundra is gonna be more reliable than any of the Big3.I know it uses a lot of parts from the Tacoma which really aren't meant for a big truck, plus they've been all sorts of problems already with the Tundra,You know once your warranty runs out those parts are awfully expensive and some of your truck is made in the USA which in the minds of you Toyota owners is a bad thing.
On the Toyota's even the smallest part is of top quality, minutia such as the techniques for wiring are handled expertly, doors that close smoothly/effortlessly, buttons that last longer than the vehicle, etc....Give me a GM product that does that and I'll buy it cash...
I own a Tundra but if I needed a real HEAVY-DUTY work truck($30k), I'd have to go with a Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4. I'm NOT saying it hauls the most or tows the most but it will do just about anything you need it to do and looks awesome, too.
P.S. We have never had ANY problems with our '98 F150.
"Edmunds had problems engaging 4wd on their Ranger with their long term test, and it was less than less than one year old.
True story- I had to clear my property out, so I went to rent a 4x4 Ranger, the first one wouldn't go into drive, the second one slipped as soon as I got to the light. The third one finally worked until I got to the property.
When I got there, I stopped and put it in park, switched it to low 4x4 and started doing the work. The next day it didn't want to go into 4x4 until about the 4th try and by the end of the day gave out altogether. All 3 trucks had less than 10000 miles and looked brand new.
My friends with 4x4 Rangers tell me they've been taking theirs's to the dealers for the same type of problems, and I've seen several postings. One owner posted: "My 94 Ranger use to also have this problem, and so does my friends 94 Explorer Sport. It eventually goes into 4wd, but not always one the first try..."
Gm is the largest auto company in the world followed by Ford then Toyota I did not know that and the US is the largest auto market followed by Japan.
I had a 96 Mazda B4000 4x4 never had a problem with the electronic 4 wheel drive.It was the 4.0 with a 5 speed the only drawbacks was passing power over 65 on the highway.It did actually like to go with a full bed of junk though.
Dude, you're complaining about a rental. Come on. I bet no one ever changed the oil in that thing by the time you got it. I can just imagine how many previous renters thought it would be cool to engage the 4x4 charging down the freeway at 70. Who cares, it's not their truck.
Having said that, I am sort of dubious of those push button transfer cases. I'm glad Dodge still uses a real mechanical one. But, the way things are going, with modern technology and all, they'll probably go push button in their redesign in a few years.
First off there was no Boss 302 Mustang in '73. Only '69 and '70. Second, my first car, a '71 Toy Corolla needed a rebuild at about 100k, after 3 attempts at finding an oil pump the foreign parts store gave me a '69 pump that fit, said it was typical that Toy would exhaust all parts supply before re-tooling. The drive shaft weights fell off and the car felt like it was a paint shaker.
My point? Are all Toy's junk because of an early '70's experience? Not at all. Now explain away Toy Starlets that need carb rebuilds that cost more than the car is worth, rusting sheet metal before Toy discovered galvanized metal, let's not forget head gaskets.
Of course American cars have their problems but please don't give us the Toyota holier than though attitude, it just aint so.
I dont know what it was built with, but thats what it had when I got it...with the air foil wing on the back and the skirt up front...when I took it in at one of the local mechanic shops, he claims "kids" stripped the engine while it sat out front overnite (he knew how much it was worth), luckily "he" left the engine block but I had already spent so much money on it, that was the last straw....
Ford Mustang Mach I with a BOSS 302 in it if you want the exact "name", the 302 was a BOSS 302 with a 4 barrel Holley carb and special intakes and exaust headers...I put the other Mach I's to shame in any race.....it was a "dream car"....
I think it's First On Race Day!! Sorry 'bout your problems with Fords. I've been just the opposite. The one Toy I had was nothing to write home about, my GMC truck had a ton of repairs and my Fords have been very trouble free. So I guess it's personal experiences that make up people's minds about brand loyalty.
Not arguing with you about your Boss motor, it may have been added later because it was not available in '73. The Boss motor was much more than intake and carb. It had a 4 bolt main block with screw in freeze plugs(still sought out today for real hi-perf build ups) It also had the Cleveland style heads with canted valves which was the only Windsor block to use those heads. They had gigantic valves for a 302(2.08 intakes) which actually made them more of a high horsepower, lower torque motor. Bad for the drag strip good for the road course like the Trans AM series. In other words a 302 with intake and carb did not make it a Boss.
on the oil covers and the carb covers and the intake & heads looked diferent than the LTDII 302 and of course the carb and exaust. I dont recall the engine block details, but I talked to my Ford guy and he said you could special order the MACH I with a BOSS 302 for the 71-73 models. If we got any Mustang specialists out there, maybe they would know a little better.
I was about to say the same thing. Who is even talking about the corvair? Just about every GM owner here today will admit that the corvair was junk. Every make has had a faiure in their lineup at some point and I agree that the Toyota "Tercel" was a flop piece of junk from day one. I can relate to the same things on it that you mentioned in your post. Even the camry, supposedly the highest volume selling import car, gave me many problems. I don't say this to belittle Toyota or say they are all junk, but to say that just because GM put out a piece back in the 70's, doesn't mean what they build now is junk.
As far as your post reddogs on the wiring, the new Silverado has only 5 wiring splices on the whole truck. That is down from over 100 on similar model trucks. I am not sure about the Tundra, never checked. May be something you would like to find out. Fewer splices = fewer possibilities for failure and high resistance points.
You forgot the most accurate one; C cheap F for M my H highly O off O old E embarrassing R road P Plymouth V vehicle D duty A aint R runs R running O on L luck E every T time
Reddogs I am a Mustang expert(just ask me!!!) the only Boss after '70 was 351 I'll double check on the Boss 429 even though I know the CJ and SCJ were available in 429. THERE WAS NO BOSS 302 FROM THE FACTORY AFTER '70. Sorry for yelling.
I'm not talking as in the model BOSS 302, it was a MACH I mustang with a BOSS 302 engine, now my Ford guy tells me one of his friends had a MACH I with the BOSS 302 in it which was from the factory. So what I want to know is could the 'BOSS 302 engine' be special ordered in the 71-73'MACH I' mustang which is what I suspect this one was. It had almost as much horsepower (if not more) as the straight 351 Cleveland because those were the ones I sought out to race.
Again it's possible that motor was installed after the fact but Ford didn't make a Boss 302 after '70. It wasn't available in any model lineup so it couldn't be "special" ordered. I have a half dozen Ford specific books, I will research it further. But '69 and '70 was it and even '69, even though it was a Boss, used the Hi-Perf. tunnel port block which led to the true Boss block in '70. Thanks for keeping it civil.
Now I gotta go pull the books and do the research.... I could be wrong, but let me double-check my sources and dig up some mummified Ford reference books, I might even have the original car manual in the attic somewhere. I never even thought twice about the "BOSS" series, they were competing with the chevy "SS" series which was highly popular at that time. Am I showing my age or what....
Good post. I know you saw the "listed for '71 but dropped for production" double asterisk. Boy was I wrong on them valve sizes when I said 2.08 on the intake. Can you believe my Big Block Chevy 502 boat motor has about the same size intake valves as that 302? I will admit everything I've read said they were dogs off the line due to those huge intake valves but they did make some top end horsepower. Don't forget there also was a Boss 351 for a couple of those years('71) later called the H.O. in '72. My Ford Racing Parts catalog also says the 351 could be a Cobra Jet in '71 with open chambered heads and 4 bolt mains. We better stop before some of these truck guys get pissed we're off topic.
Where's the love, man. I get no credit for coming up with that link. I was hoping that you could sneak it in that I found the info for you. I love this old engine talk.
"I think (key word think) Ford waited until the very last moment and made the decision to scrap the boss 302 program and go ahead with a limited run Boss 351 using the standard 300 hp Cleveland with solid lifters and higher compression. By then, it is possible that Ford had actually begun production of pieces that would eventually form the 71 Boss 302. We have all seen the pics in Farr's book of the 71 Boss 302 decals. "
I'm getting close....here's more:
"Ford went so far as to create finished print and outdoor ads touting the '71 Boss 302 -- that's how close it came to regular production. Considering how close it came to production, is it possible a few Boss 302's actually escaped from the factory and somehow ended up in the hands of a select few? They made "BOSS" 351 engines for the 71's but I can't find any "BOSS 302's"(see below): The engine codes on the 71's, the 5th digit shows it in the VIN.
But you're talking about a '73 that you had . So I'll stand by my original guess and say that your motor was installed after the fact since you're sure it was a Boss motor. One terrible thing about Ford history is in '71 they pulled all factory backing for any form of racing. They figured they'd won everything there was to win; Le Mans, Nascar, drag racing, Trans Am, etc. BTW the Corral site you and bigsnag mentioned is where I spend half my internet time, it's got a lot of Ford/Mustang info.
I saw 1971 MACH I and remembered that it was, but I haven't found the VIN number yet... I've had so many cars the years get dyslexic on me, but this "BOSS 302" thing has really got my goat...
The LTD II papers say it was a 1977 demo with a 302 and thats when I got mine, so that means I must've had mine from 77-81 or thereabouts making it at least a 5 year old car when I got it...so it could have gone through more than one owner when I got it but it was in top shape with the exception of the transmission so the dealer gave it to me wholesale $900....
....yes youngin's, cars use to sold below $10,000 used, a long long long time ago......
Are you still talking about the Mustang? What trans. are you talking about and what was wrong with it? I'm trying to keep these ?'s out of Toy V. Ranger so as not to upset the flow of info there. On one of your sites I looked over some one stated that even if the Boss would have been introduced in '71 it would have been a coupe. My guess was that to try to keep it competitive in Trans Am the coupe was probably lighter than that new fastback body style (Mach 1/ sportsroof) which was considered to be a tank among Mustangs.
"short hairs", I could have never described the engine unless I had actually seen it so the 302 boys know I'm not pulling their leg. But they can't figure out how I got it unless the factory did a few for the auto shows or had enough engines made so you could special order it. Now I know it was a "BOSS 302" not a 351 because I came across a "BOSS 351", but it was in such bad shape he could not race it. Also the labels were from factory not add ons or something and everyone always commented on the diference from the regular 302. If I had known it was a 'one of a kind' I might have treated it diferently, but being a typical teenager I never gave it a second thought....such is life....
"Well I'm gonna tell you fellows something that may flip your gascaps or it may not, but this car was a 71 MACH I FASTBACK with an ORIGINAL "BOSS 302", the engine was not added in later, nor was one yanked and a 70 "BOSS 302" fitted in by some backyard mechanic. That engine was put in either by a FORD specialist or for the autoshow or by some genius who didn't cut or splice a single wire/hose/connection to get it in and used ALL ORIGINAL FORD parts and factory labels...... .....from the info I've gotten so far they have described the engine to a tee as a "BOSS 302", now the mystery to be solved is how it got in there and by whom. Once I dig up my VIN number you might have to change your heading to "1969-1971 MUSTANG/COUGARS BOSS 302 REGISTRY"...."
Better yet is the super duty 421 or even the super duty 455 motors from Pontiac. Yep wish I had kept the 74 Trans Am with the 455, but I still have the 421 GP. Real wood and real chrome.
Comments
Hey, what mods did you put on your Vortec 350 you had? i've bought a '98 CC with 5.7, and was wondering about exhaust mods, maybe even hypertech, if i think its worth it.
cdean
The two Toyota's I had were good trucks for what they were, but were more trouble and cost me more money than any of the GM trucks I have owned. The GM trucks have given me much more use also.
Not bashing Toyota. I just know that the Toyota superiority thing is a myth. I guess all that Toyota quality is reason that Toyota only sells a very small fraction of the trucks sold compared to the big 3.
The Toyota bashers have gotten me going. I am starting to sound just like them. God help me.
Toyota owners seem to be quick to [non-permissible content removed] about a single bad experience with an American make and then forever bash the vehicle, claim that America builds junk cars, and go off an a tangent about how superior their Toyota's are. All the while, you ask them to elaborate in mechanical detail how their Tundra's design is superior to the big 3 designs, why they are supposedly more reliable and higher quality, and none of them can, because they don't really know. They bought based on past false reputation and what they read in the marketing brochures for the Tundra.
A good salesman can sell a pile of [non-permissible content removed] in an ice-cream shop. Not saying the Tundra is a pile of [non-permissible content removed], mind you, but the old myth of reliability advantage and marketing ploys are what sell this truck, not a true advantage over the big 3.
problems you had with them and how you were using
them, to see if it's something I've come across before.
Flywheel and labor if outside of warranty, over $700.00!
There were various other annoying things about the car, but not worth talking about. The Toyota owners here at Edmunds seem to equate annoyances like a rattle or a door squeak as a problem. I don't see it like that. The camry had those types of annoyances, but it was not really a problem.
Trucks. The trucks were good trucks, but both had the head gaskets go out and spent about 8 weeks in the shop to get replaced due to the line of customers with the same problem waiting to be repaired. That Toyota head gasket problem spanned many years of the 6 cyl trucks made. Why could they not rectify the problem within so many model years? A 97 model was the last model I had and it had the problem. I heard of the problem in even some of the 99 models like one of by best friends Tacoma 4X4 TRD.
Nothing heart stopping, but enough to know that Toyota is no less prone to problems and lack of customer concern than GM, Ford or Dodge. They all have their problems. Just because you had problems with domestics, doesn't mean they are junk. I had problems with Toyota's, but don't consider them junk still.
The American car industry had some admitted quality issues back 10-15 years ago. That is when the imports started getting some of the American car buying business and how they built a "reputation" for having a better made product. That "reputation" of being of higher quality does not exist today as the domestics have stepped up to the plate and equaled the playing fields. They have done an excellent job of improving quality and service. The import and domestic reliability differences are almost a complete stalemate today.
Another thing, what import owners equate to "reliability" are not issues of cars and trucks completely breaking down. They equate reliability to the whiny little annoyances that are inherent in all makes to deal with.
I have owned many many domestic vehicles and I have NEVER walked because of ANY complete breakdown in over 16 years.
When I bought the Toyota trucks, it was not due to wanting a "more reliable" truck. My need was they had the most hp and tq in a small truck (at that time) with a comparison also to fuel economy.
They were both secondary transportation for mostly highway driving. I still had my full size GM trucks for what I "really" use a truck for. I have worked my GM trucks, actually overloaded them many times, and I have never been left stranded. They have always cost less in purchase and always had fewer repairs of actual problems than the two Toyota trucks. Repairs of basic things that go out on both imports and domestics, not even including engines and transmissions, are much more expensive to replace and repair. The aftermarket parts going on imports are no more reliable than domestics either. Often times, the same company makes the parts for both, but every time, the import part is more expensive and is made in the same US plant. Explain that one.
My whole issue is that I get tired of coming here to gather "useful" information, only read a bunch of school kids bashing each other about who's truck is better. It has even started to rub off on me. I guess I "am" being run out of here, which I know will make the Toyota buttheads causing all the trouble, very happy. I really thought that even acting alone, I may be able to get these topics back to useful conversing again, but I find myself retaliating and bringing myself down to their elementary level, so I think I am going to leave these topics now for some meaningful info in other topics.
It has not been out but since July 99 and it hasn't proven any less problematic than the Silverado has. There "ARE" many owners that aren't as satisfied as what they claim, regardless of what people want to believe. They aren't about to let anyone here know about any problems or dislikes. That would mean they would have to eat crow and save face.
Truth is, the Tundra has not been around long enought to claim any superiority, even if it is a more quality truck.
You can't even claim superiority based on past Toyota models, because it is a whole new truck with the exception of the transfer case and transmission taken from the older brothers.
There are just as many reported problems with the Toyota as are with the Silverado and with the Silverado, you get more for the money.
I would say about the same for the Dodge and Ford trucks too, not just GM.
I won't ever say that Toyota does not make a good truck, just not any better than any of the domestic trucks and for the money, you get more truck with the domestics.
That is not to say that it will always be this way. In a couple of years, Toyota may better compete in all areas, not just the one area every Toyota owner buy's on, the myth of superiority.
If Toyota brings to the table all the available engine, transmission, and accessory options, at a more competitive price tag, I will seriously consider one. Until then, I refuse to buy a truck based on past reliability reputation alone.
I have not had any problems with my new Silverado. All of what you hear about the Silverado is bunched into one area of Edmunds, mainly the vibration issue. The vibration issue is no more severe than the Tundra's and it is isolated to the 2WD trucks. My 4X4 has not had ANY vibration. The only thing I have had done is the intermediate steering shaft replaced. There was a Recall for all the GM trucks to have it replaced. It was not safety or reliability related. It had the "possibility" of the torque of the bolts being incorrect and could "possibly" loosen over time.
That is it. I get better gas mileage than the Tundra. I have more room than the Tundra, both interior and in the bed. I have more options and choices than the Tundra, like a locking differential. Tundra can't be had in the access cab with a long bed. I don't quite understand why they missed the boat there.
There are many reasons that the Tundra just doesn't compare to the full size trucks yet. If you don't have a need for the things I mention and you don't mind paying the money as if you got those options when you didn't, by all means, the Tundra is a good truck to buy.
P.S. We have never had ANY problems with our '98 F150.
"Edmunds had problems engaging 4wd on their Ranger
with their long term test, and it was less than
less than one year old.
True story- I had to clear my property out, so I
went to rent a 4x4 Ranger, the first one
wouldn't go into drive, the second one slipped as
soon as I got to the light. The third one finally
worked until I got to the property.
When I got there, I stopped and put it in park,
switched it to low 4x4 and started doing the work.
The next day it didn't want to go
into 4x4 until about the 4th try and by the end of
the day gave out altogether. All 3 trucks had less
than 10000 miles and looked brand new.
My friends with 4x4 Rangers tell me they've been
taking theirs's to the dealers for the same type
of problems, and I've seen several postings. One
owner posted: "My 94 Ranger use to also have this
problem, and so does my friends 94 Explorer Sport.
It eventually goes into 4wd, but not always one
the
first try..."
I had a 96 Mazda B4000 4x4 never had a problem with the electronic 4 wheel drive.It was the 4.0 with a 5 speed the only drawbacks was passing power over 65 on the highway.It did actually like to go with a full bed of junk though.
Having said that, I am sort of dubious of those push button transfer cases. I'm glad Dodge still uses a real mechanical one. But, the way things are going, with modern technology and all, they'll probably go push button in their redesign in a few years.
My point? Are all Toy's junk because of an early '70's experience? Not at all. Now explain away Toy Starlets that need carb rebuilds that cost more than the car is worth, rusting sheet metal before Toy discovered galvanized metal, let's not forget head gaskets.
Of course American cars have their problems but please don't give us the Toyota holier than though attitude, it just aint so.
Not arguing with you about your Boss motor, it may have been added later because it was not available in '73. The Boss motor was much more than intake and carb. It had a 4 bolt main block with screw in freeze plugs(still sought out today for real hi-perf build ups) It also had the Cleveland style heads with canted valves which was the only Windsor block to use those heads. They had gigantic valves for a 302(2.08 intakes) which actually made them more of a high horsepower, lower torque motor. Bad for the drag strip good for the road course like the Trans AM series. In other words a 302 with intake and carb did not make it a Boss.
Even the camry, supposedly the highest volume selling import car, gave me many problems. I don't say this to belittle Toyota or say they are all junk, but to say that just because GM put out a piece back in the 70's, doesn't mean what they build now is junk.
As far as your post reddogs on the wiring, the new Silverado has only 5 wiring splices on the whole truck. That is down from over 100 on similar model trucks. I am not sure about the Tundra, never checked. May be something you would like to find out. Fewer splices = fewer possibilities for failure and high resistance points.
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Reddogs I am a Mustang expert(just ask me!!!) the only Boss after '70 was 351 I'll double check on the Boss 429 even though I know the CJ and SCJ were available in 429. THERE WAS NO BOSS 302 FROM THE FACTORY AFTER '70. Sorry for yelling.
http://www.fomoco.com/index.asp?Dept=4&Tool=0&Eng=12
But how it got into the car I'm going to have to check Ford Mustang sources directly.....
...as you can see the 'BOSS 302' had more horsepower than the regular 351 Cleveland and could beat it every time.....
Listen to this from BOSSMAN at www.boss302.com:
"I think (key word think) Ford waited until the very last moment and made the decision to scrap the boss 302 program and go ahead with a limited run Boss 351 using the standard 300 hp Cleveland
with solid lifters and higher compression. By then, it is possible that Ford had actually begun production of pieces that would eventually form the 71 Boss 302. We have all seen the pics
in Farr's book of the 71 Boss 302 decals. "
I'm getting close....here's more:
"Ford went so far as to create finished print and outdoor ads
touting the '71 Boss 302 -- that's how close it came to regular
production. Considering how close it came to production, is it
possible a few Boss 302's actually escaped from the factory and
somehow ended up in the hands of a select few?
They made "BOSS" 351 engines for the 71's but I can't find
any "BOSS 302's"(see below):
The engine codes on the 71's, the 5th digit shows it in the VIN.
L-250 6 cyl
F-302 210HP
H-351 240HP
M-351 280HP (CJ)
R-351 330HP (BOSS)
C-429 370HP (CJ)
J-429 375HP (CJ-R)"
and more:
"There were over 800 production EXCESS BOSS 302 motors sold thru Fred Jones Ford that were DIZE motors slated for the 71 cars"
HMMMMMmmmmm this is getting real interesting...
....yes youngin's, cars use to sold below $10,000 used, a long long long time ago......
nor was one yanked and a 70 "BOSS 302" fitted in by some backyard mechanic. That engine was put in either by a FORD specialist or for the autoshow or by some genius who didn't cut or splice a single wire/hose/connection to get it in and used
ALL ORIGINAL FORD parts and factory labels......
.....from the info I've gotten so far they have described the engine to a tee as a "BOSS 302", now the mystery to be solved is how it got in
there and by whom. Once I dig up my VIN number you might have to change your heading to "1969-1971 MUSTANG/COUGARS BOSS 302
REGISTRY"...."
this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.
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