2008 Toyota Sequoia

vernschillinge

"The Sequoia's on-road manner lacks the sophistication of GM's big SUVs and, perhaps, even the Ford Expedition."

What a boat load of crap. Wondering who's paying this guy. I drove all three and the Sequioa was by far the most car like with the best steering feel. People will say just about anything these days.

ccooke70

I chose to hold off on it on my platinum. I am seeing them on ebay for about half the price or less and they just stick on so I don't think there is a huge difference in them. I would like to see pics though, if somone has them. The ones on ebay look pretty nice and I am sure more will show up there soon.

Has anyone bought replacement all weather mats. The Weatherteq ones look pretty nice.

ccooke70

agreed.

I got the RR interior too. I was not sure if the dash kit would be overkill.

Ebay currently shows a coupld of companies making differend kits. One is the factory Toyota kit and is $232. The other is an aftermarket kit that looks like it pus woodgrain on different areas of the SUV. It's about $160 or so.

gvasudevan

I had the wood dash installed by the dealer on my platinium. I paid 395 for the parts and 96 for labor. It is dark and not as pretty as the one in the lexus or the avalon but is a whole lot better than the plain silver orginal.

keg97

Yeah I agree with you....the Sequoia drives quite nicely. The steering is a bit numb for my tastes, but not too bad.

jd08limited

This is a strange ?, but I was supposed to get the door sill protectors as part of the Z1 option and am not sure if they are there or not. I am not usually this dumb with vehicles, but can someone take a photo of their door sills so I can see if I have them or not? I received the cargo net, first aid kit, carpeted floor mats, but not the rear cargo mat and I think missing the sill protector as well.

Thanks in advance.

JD

jpwoodsiii

I have an 08 Plat and I was told and read that the gas tank holds 26.4 gallons. I have over 1400 miles on the SUV in a little over 2 weeks. Each time that I have needed gas, the gas light has been on and the digital readout states that I have less than 5 miles to empty. When I fill it up, it takes 19.8 gallons. I called the dealer and asked them about this. They told me that Toyota has a reserve (understand this, but over 6 gallons - my 04 Seq Limited had a reserve of just over 1 1/2 gallons when it said 0 miles). They said to make me happy, they want me to bring them the car on almost empty. They will put it in a bay and let it run out of gas while running and then fill it up. They said this will fix the gas problem - I thought that it would just cause problems with the fuel injection. Anyone else having this problem??

bjb4

How have people found the front seat comfort? During my test drives the front seats have felt a little flat and not as supportive as I had hoped. Not bad by any means, just not as good as I hoped. Thanks for your thoughts.

mittie1

bib4,

I agree with you my head also hits the ceiling with the sunroof. I ordered a Limited without a sunroof and now there is an extra 1 1/2 inches of head room. I had to talk to several dealership because they did not want to order without the sunroof. By ordering I now have the extra headroom plus I saved $810. It took just 6 weeks to get the Sequoia like I wanted.

If you don't fit in the Sequoia with a sunroof then order one like you need it..

Good luck!

mackabee

Superior dash makes quality stuff. The burlwood should look great with the red rock interior IMHO.
mACK

hdfatboy

Mack,

I checked the Superior Dash website and they do not have any dash kits listed as available for the 08 Sequoia. In fact they don't even have a kit for the 07 Tundra which is not a good sign for having a kit soon on the 08 Sequoia. Have you been able to get kits for the new Sequoia?

gldwing

Question on Parking in a parking garage- what are your experiences in parking garages with the 08- 20" tires? What is the minimum clearance one should be aware of? I parked in a 6''7" minimum clearance garage yesterday but admit - I went thru very carefully.

ejtpa

My local dealer just emailed me to say Toyota is now going to put a bench seat in the Platinum 2nd row...anyone hear of this? I've been debating b/w the Limited with bench and QX and had eliminated the Plat; now I have another choice! Any thoughts from those who bought one over another? Thanks!

mackabee

I haven't heard or seen any communications from Toyota Motor sales in that regard.
Mack

mackabee

We haven't had any customers ask for it yet. I'll check with my parts department and see if it's available from Toyota yet. With new vehicles accessories seem to be behind and it takes about a month or so before the supply catches up with demand and dealers start getting the accessories. We had an upset customer last night that bought an FJ Cruiser and wanted the factory running boards but they are not available so they put some tube steps and he was not a happy camper. It was not a customer I sold but I took care of it. We will refund his money or take the running boards off another cruiser to make him happy.
Mack

mackabee

hd, I just checked with our parts department and the dash kit is now available. Price is $290+tax and installation or for do it yourselfers no installation. VA tax is 3-5% I believe.
:shades:

hdfatboy

"My local dealer just emailed me to say Toyota is now going to put a bench seat in the Platinum 2nd row...anyone hear of this? I've been debating b/w the Limited with bench and QX and had eliminated the Plat; now I have another choice! Any thoughts from those who bought one over another? Thanks!"

If Toyota is planning a rear bench seat in the Plat, I'll be very curious to see how they pull it off. One of the major reasons for getting a Platinum is the second row heated seats which are not available in the Limited or SR5. The controls for the 2nd row heated seats are on the front of the 2nd row console between the captain's chairs in the Plat.

If they replace the CC's with a bench, they will also have to eliminate the seat heater controls which are on the console they will also have to eliminate. While its possible they'll offer a bench seat, it will probably not be a heated bench since this would be a complete redesign of the wiring and controls. Not likely so soon after the launch of such a new model.

It may be possible that they offer a a non-bench heated seat in the 2nd row although I suspect it won't be available in Red Rock since the RR interior was only designed for Captain Chairs.

I actually suspect you've got a salesman who's trying to be helpful by suggesting a new option is coming that in reality its not, but I wouldn't completely rule it out.

hdfatboy

"hd, I just checked with our parts department and the dash kit is now available. Price is $290+tax and installation or for do it yourselfers no installation. VA tax is 3-5% I believe."

Anyone got any pictures of a wood dash kit in the new Sequoia?

1skippy

I am just over 6'1" and found that with the moon roof I barely fit with the seat all the way down. My hair was brushing the roof and it was annoying. My 6'4" son said that this simply wouldn't work for him. I had wanted a platnum but that apparently isn't an option. We already have a Honda Ridgeline and a 2004 Pathfinder...both have moon roofs and both have enough room. To me it is amazing that a vehicle this big in every other dimension should be even close to borderline in head room for someone my size. The fact that this discussion is taking place does indicate their is a problem. I will likely order a loaded limited but the vehicle will be something less than I want.

bjb4

Thank you everyone who responded. I took the advice of mittie1 and I'm ordering a Limited w/o a moon roof. It's shocking Toyota missed this one but I'm fine without having a moon roof (have them on all my cars and never use them).

I'm still interested in responses to my posting on seat comfort if you have thoughts. Thanks again.

mackabee

You shouldn't have a problem with headroom at 6 foot 1 in height. Make sure the seat is all the way down and I'm sure you will fit fine.

3rd4rnnr

skippy, you must choose to sit quite upright. I am a shade under 6'1 and I have plenty of room. I tested it a little while ago when i picked up a pizza and the only way my head was close was if i made the back of the seat almost straight up. So if you are over 6 '1 and want the back of the seat up all the way then yes your head will brush the top if you hagve a moonroof. i have the back slightly reclined so i am comfortable

hdfatboy

I'm 6'4" and have driven 2 platinums and sat in several LTDs with moonroofs. Once I've adjusted the seat to my normal driving position, I do not seem to have any issue with headroom. I adjusted the seat all the way down and nearly all the way back. I also like my seat back fairly far reclined. Maybe that's why I find no headroom issue for my driving position.

hdfatboy

You might consider testing the seat settings one more time, just to make sure it was at its fully lowest and reclined settings. If you think you had the seat setting at its fullest range and you still can't get a comfortable driving position with enough headroom, than you're probably right that getting the LTD without the moonroof (or another vehicle) are your best options.

vernschillinge

The deciding factor in these situations is not your absolute height, but the length of your torso vs. the length of your legs. Some people carry a lot of their height in the their legs, while others are tall through their torso. In a seated position, what matters is the length of your torso. Those will longer/taller torso's could realistically experience a headroom issue while others who carry their length in their legs might not, despite sharing the same absolute height.

1skippy

OK I have had a couple of people tell me head room with a moon roof shouldn't be an issue. What can I say other than it is for me. Maybe I am longer in the body that some people although I was never aware of this before. I do not drive in an especially upright position. I have tried two different vehicles and found exactly the same issue. Other people on this forum have had the same experience so I must assume I am not that unusual. I will be doing the same as bjb4 and ordering the Limited without a moon roof. I agree with him that it is not something I ever use. ( I just wish it was possible to order the platinum and delete that option.)

3rd4rnnr

I have a really big head and high hair too so its wierd that i have no headroom issues. I might have a short neck though, I never considered that. I did however try to wear a cowboy hat today while driving my Seq and that didn't work at all.

mittie1

1skippy,

You are not unusual... I ordered my Sequoia Limited w/o a moonroof and it really made a difference. Six weeks is not a long time to wait for what you'll be driving for several years, besides you save $810.

Good luck

toddhm

I just received the April issue of Motor Trend wherein there is a comparison test of the Sequoia, Armada, Expedition and Tahoe. No surprise that the Sequoia was ranked 1st place....

keg97

Agreed...no surprise since the Sequoia has a nice powertrain and the interior flexibility. Most of the complaints on the Sequoia are about the cheesy dash and lack of toys/gadgets compared to some of their competitors and the price that Toyota has put on it. I'm not so sure that the magazine comparisons would worry as much about those deficits as actual potential buyers would. I could be wrong though...

What was the rest of the order?
My bet...
2. Armada
3. Expedition
4. Tahoe

hdfatboy

For those that are interested, this company just came out with a pretty comprehensive package of real wood, synthetic wood, plastic and carbon fiber dash kits for the 08 Sequoia. The new kit for the 08 Sequoia includes 76 pieces to really dress up the interior from front to rear. I think it may be a real consideration (real wood) for my soon to be delivered Platinum.

Anyone know anything about this company's real wood dash kits?

http://www.dashkitspecialties.com/TATA07E.html

mackabee

Get the real wood. You'll be happier with it. The molded plastic kits are cheesy.\/
Mack :shades:

keg97

Waaaaay too many choices for me!
What are you thinking of getting?

hdfatboy

Really unsure although I would like to get the real wood kit. Tough issue for me is picking something that won't clash with the Red Rock leather and black carpeting. I think I'll order some samples once I have the vehicle. Based on blowing up the picture samples at the site against a photo of the RR interior, I think Medium Burl, Rosewood and Walnut burl are possibilities from this site http://www.dashkitspecialties.com/colorsint.html

I'm not too crazy about the look of the molded plastic dash kits.

Here's a few pictures of a Sequoia with the molded dash kit http://www.wooddash.com/item/TOYOTA_DASH_KITS_SEQUOIA_2008#install
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/brandsportinc_1990_41950564

Here's another molded kit http://www.wooddash.com/item/TOYOTA_DASH_KITS_SEQUOIA_2008

hdfatboy

I agree. Real wood is the path for me. Just need to figure out the right wood color to go with the red rock interior. Any thoughts?

mackabee

What color is the exterior? A medium to dark wood tone would look really nice with the Red Rock. Walnut, Cherrywood, Burlwood, etc, Stay away from the light maple, ash, poplar, and other light color woods. To give you an idea what the light wood would look like just look at the 07 Camry XLE. The light wood panels they put in there clashes bigtime with the gray interior.
Mack

keg97

I'm no interior designer, but I would agree with Mack on several accounts. Go with the real wood...the Toyota kit does look cheesy. I remember seeing it at the dealership and not being impressed with that. I'm not even sure it belongs on a 10K Kia, much less a 60K Sequoia.

I'd also look at those darker woods with the RR and the Black carpeting. Perhaps even a medium oak that has some orangish tones to it. We have "honey" oak hardwood floors...they're darker but just a hint of orange that would look good with the RR.

Good luck and post pics!

3rd4rnnr

in my friend truck - another drawback is that the wood pieces do have a look that suggests they are sitting on top of another surface vs. the built in look for wood dashes that come from mfg.

hdfatboy

Looking for more opinions. Here's a couple pics of the Red Rock interior. My exterior color is black.
http://www.sportruck.com/news/2008-Toyota-Sequoia/13.jpg
http://www.sportruck.com/news/2008-Toyota-Sequoia/14.jpg

And here's a site with the real wood interior kits for 42% off. The site includes the colors of the real wood kits. I was thinking the best choices would be between the Burlwood, Rosewood and Burl Walnut. When you click on the color samples they look slight different. What color do others think would work best with the RR leather and black carpeting/panel interior?
http://www.dashkitstyle.com/dash-kit-style-2008-jan-1.htm

bumpkins

Can anyone else share your fuel capacity experience. I own an 08 Seq Limited. I have been waiting till my DIC mileage displays about approx. 20 miles till empty and then fueling up. The issue is the manual says that the tank is 26.4 G and I can barley squeeze in 21 gallons. I understand there is a reserve in this tank but from my estimates that would make the reserve a 4 gallon reserve which doesn't make sense. Anybody else think this is odd ?

3rd4rnnr

I also had been considering if any after-market wood kits for my 08 Seq make sense or look good. I looked at the dashkits site and a friend used them before. My opinion is that they should give you options to only buy certain pieces. I think the 76 piece and even 56 piece kits are way overkill. I think even with real wood it begins to look pretty over-the-top when you totally emerce the cabin in wood. I would rather try to emulate mfg by putting in in subtle spots. My friend got a whole kit although wood color etc was OK, it still looked weird to have so much covered by wood. It took away from the woods appeal since there was too much to look rich and thoughfully appointed like a Lexus. I would like to maybe spend 75-100 on 3 or 4 pieces to strategically place, not $ 500 and not like the end result or waste 90% of the pieces.

ganan

My local dealer just emailed me to say Toyota is now going to put a bench seat in the Platinum 2nd row...anyone hear of this? I've been debating b/w the Limited with bench and QX and had eliminated the Plat; now I have another choice! Any thoughts from those who bought one over another? Thanks!

Have you been able to confirm this ? My dealer had not heard of it.

I expect to be buying in the next month and I would prefer the Platinum but I want bench seats and will have to go with the Limited if bench seats are not available in the Platinum. I lose the Red Rock and NAV system if I go with the Limited.
So it becomes a tradeoff bewteen these items and the bench seats; however, if I knew for certain that the Platinum would be available with bench seats I would hold off buying until it was available.

bumpkins

I just posted a similiar thread.. See Fuel Tank Capacity 08 Sequoia.

Can anyone else share your fuel capacity experience. I own an 08 Seq Limited. I have been waiting till my DIC mileage displays about approx. 20 miles till empty and then fueling up. The issue is the manual says that the tank is 26.4 G and I can barley squeeze in 21 gallons. I understand there is a reserve in this tank but from my estimates that would make the reserve a 4 gallon reserve which doesn't make sense. Anybody else think this is odd ?

vernschillinge

So help me understand the difference between the molded wood dash kits and the real wood kits (other than the wood being real, obviously) -- Are the real wood kits not molded to the shape of the dash i.e. they are just flexible flat dash types or are they actually molded to match the shape of the dash, like the Superior Dash kit? This is a deal breaker for me, as I don't want a kit that looks like it is added on. The Superior dash molded wood kit almost looks like the silver instrument panel is removed and replaced, even though it is not. If does not look like its been tacked on to the existing surface. Can't say the same about the door pieces as you can see the silver under the power window rocker switches.

The picture you posted of the tundra does not look good because of the pinkish tone and the fact that the kit does not go around each of the instruments pods.

mackabee

Good choices. I agree with 4rnr that too many pieces is overkill. Only the dash and the doors where the power windows buttons go should be applied. You don't want your Sequoia to look like a wood paneled rec room.
Mack

hdfatboy

Definitely don't want too much wood. In fact any trim accessory I add will be focused on being subtle with the goal of covering the silver on the instrumental panel with a few other accents. The company at the link I provided earlier has kits with varying amounts of pieces.

Here's the pro's and con's of the flat vs molded dash kits as described by American Truck N' Auto Accessories. Only the flat dash kits are available in real wood.

Molded Dash Kits - These items are 3D & 2D formed to precisely fit the shape of your contoured dash pieces. The 3D molded pieces curve around the edges of the factory dash, while the 2D pieces work the same way as a flat kit. Usually molded dash kits are made for trucks and SUV's that have large rounded-edge dash panels. Molded kits can be ordered with a flat kit so you can have molded and flat kit combination.

Pro's of Molded kits:
Molded pieces, gives more of a "factory" look
Covers more area without seams or joints
Very easy to install

Con's of Molded kits:
Usually higher priced than flat kits
Smaller color selection. Only synthetic materials
Less pieces than flat dash kits. Sometimes 1 molded piece = 10 flat pieces.
Molded kits cannot be finished in polyeurathane.

Flat Dash Kits - Flat pieces that go on flat or slightly curved dash surfaces. When flat pieces are warmed, they become flexible, and curve to the shape of the dash.

Pro's of Flat kits:
Most common and lower priced for most vehicles
Wider color selection which includes Real Woods and Carbon Fibers
Usually contain more pieces in a kit
Pieces are coated with Polyurethane for maximum protection, durability and rich look.
Much less expensive than Molded Kits

Con's of Flat kits:
Covers less area than molded kits, that means a lot more pieces are needed.
Slightly more difficult to install (requires more care with alignment of pieces)

http://www.dashkitspecialties.com/molded-flat.html

vernschillinge

Very helpful HD. Thanks.

hdfatboy

The only "molded" kit I've seen for the Sequoia is the one at the dealer (which also appears to be available for less money through other channels). I find this molded kit to actually look pretty unattractive. It seems to be too thick and bump out to far from the OEM piece it sits on. It also appears very "plasticky", at least in the pictures I've seen. Does anyone have a different opinion that has seen this molded dash kit in-person?

While the flat kit may not wrap around the OEM pieces where there are heavy compound curves, it does appear to be thinner (and made of real wood) and therefore not as raised up off the original trim piece. Not sure how it would look in-person since these remarks are only based on photos.

vernschillinge

"The only "molded" kit I've seen for the Sequoia is the one at the dealer (which also appears to be available for less money through other channels). I find this molded kit to actually look pretty unattractive. It seems to be too thick and bump out to far from the OEM piece it sits on. It also appears very "plasticky", at least in the pictures I've seen. Does anyone have a different opinion that has seen this molded dash kit in-person?

While the flat kit may not wrap around the OEM pieces where there are heavy compound curves, it does appear to be thinner (and made of real wood) and therefore not as raised up off the original trim piece. Not sure how it would look in-person since these remarks are only based on photos. "

I've seen the factory (i.e made by Superior Dash for Toyota) on a tan limited. I actually was surprised to see that it looked really nice. As I said earlier, I did not think the dash piece looked like it was stuck on or raised up simply because the kit follows the contour of the painted silver part of the dash perfectly. The color was a dark burl and looked nice. The platinum I have on order is red rock and so I'm not sure how it will look. Thats why I held off on ordering the wood trim package (beside the fact that the dealer was trying to rip me off by charging $778 for it!).

gcmills

Hi there- 20 year landcruiser owner and just bought 08 sequoia and have found an annoying noise and want you to see if you hear it too. I have duplicated it on my vehicle, another on the dealer lot, and another on a different dealer lot so it seems systemic. some have dvd/nav and some do not. The noise is a high pitch whine that comes from the passenger side dashboard speaker. (I know it as engine noise from my multi amp car stereo days) It happens at all speeds between 1800-2000 RPMs and with the radio on/off or the heater on/off. when i listen to the speaker with the radio off, i hear static/hiss in the speaker meaning the speaker is live when it shouldnt be (IMHO). Toyota basically said they hear the noise but can not diagnose/solve because not enough people have complained. Please listen and see if yours does the same. It is really annoying with cruise control on becasue it settles right in at 2000 RPMs and is constant! I have logged it with toyota corporate using the 800 number. Please check and report back!

Thanks.

Greg