Toyota Tundra Owner Experiences

ndahi12 · January 2002

...with my convenience power package (vp). Almost all Tundras come with the VP package, unless you want to roll your own window. Anyone have a stripper Tundra. that will be a great drag racing truck due to the weight saving.

tundradude · January 2002

Got keyless entry, too.

ak4x4 · January 2002

Not that your guys Tundras aren't good trucks. After I drove one today in snow I can see what you guys think of em. I was a 4wd access cab limited. The price.... But's what' funny is you guys are talking about cd players and how you don't have electric mirrors and how you want controls for the radio on the wheel. Camon people. Look at what you have!. It is a pickup truck. It's ment to go off-road. How many of you guys avoid dirt or puddles???(Majority of these are GM owners!) But camon alarms and lether and al the fancy stuff is not what makes the truck. I think for a true 4x4 like a Tundra or Rado or Ford or whatever it's not neccessary to have or offer these features. But someone will almost always buy it so someone has to sell
it. BTW if ayone ever buys a Hummer be sure o ask for all those features!! It would be funny tosee someone tuning their radio while going up a 60 degree slope. BNut I guess they would complain about the leather making their butt slip back when they go up steep inclines!. LOL all the problems I can see fom youu guys are all from the options. No fancy options=less worry and time in te shop.

arkie6 · January 2002

Many, many, many posts back (but only a few days ago) there was a discussion on Tundra shocks. Here is a little FYI on Tundra shocks. You've got 5 varities to choose from, listed in order of stiffness (#4 and #5 are the same):

#1 The stock black Tokico shocks.

#2 The Original Equipment (OE) TRD option yellow/blue Bilsteins.

#3 The TRD red/blue Bilsteins for the 4x2 (these are physically identical to the 4x4 shocks, just valved a little softer).

#4 The TRD red/blue Bilstein 4x4 shocks.

#5 The Bilstein Heavy Duty (HD) blue/yellow shocks for either 4x4 or 4x2. The only difference between these and #4 is the color. These are available aftermarket from such places as shox.com or Performance Products.

Regarding the Helwig rear anti-sway bar, this in my opinion is the best mod you can do to a Tundra for less than $150. The next one being upgrading the black Tokico shocks to any of the Bilstein shocks. I have the Bilstein HD shocks on my 4x4 and they cost me about $275.

duckshooter · January 2002

I'm not going to trade flames with you, but you must agree that with spending $20-30 thousand on a truck, it should be used for more than just "off-roading?" While I dearly wish I was in Alaska right now and could really USE my Tundra the way I wanted, Uncle Sam had a better idea for me and sentenced me to the DC area for the near-term. Trust me: there are heel marks stretching from Northern Alabama all the way here. So right now I battle the asphalt jungle known as the 395 corridor in Northern Virginia.

My truck has a very nice stereo (w/ built in 6 CD changer!). Which is nice since I spend most of my time on the road in traffic these days. But I have to take my eyes off the road to make any adjustments. My wife's Sienna van has the feature with the controls on the steering wheel - I'm just wondering how or if I can get that for my Tundra.

Jeff

ryanbab · January 2002

Steering wheel controls

There is a guy who makes a kit for the silverados. Took gm parts from other gm vehicles. Im sure you could do this if you have some electrical knowledge

Would you like his info so you can ask him questions?

bamatundra · January 2002

Here is a picture of my brother's new Tundra. It was taken in southern Alabama! I like the way the snow makes the black fender flares blend in with the rest of the truck:

hutch7 · January 2002

I've taken my '02 SR5 4X4 off-road a couple of times and have been very impressed by it's abilities. Although I have to admit after shelling out 26.6K for a truck I'm VERY careful when approach the rough stuff. It does mud real nice too!

eric2001 · January 2002

Got to love it. Snow in Alabama, while here in NY, just frozen grass. LOL

farmer_rube · January 2002

Saw me a tundra with a bunch of them ninja symbols pasted all over it now. Is them ninja symbols factory? Is that factory offerin up a "ninja tundra" option now? Why would folks put ninja writings on them ones anyhow? Sure was a knee slapper, thats for sure! Any other folks spot one of them ninja ones yet? Good luck on this one now!

plutonious · January 2002

Can't help you out with the ninja symbols, but...that's about as dumb as all these lowered trucks I see sporting that cute little Chevy "bow-tie" on the grill.

Say hi to 52farmin_chevy for me...

bamatundra · January 2002

I just replaced the stock Tokicos on my Tundra last weekend. I bought a brand new set of Yellow body Bilsteins from a person on Tundrasolutions that had taken them off a new truck to put the Ivan Stewart package on. I paid $100 shipped to my door. What a deal!

I followed the excellent installation instructions which you posted on Tundrasolutions. The rears were a [non-permissible content removed] to install because there is a very small space you have to reach through from the rear fender wells to loosen the upper shock mounts in order to remove the stock shocks.

The front shocks were a bear because the springs are very difficult to compress. My spring compressor shafts were bending! In spite of your warning - I left one of the C washers off and had to redo the job on one side.

I have been driving the truck the past few days and I cannot believe the improvement. The standard shocks were good, but these are sublime! I can go over speed bumps at 30mph and barely upset the suspension. I love them.

I am considering getting the swaybar, but I am concerned that it might impair the off-road handling. Have you taken your truck off-road and if so, did you like the handling with the swaybar?

f1jules · January 2002

So, what's wrong with keyless entry? It's a feature I had on my previous car (Mustang GT) and I liked it a lot. Saves you from fumbling around in the dark trying not to scratch up the paint around the lock. I don't have leather-wouldn't want it in a truck. Also, I live in Southern California where the roads are congested and you can spend an hour on the freeway to go 30 miles-seems reasonable enough to have a CD player so you don't have to listen to all the annoying babble on the radio.

I'm sure there are just as many gm garage queens if not more than Toyota.

BTW-I do take my 4x2 out to the desert on some very rough dirt track out there to do some off roading and some shooting (not that it's any of your business).

Way to go making assumptions about people you don't even know-troll.

bvs · January 2002

For those who Off road

I've been looking for skid plates for the Toyota Tundra for a while. I had very little luck, until I found Eric K. At www.SkidPlates.com

I've been working with Eric allowing him to use my truck as a test truck to fit the new skid plates.

He is planning on making more skid plates for Tundra and Tacoma's i.e. Transmission,transfer case, gas tank, rear diff. I'm just trying to get the word out.

If there's not enough buyers he will not make them.

If you would like to see some pictures of the Tundra skid plates check out:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=2943#MemberPictures

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8633

or

http://www.skidplates.com/skid_plates_tundra.htm

Thanks

roler247 · January 2002

Is it me or does Toyota have a Tundra their not telling us about? I've recently seen advertizements of a Tundra with no chrome. Does anybody have a clue as to what this Tundra is about?

ak4x4 · January 2002

First off I did grow up in Miami so I don't wnatto ear about the traffic issue. All I am saying is if it's all the bells and whistles you want go and buy a Camry or something. Second, I am very interested on how a 4x2 does in the desert. Not being sarcastic either. If your 4x2 Can handle dirt so many inches That would be a good thing to tell anyone inteested in a Rado 4x4. If your truck can outperform mne in 4x2 compared to 4x4 That would be good info to know. And I am being serious.

eharri3 · January 2002

Just got my latest Motortrend issue which sus up experiences with long term Tundra. I offer these quotes from the article, with no comments or observations of my own.

"One editor calld the The Tundra 'the best truck out there... if you use it like a car.'"

"With a Class III hitch and a four-pin electrical harness, SMALL/MEDIUM size trailer hauling is easy duty"

"While comparabe truck offerings from Big 3 might be more purpose-built for large tow and cargo applications, the Tundra was fine with pulling the weekend ski boat and home center visits."

"...there isn't the low end grunt I like, as with the GM products."

" The bed is too shallow, however, and real truck users are going to gripe about this."

ndahi12 · January 2002

Yep, the tundra SUCKS. It is the worst truck among all full size trucks.

Could we now go back to rating OUR Tundras. Those who OWN Tundras please tell us about them.

I just purchased a trailer and towed it home for the first time ever in my Tundra. It was a breeze. The trailer weighed about 1200 lbs and I will use it to tow my race car to the track. I know it is little weight, but the Tundra was accelerating like there was nothing attached to it. I can't wait to tow my race car to the track on January 26. I will be towing approx 4000 lbs

Finally I can set my car up at home with race tires and race brake pads, adjust the suspension to race settings and load it up on the trailer and dirve to the track. Then after I am done racing, i load it up again and drive back. No more switching tires and brakes at the end of the day after being exhausted from driving.

I also got a bed rug and a Snugtop Tonneau cover. I should get those installed in two weeks. Now I can load all the extra tires, tools, jacks, pads, rotors and other crap in the back of the Tundra and just drive to the track.

I used to have to load all this crap in my race car and drive to the track, unload, race, reload and drive home.

Going to the track is going to be so much easier. WooooooooooooHOOOOOOOOOOOO

f1jules · January 2002

Duh, why wouldn't you get the bells and whistles? I think my points are valid and I cetainly don't NEED to explain or justify them to someone I've never met and don't really agree with on much of anything anyway.

I've never had a problem in the desert. In fact I've been going out there for years in 2wd company trucks and never had a problem-never gotten stuck once. The trails I drive are pretty rutty and rocky with some soft sand (maybe 6-7inches deep). I always go out there with friends with at least one other truck, one friend has a 4x4 (Ford F-250) another a 4x2 (Dodge Ram). I think we engaged the 4x4 once on his truck and I don't think it was even necessary.

We're not berming out in the sahara where the sand is 20' deep. It's mostly rock, sand and scrub brush with rutted trails. I somtimes make my own trails though and have the scratch marks down the side of my truck to prove it.

My friend with the Dodge Ram did get his truck stuck once out near Blythe on a bird hunting trip. Had to have someone come and pull him out. His truck is the extended cab long bed with a shell on it (heavy) though and he drives it like an old lady so it's no wonder he got it stuck (in deep sand by the way).

f1jules · January 2002

I bought the truck because I found myself frequently borrowing a friends truck to haul stuff to and from my house or to pick up or dispose of something too large to fit in my car.

Also, I enjoy surfing and cycling. Ever try to fit a 7'8" surfboard in a '94 Mustang? It fits but you cannot have more than 1 passenger in the car with you. Bikes, same problem, you have to disassemble them, fold the back seats down and squeeze them in the trunk or (god forbid) mount a rack on the car.

Ever try to pick up a load of firewood with a Mustang? Can't haul much in it.

Oops, nearly forgot the dog. A black lab in the rear seat of a BMW or a Mustang does not work well.

Mustangs are fun cars but they are really lousy for hauling stuff around or off roading.

farmer_rube · January 2002

"One editor called the Tundra 'the best truck out there... if you use it like a car.'"

Some dealers bout these parts is puttin them ninja writings on them ones too. Cant get no factory hitch, but them ones got ninja writings all over em now! Looks like that Motor Trend tells that truth on that forien one, thats for sure. Good luck on this one now!

arkie6 · January 2002

I've taken my Tundra 4x4 off-road quite a bit, and to tell you the truth, I can't tell any difference with the rear sway bar on. But I never get in any hurry when the terrain gets rough, nor have I been in what you would call seriously rough terrain either (big rocks and such where you might have a wheel hanging in the air). If you are still concerned with off-road performance, there are a couple of things you can do if you have a rear anti-sway bar and want to regain the articulation that you had prior to the sway bar. One is to disconnect one of the endlinks if you are doing some serious off-roading. This will allow the rear-end to move as if the bar wasn't there and the other installed end-link will hold the bar in place. The other option is to install quick disconnect endlinks. I've seen these advertised for jeeps, but haven't seen one personally. I think they are pretty much a universal design with varying lengths for different applications. But like I said earlier, I can't tell that much difference off-road with the bar on, but I don't go rock climbing that much either.

Alan

f1jules · January 2002

I've hauled 10' palm trees for landscaping my house and my neighbors house. Lumber and supplies to build a 10'x15'x10' patio cover on the back of my house. Used it to dispose of trees cut down on my property. Pick up firewood. Etc.

I actually use my truck as a truck quite a bit. Of course I also use it to haul my butt to work and other times when a car would do just as well.

rube-you're not going to bring up the factory hitch thing again are you? That's been discussed to death. I bought mine with the hitch installed. I don't know if the dealership installed it or if the factory installed it. Does it really matter?

xyz71 · January 2002

About two years ago I looked at adding a rear sway bar to my truck - This is what I learned with the litle bit of research I did. If you just add a sway bar to the rear don't expect much improvement - to do it right you need to also replace the one on the front. I can't recall exact sizes - but just as an example. If your front bar is 3/4 inch and you have no rear bar - put a 7/8 inch bar on the rear and replace the 3/4 inch front bar with a 1 1/4 inch bar. This will keep the oversteer / understeer relationship in balance but improve the overall handling of the truck.

losangelesemt · January 2002

Well I don't have a Tundra quite yet, but i'll let someone else rate it for me. Some of you may have already read this ....

First crash ratings for 2002 cars, minivans, and pickups released

Before rushing out to buy that new Ford F-150, you might want to consider the crashworthiness ratings for 2002 models released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Although the IIHS has not yet evaluated every 2002 vehicle that has hit the showrooms, the 2002 Ford F-150  the best-selling vehicle in 2000  earned a "Poor" overall crashworthiness rating because, like previous model years, it rated "Poor" in three of the six IIHS crashworthiness measurements, with only a single "Good" rating.

By contrast, the next best-seller in 2000, the Chevrolet Silverado, along with its twin the GMC Sierra, earned "Good" ratings on four injury measurements but was dragged down to a "Marginal" overall rating due to "Poor" performances in tests of the restraints and safety cage.

The Toyota Tundra was the only pickup to earn a "Good" overall rating in this release, and no pickup truck has yet been selected as a "Best Pick" for safety by the IIHS.

Now i know theres gonna be people crying that Toyota is in the back pocket of I.I.H.S., just as they were with JD Power, Consumer Reports, and im sure a few others i've forgot. But i will say im impressed with GM improving the Chevy Shaker and GMC SeeError, hats off to them. Poor Ford = )

jmsintx · January 2002

http://usatoday.com/money/columns/healey/2002-01-04-trucks.htm

"The best overall? Tundra. It has the best resale value, the best scores in the violent IIHS crash test, the best reliability record, arguably the best engine and is the most comfortable."

eric2001 · January 2002

I know that this may be late (for Bugs & Bama) but Performance Products (www.performanceproducts.com) is running their 15% off sale through the 16th, in case you want those new shocks. FYI.
-Eric

ak4x4 · January 2002

It's all good that your 4x2 can do what you claim it can. Lets see well how well you against a 4x4. But I guess you will be concetrating of your leather seats and CD player. Not to mention your steering wheel based radio controls!. And the reason Ndhai will be able to pull is his torque. If he had a 4x4 he could pull a bit more. And f1, If you doubt me so much let's see how well your 4x2 will do in my state??. I mean your truck is so good. Not to offend any other Tundra owners out thier. Just F1Jules. His Tundra seems like it s better then everyone elses. And F1 if you don't like what I say, then stop commenting an all my postings on all boards!

ndahi12 · January 2002

it is well known that a 4x2 can tow a bit more than a 4x4. I do not know why, but the rating for a 4x2 Tundra is 7200 lbs max while a 4x4 is 7100 lbs. I think it is the same for Chevys and Fords.

obyone · January 2002

and why is his opinion worth anything?

bamatundra · January 2002

Thanks. I am looking for a cheap source for Putco bed rail caps. Do you know of one?

f1jules · January 2002

Why would it matter to me what my truck can do in Alaska? I don't live in Alaska. I don't need a 4x4 so why spend the extra money on one? None of the claims I've made are anything other than fact. Whether your believe it or not, I could care less.

BTW-My truck doesn't have leather. Personally, I don't like leather seats. My wife's car has leather and, while it's really nice, you stick to it in the summer and it is cold in the winter-we put sheepskin over the front seats (kind of a waste if you ask me, buying leather interior and covering it up).

I don't think my Tundra is any better than anyone elses. It is a great truck though and it is all the truck I need right now. I've never claimed it to be any more than that either.

Now go kick dirt in someone elses sandbox.

eric2001 · January 2002

I have been looking at the SS caps (not rails) version, but haven't bought any yet. Let me know if you find a good price somewhere. I found that DeeZee also has them in SS, in case your interested.
-Eric

eric2001 · January 2002

Quick search, but best (so far) was RealTruck.com for $190 shipped. I found them for less but with S&H price was over $200. These were the SS lockers, BTW. (I thought you had short-bed, too, no?)
-Eric

natureboy1 · January 2002

4X2s can tow a bit more because they don't have the extra weight of the 4 wheel drive system to haul around with it...

bugwizr · January 2002

I got the Hellwig sway bar installed along with the hd blue/yellow shocks. On another post, I read that the blue and red are the same as the yellow/blue HD shocks. I hope it is true, I don't like leaving an option out there.

Got the new tires and the bedrug installed. It is beautiful. Don't know if I want dog hair in the bed now.

Saw the 15% off sale at Performance Products- I don't need anything else right now.

Anybody look at the cargo gate on the ToyotaGuys website? Specifically for Tundra.

Question- now that I have the sway bar and the tires and the American Racing wheels, does that make my Tundra a TRD? Also a K&N filter and Flowmaster duals.

Please, let's talk about the sports interior package that is available for about $1500.- seat covers, improved lumbar support, etc. Worth it? Do those seat covers look like seat covers? Saw the pics on Tundra Solutions- I wasn't impressed.

And what about X ??????? radio?

ryanbab · January 2002

what kinda tires did you get i forgot offhand. Did you go with the bfg's?

bugwizr · January 2002

I got the ones you suggested. The BFG's 265/75/16 I think. Kind of rough looking. I like the way the truck drives, but when it is dirty, it looks pretty rough.

ryanbab · January 2002

one more question since no other tundra owner could or would answer this question. Could larger tires fit?

bamatundra · January 2002

285/75 16's are the largest I have heard of. This guy says he gets slight rubbing at full lock.

ryanbab · January 2002

finally after so many months i got a pic and answer

I did see a maroon tundra with larger tires which looked like my 285's but mud terrain style looked good actually

ak4x4 · January 2002

Nature that 4x2 vs 4x4 data is incorrect. I am looking at the Rado brochure as we speak. 4x4 when engaged can tow a thousand pounds more when the system is engaged. I don't think this would be any different for any 4x4 equpped truck be it whatever you own. And F1 i' funny that you say "go kick sand" Since I have a 4x4 I guess I can get out(LOL) And frankly, I don't care what options you have. My point is that this a truck not a BMW like we talk about on the other board. And it's great that you have a 4x2 maybe you don't need it where you live. I do have question to all Tundra owners/shoppers though: Why whe you go to the dealer(Yes even in Alaska) are the majority 4x2?? I can see it in somewhere like FL,but in the west why is this?? An is it even possible to order a Tundra regular cab V8 no options with 4x4?? Seemed lke I was asking for a wish when I asked the local Toyo dealership about that one. And last why dosen't Toyo make the regular can with a standard 6 foot box?? To me the 8 foot bed looks to big without a extended cab...

modvptnl · January 2002

A truck can pull more when 4X4 is engaged!!! The BS meter is pegged!!!!

Please learn about GCVWR's and then report back when informed.

natureboy1 · January 2002

Uh, no you're incorrect...

I really do not care what your "Rado" info says. A 4X2 Tundra can tow about 100lbs more than a similarly equiped 4X4.

Take into consideration the weight of the 4X4 and you'll quickly figure out that with the "weight" being towed (either 7100 or 7200 lbs) both trucks (4X4 and 4x2) are hauling about the same (with the 4X2 handling about one hundred more pounds because it has no 4X4 system to also haul around).
...

bamatundra · January 2002

You are correct, both the Tundra and the Shakerado 2WD trucks tow more than their 4WD counterparts. They also haul more for the same reason.

What takes the cake is that AK was claiming the 4WD will tow more if you put it in 4WD!!! Oh well!

bugwizr · January 2002

The guy at Big O Tires told me that the 265's were the largest that would fit. He also told me that the size jumped from 265 to 285. Is that true?

Boy, that picture is beautiful. I have the snug top cap on mine and it makes the truck look heavy.

I don't think I could live with decals, though.

leomort · January 2002

excuse my naive question here, but I've never owned a truck (4X4). My question regarding the 4x4 Tundra is how does it handle in the inclement weather without engaging it in 4x4? From my understand trucks' 4x4 system is "less sophisticated" than 4x4 SUV. By this I mean many of today's 4x4 SUV can now operating in 4WD even on dry pavement whereas trucks 4WD system cannot. So wouldn't this put trucks 4WD system at a disadvantage to SUV's 4WD system? Trying to figure out when I could use the 4WD without damaging it. Thanks for tolerating my lack of knowledge on trucks 4x4.

Leo

cliffy1 · January 2002

The Tundra does not have the "Active-Trac" system of the Sequoia yet so you can't engage it on dry pavement. This is a disadvantage, because there are times when the roads are wet and slippery, but not enough to use the part time 4WD system. I have my suspicions that the A-Trac will be added in 2003 or 2004 to the Tundra.

hillhound · January 2002

Is the Toyota A-Trac similar to the Autotrac feature that's available on GM's 1500 series pickups/SUVs and some of the S-10 based vehicles? If so, it's a great option if you live in snow-prone areas.

kg11 · January 2002

I didn't say I avoided the silverado or that it's a 1/4 ton truck.You did and you're entitled to ,but don't speak for me.I said I don't consider Tundra a full sized truck but I love my Taco and my Sierra 2500HD.I've never been in a silverado newer than'96.I also said that if there was a truck on the market as bad as you or the chevy boys are saying,nobody would buy it.
kip
BTW;got the sales figures for the tundra?

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