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I've only had it for about 7 hrs as I write this so please inform of all the good and bad about this truck hadn't researched this paticuler model so hope I didn't goof anyway here is what I got a 2004 maroon limited double cab 4x4 with 4200 miles on it, ended up giving $27800.00 plus differnce I still owed on my other vehicle and good ole tax,lic.so grand total was right at 31,000.00 it was previously owned by the service mgr's daughter and husband and they told me they traded due to gas prices and mileage and purchased a new tacoma I think they will miss this truck hope this truck will be reliable as other owner's claim it to be
Interesting because your story is similar to mine. I was seriously considering the Nissan Titan -- LOVED IT. The Titan was so much fun to drive and none of the domestics measured up. I looked at every full-size truck as well as Dakota, Tacoma, and Frontier (and I think Frontier is easily the winner of the mid-size trucks). Didn't like the Tundra SR5, but I test drove a low-mileague 2004 Limited and loved it. I made an offer and exchanged 4 or 5 calls with the sales manager. I think they were going to sell it to me when someone walked in off the street and bought it. AH well . . .I went to the Toyota dealer and bought the 2005 model for about $5000 under sticker (but about $4000 more than the used vehicle).
When I bought my last truck, I chose Dakota over Tundra because Dakota was so much more fun to drive. While that was true, I still wish I'd chosen the Tundra because the Dakota spent too much time in the shop for my tastes. I was worried about the same thing with the Nissan, so I opted for the Tundra D-Cab. It's a fantastic ride with plenty of room in the cab. While it's not as much fun to drive as Titan, it meets my needs for a truck and is very comfortable.
I've added the K&N drop-in filter, an Access Lorado Tonneau, and custom hitch cover.
You didn't goof. You'll love your truck. $27,800 is a great price on the 04 with under 5k miles. The one I almost bought was about the same and had 12k miles.
I can't wait to pull my travel 4,000 lb travel trailer after the break in period. Planning a camping trip in the rockies in 2 more weeks. My previous vehicle was 99 Trooper which pulled the trailer okay without a reserve for passing slow traffic. Trooper was much easier to park then the long DC Titan.
(SFH1) I agree with you the Titan was alot of fun to drive this was the truck I was going to buy but the interior felt really cheap and I'm pretty hard on my vehicles plus the titan did offer alot of neat features for the money,I believe the tundra was the better choice for me at this time will wait to see ya never know ????
I had also test drove the dodge ram quad not enough rear room for my needs, the new tacoma trd little rear room as well looked at the following vehicles Honda ridgeline several neat features, dodge dakota, chevy avalanche outdated look inside and out, and then this tundra showed up so I said heck well drive it as well and the rest is history
Thanks Jered
Jered
Don't get me wrong. My Tundra is a wonderful tow vehicle, but other than its major recalls, it just cannot take any punishment. I attribute most of it to the independent front suspension. No matter what I do to it, it just shakes. Brakes got overhauled. Fixed the front bearings. Put better tires on it. It still shakes. I only have 2 years left ,to pay on it, and its cheaper to keep it. Its still worth most of what I paid for it. I have only 25K on it. Its sad to say that my 4 cylinder T-100 was much better than my V8 Tundra. Actually, my V6 Tundra was better.
I know that my engine and transmission are bulletproof for the most part, and it has never heated up ever. However, compared to my past Trucks (all Toyotas), it falls way short.
I hope to have a new 3/4 Tundra someday, but please make it a TRUCK.
A couple of days ago, someone broken the driver side quarter window on my Tundra Access SR5. I am wondering anyone here know good web based sellers sell Toyota auto parts.
I appreciate for any input.
shadingdings.
shadingding1
Has anyone installed either an OEM or aftermarket cruise control unit for their Tundra? If so how hard was it to install?, Where did you get it? and how much was it?
Love my new 05 access cab, manual transmission but would really like cruise control for those long highway trips.
If anyone is looking for an end of the year bargain the '05's gets a $3,000 cash back from Toyota. My out the door price was 19,203 with a bed liner, fog lamps and comfort package.
Best regards,
orb
My problem is I can't grease the front u-joint. The joint doesn't open up far enough to put the grease gun on the zerk fitting. Haven't had it to the dealer yet (no time). Only 6K miles on it. After I couldn't grease it, I took it to a local garage, put it on a lift and he couldn't do it either.
Any advice?
In terms of towing, I usually leave everyone because they can't keep up at least till the sway speed where the fifth wheels pass me. I know its all about power/weight. My camping trailer dry is 4750 and somewhere around 5300 or so wet.
I would really like a 12000 limit for later use for a slightly bigger camper with a slideout.
I have a 2000 with 75,000 miles.
Let me know how common this problem is. How can both manifolds fail if there is not some kind of design problem?
Toyota seems to be somewhat vague on this. The say it comes with "Touch-Select" electronically-controlled 2-speed 4WD. That tells me nothing other than the driver can activate the 4WD or not, and that there's a 2-speed transfer case.
Toyota is much more specific with their other truck 4x4 systems:
Tacoma: Part-time 4WD
4Runner V6: Multi-Mode 4WD, which includes a full-time mode
4Runner V8: Full-time 4WD
Sequoia: Multi-Mode 4WD, which includes a full-time mode
Land Cruiser: Full-time 4WD
FJ Cruiser: Part-time 4WD w/automatic; Full-time 4WD w/manual
So what is the "Touch-Select" found on the Tundra? Is it an "on-demand" full-time unit, like Ford's Control Trac or GM's Auto Trac?
Bob
I was looking for an F-150 5.4L (300HP) or a Nissan Titan (305HP). Then I realized the realiability and resale were SO MUCH BETTER for the Toyata Tundra! So I want to better understand why it is consistently dismissed as a "full size" pickup in favor of the F-150 and Titan.
Also, I have been told by several 4.6L F-150 drivers/towers that they wish they had bought a 5.4L F-150. So I am concerned about the towing ABILITY (not capacity, mind you) of the V-8 Tundra.
I will only be towing 2-3 times a year, and it's not like Houston, TX and Baytown, TX are that hilly. But I don't want to approach an overpass and be thinking "damn, why did I buy this for the reliability and resale value, when I really wanted was a good towing vehicle?".
If you can respond knowledgably, I ask only that you DO NOT CITE TOWING CAPACITY OF 7600#. That means nothing to me. Tell me how yours pulls 5000# on a real hill, in passing, etc.
Talk to me!
Thanks Edmunds,
Bill
The Ford 4.6L feels overwhelmed empty and is a towing nightmare even with only 5,000# behind it which is about all I tow with my 1/2 ton. At least in a 5,000# truck. Maybe a reg. cab 2wd Ford would be ok with that motor, but not the ext/crew cabs. On the highway, my 4.8L Chevy would pull 5,000# ok. I have no doubt the Toyota will do at least the same or better. The Toyota feels much quicker and has better torque than the Chevy 4.8L.
I'm not sure I buy into the HUGE reliability gap. The resale certainly is better in the short-term for the Toyota. I closely considered the F-150 Crew-cab long-bed but it was over $100/month more on similar 36 month lease deals. There were things I liked better on each.
The Double-cab Tundra is just as big as any of the other full-size trucks. The reg. cab and access cabs are a bit smaller.
Have a 2003 Tundra extra cab. I live in CT and we have a lot of hills. Towed a friends 4500lb boat just this summer and we quite impressed with it. On average I towed a trailer with 2 quads on it max weight about 2500lbs. The boat itself according to the tag weighed in at 3500lbs but was informed by owner this was the weight without fuel engine (it was an outboard) along with other ods and ends. Plus trailer(not sure what that weighed on its own. But he assured me it was around 4500-4800lbs combined. He happend to have the ford F-150 with the 5.4 but it was at the dealer. Was able to tow no problem buddy was actually impressed said the Tundra felt like it was having an easy time of it. Also stopping just as if not more important was excellent. Not saying I didn't know the trailer was on but she towed it with no fuss. Hope this helps.
Cliff
Actually I towed the same trailer with my V6 before I traded, but never took to the mountains. I had people in disbelief when I told them it was a base V6.
My V8 currently has 26,000 on it. It is used mostly for towing and the occasional trip for hiking. My daily driver is a xB. The truck has two recalls that were fixed for free. I have a third one when the oxygen sensor goes out as I have heard from other people.
I have driven the truck in 17 states and it averages 19 without towing and 9.8 at 60 mph and 7.8 at 70 mph while towing. With gas prices being higher, I never go over 60. The back seat (extended cab) makes a great bed for the wife on those long trips and the truck is especially comfortable. The only thing I have done to it in terms other than regular maintenance is I put some 245/75 16 Michelin tires on it which are much more stable while towing than the Dunlop Grandtreks that came on it. I gave those away.
The only downside (other than the recalls) is that the truck's gas tank is too small. Otherwise, when you reach 160 miles, you need to find some gas while towing. I always put gas in at 1/4 left in the tank while towing especially when you are traveling at night.
The truck has done what I have wanted it to do and it only has lost (retail) 2000 in value. I would really like to have one of those 10000 plus towing capacities on my next truck and I really hope the new Tundra will NOT have the independent front suspension which make the truck very sensitive to potholes and such.
The funny thing is that I still can out accelerate (normal nor racing) about any truck (other than a Titan) up a hill while towing and the other truck is towing as well. However, I have noticed that the secret is to the gearing. I don't let the transmission hunt and the low and second gears are used for extreme climbs up and down to be constantly in saftey. I always tow normally in third (mine is a four speed) if its on normal grounds.
One of the checks was to take a piece of string and attach it to one of the flats on the front "vibration" joint aft of the transmission and then run it back to the rear "U" joint at the rear end. Tighten the string, then check for out-of-alignment of the split drive shaft. If the drive shaft is not in alignment from side to side within 1/8" it will cause a slight vibratrion.
Another item that came up was that some of the Toyota wheels would not grip the tire bead sufficiently and over time the tire would rotate on the wheel and cause an inbalance which will cause vibration.
It only took me five years to find all this out on my 2000 Tundra Extended Cab 4x4.
I own a 2004 Tundra Double Cab with 25K miles, and I tow a 6000# 27' travel trailer. With gear, kids, dog, full tank of gas, etc., I'm sure I'm very close to the towing capacity of the vehicle. I've easily put 8K miles on that trailer with the truck. Some notes:
- With that kind of weight on the truck, it must be driven with the overdrive off, otherwise the transmission is constantly trying to jump into 4th gear with marginal success. Overdrive off driving results in very poor gas mileage. Even in flat road situations, I have been as low as 6 mpg when heading into the wind. At best, you can expect 9 - 10 mpg when pulling big weight.
- Even at or near maximum towing capacity, the vehicle feels safe and stable. I do tow with an equalizer hitch, and there has yet to be a time when I felt at risk. In particular, I blew a tire on the trailer (double axle, so 4 wheels) on a rough track of I-15 between St. George, UT, and Mesquite, NV, and I was able to go several more miles to bring us to a safe spot to pull over with no difficulty.
- I lived in Salt Lake City, UT, for a couple of years, and I pulled that trailer all over the state...not exactly the flattest place on the planet. The bad news: I was routinely passed by larger Ford 250's, Chevy 2500's, and Ram 2500's. The good news: I made it up several nasty, 7%+ grades while doing 45 mph and I was NEVER passed by a 150 or 1500.
I shopped Chevy 1500 and Nissan Titan against the Toyota, and, given the same conditions as early 2004, I would make the Toyota purchase all over again. At the time, Titans were very new, and I don't buy first year vehicles as a rule. The Chevy was a nice truck, and I could get more towing capacity out of it, but the value (resale, in particular) was suspect at the time, and I think with GM's rebates and pricing models of late, my decision has borne out well for me.
Good luck in your decision!
Bob Baker
Snohomish, Washington
However, I am feeling a weird sensation in the gas pedal while driving. How to describe it. It isn't a transmission grinding but more a roughness. Sort of like if you were to put two sets of gears with rough teeth together and make the gears spin. It isn't grinding but just feels like a small vibration. It usually happens under loads (i.e. starting out or around 50 MPH when I start up a hill).
I am curious to know if this is the way Toyotas feel or if I have a dud on my hands. It seems to be shifting well with no problems although that first gear is REALLY REALLY LOW!
Anyone else have this? Ideas what it could be?
Thanks,
New
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
I'm reading all kinds of thoughts & experiences - anyone have experience with this kind of weight? Or are we crazy and need to buy a bigger truck?
It turns out the wiring harness on the tow package is wired through the ignition, rather than directly to power. Does anyone know if this is standard on these trucks, and if so, why on earth they did that, and if there is an easy work-around.
Thanks
I towed a 3000 lb boat/trailer at 70 MPH on the freeway and got 17 mpg.
I drive conservatively.(not a lead foot anymore)
My previous truck was a 3.4 V6 T100 Extended Cab. The Tundra gets about 1 MPG less then the T100 around town, but the motor is much more powerful.
The 4.0 V6 seems to be very torquey for its size. On the freeway towing the boat, it very rarely down shifted out of 5th gear, even in the rolling hills of South Carolina.
It turns out the wiring harness on the tow package is wired through the ignition, rather than directly to power. Does anyone know if this is standard on these trucks, and if so, why on earth they did that, and if there is an easy work-around.
Think someone is filling you full of beans. All of the factory tow packages I have seen have only the blinkers, brake lights and tail lights hooked up (have a 7 wire plug, but only 4 are wired). None of them will do you any good even if the ignition IS on unless the lights are turned on. My first tacoma had the topper light hooked to the tail lights, so I had to turn them (parking lights atleast) on to get the canopy light to work. No need for the ignition though. I would guess that the dealer wires the canopy into the ignition (not the tow lights) so you will not leave the light on in the canopy and drain the battery. The easy work around is to run a fused wire to the battery. That is how my current canopy is wired.
My cars had about a 1mpg fuel penalty when running 87 octane. That wasn't enough to justify the cost of premium, at least not when fuel was $1/gallon. Might be a different story now...do the math.
I assume you're looking at the 4.0L because of fuel economy? You might sniff around and see what others with the 4.0L in a Tundra are getting for mileage. My experience with full size trucks is the V6 models rarely do much better than their V8 counterparts. A 2wd reg. cab might be ok, but sometimes a V8 can move the weight more efficiently.