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Toyota Tundra Problems
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Comments
Bama ... I admire your loyalty to your truck. I share many of the same feelings. The big difference for me though is the quality and reliability Toyota has consistently shown. I looked over the NHTSA board again the other day, and I just absolutely could not believe all the Rado complaints of late 90s-01 years. Now this is where the domestic guys remind me that theres 4 times more Rados on road than Tundra's which is true and I'm fine with that. Yet I dont care if there were 100 times more Rado's, the documented complaints are without a doubt unacceptable, in terms of quality.
Shoot I haven't even made it to the See-Error section yet. The overall quality of the GM interiors is sub-par at best ya know. That doesn't mean all of them are, but a good portion are, which doesn't seem to be in proportion with other auto makers. In addition, there have actually been quite a few people injured in Rado's/See-Errors due to defects/poor designs. I'll take the cold knock on a Tundra anyday, which probably isn't going to injury me anytime soon.
Bamm I'm chompin at the bit to get into a Tundra. My Ranger is hangin in there like a trooper, but just isn't big enough and not my idea of the kinna truck I want.
One last thought ... I believe Toyota in making the Tundra a little smaller and different than the domestics, did so to target a different crowd. I don't believe they were targeting the hard working ranch hands or heavy machinery guys. The truck is definitely a blessing for some of us guys in huge crammed cities. Not fun driving a land yacht in downtown L.A. .
In the same token however, I dont think it's fair to say that it outperforms all the other 1/2 tons. The Tundra wasn't designed with brute performance solely in mind. Given it's ratings, I feel it's certainly possible to be running at the top, but I believe deeming it superior to all is slightly inaccurate. As long as we all remember that no one truck will do everything best, we leave the door open for a more constructive discussion.
In the Toyota 3/4 ton topic some ill-informed Big2 owners were posting misinformation about Tundra valve adjustments. When confronted, one of them fabricated a quote from a Tundra manual. This type of behavior is reprehensible to me.
I know the Tundra is not the perfect truck for everyone, just the best all around 1/2 ton truck. There are some Big2 loyalists which will never listen to reason - that is OK by me.
Tom
I do respectfully ask you not to be too hard on the Toyota owner. The one with the harsh tongue and obvious "mad at the world" attitude. Something terrible has happened in this person's life for him to lash out at everyone and to always have to be right.
I've noticed certain cliques here on Edmunds, I see that one particular poster is even shunned by fellow Toyota owners. I'm sure if we all just humor this poster he will come around and learn to be civil.
Again, thank you.
Proof? http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=981&location_id=540
Download the timing belt replacement guide, Adobe Acrobat document. Look up the Tundra, see the asterisk * next the the 4.7L denoting interference design.
Please don't let this deter you. Toymota lovers LIKE high maintenance. Look at what they go through with high brake maintenance, complicated oil changes, ridiculous driveshaft spline lubrication procedures, "lug centric" wheel balancing etc. I'd rather be driving. The toy habit will keep a smile on the face of an eager do-it-yourselfer like you! Who could ask for anything more?
The Chebby owners say that the Toyota Tundra has shims under buckets and that the cams have to be removed.
I am not surprised that the Chebby owners have this wrong. The Tundra comes with two different engines, one is shims over buckets and one is shims under buckets. One requires camshaft removal, and one does not.
I will leave it to the Chebby Tundra experts to tell us the WHOLE TRUTH. Geez - This is like pulling teeth!
I think that if the nameless Ford owner would just stop whining and post correct information relevant to the topic, all would be well.
D'ya think that Chebbies will still be running the original timing chain (or anything else)? Flappy traded off his Lemonado in less than two years - did he make it to 180,000 miles? - You be the judge.
I would not feel good putting 90K on a belt that is so vital to the health of my engine.
A relative of mine had his GM's timing chain jump. It bent all of his pushrods, and the valves also. Is this superior design?
Geez - does this means that the GM is an "interference" engine? Oh, Well!
I am curious on how one would "adjust" timing belt tensioners. The only two I've seen are spring loaded or hydraulic loaded. I'm always willing to learn new techniques.
What they conveniently neglect to mention here is the difference between SCHEDULED and UNSCHEDULED maintenance. And this is where the See-Error/Lemonado both take a good kick straight to the nads by every reputable automotive publication such as CR, NHTSA or Edmunds.
CR and NHTSA both have basically "blackballed" these trucks due of their horrific unscheduled maintenance history because they're so problematic. At just 36K miles, Edmunds' long-term Sierra had amassed TWICE as many problems as ANY vehicle they ever tested - problems that included clunking transmissions, leaking transfer cases, seriously malfunctioning brakes, shaking steering columns and self-destructing interiors.
Seems like a 36K mile Chebby probably sees more maintenance than a 180K mile Tundra!
He constantly cites the woes of his relatives who didn't follow his advice and instead bought Chevies, passing on his toymota 3/8 pint "work" ethic.
If I recall, (and my memory is better than his) Bama's brother bought a used tindra but he never posts here, or if he does won't admit Bama is related. His father-in-law owns the Chebbie. He must be ashamed of his daughter for this one. I can't imagine the Hatfields and McCoys sharing a conversation at the dinner table.
Unscheduled -> You don't need it.
Scheduled -> You DO need it.
Simple as that.
Why don't you go tell everybody with their problematic Chevys that they "don't need" to get them fixed.
Simple as that.
I found this article on timing belts and chains. Seems pretty good. Both designs have their pluses and minuses. Looks like Chevy's 3.4L uses timing belts too. The article suggests most timing chains will go up to 100k or more, but not always. Just a guess, but I would think the cost of changing a timing belt is less expensive than changing out a timing chain/sprockets. What do you think?
Most fast motorcycles have this type of lash adjustment, it is the price you pay for performance out of smaller motors. Adjusting the lash if over bucket, would require you to just push down the bucket, and pop out the shim, and replace with the correct one (shim over bucket motors can spit shims at high RPM). If it is shim underbucket, you remove the cams, then replace the shims, and then install the cams (better design for performance).
As far as pushrod motors.. well, lets see.. how about high valve train wieght resulting in either stronger springs and more friction or floating bending valves at high RPM. Most of the Chevys have 2 valves per cylinder.. high valve wieght, compared to the superior 4 valve design of the tundra. If you dont beleive it, look at the new I-6, overhead cams.. no pushrods, and 4 valves per cyl.
Its about time that a truck, made in america, had variable valve timing, dual overhead cams, 4 valves per cyl, and can be supercharged at the dealer with no detriment to the warranty, not to mention that it makes 240+ horses stock, with great torque curve, and makes 325+ horses blown, with the same great torque curve.
Its O.K., I understand your love for 45 year old engine designs, but I prefer ford flatheads in my old stuff. No pushrods, no bent valves on over revs, and a sound that the chevy can never make.
Scotty
This is WAY beyond old and needs to stop.
Stop using these topics to try and prove that your truck is better or the other guy's truck is worse.
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While a Tundra SR5, V8, access cab, 4wd, ABS, will be very nice, I'm wondering if I will really need it for the kind of use that I will be needing. I don't plan to do much towing (now or in the future) and am wondering if the 4wd is really needed for the occasional dirt/snow road or will the LSD do. Then again, the extra power (but worst gas mileage) and 4wd will be more reassuring when I do go skiing or am somewhere on a Mexican dirt road in Baja on a surf trip. All this would be much cheaper and more convenient than a fancy SUV that my wife tells me to get. (We could actually afford either or both.) What are your thoughts/advice before I go see the dealer for that test drive? V6, 2 WD with LSD and ABS, or V8, 4wd, with ABS? Aside from gas mileage, won't the 4 WD cost more to maintain down the road?
Bama, LAemt, Ndahi, plutonius, Arkie, et al, you guys have been great. It has, however, gotten quite annoying and incredibly old with the other nonTundra dudes. They should just go elsewhere.
Thanks for any advice that you can spare me.
Craig
Last time I went to buy a Toyota Tundra I could not find a base model with ABS. Toyota seems to think that only the guys that spend 25k should get it. Do you have 4 wheel ABS on your 92? I was not able to get it on my 90 Toyota 4x4 truck.
I think that all V-8 Tundras have timing chains, all V-6s have belts. I know GM uses roller lifters, does the Tundra?
As far a OHC and push rods, typical OHC have more power at higher RPMs and push rods have more torque at lower RPMs, not sure why this is. Say what you want about GMs engines, but most people that drive them love them, and they usually are the favorite of ANY comparison.
I have no problem with belt or chain, both work fine.
I beg the chevy/ford guys not to post in this thread unless they are trying to help a TUNDRA owner solve his/her problem.
You do not find me or bama (to my knowledge) posting in your chevy rado engine knock threads. We had an agreement to satyu away from each other's threads. Please honor your part of the bargain.
Isn't that what you do? Now wait...you were demanding that Kip (kg11) prove to you where he got his information about valve shims, when no proof was needed. Sorry Spama, your spots are showing.
If someone tells you the Earth is round, do they have to prove THAT to you? Pathetic!
Just a reminder that our Town Hall chat happens on Wednesday (5-7pm Pacific/8-10 pm Eastern). This week, our topic will be:
Import Trucks: Can they compete with domestics?
http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/newsviews.html
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I think threads like this one (Toyota Tundra Problems) suffer from a severe lack of subject content, forcing some people to post nonsense just to keep the discussion going. But you have to give credit where credit is due. I do commend the Chevy boys for conducting excellent discussions regarding Chevies and their problems. Seems like those threads are overwhelmed with never-ending subject content.
DO NOT OWN A TUNDRA !
SO tAKE their advise carefully !
Me sure i own a Chevy now but have owned
2 toyotas too............Geo
I however have a 120 mile commute to work round trip and really didn't need the V-8, so was looking at a ext. cab V6. I have nothing to tow ... YET, and I do light construction work on the side so the V6 Tundra made sense. Liked the Tacoma but wanted four doors and didn't like that new doublecab thing they pitched out.
Theres 4 other guys at work with Tundra's and none of them have had any significant problems at all. My old partner had a 01 Sierra which broke down too many times for his liking and I believe he was doing the lemon thing with it. Couple of F150 guys there with no problems and a Ram owner who's happy.
I defer any comments of performance and so on to Bama/Wheeler/Ndahi/Arkie and others who have used their trucks for a while, and in different capacities. I dont think you'll go wrong with any model of Toyota. I see your current one has fared well, so good luck in the future.
BTW - Carsdirect.com has been known to offer some pretty low prices on Toy trucks. I struck a deal with them that was 1200 less than the best dealer price around here in L.A. . Their dealer invoice price seems to be even lower than some of the dealerships state, so it might be worth a look.
a current GM owner. As they say "once
bitten twice shy". Just my opinion but
I guess that and $1.00 will buy ya A cup
of coffee !...................Geo
Perhaps you should practice what you preach!
Hmmmm 16 perhaps. That is how old you act. You should try growing up like the rest of us. You know wife, kids, family, jobs.. Quit listening to Blink 182 and praising your Toy truck and dissing the Rados.. It does not do anything but make you look like more of a jerk than you already are....
I have no comments on the Tundras. I do not own one, you do. Therefore why dont you post something constructive, instead of starting things in other topics NOT related to your truck. I just stopped in to give you a taste of your own medicine. Do you like it? Obviously not.... You will not see me back here, I will stick to the Rado topics.
You know where to find me......
Jag
Tom
Time to drop this NONSENSE and grow up a bit boys.
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If reading about REAL truck problems is your thing, you will enjoy the numerous Chevy problems threads.
Quite A few unhappy owners over there.
Cold start knock, brake probs,...etc.
Read what REAL tundra owners have to
say. Not BS from certian non Tundra
owners......................
http://agmlemon.freeservers.com/
Again, if you enjoy reading about REAL truck problems, nothing satisfies like GM!
I can be the first to tell ya about
rust, headgaskets poppin, and at the time
my 1 year 12k mile toyota warranty !
ask a few of these know it alls postin
here IF they even own a tundra aka pluto,
laemt etc HECK even ME ! How about some
of the toy fellas postin on the GM threads !
OH well nice day in Alex Bay NY..77 degrees
now. Time to go fishin !...........Geo
for every Toyota lemon made,
there are 20 GM lemons made!
Assuming you're being truthful!
you were just the unlucky guy
who got the Toyota lemon! Hey,
I think that's great! I'm glad
you were the statistic, not me!
BLAH BLAH BLAH....is that you
whining or your transmission?
Why do you think toy offers a longer
warranty now than they did in the laTE
70S AND EARLY 80 s...............
now stop and think ! Sorry forgot
u guys don't own a tundra either !
ok by me as a former toy owner....geo
BTW fishin was awesome today...I dropped
off a couple sandwiches and sodas under
the bridge today...did u guys get em' ?
NOW...instead of the 70s and 80s ?
1 year 12 k mileage ?
geee kia had the same probs and now
offers 10 yr 100k warranty ?
GOOD luck on this one now !
As far as mexican workers, I'm not familiar at all with them. My truck was made in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and last time I checked it's no where near Mexico. Best be askin Pluto on that one.
Good luck on this one now!!
my truck was born at the same place. My good ole home state