Cars-Pickup-Truck: >>Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Manufacturer	Toyota Motor Corporation
Production	2000–present
Assembly	Princeton, Indiana, USA San Antonio, Texas, USA
Predecessor	Toyota T100
Class	Full-size pickup truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Toyota Sequoia

The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck sold by Toyota that went into production in 1999 (as a 2000 model year vehicle), replacing the Toyota T100. Although similar to the T100 in size, the first generation Tundra had a more American look and feel and ultimately had something the T100 never had, a V8 engine underneath its hood. The Tundra was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for the year 2000. As of 2007, the Tundra (now in its second generation) now holds 17% of the 1/2 ton fullsize pickup market beating the GMC Sierra in monthly sales, but still behind the class leading Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado, and the best-selling Ford F-150 (in overall sales). The newest Tundra is built in San Antonio, Texas, and Gibson County, Indiana (where the original Tundra was solely constructed).

The first generation Tundra had many similarities with the old Toyota T100 and the smaller, more popular Toyota Tacoma. The biggest of those similarities was the use of the 3.4 liter V6 engine which was the top of the line engine in both the Tacoma and T100, while it became the base engine within the Tundra. The then new Tundra had an optional 32 valve 4.7 liter V8 powerplant which ultimately became the most desired engine of choice. The first generation Tundra also became the model upon which the original Toyota Sequoia full-sized SUV was based. The two vehicles shared a host of parts and accessories including the 4.7 liter V8 engine, wheels, tires, transmissions and interior components among them.Toyota Tundra is 2008 Motor Trend Truck of the Year.

First generation (2000-2006)

First generation

Production	2000–2006
Engine(s)	3.4 L V6 190 horsepower (2000-2004) 4.0 L V6 236 horsepower (2005-2006) 4.7 L V8 245 horsepower (2000-2004), 271 horsepower (2005-2006)
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual (2000-2004) 4-speed automatic (2000-2004) 6-speed manual (2005-2006) 5-speed automatic (2005-2006)
Wheelbase	128.3 in (3259 mm) Double Cab: 140.5 in (3569 mm)
Length	2000-04: 217.5 in (5525 mm) Double Cab: 230.1 in (5845 mm) 2005-06: 218.3 in (5545 mm)
Width	75.2 in (1910 mm) Double Cab & Limited: 79.3 in (2014 mm) Limited Double Cab: 79.7 in (2024 mm)
Height	SR5 V8 4WD: 71.1 in (1806 mm) 2000-04 SR5 Access Cab 4WD: 71.5 in (1816 mm) SR5 Stepside Access Cab 4WD: 71.3 in (1811 mm) Limited 4WD: 71.7 in (1821 mm) 2WD: 70.5 in (1791 mm) SR5 Access Cab 2WD: 70.7 in (1796 mm) Limited 2WD: 70.9 in (1801 mm) Double Cab 4WD: 74.4 in (1890 mm) Double Cab Limited 4WD: 75.0 in (1905 mm) Double Cab Limited 2WD: 74.6 in (1895 mm) Double Cab 2WD: 74.0 in (1880 mm)
Curb weight	3935–4215 lb (1785–1912 kg)

Publicly introduced in May 1999 as a 2000 model, the Tundra prototypes and "show trucks" were initially known as T150s. However, Ford and automotive pundits felt that this name was too close to the market-leading Ford F-150, and following a lawsuit by Ford, the production truck was renamed the Tundra (Toyota claimed they never truly intended to use the T150 name in actual production). Toyota then went ahead countersued Ford regarding the name of their then-released Lincoln LS sedan.

Toyota Tundra StepSide

The Tundra was slightly larger than the T100, but still suffered the perception of being too small and carlike to pose a serious threat to the domestic pickup trucks. With a production capacity of 120,000, sales were double the rate of the T100. The Tundra also had the largest initial vehicle sales for Toyota in its history (up until that time). Although the Tundra sold just under its production capacity every year it failed to impact sales of the Ford and GM trucks, though it arguably took some sales from Dodge. Still, it garnered impressive honors, including Motor Trend's Truck of the Year award for 2000 and Best Full- Size Truck from Consumer Reports. Built in a new Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana, with 65 percent domestic content, the Tundra showed that Toyota was serious about closing the gap on the Big Three.

The engine choices available for the Tundra were a 24 valve 3.4 liter V6 engine that produced 190 horsepower and 220 ft·lbf (298 N·m) of torque and the Tundra's true gem, the 32 valve 4.7 liter V8 engine that produced 245 horsepower and 315 ft·lbf (427 N·m) of torque. A Toyota Racing Development (TRD) derived supercharger was already available for the 3.4 liter V6 that bumped horsepower to the 260 horsepower range and 260 ft·lbf (353 N·m) of torque range, but TRD introduced a supercharger for the V8 engine late into its second year of production that pushed the V8 numbers to the mid 300 horsepower range and torque to the 400 ft·lbf (550 N·m) range. Although the V6 supercharger is still widely available, the V8 supercharger is rarer and harder to find because of TRD stopping production of the device because of issues of its compatibility with the engine.

2003-2006 Toyota Tundra regular cab

The grille was updated for 2003 and the Double Cab version was added to the lineup in 2004. The Double Cab model was a true crew cab with four normal doors, with interior and exterior details copied from the Toyota Sequoia. Its bed is nearly 5 inches longer than the competing Nissan Titan or Ford F-150. It is also 13 inches longer and 3 inches taller than the Regular and Access cab versions. A new engine was introduced in 2005: a 4.0 liter V6 rated at 236 horsepower and 266 ft·lbf of torque, and the existing 4.7 liter V8 was updated with Toyota's VVT-i variable valve timing technology and was rated at 271 horsepower and 313 ft·lbf of torque. The 5-speed manual gave way to a 6-speed manual, and a 5-speed automatic replaced the 4-speed. With a towing capacity of just 6,800 lb (on the Double Cabs) and a 7,100 pounds towing capacity on the Access Cabs and Regular Cabs with a V8 engine, it still did not have enough muscle to compete with the heavy-duty offerings of the Big Three and Nissan. Domestic truck aficionados still derided it as a "7/8 scale" pickup.

Second generation (2007-Present)

Second generation

Production	2007-present
Engine(s)	4.0L V6 236 horsepower 4.7L V8 271 horsepower 5.7L V8 381 horsepower
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	134.5, 145.7, 163.4
Length	234.5, 289.9
Width	79.9
Height	Regular Cab 4WD: 76.2 in (1935 mm) Regular Cab LB 4WD & Double Cab 4WD: 76.4 in (1941 mm) CrewMax 4WD: 76.0 in (1930 mm) Regular & Double Cab 2WD: 75.8 in (1925 mm) CrewMax 2WD: 75.6 in (1920 mm)

2007 Toyota Tundra regular cab

2007 Toyota Tundra Crew Max

A much larger Tundra was introduced at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. It had lifted cues of its smaller brother the Toyota Tacoma along with some cues from the Toyota FTX concept truck. The truck had many enhancements, such as a towing capacity of up to 10,000+ lbs, a payload capacity of over 2000 lb, and a new 6-speed automatic transmission. The second generation Tundra has 3 engines available. A new 5.7 liter V8 that produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound feet of torque, a 4.7 liter V8 is rated at 271 horsepower and 313 pound feet of torque, and 4.0 liter V6 is rated at 236 horsepower and 266 pound feet of torque.

When the new Tundra first came out in February 2007 it was available in 31 configurations, which consisted of 3 bed lengths, 3 cab configurations, 4 wheel-bases,and 2 transmissions The new Double Cab replaces the previous generations Access Cab, and the all new Crew Max replaces the previous generations Double Cab, it is also built to compete with the Dodge Ram Mega Cab. The Double Cab is available with a 6 and a half foot bed, regular bed, or an 8 foot long bed, while the Crew Max is only available with a 5 and a half foot short bed. The Tundra also features a new 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode which is standard with the 5.7 liter, and gives it a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds, and a quarter mile time of 14.7 seconds. The 5.7 liter is a VVT-i (Varible Valve Timing with intelligence) engine, which is built to deliver power and fuel economy. The Tundra 5.7 liter 4x2's are rated to deliver an estimated 20 miles to the gallon on the highway.

Toyota also tried to make the new Tundra useful for many construction workers, by including extra large door handles, deck rail system, integrated tow hitch, and headrests that can fit a worker with his hard hat on. The Tundra also includes a limited slip differential, Down Hill Assist Control (DAC), Hill Side Assist Control (HAC), and tailgate assist. Toyota also included a 400 watt/100 watt power outlett mounted in the bed, for all models that come with the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) package. However, its high starting MSRP of $22,290 makes it more expensive than the Chevy Silverado Work Truck (MSRP $17,860) and the base Ford F-150 (MSRP $17,345).

Some other changes Toyota included in the new Tundra are tow mirrors, a 27 gallon fuel tank, available 20 inch alloy wheels, backup camera, bluetooth, large center console(big enough to fit a laptop), extra-large disc brakes, and the aforementioned 6-speed automatic transmission.

The all new Tundra is assembled in two different locations, both inside the United States. The Standard and Double Cabs are assembled in "Truck Country" San Antonio, Texas, while the Crew Max are assembled in Gibson County, Indiana. Toyota Motor Company will assemble around 150,000 Standard and Double Cabs, and only 70,000 Crew Max's in 2007.

For 2008 model year Tundra arrives at dealers in mid-October. The 2008 model adds 13 variations bringing the total to 44 model varients. The 2008 models feature additional standard features at a lower price, it also includes a new "Grade" trim which is lower that the SR5 trim, but higher than the basic trim.

Sales

The Toyota Tundra has sold at or just under its production capacity since 2000. The Indiana factory can produce 130,000 Tundras a year. The Tundra has been on the market for more than half a decade, and has captured 17 percent of the full-size half-ton market. In the year 2000 Toyota sold 107,798 Tundra's, which was a huge step forward from the Toyota T100 pickup which sold roughly around 50,000 units. By 2005 Toyota Motor Company managed to sell 126,795 Tundra's. This still was no match for the best selling Ford F-150 which managed to sell 756,980 units that same year. With the added capacity of the San Antonio plant, Toyota plans to sell around 200,000 Tundra's for 2007.

Currently 70-80 percent of the Tundra sales are coming from the 5.7 liter, and 46 percent are coming from the Crew Max. The Double Cabs are also doing well, but the Standard Cabs are selling much slower than expected.

Toyota Tundra monthly sales (U.S.A.)
	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
2003								11485
2004	7829	7441	8671	8672	9663	8901	12098	10379	8973	9448	8689	11720
2005	8715	11063	12950	10932	10557	10212	11149	8255	7253	8919	10892	15632
2006	9459	10566	11800	8837	7974	8822	10285	11173	12609	10046	10469	12468
2007	6321	9669	13196	14200	17727	21727	23150	18919	19571	17868	14988

When the 07 Tundra went on sale at the end of January, sales started out slow. During the month of May, sales began to increase. Toyota sold around 17,000 Tundras for that month and 21,727 for June. June marked the very first time Toyota has sold more than 20,000 Tundras in one month. Gaining marketshare, Tundra sales for the month of July was 23,150, outpacing the GMC Sierra for that same month, although its sales were still dwarfed by the Sierra's corporate twin, the Chevrolet Silverado. In August 2007, sales slipped to 18,919 units compared to 23,150 in July.

Safety

The Tundra is currently the only full-size pickup to have earned the IIHS's Top Safety Pick. To meet the requirments the Tundra received an overall good score in frontal offset crash test. The highest possible rating for the side impact collision. A perfect score for rear crash protection. And standard stability control.

While the Tundra reamins Consumer Reports 2nd highest rated full-size pickup CR has questioned the Tundra's Top Safety Pick because the Tundra's stability control is disabled when the vehicle's 4X4 system is engaged. Toyota's response is that the Tundra does not feature a center differential because it would be a weak point in the drive train. However the stability control is still operational when only powered by the rear wheels.

NHTSA has given the Tundra a four-star out of five-star rating for both driver and passenger in their frontal crash test. A four star rating is given if there is a 11% to 20% chance of serious injury, while a five star rating is given when there is 10% or less chance of serious injury.

The differences between IIHS and NHTSA frontal crash protocol are that the IIHS test is an offset collision where a smaller portion of the structure absorbs the energy of the crash. This test is more demanding.

Early Camshaft Failures and Rear Propeller Recall

In May 2007 a Toyota spokesperson stated 20 camshaft failures occurred in Toyota's new 5.7L V-8 engine. Toyota says that this is due to a flaw in the casting of the camshafts, and that the supplier of the camshafts has since fixed the flaw. Toyota will replace the engines charge-free in the event of a camshaft failure. Toyota originally planned to begin selling the 5.7L engine in summer of 2007 but it was rushed into production for the February 2007 launch because product planners and dealers felt that the 5.7L V8 must be available during the launch.

As of October 19, 2007, Consumer Reports (which initially recommended all Tundras) no longer recommends the 4X4 Tundra until durability issues have been fixed. The 4x4 Tundra is predicted to have below average durability; however the 4x2 version remains recommended.

As of December 13, 2007, Toyota Motor Corp said that it is recalling 15,600 4X4 2007 model-year Tundras in the United States because a rear propeller shaft may separate at the joint. "There is a possibility that a joint in the rear propeller shaft may have been improperly heat treated, resulting in insufficient hardness," Toyota said. This may cause a section of the rear propeller shaft to separate at the joint, it added. There has been one reported case of abnormal noises in the affected vehicles. No accidents have been connected to the recall.

Tundra owners will be notified beginning in late-December 2007 and are requested to contact their local Toyota dealer for inspection. If the hardness is not correct, the dealer will replace the rear propeller shaft at no charge.

Heavy Duty Diesel and the Tundra Diesel Dually Project Truck

Toyota Motor Corporation has been eyeing the three-quarter and one-ton market for a while now, and they have announced that when the Tundra half-ton sales hit 200,000 units per year they will start production of a Tundra diesel. The two variations of it may be called the Tundra 2500HD and the Tundra 3500HD . It is speculated that Toyota will use a 6.4 liter V10 diesel that will produce anywhere from 380-420 horsepower and around 750 pound feet of torque. Motor Trend, and Car and Driver magazines have reported that production for a heavy-duty Tundra will start anywhere from late 2008 to 2010. An inside source from Toyota reported that the diesel will be a large displacement inline six cylinder, but no information regarding exact size or power/torque has been released.

During late-October at the 2007 SEMA autoshow Toyota showcased the Tundra Diesel Dually Project Truck. It is based on a heavily modified Tundra Crew Max. This Tundra features a Hino diesel engine, Eaton manual transmission, along with an extensive list of modifications.

High-resolution images are available in autoblog's gallery.

Nascar

In 2004, the Tundra joined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and got its first win at Michigan International Speedway on July 31 that year. In 2006, the Tundra got Toyota's first manufacturer championship winning 12 of the 25 races. The model also got the driver and owner championship with Todd Bodine and Germain Racing.

Hybrid

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe has stated that he would like to develop a hybrid electric version of the Tundra. However, Toyota faces several technical challenges that it must overcome before it could bring such a vehicle to market.

According to the Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Toyota is considering developing a gasoline electric hybrid Tundra, for sale in North America around as soon as possible. 2010.

Toyota may also introduce a diesel electric hybrid system for the Tundra. In Japan, the Toyota Dyna and Hino Dutro are light trucks produced by the Toyota Group that use diesel electric hybrid systems. The Hino Ranger is a medium to heavy duty cab-over truck that could also provide hybrid technology for the next generation Tundra.

In Review

Consumer Reports rates the Tundra as the 2nd best full-size pickup behind the Chevy Avalanche. It should be noted the Chevy Avalanche is technically an SUT or an SUV with a truck bed. The Avalanche's rear suspension features coil springs unlike traditional leaf-springs.

Canadian driver crowns the Tundra Truck King selecting it twice as best 1/2 ton with an engine larger than 5.0L and smaller than 5.0L.

Trailer Boats awards the Tundra with its 2007 Tow Vehicle of the Year award.

Motor Trend awarded the Tundra its 2008 Truck of the Year(TOTY). Other competitors were the Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD, and Ford F-250, F-350 and F-450. While the Silverado, MT's 2007 TOTY was not in the competition; it was defeated by the Tundra in an earlier MT comparison as noted below.

Truck Trend (Motor Trend) magazine rates the Tundra ahead of its GM competitor in a three round battle. 1st Round 2nd Round Final Round

Edmunds gives the Tundra a first place finish in their 1/2ton comparison

Popular Mechanics Magazine ranks the Tundra 2nd behind the Titan in a full size pickup comparison.