Tundra owners what are your thoughts/issues
- Thread starter kingin
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
1engineer
Moderator
PM [MENTION=73151]brockeverly[/MENTION]. He traded for a Tundra a few months ago and is active over on the Tundra forums.
angrydog
New member
Part-time Tundra driver here, their two different platforms and two different beast's with different capabilities. The Tundra with the double cab has a lot of space and with the V8, a ton of power. The ride will be different, I have the SR5 4Runner so I can't talk about the XREAS. Get a Tundra, add a lift, exhaust and you'll be happy every time you turn the ignition. The Tundra has power on demand when you tap the accelerator unlike how the 4Runner which is programed to provide maximum fuel efficiency (unless you go into S mode). If you hit trails, also note that the tundra is wider than the 4Runner so you'll get more scrapes on narrow passages. Finally, note that the Tundra has an 4WD system like the SR5 and Trail Edition, it's not full-time 4x4 and cannot engage 4WD on dry pavement and lastly expect a larger bill at the fuel pump.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions.
Last edited:
RyanC
New member
I sold my 2010 Trail a couple of months ago and picked up a 2013 Tundra Doublecab. I'm waiting for the OME lift and the topper to come in but so far I am very happy with the truck.
It's a different beast with a different purpose than my Trail but it is a high quality truck and the extra cargo and power is nice (even with the MPG hit - although not as big as you might think between it and my heavily modified Trail). I switched because it will be a better vehicle for the various outdoor activities I'm doing these days so a better fit for me. That being said, I absolutely loved my 4R.
It is quite a bit longer than the Trail though so as another poster mentioned if you are doing any sort of city type driving you will absolutely notice the difference and won't be able to maneuver or park as easily as you did before. Impossible to deal with? Not at all. Just something to consider.
Feel free to reach out if you have other questions.
(off topic - I have an ARB dual compressor, accessories and 4R mounting plate that I will be posting in the classifieds soon. Never installed (nor out of the box) as I sold the truck before the plate arrived.)
brockeverly
New member
I made the swap and would do it again.
Negatives:
-SR5 will feel a bit more bare bones than your Limited
-4x4 system vs AWD (different center diff)
-Mileage (I averaged 17 on my 4R and it had a lot of extra weight and 285s, averaging 14 so far and trending down)
-Nowhere near the same on trails. Long, wide, power can dig you deeper into trouble. I am still learning what I can and cannot do.
-Length and height, no longer park in the garage
Pros:
-More interior space
-Power, the 5.7l is a monster
-Having a bed to haul more stuff
-Double the towing capacity
All in all its a fantastic truck. I have no complaints whatsoever. I miss my 4Runner's ability on trails, but I would not go back. There is rumor that the 2014 will have a 5.0l diesel option so keep that in mind. I am holding back on a lot of the mods I want to do to be sure it doesn't come, don't want to build one twice. If you have any questions, want pics of certain things, etc feel free to PM me.
Negatives:
-SR5 will feel a bit more bare bones than your Limited
-4x4 system vs AWD (different center diff)
-Mileage (I averaged 17 on my 4R and it had a lot of extra weight and 285s, averaging 14 so far and trending down)
-Nowhere near the same on trails. Long, wide, power can dig you deeper into trouble. I am still learning what I can and cannot do.
-Length and height, no longer park in the garage
Pros:
-More interior space
-Power, the 5.7l is a monster
-Having a bed to haul more stuff
-Double the towing capacity
All in all its a fantastic truck. I have no complaints whatsoever. I miss my 4Runner's ability on trails, but I would not go back. There is rumor that the 2014 will have a 5.0l diesel option so keep that in mind. I am holding back on a lot of the mods I want to do to be sure it doesn't come, don't want to build one twice. If you have any questions, want pics of certain things, etc feel free to PM me.
Intruder
New member
Hmm, somehow I think they'd sooner bring the diesel LC to North America to test the waters since it's something they already make.
j_shoe99
New member
This is a good thread.
I went to the Toyota dealer in September with intentions to buy a Tundra SR5 Crewmax, but left with a 4Runner SR5 instead....
For my needs at the time, the 4R was the better choice for me.
Although I do wish I would have bought the Tundra on occasion too....<sigh>
I went to the Toyota dealer in September with intentions to buy a Tundra SR5 Crewmax, but left with a 4Runner SR5 instead....
For my needs at the time, the 4R was the better choice for me.
Although I do wish I would have bought the Tundra on occasion too....<sigh>
StRanger7032
New member
I actually did the opposite, trading a 2010 Tundra RC TRD for a 2011 SR-5 4R. My impressions:
1. 5.7l is awesome for power, but MPGs were way less than claimed (10 city, 15 hwy for me).
2. Load height was an issue-dogs couldn't jump in and out safely (big dogs).
3. Interior was all hard plastic and fit/finish were noticeably worse than 4R.
4. Looks-love it or hate it. I never thought it was the most attractive design among full size trucks, but many would disagree.
If I could have afforded to keep it as a second vehicle for weekend fun, I absolutely would have. Despite having some complaints about it, the Tundra is an awesome truck and makes Ford, GM, and Dodge look like crap.
Last edited:
Hellamatic
New member
I have an '07 Tundra DC Ltd that I kept when I bought my 'Runner.
I drive the Tundra if:
-I want to go fast
-I need the cargo room
-I need to tow something
-I have a hot date
-I want to spend a ton of cash on fuel (about 10-12mpg with my 33x13.50 rubber)
I drive the 4R if:
-I'm just buzzing into the city
-I'm going wheeling
-I want half decent fuel mileage for a trip
Apples to oranges - hence, why I kept my Tundra (plus it was paid off)
I drive the Tundra if:
-I want to go fast
-I need the cargo room
-I need to tow something
-I have a hot date
-I want to spend a ton of cash on fuel (about 10-12mpg with my 33x13.50 rubber)
I drive the 4R if:
-I'm just buzzing into the city
-I'm going wheeling
-I want half decent fuel mileage for a trip
Apples to oranges - hence, why I kept my Tundra (plus it was paid off)
Rubberdown
New member
I have both so I feel like I can answer this fairly. The tundra is a big beast in every way. It's big at the gas pump. It's big in interior room. It's big on the trails if you do that. It's nice to have the bed. That being said however, my wife and I are using the 4runner most of the time. It's more nimble, better gas mileage, and I don't have to worry about putting stuff in the cab every time I park. I bought a camper thinking I would leave it on and not have that issue but the fact of the matter is campers kind of suck compared to a nice attached cargo area for storing most things. Just my thoughts.
Ryan
Ryan
Bob Laublaw
New member
Only major negative for me was that its got the absolute worst interior. 5 different colors and the stereo is 9 miles from the driver.
j_shoe99
New member
I thought this was VERY noticeable as well....and I'm 6'1". EDIT: Steering wheel controls would be an easy fix.
You should post the original question/post in a Tundra forum as well.
Last edited:
Rubberdown
New member
All of the stereos in toyotas suck. Plan to upgrade if you buy a tundra. Or 4runner.
-JD-
New member
I came from an 08 Tundra DC and would agree with most of your points. The main thing I would mention is to be sure that you absolutely NEED a full sized truck. You are going to take a hit in gas mileage and maneuverability and if you dont absolutely need the truck you might find this to be a big drawback. At least twice when owning the Tundra I parked it at the mall and then came back later and because of the way other cars had parked around me it was almost impossible to get it out.
I would also agree about build quality. I found a lot of the interior panels in the Tundra would flex when pushed on and creak. Overall it didn't feel quite as well put together as the T4R.
The power is great and having a huge bed is great, but for me it just felt like such a waste to be pulling around all this size/weight when like 80% of the time the box was empty and my T4R has more than adequate power for my day to day usage. Adding up the gas cost was the final factor that lead me to trade it in. Just couldn't justify the gas cost when MOST of the time I really didn't NEED the box.
brockeverly
New member
Not likely as the Tundra is now fully :usa2: all the way down to designing. The engineers know that the truck market can be much better for them with a diesel option. They are already producing a 5.0l turbo diesel for the Hino (box truck) that could quite easily be used. LC would be a more obvious as it is already made with a diesel, however, the sales of the LC are not all that high (approx 2800 sold in 2012 vs approx 100k Tundras sold) and that market is not screaming for a diesel like the 1/2 ton truck market is, in fact, a diesel would likely hurt the sales of the LC.
Last edited:
zidaro
New member
I own both a '10 Crewmax 5.7 4x4 TRD and the '10 Limited runner. Love them both.
Tundra is very different. POWERFUL, but not nearly as nimble offroad. WAY more room and carries a slide-in camper and can tow anything. 4WD and traction control is not as good as the center diff. torsen. Bigger to drive but has never been an issue.
Build quality, to me, is the same. We have had NO real issues with either vehicle.
I get 14city, 18hwy with my Tundra- lifted, EXP1 fr/rr bumpers, winch, sliders, 33"Duratracs at 8K elevation. A little less with the camper on
Tundra is very different. POWERFUL, but not nearly as nimble offroad. WAY more room and carries a slide-in camper and can tow anything. 4WD and traction control is not as good as the center diff. torsen. Bigger to drive but has never been an issue.
Build quality, to me, is the same. We have had NO real issues with either vehicle.
I get 14city, 18hwy with my Tundra- lifted, EXP1 fr/rr bumpers, winch, sliders, 33"Duratracs at 8K elevation. A little less with the camper on
Bob Laublaw
New member
Steering wheel controls do volume and not much more. If you have a navigation unit, you pretty much need a passenger. The whole interior was a big disappointment really. Other than the size of course. Sure, there was enough room for a stripper pole and 14 children in the back seat... but the wood, silver, black, gray, and tan colors? Barf-o-Rama.
Great truck though. Just aesthetically impaired.
