Ramdough-
The strengths of the Tundra, in general, are the engine, cab space, bed volume, wheelbase and track width. It's very stable at speed and with a load (assuming you have the proper suspension).
The weaknesses are the departure angle (easily fixed with a simple high clearance bumper, as the offending material is nothing but sheetmetal), and the overall strength of the front drivetrain, which in the early models is identical to the early Tacomas. Gears were different in later models, but IIRC the axles remained the same, and therefore remain the most common failure point.
The frame was not built for a solid axle. Jon's UA Tundra has very limited compression travel (two or three inches, I think was the number), whereas a built independent suspension on the same frame can have as much as seven inches of compression travel, with an equal amount of droop...tho you'll not get the improvement in strength that IMHO the truck needs to push a larger tire (particularly with that engine). You'll be making a tradeoff whether you keep the IFS or convert to a solid axle.
It does not come with lockers. That's not a bad thing, as it means you don't spend unnecessary money on a factory locker, but it does mean you're looking at an expensive and time consuming group of modifications...lockers, gears, compressor, air tank.
The only competent, mass-market aftermarket bumper is the ARB, which robs a great deal of approach angle. You can overcome that downside with an RCD kit, but you also get the higher center of gravity for no improvement in strength or capability other than the approach and departure angle.
33" tires are easy to fit. 35" tires require a completely different mindset toward modification as well as driving style. That in mind, I will not go back to 33" tires...35s are so much nicer on sand and rocks, particularly at 12psi.
Fuel economy with 6500# GVW is about 19mpg max highway, average more like 17-18mpg. I have not seen this change, despite changes in tire size and gearing, on my truck...only driving style and use (4WD, in-town, short trip, etc) seems to change the mileage.
Hope that helps a bit. My build thread is buried somewhere around here, truck's been under the knife for a while. There are quite a few little "gotchas" that I've noticed over the years, if you do go with a Tundra, I might be able to point out a few as they're not all readily apparent...the self-destruction of my rear spring hangers & shackles was part of a "gotcha" which was developing for approximately seven years.
I like your camper idea. What about the popup style that I believe I've seen on a certain T100 in this thread?
-Sean
