Help with new rig decision

[jgallo1]

So in the quest for newish rig, I have it narrowed down to a Tundra or a Power wagon. I need the truck to be my daily driver and my expo rig.

Tundra
Pros:
Toyota reliability
Great Platform to build on.
10 inches shorter, still same with 6.5 ft bed.
4" shorter wheelbase (better turning)
1600 lbs lighter

Cons:
lack of loacker
lack of winch
suspension
Basically needs some cash to make it worthy

Power Wagon

Pros:
Needs a new set of tires and its ready to go
lockers front and rear


Cons:
Questionable reliability
10" longer
4" longer wheelbase
1600lbs heavier

I have driven them both. The stock ride on the Power wagon in my opinion is better. I will immediately be changing the suspension on the tundra.

Thanks​

 

[Clutch]

PW seems like a no brainer.

 

[Umbrarian]

Tundra:

Pros:​

Toyota reliability​

​

Toy fan here, but do not jump to conclusion they do not have major problems now and then. The frame replacement issue was off the chart.

Go with your gut, I did a pro/con chart in 1995 and wound up with an Explorer. My gut said 4Runner. Wish I had gone with my gut.

 

[Buliwyf]

Option 3: Build a custom Powerwagon from a base-ish Dodge or Ford Super Duty. Springs aren't very pricey. BDS and Carli have both bases covered.

How are you using it? RTT? 'Lil trailer? Slide in camper?

 

[jgallo1]

Option 3: Build a custom Powerwagon from a base-ish Dodge or Ford Super Duty. Springs aren't very pricey. BDS and Carli have both bases covered.

How are you using it? RTT? 'Lil trailer? Slide in camper?

just to clarify, I would do a gently used tradesmen with the power wagon package. It would be my daily driver / work truck / adventure rig / hunting rig / etc..

 

[Buliwyf]

I needed a big door sticker for a slide in camper. So I'm building it myself.

 

[jgallo1]

after pricing out a build sheet for a tundra, The power wagon is looking better and better

 

[4runnerteq]

Tundra. Price out a build sheet for the Tundra vs a keep it going sheet for the PW. What year Tundra?

 

[bkg]

Comparing apples to cedar trees...

I’ve owned 3 Tundra CrewMax’s... I’d probably choose the power wagon.

 

[Clutch]

I’ve owned 3 Tundra CrewMax’s... I’d probably choose the power wagon.

Took you 3 tries to realize that?

 

[Dalko43]

The Toyota has better long term reliability, hands down. Does that mean the PW is going to be an unreliable POS? Not at all; plenty of PW's out there doing just fine. But there is a greater likelihood for problems compared to the Tundra: electronic and even powertrain (transmission and driveline) are not unheard of, even with the Ram 2500/3500 trucks.

Outside of that, the Tundra's IFS will need some modification (aftermarket lift, lockers) to make it more capable offroad. Whereas the PW is pretty much read to go off the dealership lot. You can find a moderately used (less than 60k miles) Tundra for ~$24k-$25k vs a comparable PW for ~$32k. So you could potentially spend a bit on Tundra modifications and still be under what you'll pay for a PW.

I'd say it depends on what exactly you're looking for. If you want to tackle technical trails all the time, get the PW. If you want a good mix of daily driver and overland/4x4 qualities, get the Tundra. That's not to say that the PW can't function as a daily driver and that the Tundra can't be modified for technical crawling, but each vehicle has its strong suits.

The Tundra's 38 gallon fuel tank (optional on the SR5 and standard on the higher trims) is one of the largest OEM tanks in the truck market. It's a nice feature if you plan on going into remote areas or hauling heavy loads.

Edit: Also, frame rust hasn't been an issue on the Tundra, or any Toyota 4x4, for quite some time. Unless the OP is considering a 10 year old Tundra, it's not even worth mentioning.

 

[bkg]

Took you 3 tries to realize that?

Slow learner... pretty happy with the f350 that replaced the last one!

 

[jgallo1]

The Toyota has better long term reliability, hands down. Does that mean the PW is going to be an unreliable POS? Not at all; plenty of PW's out there doing just fine. But there is a greater likelihood for problems compared to the Tundra: electronic and even powertrain (transmission and driveline) are not unheard of, even with the Ram 2500/3500 trucks.

Outside of that, the Tundra's IFS will need some modification (aftermarket lift, lockers) to make it more capable offroad. Whereas the PW is pretty much read to go off the dealership lot. You can find a moderately used (less than 60k miles) Tundra for ~$24k-$25k vs a comparable PW for ~$32k. So you could potentially spend a bit on Tundra modifications and still be under what you'll pay for a PW.

I'd say it depends on what exactly you're looking for. If you want to tackle technical trails all the time, get the PW. If you want a good mix of daily driver and overland/4x4 qualities, get the Tundra. That's not to say that the PW can't function as a daily driver and that the Tundra can't be modified for technical crawling, but each vehicle has its strong suits.

The Tundra's 38 gallon fuel tank (optional on the SR5 and standard on the higher trims) is one of the largest OEM tanks in the truck market. It's a nice feature if you plan on going into remote areas or hauling heavy loads.

Edit: Also, frame rust hasn't been an issue on the Tundra, or any Toyota 4x4, for quite some time. Unless the OP is considering a 10 year old Tundra, it's not even worth mentioning.

I have found a few tundras in good shape mid 20's-low 30's. To do the work 3 different shops, have quoted me / with all the parts between 15-20 k. I might just go PW. It still is hard to walk away from toyota, they are always extremely reliable and have customer service in my expierance

 

[Clutch]

I have found a few tundras in good shape mid 20's-low 30's. To do the work 3 different shops, have quoted me / with all the parts between 15-20 k. I might just go PW. It still is hard to walk away from toyota, they are always extremely reliable and have customer service in my expierance

Buy the PW, if you end up liking it, great! If not, plenty of people out there that love them, guessing you won't loose too much money if you decide to sell it.

 

[Dalko43]

I have found a few tundras in good shape mid 20's-low 30's. To do the work 3 different shops, have quoted me / with all the parts between 15-20 k. I might just go PW. It still is hard to walk away from toyota, they are always extremely reliable and have customer service in my expierance

If you want a good factory-built offroader, the PW is definitely the most capable option.

But what parts are you considering for the Tundra and what shops are you talking to that would develop a $15k-$20k expenditure?
ARB front + rear air lockers, air compressor, and mild 2" suspension lift, you're looking at ~$5k in parts. Maybe add another $1k-$2k in labor.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from the PW if that's where your heart is set, but I think your shop's "calculations" for the Tundra are a bit off. You could easily build a capable Tundra for less than $8k.