Opinion on used Toyota Tundra

[MTVR]

We considered both the Tundra and the MTVR, but we found that the Tundra just could not measure up.

The MTVR is a much more sophisticated vehicle, having fully-independent suspension (vs. the Tundra's solid rear axle), being coil-sprung (vs. leaf springs in the rear of the Tundra), having full-time all-wheel-drive with a torque-differentiating transfer case, a 7-speed double-overdrive automatic transmission, and CTIS that can air the front and rear tires up and down independently.

The MTVR also has many features that the Tundra does not- 16" of front suspension travel, 13" of rear suspension travel, 16" of ground clearance, 60" water-fording capability, a 58:1 crawl ratio without having to shift a two-speed transfer case into "low range", five selectable driveline locks, 53" tall beadlocked Michelin tubeless radials with runflat inserts, 1,550 pounds of torque from it's 11.9-liter (730 cubic inch) Caterpillar turbodiesel engine, 30,000 pound payload capacity, and 62,200 pound GVWR.

The Tundra would be easier to park outside Bath & Body Works at the mall, but in the end, that wasn't enough to sway us.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Many people say they would not buy a modded or lifted truck. Would you ever buy a truck sold on the classified section of the forum? Or only with a personal friend that you know has done the modifications correctly/ the way you'd want them?

Don't really care who did it, I don't want to buy someone elses gremlins...lol.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Am looking now at this https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/d/holt-f150-lariat-4x4/7137403223.html

Stock, and 2014, so has the 5.0.. don't like the paint, but I'd like to do a DIY Raptor or similar on my truck.

I'm not crazy about the paint either...buuut it has the 5.9 and 6 speed, which is a really reliable combo.

 

[tacollie]

We considered both the Tundra and the MTVR, but we found that the Tundra just could not measure up.

The MTVR is a much more sophisticated vehicle, having fully-independent suspension (vs. the Tundra's solid rear axle), being coil-sprung (vs. leaf springs in the rear of the Tundra), having full-time all-wheel-drive with a torque-differentiating transfer case, a 7-speed double-overdrive automatic transmission, and CTIS that can air the front and rear tires up and down independently.

The MTVR also has many features that the Tundra does not- 16" of front suspension travel, 13" of rear suspension travel, 16" of ground clearance, 60" water-fording capability, a 58:1 crawl ratio without having to shift a two-speed transfer case into "low range", five selectable driveline locks, 53" tall beadlocked Michelin tubeless radials with runflat inserts, 1,550 pounds of torque from it's 11.9-liter (730 cubic inch) Caterpillar turbodiesel engine, 30,000 pound payload capacity, and 62,200 pound GVWR.

The Tundra would be easier to park outside Bath & Body Works at the mall, but in the end, that wasn't enough to sway us.

That's a stupid comparison. They are completely different vehicles. MTVRs are really neat but aren't practical for 99% of people. OP is asking about practical vehicles not propose built military vehicles. A Humvee would be more appropriate comparison but still not as practical.

We like to travel light and under the radar. Those are boxes a MTVR doesn't check.

 

[tacollie]

Am looking now at this https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/d/holt-f150-lariat-4x4/7137403223.html

Stock, and 2014, so has the 5.0.. don't like the paint, but I'd like to do a DIY Raptor or similar on my truck.

That paint is awful! I think you are on the right track though. That should be a solid truck with lots of life left in it.

 

[bkg]

Many people say they would not buy a modded or lifted truck. Would you ever buy a truck sold on the classified section of the forum? Or only with a personal friend that you know has done the modifications correctly/ the way you'd want them?

100% agree with you on this. I've purchased two vehicles from ExPo members and both have been great - and saved me a ton of money or a similar build. Additionally, I've purchased 4 built crawlers in my life, again with great results. All, however, I had great background information on the vehicle and seller.

Buying built can be a huge cost savings... but it requires a lot of honest research.

 

[Todd780]

Am looking now at this https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/d/holt-f150-lariat-4x4/7137403223.html

Stock, and 2014, so has the 5.0.. don't like the paint, but I'd like to do a DIY Raptor or similar on my truck.

Hmm. Maybe you could make the paint work with an 80's vibe? Haha!


The ford you posted looks like a decent truck though. If you are hauling, check the door sticker to make sure you have enough payload. (Regardless of F150 or Tundra)

 

[1000arms]

I bought it in an online auction. It originally cost $250,000, but I got it for $15,500. One owner. It is an MTVR.

We considered both the Tundra and the MTVR, but we found that the Tundra just could not measure up.

The MTVR is a much more sophisticated vehicle, having fully-independent suspension (vs. the Tundra's solid rear axle), being coil-sprung (vs. leaf springs in the rear of the Tundra), having full-time all-wheel-drive with a torque-differentiating transfer case, a 7-speed double-overdrive automatic transmission, and CTIS that can air the front and rear tires up and down independently.

The MTVR also has many features that the Tundra does not- 16" of front suspension travel, 13" of rear suspension travel, 16" of ground clearance, 60" water-fording capability, a 58:1 crawl ratio without having to shift a two-speed transfer case into "low range", five selectable driveline locks, 53" tall beadlocked Michelin tubeless radials with runflat inserts, 1,550 pounds of torque from it's 11.9-liter (730 cubic inch) Caterpillar turbodiesel engine, 30,000 pound payload capacity, and 62,200 pound GVWR.

The Tundra would be easier to park outside Bath & Body Works at the mall, but in the end, that wasn't enough to sway us.

That's a stupid comparison. They are completely different vehicles. MTVRs are really neat but aren't practical for 99% of people. OP is asking about practical vehicles not propose built military vehicles. A Humvee would be more appropriate comparison but still not as practical.

We like to travel light and under the radar. Those are boxes a MTVR doesn't check.

No, it is not a "stupid" comparison. Slo_dak, the OP (the one who posted this thread asking about a Tundra), asked MTVR what kind of truck he bought, and if he bought it from a dealer. MTVR responded, and was kind enough to add a comparison of the vehicles he and his wife were looking at. The $15,500 MTVR might not be what you want, but that doesn't change the what comparisons MTVR and his wife made while considering what to purchase for an expedition rig.

 

[rruff]

We considered both the Tundra and the MTVR, but we found that the Tundra just could not measure up.

Believe it or not I considered an MTVR as well, since this will be our full time abode. But we are living light and I figured a big military truck would be more costly and more hassle in the long run.

 

[tacollie]

No, it is not a "stupid" comparison. Slo_dak, the OP (the one who posted this thread asking about a Tundra), asked MTVR what kind of truck he bought, and if he bought it from a dealer. MTVR responded, and was kind enough to add a comparison of the vehicles he and his wife were looking at. The $15,500 MTVR might not be what you want, but that doesn't change the what comparisons MTVR and his wife made while considering what to purchase for an expedition rig.

Maybe silly is a better word? It's funny to compare the two. They have very little in common. One is a light duty truck and the other could probably drive over a light duty truck ?

 

[MTVR]

We tried, but we were just not able to figure out how to fit a garage with two motorcycles and two bicycles, a bedroom with a queen-sized bed, a full kitchen, a dining room, a living room with sofa, a full bathroom with shower and jetted tub, a custom made gun safe, a fold-out 8-foot by 8 foot rear deck, and everything else that we wanted, into a Tundra.

 

[Todd780]

We tried, but we were just not able to figure out how to fit a garage with two motorcycles and two bicycles, a bedroom with a queen-sized bed, a full kitchen, a dining room, a living room with sofa, a full bathroom with shower and jetted tub, a custom made gun safe, a fold-out 8-foot by 8 foot rear deck, and everything else that we wanted, into a Tundra.

That sounds like a challenge! lol

 

[1000arms]

No, it is not a "stupid" comparison. Slo_dak, the OP (the one who posted this thread asking about a Tundra), asked MTVR what kind of truck he bought, and if he bought it from a dealer. MTVR responded, and was kind enough to add a comparison of the vehicles he and his wife were looking at. The $15,500 MTVR might not be what you want, but that doesn't change the what comparisons MTVR and his wife made while considering what to purchase for an expedition rig.

Maybe silly is a better word? It's funny to compare the two. They have very little in common. One is a light duty truck and the other could probably drive over a light duty truck ?

How about "unusual" comparison? It is polite and probably makes your point.

You might chuckle at my post in MTVR's thread: https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/building-our-box-out-of-wood.214899/post-2781213

From that post, "Your vehicle has a payload more than double the 14,000 pound GVWR of a Ford F-350 DRW pickup. You could load 2 F-350 DRWs to the 14000 GVWR, crush them, load them in to your truck, and have enough payload left for two people and 4 dogs (assuming a max weight of 500-pounds/person and 250-pounds/per dog).

Your vehicle has a payload more than 4x the payload of a Ford F-350 4x4, gas-powered, regular cab, dually pickup."

Believe it or not I considered an MTVR as well, since this will be our full time abode. But we are living light and I figured a big military truck would be more costly and more hassle in the long run.

We tried, but we were just not able to figure out how to fit a garage with two motorcycles and two bicycles, a bedroom with a queen-sized bed, a full kitchen, a dining room, a living room with sofa, a full bathroom with shower and jetted tub, a custom made gun safe, a fold-out 8-foot by 8 foot rear deck, and everything else that we wanted, into a Tundra.

A number of years ago I debated between a Jeep Wrangler and a full-size regular-cab longbed pickup truck. I went with the Jeep then. More recently I went through the comparison again. This time I went with the pickup truck. Although not the extreme difference between the Tundra and MTVR, the Jeep Wrangler and the fullsize regular-cab longbed pickup truck are quite different critters.

 

[MTVR]

That sounds like a challenge! lol

View attachment 591834

Now that we have a 30,000-pound payload capacity, it is no longer a challenge...