Tundra the next expedition vehicle?

[Desertdude]

In a very short while my Tacoma will have over 100K miles I usually trade in at this mileage for the next best (for me)Toyota. The last two vehicles were '00- '04 Tacoma's.

I am thinking a bit larger and going into a Tundra. I like the idea of a more powerful motor and larger in cab size. The Tundra would help me with some of my longer (highway) distant projects. I can use the 80 series Land Cruiser if I want to do anything super serious off-highway. I've been checking in on the Tundra for the past year or so and thinking it might be the next upgrade.

At first glance the Tundra appears huge compared to the older style Tacoma. Side by side dimensions of the Tundra (from the Toyota.com site), next to the newer Tacoma reveals overall slightly larger dimensions. (less than I first thought.)

I know Jonathan Hanson is testing a Tundra at the moment.

Anyone else have any real world expedition input on this vehicle?

What are the real mpg numbers?


There are a few customizing products out for the Tundra - ARB, Donahoe, Demello, fourwheelcampers


Any other mod products to be aware of?

 

[AndrewP]

DD-That's a nice truck for sure, but the fuel mileage will be horrible. Why not wait until the diesel version comes out? For the super long hauls you do frequently, it might be just the ticket.

What are you going to do with the old truck?

 

[Redline]

Space and power would be nice, and I think if you jump now you can get 0% financing for 60-months! As you say it’s not that much bigger than the current Gen Tacomas, but that's because the current Tacomas are not so small anymore, a real mid-sized.

But... As Andrew said be prepared for poor fuel economy with the 4.7 or 5.7 gas mills. I think the EPA ratings are a good 'start' to guess what you might get. With careful driving I have usually been able to meet or beat past EPA ratings, though most don’t care to drive so purposely. The new EPA ratings are going to be a little lower because of a change in how they are calculated, but I think that most people will still be hard pressed to consistently beat them.

I think Jonathan would be a good source of information on the Tundra.

 

[Desertdude]

I was hoping to see that Diesel by now, but it still looks a ways off. My thoughts were to see what comes out in the 2009 Tundra's

I don't get much more that 12.5 in the Tacoma right now due to the weight and RTT - I am doing a complete tune-up in hopes to gain back a couple extra MPG.

Sell or trade-in - its got some heavily modded areas for a normal sale. One or two of those not factory :shakin: Even with the added 20-30K miles the kbb value only drops a grand or so.

No plans right now for the '04, other than to do a complete maintenance program on it, R&P bushings (done), along with new brakes (done), new set of tires and rims (coming) and drive it another 11 months or so

 

[Ridgewalker]

I have a buddy who had a new Tundra 4x4 TRD 5.7l V8 access cab with few miles on it. We made a trip from Denver to Hanna, WY for a days worth of antelope hunting back in the fall. Including the 4 wheeling on somewhat muddy roads for maybe 15-20 miles of the trip we averaged a little over 15 mpg (I think it was 15.4). We did 75 mph most of the way on interstate roads some 200 miles each way.
The truck was pretty empty and I was a bit shocked at how stiff it road...as bad as my '99 F250 TD 4x4. But it was a nice truck, very comfortable seats.
Personally I like the size of the older Tundra. I have a couple of friends with a 2005 TRD 4x4 4.7l V8 and they swear they get 19-20 on the highway. One moved his son from Tucson to Farmington and claims he got 22 loaded and unloaded on the move.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ will give you some real-world comparisons you might could use to get an idea.
Best of luck on your new build.:wings:

 

[kcowyo]

A potential DesertDude build.....?


:lurk: :lurk: :lurk:

 

[Dave Bennett]

A potential DesertDude build.....?


:lurk: :lurk: :lurk:

That's what I'm thinkin'!

:lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk:

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

The Alter Ego............


"TundraDude"................




........:smiley_drive: :lurk:

 

[Dave Bennett]

The Alter Ego............


"TundraDude"................




........:smiley_drive: :lurk:

DesertDude... MusicDude... BuilderDude... Pasquatch... TundraDude...

Who WAS that Masked Man?

 

[Desertdude]

:bigbossHL: ... :Astrologist: -

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I would simply get a mater model tacoma, noticeably larger vehicle size without all the drawbacks IMO.

 

[Willman]

Do it DD!!!

Little on the wide side...but tons of space and power!

Don't be worried about the MPG.......That's why they make Aux fuel tanks!!!!

:shakin:

 

[Cackalak Han]

DesertDude... MusicDude... BuilderDude... Pasquatch... TundraDude...

duuude...



My friend has an 05 Limited DC. Stock, it got around 19-20 on the highway and 16 city. He has a 3" lift and 33's and gets 17 or so on the highway now (recalibrated). I've driven it on occasion, and it rides really nice. Much quieter than my 4Runner and has great power from the 4.7L.

The new 5.7L might be overkill if you're not planning on pulling anything. If you need that extra space and bigger engine, not a bad choice at all.

 

[Desertdude]

I had the chance to check out Alvaro's 2008 DC Tacoma this past holiday weekend - it is really nice inside and out, and did very well in stock mode on a couple of trails in Sedona.

Still, if I am going to upgrade I am going all the way... More research to go

 

[Scott Brady]

Lets talk amigo. We will give you all of the details on the test. We just turned the demo unit in today actually.