Thoughts on going from Tacoma to Tundra

[StuckInTheEast]

After having both I wouldn’t ever go back to a 2.5 after owning my 3rd gen. Leaps and bounds better in about every category. 10/125
extended factory warranty is 2k. Well worth it imo.

As much as I want to like them because its the Next rendition of the tundra...having driven multiple and worked on a few at this point and been able to see how everything is put together top to bottom...I won't own one.
Talk about 10lbs of s%$t in a 5lb bucket. Google what that new turbo engine looks like torn down with the heads off and the piles of associated parts to get to that point.
Alot of guys are intimidated working on the 5.7l or even old 4.7l engines...the 3.4TT makes them look basic and simple. Better hope you have a very solid independent shop or dealer with competent techs nearby if you do need any powertrain repairs warranty or otherwise.
The jury is still out on long term reliability if they actually fixed the engine issues and if any other major mechanical problems will arise with 5-7 years of real world use and getting enough units into higher mileage to see what fails...things will fail.
Im glad you like yours, I hope it serves you well and you don't NEED that extended warranty. No doubt the ride is definitely improved in stock form...lifted with oversize tires, not so much of a difference.
I really don't care for the steering feel in the 3rd Gen. Reminds me of a Chevy with EPS...feels disconnected from the road and heavy.
Looks wise....its all subjective. Some people love them, some hate them. I fall more towards dislike. Tolerable raised a bit with different wheels and larger tires, but cosmetically the 3rd gens do nothing for me inside or out. I couldnt care less about tech nonsense in a truck and personally hate the big dash screens with all the BS integrated into them...lane keeping, auto dimming head lights,radar cruise, overhead view in reverse, electric parking brakes etc, etc...I dont want or care about any of it other than basic cruise, power windows and a back up cam for hitching trailers...Toyota lost me full size truck wise with the 3rd Gen Tundra in just about every category.
Personally Id give it at least a couple more years before entertaining a used 3rd gen Tundra.
New, sure...no more a gamble than any other as long as it's under warranty and Toyota at least seems to still keep parts inventory available. Down range parts support is still solid. Toyota definitely wins the gold there presently vs any of the "domestic" options.
No shot at you or your truck Coop, just a counter based on observations and experience thus far with 3rd gen tundra, which I will openly admit is still limited in sample size.
I hope they prove me wrong over the next 7-10 years

 

[akmerle]

I doubt you’d regret it. I recently went from a 3/4 ton diesel(with 1 ton suspension) to a 21 Tundra for my daily driver. Love it.
One note, the 18-21 Tundra is missing an external trans cooler, but you can add one if you plan to tow. Some say it isn’t nesessary.

Just FYI, 2018 does indeed have the external trans cooler, 19-21 do not. 2018 is also first year of updated dash / Safety Sense, which is surprisingly well done and easy to turn off (and stays off).

For OP, lose the Tacoma and dont look back. Been a Toyota truck guy for almost 30 years now (1997 Tacoma, 01 Tacoma, 01 Tundra, 10 Tundra, and current 18 Tundra), wife is in a 24 GX 550 Overtrail (previous 20 Pro 4R and 17 Camry), and son drives an 11 Prius.

Extra power, comfort, interior room, and overall capacity of Tundra are massive improvements over Tacoma. Will get a slight decrease in MPG, but its worth it. If not wanting Tundra, I'd take a 4R over a Tacoma any day.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

That's all fine and dandy, but what about years 11 through 40? We won't know how reliable these are for several more years.

I got plenty of time for them to figure it out haha. It’s my hunting truck, I bought it in April and just hit 1k on it haha. I drive the gx550 more then anything or take the van when I take the kiddos.

Everything is payed off so worst case if the engines end up being a total disaster in 5-8 yrs down the road we will get rid of them and get something different. I have no attachment to vehicles. After having a bunch Toyotas and few Cummins mixed in, I won’t own anything but Toyotas.

 

[Duh]

I got a 18 tundra and a 19 Tacoma. I hate taking the tundra off road. Probably because my Tacoma is a little more built up but the Tundra just feels like a boat.

The Tundra is the way to go for highway driving though. Both get close to the same gas mileage but the extra room is nice. Both beds suck as far as room space goes.

 

[akmerle]

Will also add that the extra room in the cab of the Crewmax Tundra is sooooooo nice. Having the extra storage that is protected from the elements, secured, and climate controlled is a massive plus. Its also wildly comfortable for when having adult passengers in the back.

My old 2010 Tundra TRD Rock Warrior was a double cab, and if I would have gotten the Crewmax version I would have never gotten rid of it, but had two kids and it was just too cramped with them in the back seat of the double cab.

Yes the bed is a foot shorter on the crewmax, but having had both, I have not found a single thing that I was able to haul in a 6.5' bed that I wasnt able to haul in a 5.5' bed. Same quads, kayaks, lumber, gear, etc.

But have found countless instances where I am able to use the capabilities of the crewmax's larger interior to do things that would have been impossible with the double cab interior.

And most importantly, THE WHOLE REAR WINDOW ROLLS COMPLETELY DOWN on the crewmax! Which is soooooo nice with the sunroof open. Where as on the double cab you just get a simple center slider type deal.

 

[BreechFace]

I have an ‘07 Tundra CrewMax with 255k miles on it and it’s been an awesome truck.

I think I’m heading the other way than the OP with my next truck. It’ll be a Double Cab SB 4x4 TRD with the 6-speed manual. Probably run 33’s on it and re-gear the diffs to 4:88.

I miss driving a manual. And Tacomas are hard to beat in the PNW backcountry.

 

[BreechFace]

That’s a Doublecab Tacoma above. Won’t let me edit my post.

I’ll probably keep my Tundra and use it to tow.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I have an ‘07 Tundra CrewMax with 255k miles on it and it’s been an awesome truck.

I think I’m heading the other way than the OP with my next truck. It’ll be a Double Cab SB 4x4 TRD with the 6-speed manual. Probably run 33’s on it and re-gear the diffs to 4:88.

I miss driving a manual. And Tacomas are hard to beat in the PNW backcountry.

Manual trans in the mountains is a nice thing. I'd go a bit lower than 4:88's though

 

[BreechFace]

Manual trans in the mountains is a nice thing. I'd go a bit lower than 4:88's though

Isn’t stock 4:10’s like the 1st gen Tacos?

You’d suggest 4:30’s for 33’s? Probably correct.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Isn’t stock 4:10’s like the 1st gen Tacos?

You’d suggest 4:30’s for 33’s? Probably correct.

Maybe I worded that wrong.

My first gen had 4:30's, pretty sure most have 4.10's. Either way going from that to 4.88's isnt a big enough difference IMO to justify it. I wouldnt do anything but 5.29's

 

[Thinkingman]

CorbLand​

How long before thinkingman comments here?

Just turned 185k miles in my F150-Thanks for asking.
So much better than my 2006 Tacoma....In every way, actually.

I haven't heard anything in this thread about those frame rust, bed rust and leaf spring recalls Toyota issued across the continent for no apparent reason....

 

[Steve300xcw]

I haven't heard anything in this thread about those frame rust, bed rust and leaf spring recalls Toyota issued across the continent for no apparent reason....

Have never personally seen one, nor know anybody that had one.

Sounded like toyota shelled out enough money to make things right though when that all happened. When was the last time you heard of one of the big 3 doing that?

 

[Thinkingman]

Have never personally seen one, nor know anybody that had one.

Sounded like toyota shelled out enough money to make things right though when that all happened. When was the last time you heard of one of the big 3 doing that?

If you've read my posts re Toyota, you would know they disputed my assertion that the leaf springs were flat, then disallowed my reimbursement with a complete set of receipts because I didn't have the dealer diagnose it before replacement. That's the opposite of 'making things right'.
GM is balls-deep right now in 6.2l and 3.0l damage control.
Ford doesn't really have any hot issues that I can think of.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Was remembering the frame rust deal. Weren't they buying back rigs for over kbb?

I really dont follow your posts, nor are you all that memorable. So instead of jumping through the hoops you threw parts at it and expected them to reimburse you?

 

[IdahoBeav]

The used prices on the 2.5 gens are absolutely ridiculous. If you shop around you can find a new '25 or '26, 6.5' bed crewmax 4x4 for $50k.

 

[IdahoBeav]

I wish I could say my Tundra got the same mileage as my Taco.

How bad is the Tundra? I just did a 500 mile round trip in my Tacoma, the bed with a moderate load of camping gear and pulling a small trailer hauling an atv. I got 15 mpg.

 

[Steve300xcw]

$50k for a woods truck is ridiculous no matter who made it

 

[texag10]

If you've read my posts re Toyota, you would know they disputed my assertion that the leaf springs were flat, then disallowed my reimbursement with a complete set of receipts because I didn't have the dealer diagnose it before replacement. That's the opposite of 'making things right'.
GM is balls-deep right now in 6.2l and 3.0l damage control.
Ford doesn't really have any hot issues that I can think of.

Ford doesn't have any issues you can think of?

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Just turned 185k miles in my F150-Thanks for asking.
So much better than my 2006 Tacoma....In every way, actually.

I haven't heard anything in this thread about those frame rust, bed rust and leaf spring recalls Toyota issued across the continent for no apparent reason....

that's nice, just turned 360k and some change on my tacoma, holla when ya get to big boy miles haha

 

[Thinkingman]

Was remembering the frame rust deal. Weren't they buying back rigs for over kbb?

I really dont follow your posts, nor are you all that memorable. So instead of jumping through the hoops you threw parts at it and expected them to reimburse you?

When a 'truck' rides on the frame rails with nothing but 3 passengers, what are you supposed to do?
Drink the Toyota KoolAid and never disrespect the cult?
When Toyota arrogantly denied any issues with the rear springs that were later the subject of a North America recall, I took matters into my own hands and installed the suspension they should have if they weren't in the business of selling image.
And the recall that was later issued DID involve reimbursement for owners who had to fix the problem themselves but they decided to use a loophole to deny my claim even though they admitted to having full documentation of the problem.
They are the worst example of corporate arrogance and just pandering to image-conscious consumers.
Ever wonder why Toyota has the most aftermarket support?...Because it's necessary.