Author Topic: New to Me Tundra (Read 1637 times)

bridgecity · « **on:** April 17, 2010, 07:02:41 pm »

In follow up to my thread "Time for a pickup, I think", here are a couple photos of the exterior of my new to me Tundra now that the streets here are mostly dried up. She's an '07 Double Cab TRD with 47K km. I just did a pressure wash followed by a hand wash with a sheepskin mitt and two buckets to get the layer of grime of her. No tire dressing or wax yet. It's going to be a lot of sheetmetal to clay bar and wax.

1TSX · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:10:51 pm »

Nice Tundra. It should serve you well.

wing · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:11:21 pm »

Looks great!

What's with the snow, geez I haven't seen any of that since February!

rrocket · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:18:07 pm »

Man...I just clay barred the IS300. Have fun clay barring that monster!

No H2O · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:23:04 pm »

Quote from: bordercity on April 17, 2010, 07:02:41 pm

I just did a pressure wash... It's going to be a lot of sheet metal to clay bar and wax.

Somehow pressure washers and clay bars just don't go together when it comes to looking after a paint finish.

Good choice in a pick-up...the Toyota that is.

1TSX · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:35:41 pm »

I forgot to ask...driving impressions for a truck? Interior plastics?

dr_spock · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2010, 08:02:12 pm »

Nice. Congrats.

Railton · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2010, 09:09:22 pm »

Looks

'n man.
Railton

bridgecity · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2010, 10:47:19 pm »

Thanks everyone. The first picture reminds me that I have to take my Christmas lights down

.

As far as driving impressions go, it drives like a truck

. It does actually have a pretty stiff ride, probably due to the TRD package. I test drove two Tundras, and both had the TRD package, so I can't say if the non-TRD is a lot different, but I imagine it would be. The ride is more along the lines of a 2500 series Chev, the 1500 Chev I test drove definitely was the smoothest riding. The stiff ride will probably benefit me while I am towing though. The steering is a little lighter than I would like, as our Pilot is weighted quite a bit heavier, but its about normal for most pickups.

As I've mentioned in my other thread, I LOVE the 5.7 V8. Terrific motor. Very smooth and power is plentiful. Best V8 that I've driven (not that I've tested a lot of modern V8's besides in pickups). The six speed tranny is also very smooth. Great powertrain overall.

I really like the interior, especially the big knobs and buttons. Tons of storage, with little storage pockets everywhere. Material quality is about average, nothing fantastic. I wish the driver seat would lower more than it does. The front edge will go down further, but the rear doesn't to match. I've got the rear edge of the seat as far down as it goes, and its fine for me, but I can see the wife complaining. No biggie, she won't be driving it much anyway. The double cab seats provide plenty of space for the little ones and their car seats in the back. The crew max version is overkill, IMHO.

mrthompson · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2010, 11:09:12 pm »

Congrats on the nice 'Yota.

Giant Dwarf · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2010, 12:32:10 am »

My god that's a big, hairy-chested truck... just the way they oughta be!
Well done!

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2010, 09:31:10 am »

Quote from: bordercity on April 17, 2010, 07:02:41 pm

It's going to be a lot of sheetmetal to clay bar and wax.

No kidding - that thing looks like it's big enough to have its own postal code!

Fantastic truck, though, and it looks great. Good choice.

bridgecity · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2010, 01:52:24 am »

Thought I'd provide some real world mileage with this truck. First tank was 20.1L/100km

. Second tank was a big improvement at 17.1L/100km, all 100% city travel. In defense of the first economy (or lack thereof) number, the truck was driven through two snowstorms that went through the area in April. 4x4 was used frequently, and slow speeds trudging through snow, ice, and slush were the norm.

For the second tank, I attempted to be light on the throttle most of the time, and I was actually getting close to 16.0L/100km, then I let the wife drive it for a couple days. Economy suffered big time. I don't think its due to her driving habits, just more of the routes she was driving. Mostly errand running with frequent stops. I think if I used the truck strictly for traveling back and forth to work, I could get in the 15/100km range. My route to work is 7km one way, with three stop signs and three sets of lights.

I have to admit, I miss my Civic. I find myself adjusting to the stiff ride, then I hop in our Pilot or someone else's car and they feel soooooooooo smooth. Then the truck feels rough again. As I've mentioned before, I live in Truck Town, but I cannot for the life of me understand why someone would choose to drive a truck on a daily basis when they don't use it for truck duty. My Tundra will get frequent towing duty, and I've already used it a couple times for home reno hauls. However, in this town, two pickups in the driveway is almost the norm, when one pickup and a car would suffice. In the future, I'd like to downsize the Pilot to a wagon, but the Pilot is paid for, and in tip-top shape, so it doesn't make sense for us right now.

I should also mention that I clay barred the beast last weekend and added a layer of paint sealant (Poorboy's EX-P). The clay bar took about an hour and half, not including washing. The Poorboy's is a fantastic product, easy on, very easy off, with a great shine. It will be interesting to see the durability of it.

airbalancer · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2010, 07:54:52 am »

Should got a GMC,

I find my pick up a smooth ride,
Throw some weight in the back , that will help with the ride

wing · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2010, 09:00:27 am »

I find the Titan has a very smooth ride actually it's comfy.

But why any family would need 2 pickups (unless they are running a business that needs it) is beyond questionable.

tpl · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2010, 09:33:02 am »

I can see that:

One big cab and short bed pickup. Avalanche or something to act as one of the dearly departed "full size" cars. Big comfortable and luxurious inside.
One not-so-big cab but with a long bed and the 5th wheel stuff for carrying the ATVs and towing the Airstream as well as Home Depot/work duty.

I realize that you CAN buy a pickup that can do all the above but can you park it anywhere?

We get by with our Fit "station wagon" and the GTI "sports car" but then we are died in the wool city folk who happen to live in a 'burb.

bridgecity · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2010, 10:45:08 am »

Quote from: airbalancer on May 06, 2010, 07:54:52 am

Should got a GMC, I find my pick up a smooth ride,
Throw some weight in the back , that will help with the ride

That's all I need, to be pulling around more weight

. I should clarify, I'm not finding the ride punishing by any means. Its just that a lighter duty unibody vehicle rides and handles much better, but really, should I expect any different.

As far as the mileage goes, I'm actually satified with it. Yes, I'm using double the fuel that my Civic used, but, I'm also hauling around more than double the weight, double the cylinders, and more importantly, over triple the horsepower!

Weexy · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2010, 11:16:11 am »

Quote from: bordercity on May 06, 2010, 10:45:08 am

Quote from: airbalancer on May 06, 2010, 07:54:52 am
Should got a GMC, I find my pick up a smooth ride,
Throw some weight in the back , that will help with the ride

That's all I need, to be pulling around more weight . I should clarify, I'm not finding the ride punishing by any means. Its just that a lighter duty unibody vehicle rides and handles much better, but really, should I expect any different.

As far as the mileage goes, I'm actually satified with it. Yes, I'm using double the fuel that my Civic used, but, I'm also hauling around more than double the weight, double the cylinders, and more importantly, over triple the horsepower!

Are there any performance mods out there for that 5.7 V8?? There's no such thing as too much power, right??

bridgecity · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2010, 11:35:24 am »

Quote from: WxyOne18 on May 06, 2010, 11:16:11 am

Quote from: bordercity on May 06, 2010, 10:45:08 am
Quote from: airbalancer on May 06, 2010, 07:54:52 am
Should got a GMC, I find my pick up a smooth ride,
Throw some weight in the back , that will help with the ride

That's all I need, to be pulling around more weight . I should clarify, I'm not finding the ride punishing by any means. Its just that a lighter duty unibody vehicle rides and handles much better, but really, should I expect any different.

As far as the mileage goes, I'm actually satified with it. Yes, I'm using double the fuel that my Civic used, but, I'm also hauling around more than double the weight, double the cylinders, and more importantly, over triple the horsepower!

Are there any performance mods out there for that 5.7 V8?? There's no such thing as too much power, right??

You know, I haven't even looked into it yet. At this point I'm pretty damn satisfied with the 381hp, and the powertrain is still under warranty.

Flinter · « **Reply #19 on:** May 06, 2010, 11:53:47 am »

Congrats on the new truck.

Last summer I did some landscaping work and built a 18ft retaining wall in my back yard. I can't tell you how many times I wished I had a truck during that time. I spent a fortune on delivery charges and truck rentals.

They certainly are handly, and when you get a truck, you don't mess around. As my grandfather used to say, that thing looks like it could tear the arse off a bull.