Tundra's Rear Axle

[EchoHoLiK]

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techart...xle/index.html


Click link for the tech-article with photos

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by EchoHoLiK

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techart...xle/index.html


Click link for the tech-article with photos

Nice article. They pointed out one of my biggest beefs with this truck since I first laid eyes on the spy photos: Why 5 lug wheels?

Toyota is trying so hard to compete and steal away American truck buyers, so why did they chose to skimp on a lug per wheel? My theory (semi jokingly); some executive figured that each stud and lug nut costs .50 cents combined. So each truck will save $2 just by going to 5 lug wheels. Multiply that by 200,000 trucks sold, and now you've just single handedly saved $400K in just one year! Not bad, and I'm sure you'd get a big bonus for a move like that!

[EchoHoLiK]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Nice article. They pointed out one of my biggest beefs with this truck since I first laid eyes on the spy photos: Why 5 lug wheels?

Toyota is trying so hard to compete and steal away American truck buyers, so why did they chose to skimp on a lug per wheel? My theory (semi jokingly); some executive figured that each stud and lug nut costs .50 cents combined. So each truck will save $2 just by going to 5 lug wheels. Multiply that by 200,000 trucks sold, and now you've just single handedly saved $400K in just one year! Not bad, and I'm sure you'd get a big bonus for a move like that!

It's funny how a tech-article on the rear differential has led you to talk about how Toyota can save money with less lugs on the wheels


Whether that's true or not, don't forget that it might've been Toyota's plan all along to profit as much as possible from the initial sales of their own brand (eg: TRD) wheels with 5 lugs before the aftermarket catches on. These are the possibilities, maybe even both. Could this also influence more aftermarket companies to produce more 5-lug wheels specifically for the Tundra?

[eurohazard]

Someone mentioned that the 5 lugs might actually be stronger than a standard 6 lug configuration. It might be possible if Toyota used higher strength studs. Does anyone know if that's true? I just thought it was an odd move by Toyota.

p.s. I seriously think it's an awesome article. I will post it at RV.net. They have plenty of Toyota haters there, and it makes me laugh. That rear end is stout for a 1/2 ton, that's for darn sure!

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

[EchoHoLiK]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Someone mentioned that the 5 lugs might actually be stronger than a standard 6 lug configuration. It might be possible if Toyota used higher strength studs. Does anyone know if that's true? I just thought it was an odd move by Toyota.

p.s. I seriously think it's an awesome article. I will post it at RV.net. They have plenty of Toyota haters there, and it makes me laugh. That rear end is stout for a 1/2 ton, that's for darn sure!

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

Whether the 5-lug is stronger is a really good question, hopefully someone here can provide a conclusive answer to that

Posting it at RV.net = LOL

And yes, Merry X-Mas

[wonger]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Someone mentioned that the 5 lugs might actually be stronger than a standard 6 lug configuration. It might be possible if Toyota used higher strength studs. Does anyone know if that's true? I just thought it was an odd move by Toyota.

p.s. I seriously think it's an awesome article. I will post it at RV.net. They have plenty of Toyota haters there, and it makes me laugh. That rear end is stout for a 1/2 ton, that's for darn sure!

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

whats stronger.. a wheel with 5 holes in it or 6 holes?
besides they used larger studs, lug nuts, and torqued over 150 lbs(steel wheels) 120 lbs (alloy) numbers maybe off but u get the idea
so its is alot stronger than the 6 lugs torqued at 80 lbs

also the studs/lug nuts are the same as the land cruisers

[mhadden]

It would be interesting to see the strength differences between 5 and 6 lugs, but as wonger mentioned, the Tundra does have some beefy studs and lugs. But out of the history of the company, I thought all the trucks Toyota built had a 6 lug config

Oh well, having four less lugs per car isn't a concern of mine...

[Vmax2007]

Seems odd to me that Toyota would heavily market their HUGE 10.5" ring gear and then use 5 lugs when everyone else is using 6. One could argue that a 5 lug design can be as strong as some 6 lug designs, but the same can be said for a 9" ring gear. Why is "bigger/more is better" in a ring gear, but not in a hub? My guess is it's 100% marketing, nothing more, nothing less.

I have a 9.5" ring gear, and 6 lugs. Whoopty-dooo. I highly doubt either will be an issue on either truck.

[Dana_15]

Originally Posted by mhadden

But out of the history of the company, I thought all the trucks Toyota built had a 6 lug config

Correct me if I am wrong but all 4X4 and Pre-Runner Tacomas (both generations), T-100's, previous generation Tundras have six lugs. While the 4X2 Tacomas (non Pre-Runner), X and S-Runners have 5 lug. I don't know why they went to 5 lug, personally I liked the interchangeabilty of have six lug Toyota rims...my last Tundra had rims off a Seqouia on it and my last Tacoma had rims off a T-100.

[nikita]

Originally Posted by Vmax2007

Seems odd to me that Toyota would heavily market their HUGE 10.5" ring gear and then use 5 lugs when everyone else is using 6. One could argue that a 5 lug design can be as strong as some 6 lug designs, but the same can be said for a 9" ring gear...

"Everyone else" means GM? Ford and Dodge use five on "half ton" models, always have. As far as ring gear diameter, isnt the long-discontinued Ford 9" considered the "holy grail" of strength? I suspect that is more legend than fact.

The older Toyota lugs were 12mm dia. What is the size of the new ones? With that information it is easy to calculate which setup is stronger.

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by nikita

"Everyone else" means GM? Ford and Dodge use five on "half ton" models, always have. As far as ring gear diameter, isnt the long-discontinued Ford 9" considered the "holy grail" of strength? I suspect that is more legend than fact.

The older Toyota lugs were 12mm dia. What is the size of the new ones? With that information it is easy to calculate which setup is stronger.

Nissan uses 6 also in both 4x2 and 4x4. Ford 1/2 tons use 6 lug if it's a 4x4. Just wanted to clarify.

[patricksd333]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Nice article. They pointed out one of my biggest beefs with this truck since I first laid eyes on the spy photos: Why 5 lug wheels?

Toyota is trying so hard to compete and steal away American truck buyers, so why did they chose to skimp on a lug per wheel?

I don't know anyone that would not buy a truck because of the lug configuration.

Especially when the alternative is an underpowered domestic V8 with a sloppy 4 speed auto and 3.55 gears.

[Top Gun Customz]

Nice article

[nikita]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Nissan uses 6 also in both 4x2 and 4x4. Ford 1/2 tons use 6 lug if it's a 4x4. Just wanted to clarify.

My F-150 4x4 had 5 lugs. The oddball is the F-150 "payload package" with not five, six, or even eight, but seven!

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by patricksd333

I don't know anyone that would not buy a truck because of the lug configuration.

Especially when the alternative is an underpowered domestic V8 with a sloppy 4 speed auto and 3.55 gears.

I guess I didn't make it clear when I wrote that. I am a member of a few forums......I have been known to both defend the Tundra and point out the few negatives of the Tundra.

In ALL honesty, I personally care little about the lug nut thing.....especially if what was suggested is true (2007+ 5 lug = stronger than old 6 lug). It is more of an observation from an auto-enthusiast's standpoint. I hear quite often from people regarding car accidents, "he with the most lug nuts, wins". There is a perception, whether it's totally true or false, that more lug nuts means more heavy duty.

p.s. Ford is weird with their 7 lug wheels, but I thought it was only some F-250's. I know the last gen 4x4's had 5 lug, but here's a 2007 F-150 with 6 though: