Thinking of trading my Titan for a Tundra

[shotgun]

I've been a lurker for a long time. My wife has a Highlander, but it never needs repair, thus I never post.


Until the Tundra 5.7 came out, I really enjoyed my Titan. But now, Toyota and other makers are making more powerful trucks, leaving my Titan in the dust.

There are several key problems with the Titan. First, they are restricted by the torque management system. It prevents WOT from 40mph and under. This can be removed with a tune for a few hundred dollars.

The next issue is lack of aftermarket parts. We have basic stuff like headers, intake and cat back systems. Recently, an aftermarket cam became available. Sad part is that with these mods, the Titan is at best a low 14 second truck, or about the same as a stock Tundra RCSB.

A supercharger is available for our Titan, but you must keep the torque management system in place. Otherwise, the tranny will die a quick death from WOT runs from a stand still. The end result is that the supercharged Titans are actually slower than using the above mentioned parts.

My Titan will be paid off this year, so I’m looking to try something else. One option would be to buy a diesel truck. As most of you know, they can make crazy power and the aftermarket is definitely there. However, around a great drive train you still have the Big 3 engineering. I’m afraid the truck would fall apart around the engine. This is one of the reasons I bought a Titan to begin with.

The new Tundra 5.7 looks to be exactly what I’m looking for; Toyota reliability and one heck of a fast truck even in stock form.

So educate me about the Tundra. How is the aftermarket? How much power will the transmission tolerate? Are there any quirks about the Tundra, similar to the Titan’s torque management? What is the Tundra's weakest link in the drive train?

Those of you with modifications, how fast are you running, and what mods did you make.

I like the fact that you can get a short bed, regular cab with the 5.7. With the Titan, you can’t get a regular cab. Less weight is better.

Also, I know that the Tundra has had a few issues with the first year model, but I’m not too worried. Toyota is usually very good to resolve such issues.

Sorry for the long post, but the new Tundra is exciting to me.

[TheFrozenTundra]

The Tundra is an outstanding truck. I own a 5.7 Double Cab SR5. Everything is rock solid on the truck except the interior has it's weak spots.

PROS:
381 HP 400 torque in a quiet, silky smooth engine.
Transmission shifts smoothly and the differential is much beefier than the Titan's. 6 speed auto standard.
The non-TRD ride is very smooth and comfortable and the steering is good with a good turning-radius.
Unique truck, not many on the road.
AC and heater are strong.
Beat most other vehicles in a race, this is one fast truck.
Toyota piece of mind.
Good deals on the truck and resale value.

CONS:
Interior materials and fit and finish are poorer than I expected for a Toyota.
Hard to change the oil.
A lot of complaints about rust on the step bars from forum users.
A lot of complaints about the paint being easily scratched from forum users.
No "ding" guards on the doors.
No "auto-up" feature on the windows.

[Dana_15]

I have a 5.7 DC with 4.30 gears, it is a beast.

What I like about it

Drivetrain
Trucks warms up VERY fast
Style, compliments all the time
Very easy to drive
Good visibility
Size of the DC. The Crewmax has a bigger interior, yet a very small bed. The
DC has a decent sized back seat and still has a useable bed. Still fits in
the garage with room to spare.
Silent exhaust note
Decent ground clearance
Excellent VSC


Don't like

No locker or LSD option at all
Bad gas mileage, I average around 13, highest was mid 14's, lowest was
around 10...almost all highway, unloaded.
Messy oil change
With options the price of the truck goes up fast
Full rear slider only available with a CrewMax



By your post, it sounds like you want a RCSB truck. Honestly the Tundra is perfect for you. The only real stock competition to this truck is the Vortec Max and the 6.2 available in the Sierra Denali, but the Denali only comes in CC configuration and the Vortec Max is unavailable in a RCSB truck.

Word is there is a supercharger on the horizon from TRD.

[shotgun]

Thanks for the input!

I only wish the new Tundra would have came along earlier.


Things I dislike about my Titan:
Rattles
Blind spots
tractor-trailer turning radius

[theman55]

i have rcsb 5.7 which i really like. i just sold my 07 titan crew which i also really liked.

as fast as my tundra is, i can't say its way faster then my titan was, cause its not. the titans do very well with what they have . and my titan weighed more. i've owned 3 titans and still own an 07 armada. if the titan came in a reg cab i would have never bought the tundra

if you want something to mod there are very few mods available for the 5.7 engine. no tuners, or cams that i'm aware of. and iv'e heard some bad things about some of the headers out there.

if your looking for a rcsb 5.7 i would say go for it. and make sure you get a console shift, its freakin sweet!

i don't need a crew or dc and thats why i bought the tundra rcsb. but if your looking for crew or dc the tundra is not going to blow the titan away.

one thing i def don't like about the tundra is the traction control. it practically turns the truck off if you get a little loose in the rear. sometimes its fun to get a little loose. and i forget to turn it off. other then that i'm happy with the tundra but i was also happy with my titans.

my 2 cents, good luck.

[Vmax2007]

As Dana pointed out, you cannot get a 6.0 or 6.2 in a new GMT900 RCSB truck..However, if it's aftermarket you want, GM is by far the best choice. You can get a 5.3 in a RCSB GMT900 and with a custom street/dyno tune, CAI and exhaust, it will keep up with a 5.7 Tundra RCSB. Add a cam and it will leave it eating it's dust. There is a TON of potential in GM's LSX engines. But if you unleash a 5.3's potential, you WILL want to beef up the 4L60E tranny with a shift kit and/or some Vette Servos. Cheap upgrades though. You can beef up a 4L60E very easily for a few hundred dollars. Oh, and there are already superchargers available for these new GMT900's also, right now. i.e. A cammed, tuned 5.3 RCSB with a CAI and Exhaust will get you into the 13's easily. Add a S/C and you are in the 12's.

I have a 2007 GMC Sierra CC Vmax with 3.73's. CAI and a custom Perf Tune from Nelson Perf and there is not a stock Crewmax that can run away from me (if I had 4.10's, it would not even be close). I had ALL of the TM and nannies removed and added approx 30-35 HP and 30-35 Tq, which puts me over 400 in both.

[stryker709]

Originally Posted by Vmax2007

As Dana pointed out, you cannot get a 6.0 or 6.2 in a new GMT900 RCSB truck..However, if it's aftermarket you want, GM is by far the best choice. You can get a 5.3 in a RCSB GMT900 and with a custom street/dyno tune, CAI and exhaust, it will keep up with a 5.7 Tundra RCSB. Add a cam and it will leave it eating it's dust. There is a TON of potential in GM's LSX engines. But if you unleash a 5.3's potential, you WILL want to beef up the 4L60E tranny with a shift kit and/or some Vette Servos. Cheap upgrades though. You can beef up a 4L60E very easily for a few hundred dollars. Oh, and there are already superchargers available for these new GMT900's also, right now. i.e. A cammed, tuned 5.3 RCSB with a CAI and Exhaust will get you into the 13's easily. Add a S/C and you are in the 12's.

I have a 2007 GMC Sierra CC Vmax with 3.73's. CAI and a custom Perf Tune from Nelson Perf and there is not a stock Crewmax that can run away from me (if I had 4.10's, it would not even be close). I had ALL of the TM and nannies removed and added approx 30-35 HP and 30-35 Tq, which puts me over 400 in both.

No, he was looking for reliability, not something thats gonna fall apart. Sorry, I couldn't resist. I haven't witnessed it myself, but Ive come across several people claiming runs in the low 5's 0-60 and mid 13's for the 1/4 mile with the tundra with only a cai and catback exhaust.

[gilligan79]

I heard a rumor that dodge and nissan might build the titan together.Hard to believe they would do that but dodge does need a revamp and with nissan low sales numbers on the titan anything is possible.

Just sold mine two weeks ago and bought a 4 runner love the ride and the gas mileage just missing the utility of the truck.

I would have to say the titan has the worst turing radius of any full sized truck. they should have tried the 4 wheel steering.

[mhadden]

Keep in mind that unless someone beats the Toyota encryption on their ECMs, there won't be a tune available. It's too bad, because this 5.7 has a lot of potential.

But I must say, even for stock, I love beating the pants off those ricer kids, or even the soccer mom driving their Tahoe/Navigator when I'm passing them on the right side (because they are "just driving" in the left!

The oil change is a pain in the ass, but I've gotten used to it. Fuel mileage is dismal, but hey, what can you expect from a 3 ton machine (and a truck, no less). I was getting around 14 when it was nice out (last summer) and now only get around 12-13. I expect it to go back up when the weather gets warmer and the fuel formulation changes again.

[Vmax2007]

Originally Posted by stryker709

No, he was looking for reliability, not something thats gonna fall apart. Sorry, I couldn't resist. I haven't witnessed it myself, but Ive come across several people claiming runs in the low 5's 0-60 and mid 13's for the 1/4 mile with the tundra with only a cai and catback exhaust.

My GMT900 is not without it's issues (there is now a new TSB out for the AFM lifters...Grrr!!!). But I really don't think after the rough 1st year the Tundra has had, that you or anyone can claim bragging rights when it comes to reliability and/or build quality.

Low 5's and mid 13's with only a CAI and exhaust (which do VERY little BTW)??? I would need to see a time slip to believe that one. Yes, the Tundra's are fast (especially the reg cab 5.7's), but c'mon. Be realistic here.

[stryker709]

Originally Posted by Vmax2007

My GMT900 is not without it's issues (there is now a new TSB out for the AFM lifters...Grrr!!!). But I really don't think after the rough 1st year the Tundra has had, that you or anyone can claim bragging rights when it comes to reliability and/or build quality.

Low 5's and mid 13's with only a CAI and exhaust (which do VERY little BTW)??? I would need to see a time slip to believe that one. Yes, the Tundra's are fast (especially the reg cab 5.7's), but c'mon. Be realistic here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSxbFfHla6c I'd have to see a time slip as well, but lots are claiming these numbers. CAI and exhaust doing very little? I saw them first hand improve the throttle response on my tacoma, which would improve acceleration times. After about a year the tundra is still the fastest stock real truck in the world. If performance is what your looking for, this is the truck for you. As for pros and cons:
Pros
Fastest stock real truck in the world.
Great handling for suck a big truck.
Amazing braking with the box loaded.
Very comfortable seats and ride.
Cons
Some first production year issues(I've had none)
No locking gas door
Some questions about the tailgate strength(Mine has been fine so far, used for construction daily)

All in all you wont be disappointed when you cross over and buy the Tundra, you too v-max.

[eurohazard]

To the OP, by all means buy what you like. I am not trying to change any one's opinion, but there's a few things to think about.

1) Your Titan is almost paid for you say.......think about how much money that frees up for you to focus on modifying it for speed.

2) The Tundra has a fantastic powertrain (5.7 V8/6-speed AT), hands down the best in the 1/2 ton trucks. I'm not too sure it will have the same aftermarket support that the GM/blue oval/MOPAR guys will have......but it will likely be better than the Nissan.

3) Diesel truck: This is probably the best way to go. But keep in mind, just because it's easy doesn't mean it'll be cheap. You aren't going to go many miles if you modify the hell out of a turbo diesel if you don't upgrade the transmission and axles......that stuff costs a lot of money because the parts are very heavy duty.

Good luck to you on what ever way you go....keep us posted.

[Impelled]

I'm convinced, that's all that matters to me, I don't really care how others perceive these debates. A year after the fact towing the boat, driving 10K miles with no repairs just reg PM stuff............I'd have to say to Howey Mandel, "I made a good deal!"

[mhadden]

I cleaned up the frame talk. The OP is wanting performance/reliability talk, not frames

If someone wants to bitch about frames, please start a new thread :tu:

[stryker709]

Originally Posted by mhadden

I cleaned up the frame talk. The OP is wanting performance/reliability talk, not frames

If someone wants to bitch about frames, please start a new thread :tu:

Wow, that cut it down to 1 page from 3. Much needed though.