Archive for September, 2010

Tundra TRD Dual Exhaust Is Back

When the 2nd generation Toyota Tundra debuted in 2007, one of the things Tundra buyers liked was the option to buy a Toyota-authorized TRD cat-back exhaust system. Rather than buying an after-market exhaust system and worrying about performance, sound characteristics, and quality, new Tundra buyers could go with a system backed by Toyota.

The new TRD dual cat-back exhaust system for 2009+ Tundras retails for $1,000

However, for some inexplicable reason, Toyota canceled the TRD exhaust system at the end of the 2008 model year. Up until last week, anyone who wanted a TRD exhaust for their 2009-2011 Tundra was out of luck. However, TRD has corrected this oversight with a new Tundra exhaust system for 2009-and-up Tundras.

Here’s all the info:

Search terms people used to find this page:

• tundraheadquarters

Toyota Building Prius-Flavored Pickup?

This week’s Automotive News breaks down Toyota’s product plans for the next few years, including supposed plans for a Prius branded compact pickup – likely based on the A-Bat concept pictured here:

A truck based on this concept has been rumored for some time – a hybrid version has been hinted at over the last few years, and Scion President Jack Hollis has hinted at a Scion version of the A-BAT concept for a few months now.

Here’s what we think:

The UAW Will Forever Handicap Ford, GM, and Chrysler

Members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) are not an homogeneous group. Most are conscientious, hard-working, and fine examples of everything that’s right with American manufacturing. This post will discuss unreasonable wage demands and video of UAW members drinking and smoking marijuana during their lunch hour, but it is in no way meant to slander the UAW’s hard-working majority. The issue isn’t the average autoworker – it’s the system that the UAW has created.

Two-Door, Tundra-based SUV – What Would You Name It?

There was once a time when you could saunter on down to your local car dealership and test drive one of several full-size, two-door sport-utility vehicles. In fact, the history books are filled with names like the Chevrolet Blazer, the Ford Bronco, the Toyota FJ40 and the Dodge Ramcharger, vehicles that each offered full-frame truck toughness on a short, easy-to-navigate-out-on-the-trail wheelbase.

Sadly, most of these models had disappeared by the mid-1990s, leaving us with only their full-size four-door cousins to take their place. Sure, the FJ Cruiser and the Jeep Wrangler are still around, but they aren’t in quite the same class in terms of brawn, towing capacity or passenger room as a full-size truck. While the Chevrolet Suburban and the Toyota Sequoia are certainly solid vehicles in their own right, they don’t offer the same amount of fun when thrashed across a mud pit, due to their size and weight. They are also harder to park and just don’t look as ‘sporty’ as the departed two-door SUVs of old.

Just because these trucks no longer ply the nation’s highways doesn’t mean that we can’t dream.

2007 and 2008 Tundra Owners – Heater Upgrade Available

Toyota recently sent dealers a TSB regarding “reduced cold start heater warm-up in cold conditions.” In English, that means “Tundras that don’t warm up quick enough.” The fix for this problem is really simple – it’s just a software upgrade.

Since the colder months are on their way, now would be a good time to talk to your local dealer if you have a 2007 or 2008 Tundra or a 2008 Sequoia. The TSB number is 0231-10 – here’s some more info on how your dealer will perform this software update: