Archive for September, 2010

Toyota FINALLY Addresses Bed Bounce Complaints With TSB

Official Toyota Tundra Bed Bounce Treatment Now Available

Here on TundraHeadquarters, we’ve been talking about “bed bounce” since early 2007. After receiving dozens of comments and complaints, we contacted Toyota requesting  more info about the problem. The result? An oh-so-typical Toyota customer service email that said “Toyota had no information” regarding this issue.

Since that time, Toyota has steadfastly ignored and/or disavowed any and all bed-bounce complaints. A few Tundra owners complained enough to be referred to arbitration, and in these proceedings Tundra owners were told by Toyota representatives that the condition we describe as “bed bounce” was completely normal.

While it’s true that all pickups bounce a little bit – especially if they have stiffly tuned suspensions like the Tundra – it was clear from reports, videos, and testimonials that there was nothing normal about this problem to the people that suffered from it.

Last week, Toyota quietly issued a TSB offering a bed bounce treatment for 07+ Tundra DoubleCab owners that promises to reduce the severity of this issue. I have three thoughts:

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Jeep Is Building A Pickup – Probable Specs

PickupTrucks.com, FourWheeler.com, and Automotive News (sub.) are all reporting that Jeep is going to begin selling a pickup-truck version of the Jeep Wrangler in the next two years.

This truck may be loosely based on the 2005 Jeep Gladiator concept shown below.

Jeep's 2005 Gladiator concept vehicle may be the blueprint for Jeep's new pickup

Based on a conversation with a Jeep dealer who attended Tuesday’s unveiling, here’s what we’re predicting the new Jeep’s specs will be:

How To Remove Your Tundra’s Transmission Valve Body

Following up on our two-part interview with John Lombardo of Import Performance Transmissions (IPT), some people may be interested in purchasing a modified valve body for their Tundra’s transmission.

Just to recap, IPT’s transmission modifications are designed to make your truck shift a little more crisply, reduce wear on internal transmission components, and enhance durability. One of the services IPT offers is to send you a new valve body that offers all of the above benefits.

Based on this video from IPT,swapping out the old valve body for the new one looks pretty manageable for someone with the tools and time – check it out:

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Two Door Tundra SUV Concept

Last week, we asked a very talented artist to draw up a Toyota version of the old full-size Ford Bronco/Tahoe two door. The thinking is that, since Toyota may be dropping the FJ and/or killing the Sequoia, there might be a spot for a new 2 door Tundra.

What do you think of this Tundra SUV concept? Click for a high-res version.

What do you think? (survey below):

Mahindra Pik Up Still “In The Mail”

People always seem to believe the old “it’s in the mail” excuse, or at least give someone the benefit of the doubt. Since October 2008, Mahindra has been promising that their long-awaited baby diesel pickup is “in the mail,” but here we are in September 2010 and we’re no closer to a Mahindra now than we were then.

Since 2008, Mahindra has been promising the U.S.A. a "Pik Up" powered by a small diesel. Image copyright Viva Chile.

Of course, we’re willing to give Mahindra a break on this delay because:

• U.S. environmental and safety regulations can be challenging, especially for a first-time US auto importer
• The economy and consumer demand for pickups ground to a halt for most of the last 2 years, which made launching a new product a little challenging
• Mahindra told us these delays were needed to improve quality
• Deep down, we’re all a little excited about a small diesel truck with a 2500 lbs payload rating that gets 30 mpg highway

If Mahindra’s truck can be successful, other automakers might just re-visit their plans for diesel half-ton, raising the chance that we might see a diesel Tundra someday. However, before anyone gets all warm and fuzzy about the prospect of a cool little Mahindra pickup, they should read this story about Mahindra dismissing their existing U.S. business partner. Here’s the short version, plus some other important facts: