2014 Toyota Tundra vs. 2014 Ford F-150 Comparison – Video
Tim Esterdahl | Apr 21, 2015 | Comments 14
Quite often, you will hear us and others talk about the quality, durability and reliability (QDR) of Toyota products and how that is their big advantage. While it is often hard to measure these things, a Toyota certified sales representative puts both trucks under the microscope.
The salesman, Randy Sulver (spelling?) of Toyota West located in Statesville, NC hits on a lot of great points with regards to the differences between trucks. While there is a lot to like from this comparison, three things stand out to us:
- Tucked Wires and Lines – Toyota takes the time to move and protect their wires like brake lines and gas lines away from potential damage.
- Passenger Comfort – the list here includes more substantial heat shields, reclined rear seats, additional cup holders, more storage, etc…
- Toughness – Interesting points here are on the reinforcement of the rear bumper, cross members and frame setup.
It is worth pointing out that the new 2015 Ford F-150 addresses several items like the tailgate, interior storage and other items. We haven’t thought to look that closely under the truck to see if the other items Sulver points out have been addressed. This will be on the top of our to-do list next time we get our hands on a 2015 Ford F-150.
What do you think? What stands out for you?
Filed Under: Toyota Tundra Reviews and Comparisons
This is a Toyota dealership near where I live. The funny part is the Ford dealer is right next door to them and they just went over and “borrowed” one of their trucks. I’m sure they didn’t explain why and probably just had someone go over to “test drive” the F150. Either way, it’s still fun to watch the two dealers take jabs at each other.
Travis,
LOL! I wonder how many more vehicles they let them “borrow” after this video.
-Tim
anyone who says anything about the 2014 crewmax storage being good or an advantage for toyota should be shot
LOL!
-Tim
Tim,
I was under my ’12 CrewMax for a day last summer as I pieced together a custom dual exhaust with the old-school guys at my muffler shop. They are all real motor heads and do custom work that requires welding all sorts of things onto trucks and cars.
Staring at the underside on my Tundra hour after hour revealed to them what was talked about in this video and surprised even the owner of the shop, who I could tell, was a dedicated domestic truck guy like I once was. He drives a custom Harley bagger. He remarked specifically about the stout, old-school-looking 9″ rear (everyone wanted one back in the day) and he was further impressed when I told him it had a 10.5″ ring gear. He knew what he was looking at and came away with a different opinion of Toyota much like I did in ’07 when I bought my first Tundra.
After we swapped in the pulleys on the blower, I let him mash the throttle on the long, remote roadway that parallels the train tracks in front of his shop. He came away impressed for sure and commented about the unusual above-the-hood driving position, the steering response, and the brakes when he hauled it down.
I’m tellin ya Tim, i’m keeping this truck! 😉
-Rick
Nice Rick! Great story!!!
Sadly, most journalists, myself included, never think to look under the truck. I will be paying a LOT more attention next time. 🙂
-Tim
Regarding the ring gear: tell him that it also has a hob cut for better contact by the pinion gear. The other class of vehicle where this is used is in medium duty trucks.
LJC,
You’re right. The guy who installed my Auburn Posi said that. He was impressed by the HD nature of the power train that, as you mentioned, is on 3/4 to 1 ton pickups.
Toyota should have repeated this and other unique features in their commercials. It helps convey the longevity theme. I bought this truck for a few reasons, one being the HD rear and strong power train.
there will always be debate on best frame structure, but I know apples to apples, the tundra is still cheaper to purchase and resale will be higher as well than any ford f150 as well as overall better reliability.
that being said, I still think toyota dropped the ball and cheapened up the interior of the 2014 redesign. Some say the dash is better in 2014, but what about lost dual storage glovebox, no divider tray in that massive center console, only 1 vs. 3 sunglass holders, and what ticks me off the most is the rear DC rear doors has no storage pockets or cupholders built in the inside of the plastic door panels in 2014, just blah flat plastic – no storage.
I think in 2014 the seat redesign (2-3 tones of color) and fabric is nicer though, but the storage and use of space could have been tons better.
I have sat in a ext. cab f150 similar to DC tundra, and the rear seat is MUCH more comfy and roomy than in the f150 for sure as well as the front seats being firmer and roomier.
It seems Ford is off to a very difficult start with the 2015 F150. In addition to many carry forward problems there are some serious new ones:
Paint, Homelink, , EPAS, Roof Seams, Water Leaks, Wind noise, Front Plastic Valance Panel under and around headlights-pops open on rough roads, Plastic Fill Panels (rocker panel section behind rear doors)-has already required an engineering design change, Door Alignment, Deformed Doors-requires door replacements, Door Handles jamb in the open position, Interior Rattles, Excessive Rust, Exceptionally Poor Audio performance on upgraded sound systems (Sony), Rear Center Seat Fold Down Arm Rest, Cross Traffic Alert cannot be turned off by the owner, Plastic door edge trim splits easily, Outside mirrors vibrations, Moonroofs not working, weather stripping coming off, waterleaks, Outside Keypads installed upside down, Rear LED taillights are often not visible in many driving conditions-safety design error, Seat Belts lock up-unable to connect buckles for driving, some leather seat sew patterns are extremely loose and wrinkled.
To me the body plastic fill panels and their location on the truck are problematic and a serious issue regarding how long the body will last. This is the same type of problem Ford has been having for years with those weak soft roof seams that cause water leaks and rust. The roof seams are carried into the 2015 model; when applied to the truck in a heavy wrinkled pattern-dirt, ice, snow, and water work their way into the cab.
Also seems Ford is still having serious “quality” problems with the EPAS.
Many of the above Ford problems are simply poor assembly; some of the problems are engineering issues. Seems about 70% of the issues (quality build) are being addressed by the dealers. It is questionable if the engineering issues can be addressed on the first few thousand units made?
One dealer Don Ringler Toyota has made an entire video series on individual component parts of the Tundra in comparison to other trucks. Here is just one on the “Main Bearing Cap Assembly”. Now if someone is smart enough just compare that to what is in the 2015 F150 2.7 EcoBoost – it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out and why Tundra is the clear leader in QDR.
https://youtu.be/zQkz4dQBE6g
Randy,
I think Ford makes too many of these trucks to stay on top of QC. Cutting a few corners as evidenced in the video, would give them a lot more money too. They’d probably have to dedicate a sizable warranty department to handle problems you’ve described.
Everyone who rides in my truck or drives it, comments on how well it behaves and rides. Regarding the smooth ride, they always come away with the same comment(s) and that is they can’t believe it’s a truck!
Well it is bad, Ford is pushed hard by NHTSA to make a recall already for the 2015 F150. Fire potential, heat shield on the exhaust system missing. Not a big deal really for Ford, just under 100 units.
There are many other recalls they have ordered to go forward on. Some of the most interesting are the steering system bolt failures across previous F150 and car models.
QC at Ford is very likely the lowest it has ever been.
This is telling me Toyota builds a better truck? I can agree with that.
Now, there are trucks all over Utah, I have never seen a Tundra towing 10,000 pounds anywhere. I doubt i have seen one towing 7000. Of the few times I see trailers behind any 1/2 ton I might be seeing 5000 on the high end. I know there are exceptions but they are not the norm. The big camp trailers and 5th wheels and tandems for construction are behind 3/4 ton GM, RAM and Fords.
Because of government requirements Ford is taking the lead in making the F150 as light as possible and installing small race car turbo charged motors. They know that 95 percent the F150s on the road are going to be used as passenger cars.
The other day I had to drag a 25 foot 30 inch diameter log up hill to cut it up. My 3/4 ton Cummins pulled that log up my 23 percent driveway at idle I let the clutch out and never touched the peddle. Low range with the front hubs in free. Will an F150 do that with a 2.6 liter turbo? It would pull it but not at 600 RPM, more like 6000, then after 2 or 3 years of real work the motor will be shot.
These F150s are flat out not work trucks. They are made to drive in luxury to the office, church or the kids soccer game. The comparison don’t not fit the market. All the aluminum crap with small engines is what people want. I wouldn’t buy one but I bet Ford is going sell million of them even though a Tundra is a more solid truck.
I have looked at the Ford F-150.
It is amoung the 10 top buys, for the cheepest, best all around vehicle’s.
And the one I picked above the rest, due to there in, having the least amount of problem’s, where I thought it more important!
Though I like Toyota, Very Much; expecially because of this fact.
I descovered, with my 1979 Toyota Camper, just how great Toyota really is!
I still hadn’t found the Toyota model which fit my needs.
IN TILL NOW :’)!