Author Archive for Jason Lancaster
Jason Lancaster is the editor and founder of TundraHeadquarters.com. He has nearly a decade of experience on the retail side of the auto industry, and another decade of experience of the part and accessory side of the industry.
Install A New Tundra Exhaust System in 27 Minutes
OffRoadWeb.com has a nice quick article that shows how installing an MBRP cat-back exhaust system takes just about 30 minutes (27, to be exact). While this install time assumes that:
- you have all the tools you need
- that you know how to use them
- that you have access to a vehicle lift
- that the underside of your Tundra is relatively rust and grime-free
it’s still a great illustration of just how easy it can be to install a cat-back after-market exhaust system on your Tundra. Most cat-back exhaust systems are designed to use factory exhaust hangers, which means that install can be really, really simple…especially on a newer truck where there isn’t any rust or grime to deal with.
Off-Road Magazine installs a MBRP cat-back system on a new Tundra. Click to read the full article.
If you’re thinking about adding a cat-back exhaust system to your Tundra, here are a few ideas to consider:
More Signals That Ram Will Bring Out 1500 Diesel
Since TundraHeadquarters.com was founded way back in March 2007, we’ve been pining for a diesel Tundra. Anyone who has driven one of the big diesel trucks from Ford, GM, or Chrysler-Fiat will testify to the power, performance, and efficiency of the modern turbo-diesel. I’ll go a step further and say that – disregarding cost – a diesel is the best pickup truck engine option for a hauling or towing.
The trouble is, I have to qualify my statement by saying “disregarding cost,” and that just doesn’t reflect reality. Despite their performance benefits, no automaker has offered a diesel engine in a light-duty truck in recent memory. The general reason is cost, or more specifically, emissions. US vehicle emissions rules are strict, which means US diesel engines need a lot of emissions controls, which means they’re expensive….which means the rest of world enjoys torquey little high-mileage diesels while we don’t.
However, recent comments from Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne – combined with some interesting rumors about a Ram 1500 diesel we reported back in December 2010 – indicate that Ram might be the first company to offer a diesel in a light-duty pickup.
Toyota Recalling 51k Tundras To Fix 25 Of Them
In news that is sure to get the ‘haters’ all fired up, today Toyota has announced a recall of almost all 2011 Tundras because of a potential driveshaft casting defect in 0.05% of all trucks sold during the model year.
From Toyota:
[Toyota will conduct] a voluntary safety recall on approximately 51,000, 2011 model year Tundra trucks to inspect the rear drive shaft. The rear drive shaft in an estimated 0.05 percent of the vehicles may include a component (slip yoke) that could break due to improper casting during the foundry process. Toyota is aware of one drive shaft slip yoke failure in a customer-owned vehicle. There are no reports of accidents or injuries associated with this condition. No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved in this recall
Yes, you read that correctly. 0.05% of 51k 2011 Tundras may have a defective driveshaft…if you’re doing the math on that one, the answer is Toyota is worried about 25 trucks.
Toyota is going to recall an entire year’s worth of trucks just to find 25 of them that may have a defect. Crazy, no?
What makes this recall even more amazing is that Ford hesitated to recall 1.5 million F-150’s with malfunctioning airbags not even two months ago, even after NHTSA asked them to do a recall!
AutoTrader.com Reports 8% Increase in Used Tundra Values During Last Year
According to AutoTrader.com, the average asking price of a certified pre-owned Toyota Tundra increased 8% between March 2010 and March 2011, from $24,732 to $26,684. While AutoTrader.com says that the increase in pricing may be a result of speculation regarding a vehicle shortage, that seems a little unlikely. The market usually reacts to shortages rather than forecasts them.
Instead, this is probably just another sign that the Tundra’s resale value – and demand with consumers – is top-notch.
Tundra resale value is high because:
Do Auto Execs Make Too Much Money?
When Ford CEO Alan Mulally was granted $56 million in stock bonuses about a month ago, UAW President Bob King was quoted as saying “I don’t think any human being deserves that kind of money.” Whether you agree or disagree with Bob King’s statement, his sentiments tap into a fairly popular belief in modern America. Many people question the compensation of the average corporate executive, and trends in executive pay indicate that the phenomenon is more prominent than ever…the average Fortune 500 CEO earned 343 times the amount that an average worker earned in 2010.
The question of executive pay in the auto industry is especially important today, as the UAW is eager to negotiate a new contract to replace the one that expires later this year. While automakers want workers to accept profit-sharing bonuses in place of pay raises, the UAW says cutting executive pay would save enough money to give workers a pay raise.
Which side is right? Should workers be happy with a bonus tied to profits while executives earn millions?
