10 Features and Improvements Needed On the Next Generation Tundra
Jason Lancaster | Oct 12, 2009 | Comments 42
Toyota typically redesigns their vehicles on a 5 year cycle, meaning that the next generation Tundra is due out in just a couple of years. We’ve been told that a diesel Tundra isn’t on the to-do list anytime before 2012 (not until the truck market “recovers” – whatever that means), and that hybrid and HD Tundras still seem to be a few years off (think 2015).
Toyota should copy the Ram Box feature on the next-generation Tundra.
However, there are going to be some enhancements in the next-gen truck. We don’t know what all of those enhancements will be, but here are some suggestions for features and changes that Toyota should include in the next-gen Tundra (feel free to comment to add to the list).
1. Integrated trailer brake and “trailer sway control” systems. While this should be optional equipment (not every truck owner will appreciate these features), this is really a no-brainer. Integrating the trailer brake makes life that much easier when towing, and trailer sway control is a smart electronic feature that will manage braking if a sway situation starts to occur.
2. Redesign gauge layout. The current gauges are unreadable in some lighting situations, and awkward the rest of the time. Sometimes it’s OK to copy what everyone else is doing.
3. Flip-up rear seats. The current Tundra’s rear seats flip downward, which means you lose some usable space. Of course, the current Tundra’s rear seats also recline, so maybe it’s just not possible for them to flip up…but it would be nice.
4. Microsoft Sync. This is a simple and popular option that Toyota needs to make available on all future models.
5. A lifetime warranty against frame rust. In light of all the recent negative first-gen Tundra frame rust publicity, it would be a nice sales tool to overcome any concerns and demonstrate Toyota’s commitment.
6. Upgrade the rear suspension to fix the bed bounce problem once and for all. This is an issue that doesn’t come up a lot, but when it does come up, you know it. Toyota needs to do whatever it takes to make this a non-issue.
7. Improve fuel gauge accuracy. Sure it’s not the end of the world that the Tundra’s fuel gauge is 3-6 gallons off…but it sure is annoying on a $30-$45k vehicle. Fix it, would ya?
8. Integrate a cylinder de-activation system into the available engines. Cylinder de-activation seems like a relatively easy way to boost fuel economy…and considering Chevy managed to add it to their old-school 5.3, it should be easy enough for Toyota to pull it off in the high-tech 4.6 and 5.7.
9. Copy the Ram Box. Technically, one could argue that Nissan was the first to integrate storage into the quarter panels in a truck bed, but whatever. This is a cool feature that Toyota could easily (and inexpensively) offer.
10. Basic and inexpensive in-dash computing system. More and more consumers will expect to be able to use their computers wherever they are…even on the road. A cheap touch-screen laptop (with purpose-built software for the navigation and entertainment systems) should be easy enough to integrate into the dash. This could be sold as a “work” feature to the people who use their Tundras on job sites across the country, and anyone who has a mobile office might appreciate it as well. The typical consumer could also be sold the benefit of being able to check email, Facebook, Twitter, and the like from their vehicle without using the small screen on their web-enabled phone.
What do you think – what else should Toyota add or enhance on the next generation truck?
Filed Under: Tundra News • TundraHeadquarters.com
11. Put a diesel in the 1/2 ton already and stop teasing us at SEMA. It should be B20 compatible and get at least 25 mpg hwy.
12. Strengthen the current frame, and maybe even offer a fully boxed hydroformed frame. Like Jason said, sometimes its okay to copy the leaders in the industry.
13. Offer free roadside assistance with every vehicle.
14. Bump up the customer service at ALL dealers, not just a few. I shouldn’t have to argue with the service rep to get a warranty item covered while my car is STILL under warranty. GM replaced every problem I had with my Vibe without question or conflict, but Toyota wants to act like one small problem is my fault. Customer service after the sale is key, and poor service will drive customers away.
15. Get back to the roots of a small car company that built good, reliable cars/trucks/SUVs that were nearly flawless.
Mr. Toyoda, are you reading this? You want to get back in touch with your customers? Well, here we are! THIS is what we want!
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Make this truck look so damn good, so damn tough, a lil old school, lil more boxie! Truck guys want a super tough looking truck! Yes the tundra looks tough in the front if its lifted but lets really set the bar high here!! And for the love of god GET A DAMN HEAVY DUTY!!! Put a CAT diesel in it and put one in the half ton! That will sell tundras trust me! LISTEN TO ME TOYODA!!! I WOULDNT BULLSHIT YOU!! I wanna see you guys take over the big truck world!!! Toyota trucks all the way…. remember Old school boxie body style With Ground clearance!!! Take the new Dodge HD’s for example!
Brian,
That frame idea is a great one! Just thought I’d let ya know
1. Not interested in adding the brake controller b/c I don’t tow..I haul. Not looking for an additional cost in the package.
2. Redesign the whole interior!! Not just the gauges. However, I can live with those small things.
3. I thought my rear seats in the DC DID flip up so I’m lost on this one. Maybe the CrewMax is different? Cuz my backseats don’t recline either unless I missed that button too.
Overall I’m happy with the truck the way it is and can see where some of the small touches would be great. The other things I don’t like such as the horrible radio/speakers I can change on my own since I wouldn’t invest money in getting the JBL system either. And yes a lot of folks are itching for a diesel so Toyota needs to step the game up on that level. Eiher way, most of these changes don’t matter for me because I have no reason to trade or buy another truck unless the unthinkable happens and it ends up being damaged.
Great article and hope someone that matters in Toyota’s R&D will look into it!
Oh yeah…and decrease the rake! 3″ is a bit much, no?
If Toyota is going to continue with the 5.7 engine….. take the knocking noises out of it. The 2000 I had with the 4.7 sounded like a well tuned Singer sewing machine. You had to stand next to it to hear it running.
Okay here we go.
#1 can help one who tows a great deal. So as an option would satisfy that category. Go with a well known and reliable brand.
#2 Nothing wrong with the guage setup or with light shining on it. What you need to do is put real #’s on your guages like your amp guage. How can I tell if my thermostat is working well when I know it works at 180 degrees? Is it 3 dashes to the right of “C”?
#3 I don’t see the issue on flip up seats. I’m able to put everything I want behind my back seat or under it. If it don’t fit in the cab what’s the idea of the bed? You want it covered how about a Tonneau?
#4 Very bad IDEA…… Reason you already have people who can’t react to the carpet mats moving up to the gas pedal now you want them to drive and talk at the same time. You’re asking for a law suit. How many people will use this when they are parked?
#5 Excellent idea, and selling point…. No more to add. Does make Toyota stand out.
#6 I really haven’t experienced this but we all know this is a problem. Take care of it or it will be taken care of for you Toyota. No one will keep buying that problem.
#7 I don’t understand why this has become any issue. Am I the only one that understands that this 2nd gen truck was built on towing? Hence the gas reserve. I hardly tow and never have a problem with this guage. I travel alot so I for one would know a road trip when to fill up. So what if the light comes on and I have only 23 miles on the guage and knowing I got another 60 miles left. Knowing is half the battle. Too many unsecure people out there. You see how it runs and you adjust to it. If this is all you got to complain about you need to find something to do with your time.
#8 This can be helpful to a person like myself who does MPG’s. To people who pulls any kind of loads this is a non help thing that costs the consumer. Remeber the 2nd gen was built on towing so this wouldn’t be beneficial to the design of the truck.
#9 I’m lost on this idea. Lose bed space for placing tools and in the side. There’s a reason the bed space was a certain length and width. Not to mention the dents that will come from this when a tool is placed to hard in it or when you don’t have alot of things in it and it moves around.
#10 This will also fall under #4 and now they will play or use the computer while driving….. Another law suit waiting to happen. Yes it will be good for those who park and use this. Or if the passenger uses this.
#11 Fix the paint issue you have…. I have sealant on mine but quite a few don’t.
There are a bunch of great ideas here – Mike at PickupTrucks.com suggested making it a touch smaller in size…not a bad idea either.
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There’s one point that all of these comments make quite clearly – it’s almost impossible to design a truck that makes everyone happy. This is a great time to thank Toyota engineers (all auto engineers in general, really) for being able to design a couch that hauls 10k, goes 0-60 in about 7 seconds, holds all the furniture in the rest of the house, has a pretty decent stereo, survives and performs in all weather conditions, goes off-road, and lasts for decades…it’s crazyness to think about all the work that goes into making a great vehicle.
I would love to see a sport package with a swaybar, larger wheels/lower profile tires, and sport suspension already installed. I don’t tow or haul and better performance from the factory would appeal to me instead of my having to add things myself.
[…] adding a comment so Toyota may read and do on the new gen coming soon. Makes for great reading. 10 Features and Improvements Needed On the Next Generation Tundra | Tundra Headquarters __________________ MIDNIGHT RIDER CREWMAX LIMITED MIDNIGHT RIDER 07 Crewmax Limited Nautical […]
[…] a wish list for making the new gen truck better than the 2nd gen truck. 10 Features and Improvements Needed On the Next Generation Tundra | Tundra Headquarters __________________ MIDNIGHT RIDER CREWMAX LIMITED MIDNIGHT RIDER 07 Crewmax Limited Nautical […]
I somewhat understand what Stick is saying but at the same time, trucks are truly made to tow/haul so most manufacturers are not going to consider going that route to make a “sport” package. Even on most forums, you’re likely to see a lifted Tundra before a lowered. Sport packages for Toyota are more geared towards TRD.
Simple way to increase sales volume 100%: Mfg. a 1/2 ton crew max with a 6 1/2′ bed length. This will be your #1 selling truck for sure. All pretty good ideas especially lifetime rust warranty, instrumentation in middle like clock needs to be brighter (simple fix), smoother ride like the new Dodge Ram or Chevy Silverado would be nice (too choppy of a ride for a 1/2 ton truck), and how about a leather wrapped steering wheel in the SR5 and Limited versions as standard eqmt. Also, no big deal, but would be nice to have a full power sliding window in the double cab truck just like the crew max has. The extra money it costs to have a power slider just in the middle 1 foot of the back window is pretty pricey on the double cab Tundra, although nice even though besides power sliding, it should also be able to slide closed manually as well by having a switch that shuts off and on the power sliding feature. Oh, one more important item this Tundra DOES NOT HAVE: A REAL TAILGATE that is not so cheap and thin it dents just by pressing my palm of my hand hard against the inside removable part of the tailgate. Paint/rusting is my #1 priority overall though that needs to be fixed soon to get my business yet again.
Sorry, almost forgot, the stock speakers in the Tundra are barely even middle of the road quality. My 2009 Toyota Corolla LE has better clarity and richer volume (tone/bass) than the boing/poor bass speakers on the Tundra. Are you listening Toyota?
1. UPGRADE THE AIR CONDITIONER TO AT LEAST CHEVY STANDARDS, IT IS MARGINAL HERE ON THE RANCH IN SOUTH TEXAS.
2. DIESEL HD MODEL NOW I HAVE BEEN READY TO BUY FOR AWHILE
3. 8 FOOT BED ON CREWMAX WITH LOW SPEED ONLY REAR WHEEL STEERING
POSSIBLY MANUALLY CONTROLED(LIKE A ROCKCRAWLER)SINCE IT IS ONLY NEEDED AT SPEEDS UNDER 10 MPH FOR MANUEVERING IN TIGHT SPACES WITH THE LONG WHEELBASE(LONG BED)TRUCKS
Your right, you can’t make everyone happy. If it could be done Toyota would’ve already done it. You guys are impossible…You want it to ride like a cadilac and pull like a peterbuilt!! Or “its to big, no no, its not big enough! You cant have the best of both worlds. I understand they’re are different types of people out there. Some may never use it for work, haul or tow anything & you want a street truck, they have a package for that. If you want a big bad ass off road truck…they have a package for that. Toyota deffinetly needs to come out with a diesel. But I think people will be disappointed when they do. The first gen. will probably be under powered, they’ll only offer a auto trans and the truck will be massive. You 5.7 guys, think about how much room is in your engine compartment, now imagine stuffing a diesel in there. If its a inline block like dodge they’ll have to lengthen the truck. If they use a V-block like gm or ford it will be so tight in there…well you can imagine.
Toyota does not have a big enough truck because they need to offer a crew max with longer bed options instead of about 5’6″ long which is useless. Why can’t they offer a crew max with 3 bed options, 5’6″, 6 1/2′, and like AG Bradford wants 8′, although like he said with rear wheel drive only at low speeds is pushing the envelope a tad too far.
MK – totally on point for all of what you said. I can’t complain about the ride though – still a truck! 😉 Great review.
I’m not really saying the ride is terrible or anything, just a little more bouncier and firmer than Chevy, GMC and the new Dodge Ram. Don’t know much about Fords. Stock for stock overall though, the Tundra, in my book, is hard to beat. I try buy the best or at least what I think in my mind is the best. Others may disagree, and that is what life is all about. Enough being philisophical, let’s smoke them tires.
This is truly fascinating. I think this will be the basis of some future posts. Thanks for the comments – keep them coming!
And if they had a CrewMax Long Bed, I’d sure have it even though I don’t need the extra cab space!
There you go Toyota, the public has spoken and not just me, many others: Manufacture a crew cab/max with 3 different box configurations 5’6″, 6 1/2′, and 8′. There, you satisfied everyone needs where the other Big 3 truck mfgs. have not done yet, now get er’ done if you want to sell those Tundras! I should have been an engineer because any idiot like me could have figured this out 20 years ago. What are they paying these techy engineers big bucks for when I solved a major problem all truck mfgs. have had for decades. YES: there is a market for longer bed lengths in the crew max namely 6 1/2′ and even the very lengthy 8′ long bed.
Here I will save some time. Buy a Ford or Dodge, that’s what your saying. How about fix the frame issue first then the bed bounce. HD should be the last thing on their mind. Master the 1/2 first.
If I wanted a trailer brake, Sync, adjustable pedals, power telescope mirrors, sway control, on board computer (Ford work solution), rear seat that folds up or down, road side assistance buy a Ford. Funny they have Superdutys also.
Want a ram box buy a dodge. Weird they have HD’s.
How about something original. Here’s a idea start with a reliable frame. Build from their or stick with cars.
With all this being said I’m going to look at the F series their floor mats seem to be just fine.
GET RID OF THE CLUCK/THUNK In your words. AND I’ll BUY ANOTHER
I prefer overall reliability and am quite happy with my specific Tundra. There’s nothing wrong with asking for improvements to an existing model. I’m sure there are features Ford, Dodge, Chevy, etc owners are looking for as well in their trucks. Please don’t turn a useful post and comments into a misconstrued rant.
How about curb view mirrors… They were great on the 06 Chevy I had. I had it set for only the pass mirror, when you put it in reverse the pass mirror would go down to see the curb. Saves the sidewall.
ts8s – Clever response. The problem is, buying a Ford means we get left in the dust because we have no power. Buying a Dodge means poor quality and bad reliability. 🙂
Yah, what Jason said ts8s. Also, forgot to add Toyota Tundra needs a rear locking diffential like chevy trucks have vs. limited slip which is just about worthless. To me, that is a no brainer to just do it. The only truck close to power and performance, reliability remains to be seen, is the new 6.2L V8 in the chevy/gmc trucks. But, for the 4K or so less in price, I’ll take my tundra without spending a lot more money just to get the 6.2L in GM (govt. motors by the way).
here is what needs to happen!! Off road tundra to challenge the SVT RAPTOR, Heavy Duty, Light duty Diesel, put a manual in some of the damn trucks! Cause here is the news TOYOTA! FORD IS KICKING YOUR ASS RIGHT NOW… WINS HERE WINS THERE THEY JUST WON THE FREAKING TEXAS RODEO FOR THE 6TH OR 7TH TIME! YOU WANNA WIN LISTEN TO ME!!! Also your website sucks ass! Take a look at fords then go look at yours! Wonder why your losing sells? HMMM….
I bet if the Tundra puts a 5-6K rebate on all their trucks like Ford and GM advertise all the time, they would win also. People look at the bottom dollar figure when buying vehicles and think the 5K rebate is so great but when they try to trade them in 2-3 years later, they say, ‘wait, how come the Tundra is worth 5K more in trade in value than my chevy or dodge or ford.’ Reason: Toyota does not offer the huge rebates as the big 3 do. They offer just enough rebate, say 1.5 – 3K, to entice customers to buy their vehicles, not to offer such a huge rebate that come trade in time their customers are all pissed that their truck does not hold their value.
I do admit though the Toyota website is pretty dull and boring and a little harder to navigate than the others.
sebolt – I don’t like any of the manufacturer websites…I think the best website for vehicle research is probably Edmunds.com. I’d like to see that challenge too…but instead of going off-road, let’s put a load on these trucks and drive them from Grand Junction to Denver and back. I guarantee that after one trip up to the Eisenhower tunnel in the F150 and the same trip in the Tundra, you’ll be singing a different tune.
Dude I know how great the tundra is! I just want toyota to stay on top! Also sell more trucks… and I really think they need to get a heavy duty and A real True OFF ROAD truck! After all toyota is one of the biggest names in off road! We already have the rock warrior why not beef it up to the raptors level? See what Im saying!
sebolt – My bad – I hear what you’re saying.
I’m not a big fan of the curb view mirrors. Lexus put that option on the RX. My driveway is on a slight incline and when reversing into my garage the mirrors were focusing where I didn’t want them to. It seemed like a neat feature then I said it’s just another mechanical part to wear out over time.
4. Microsoft Sync …. NOOOOOOOOOOO not Blue Screen again
how about a spin on oil filter and how about and auto trany dip stick and a drain plug how about a real fuel tank instead of the one off the civic, and maybe paint that doesn’t scratch just looking at it and when I put my camper in it both wheel wells dented in how about a little better fuel milage 9 miles to the gallon is killing me a rear seat that folds flat into abed like fords a better fuel gauge I thought it was just mine but I see other people have problems too and last how about dealers with better costumer care the one I deal with stinks.
I myself have a few sugestions for them to start with i believe locking front and rear diffs would put their truck way ahead of all other pickups when it comes to off road only compition on that would be power wagon that would come in handy in the dakotas here were we can have 3-5 foot of snow drifts to get through just to get to town in the winter . I think some type of storage similar to dodge would be a very nice feature also. For a third thing is they need to slow down there growing way to fast and are ruining their reputation because of it.I also say the next generation tundra should be pushin close to 450hp to stay above the big three.
alex – The front and rear locking diffs are a cool idea, but I’m pretty sure Toyota will never go for it. The options will be expensive, and the take rate will be low. I also think the 450hp stock motor would be awesome, but new federal fuel economy regs have made that impossible. I’m not disagreeing of course – those are both good ideas.
posi posi posi give gm nothing to brag about if u lock that truck up all the way around it would be unstoppable i live in the dakotas and 3-6 foot drifts of snow are not un common and im sick of getting stuck also a diesle in the half ton, the dodge bed storage would be awsome we need a 3/4 ton if u want to sell to the working man which is what i can see they tried to do with the last ones u have to have the 3/4 ton i also would love if toyota could get there 5.7 381hp over gms 6.2 420hp make the trucks front bumpers so if u actually hit something it doesnt cost u thousands of dollars (which is gms biggest problem)
alex – I think that Toyota’s A-Trac system is pretty awesome – it’s the electronic version of a limited slip, only better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1MOEZYAv5Q
Diesel – agreed. Bed storage too. HD? I’m with you all the way.
they need to make the tow hitches in front of the truck easy to get to like fords and chevys.locking rear differential.