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.
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- The Tundra Two-door SUV Concept - what you would name it?
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. Read more…
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:
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: Read more…
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: Read more…
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: Read more…
