2007-2020: Second generation Toyota Tundra pickup trucks

Toyota Tundra review •  2022 Tundra

Aimed at hard-core pickup users and engineered largely by Americans, the 2007 Toyota Tundra competes with big American rigs by towing over 10,000 pounds with an American-made V8 engine using Japanese electronics, coupled to a heavy duty six-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra comes with four-piston calipers and vented rotors on the front brakes, high capacity cooling and electrical systems, and a chassis with 30 percent higher tensile strength steel than the 2006 models. Heavy duty versions (three-quarter or one-ton), on par with the F-250 and F-350 Ford pickups, are on their way, as are larger-cab Toyota Tundra pickups.

2007 toyota tundra pickup trucks

2007 Toyota Tundra product planning began in Southern California, with engineering directed by the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Styling, inside and out, was the work of Toyota's Calty Research and Design Centers in Newport Beach and Ann Arbor. The Toyota Tundra is built in Princeton, Indiana and San Antonio, Texas; the latter can pump out 250,000 trucks per year. Personnel from Princeton trained and guided the employees in Texas. Some early trucks from Princeton contained Japanese-made 5.7 liter V8 engines, but all Texas trucks had American-made engines, and the Japanese-sourced engines were only a stopgap measure. (Three engines were available in 2007-09: the 4-liter V6 GR, rated at 236 hp / 2656 lb-ft; the 4.7 UZ V8, 276 hp and 313 lb-ft; and the 5.7 UR, a hefty 381 hp and 401 lb-ft.)

front cutaway image - Tundra pickups

Early sales were less than expected, but Toyota ascribed that to the American habit of buying off the lots but with definite features and combinations in mind - something Toyota dealers are not used to. The variety of vehicles on a particular lot is not as wide as with the Americans, with their much larger inventories (which are not by any means an advantage for profitability). Toyota has responded by letting dealers swap trucks outside of their regions.

An industry insider noted that the Toyota Tundra was engineered using quite a few former Jeep-Truck Engineering and Ford people, with many of the people who built the trend-setting 1994 Dodge Ram on the team. This engineer noted that the parts were used as specified, not cheapened as they were in their American counterparts - for example, the rear axle is a 10 inch ring and pinion, while Dodge uses 9.25 inch; the propshaft U-joint is a 1480 Spicer, while Dodge uses a 1310 Spicer; and the manual transmission input shaft uses 1 3/8 inch teeeth (18 of them) while Dodge uses 1 1/8" teeth (10 of them). (By spreading the loading over a larger gear root width, you increase durability at a greater rate than you increase unsprung weight.) “There are still a few items I would change, such as full floating front hubs instead of bearing packs, but overall, nothing on the market currently touches the Toyota for durability in the components.”

Thus, Tundra will actually be heavier duty than its American competitors with similar ratings, not because it was designed with superior Japanese engineering, but because experienced American engineers and managers were used - but not second-guessed by incompetent executives and bean-counters. “The Toyota is more Ram than the Ram is.”

The plant came in well over budget, as Toyota built in more flexible building technology at the last moment, as well as more capacity to deal with rapidly expanding American sales. Toyota may have been encouraged by reports that brand loyalty for pickup owners is not as high as it used to be, with nearly half of all American pickup owners switching to a rival brand at trade-in time (source: Automotive News quoting from the Power Information Network).

tundra pickup trucks in texas

Tundra’s full-size platform has a much longer wheelbase than the 2006 model and an increase of 10 inches in overall length, along with five inches of height and four inches of width. Three engines are available, the aforementioned 5.7 liter V8 (the same size as the Dodge Hemi), a 4-liter V6, and the 4.7 liter i-Force V8 (later replaced by a more powerful 4.6 liter engine). The V8s are both made in Alabama.

rear toyota tundra pickup cutaway

Toyota Tundra styling is bolder, with a front end that resembles the 1993-99 Dodge Ram. Inside, a "command and control" center provides an unobstructed view of the instrument panel and puts knobs, switches and buttons within close reach of the driver. The interior has four inches more shoulder and hip room up front, with more storage compartments, second row seats (in two-row models) that double as work surfaces, and a larger center console.

inside the 2007 Toyota Tundra

The Tundra includes the standard Toyota triple grades of Base, SR5, and Limited, but will have over 30 different models altogether. Underneath, they look like this:

toyota pickups

The Tundra features a tailgate that can be opened and closed with just two fingers. Robust dampers on the hinges have been added to help cushion the tailgate when opening and also help reduce bouncing when driving with the tailgate down. Other design features with workers in mind include large door handles, inside and out, easy-to-turn HVAC knobs, and adjustable headrests, allowing drivers and passengers to ride to their next work site without having to remove protective gear such as hardhats or gloves. Extra large side mirrors provide a wide field of view, while reducing wind noise and image vibration. A hitch is integrated into the frame for better stability when handling heavy loads.

The Tundra is loaded with standard features and an array of options and accessories, such as a JBL premium audio system with Bluetooth telephone compatibility, 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a wide-screen backup camera integrated into the tailgate handle for enhanced rear-view safety.

The Tundra got a four-star driver safety rating for head-on collisions in the US NHTSA tests; GM, Ford, and Dodge pickups got five stars. The difference may be extremely small or fairly large depending on the actual score. Test results from the insurance agency testing group are not in yet.

Changes

2008 Tundra buyers could get more models and trims, including a commercial-focused “Tundra Grade” trim (playing on “Professional Grade”) below the SR5.

For 2009, changes include a standard chrome front bumper on Tundra Grade Double Cab and Crew Max; the Limited Crew Max gets the Power Memory Package as an option instead of standard. E85 flex-fuel capability is now standard on 5.7 liter 4x4s in some regions, and two new TRD option packages became available. A new Rock Warrior package was added, including TRD wheels, fog lights, all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, color front bumper and grille, matte black rear bumper.

For 2010, the grille and tail lamps were modified slightly, a Premier package was added (including 20-inch wheels, DVD navigation, JBL audio, wood trim, chrome front bumper, and moon roof). A new 4.6 liter UZ V8 replaced the old 2UZ-FE V8; it used the six-speed automatic, and stuck around into the present day with 310 hp and 327 lb-ft, far more than the old 4.7. To boost front-crash test results, knee airbags were installed on both the driver and passenger side. The 2011 Rock Warrior package was changed a little, and in 2013 Tundras, Platinum was converted from a package to a trim level of its own. The 4.0 and 5.7 engines did not change for the 2010s, but the 2011 Tundra had a more powerful version of the 4-liter GR V6: it produced 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque, substantial boosts.

The 2014 Tundra was very similar to the 2007, but with substantial facelifts, the aforementioned 4-liter power boost, a retuned suspension, and some changes to the model lineup; and it continues on into 2020.

Toyota - Chicago 2020

The 2021 Tundra Trail Edition, based on the SR5 Crew Max, includes the SR5 Upgrade Package (larger fuel tank, front bucket seats with driver’s power lumbar support, front center console, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, three front cupholders, and an anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer). Color choices include Army Green, Cement, Midnight Black, and Super White. Toyota is planning to equip 5,000 Tundras as Trail Editions, with black badges and all-weather floor liners. The Tundra Trail has the 1794 Edition grille with color-keyed surround and special-edition wheels, with an integrated lockable bed storage/cooler.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra Nightshade is built on the Limited, but has black leather inside and black trim outside, including a darkened chrome grille, black mirror caps and black door handles. Sold in rear or four wheel drive, it has black wheels and exhaust tips.

Problems

Oil changes seem difficult: Take off a skid plate. Remove plate where filter is housed internally. Pull out drain for filter housing. Pull out filter. Some are already asking about spin on filter adapters.

A number of bad torque converters have been used on the V8 model; Toyota appears to be extending the warranty to ten years on this item when it is replaced.

Suppliers

An American truck would have a lot of American components.

assembing Toyota Tundras

An Automotive News report noted a number of suppliers for the Tundra other than the usual Denso (these are from all around the world):

Capacities for the 2007 Toyota Tundra pickup

Spec 2007 Toyota Tundra
Wheelbase 145.7
Length 228.7
Width 80
Height 76.4
Bed Length 78.7
Bed Width 50 min, 65 max
Bed depth 22.3

Toyota Tundra review •  2022 Tundra

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