The T100 was superseded by the more aptly named Tundra in 1999. (which some say was originally to be called the T150). Although the T100, which had only a V6 and was produced in Japan and subject to import taxes, sold better due to its ladder frame and optional V8, it was still unable to seriously compete with any of the “Big Three.” The Tundra was a half-ton truck with two and four door, normal and access cab variants that, depending on the layout, sent power to the ground through two or four wheels. Base, Limited, and SR5 option packages all shared the same frame and wheelbase. There was only one frame and one wheelbase, which limited the variety of combinations. The V6 and two gearboxes (a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic) were carried over from the T100.
Some claim Bob McCurry, a former executive in charge of sales at Dodge, was responsible for convincing Toyota to produce the Tundra as an American-made vehicle.
The Tundra had reasonably high safety ratings, with the driver receiving four stars and the passenger receiving three (NHTSA). It was classified as the safest full-size pickup by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which conducts a frontal offset collision test.
The 3.4 liter 24-valve, dual-cam V6 was the standard engine, and the 4.7 liter iForce engine with 32 valves and twin cams was the V8. A four-speed automatic was the basic (and only) transmission available. Various components on the underside of the Tundra are shielded from unintentional impact by skid plates made of either metal or plastic, with the plastic offering a less weight and likely comparable impact resistance.
All models received painted rear bumpers in 2001, the TRD off-road package became available for V8 models, bed-rail caps became standard in access cabs while a tailgate cap was added to regular beds, the rear seats underwent changes, the V6 engine’s emissions became 50-state legal, and alternators increased from 70 to 80 amps.
For V8 cars, a limited slip differential was installed in 2002, and color schemes were once more changed. Antilock brakes came as standard in 2003, and a new center console with two layers was also included.
A Double Cab with a big bed and new rear seats debuted in 2004. In comparison to the F150 Super Crew and Nissan Titan Crew Cab, the Double Cab’s bed is nearly seven inches longer. Additionally, Tundra Double Cab has an optional rear seat audio and a rear seat DVD entertainment system with Bluetooth headphones. Rear seat occupants also receive their own heating and air conditioning ducts. A headrest and three-point seatbelts are also included in each rear seating position. A further degree of cargo utility is provided by the 60/40 split-fold-and-tumble seats, which can be used to transport objects that the owner would prefer not to place in the bed.
In This Article...
Maximum Towing Capacity – 5000 lb
The heaviest load that a Toyota Tundra is capable of towing. The mentioned maximum trailer weights only apply to elevations up to 3280 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level. As altitude rises, the reduced air density reduces engine power and, as a result, the car’s ability to climb; as a result, the maximum trailer weight must be adjusted. For each additional 3280 feet (1,000 meters), the weight of the vehicle and trailer must be lowered by 10%. (or part thereof).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – 5500 lb
This is the weight that the Toyota Tundra is capable of towing (engine, chassis, fluids, passengers, cargo, load – everything). In the owner’s manual or on the interior of the drive’s door panel, the manufacturer will frequently specify it.
Payload Capacity – 1565 lb
The weight of all the extra items you load into your car, such as passengers or a load of boulders, is referred to as the payload. It can be raised by:
- Improvements to the Rear Springs
- Coil-Over Shock Absorbers can be added.
- installing a truck bed extension.
- Trailer Attachment.
- Include Bed Racks.
The towing capacity of a 2006 Toyota Tundra.
Only the five-speed automatic is offered with the V8. Four-wheel drive is an option for either engine. 7,100 pounds is the maximum weight that may be towed.
What percentage of a ton is a Tundra?
The Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 are the top-selling half-ton pickups, commonly referred to as light-duty pickups. As half-ton pickup trucks, the Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra are also acceptable. These are the most typical pickup trucks, with millions being sold each year.
The Ram 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, GMC Sierra 2500, and the Ford Super Duty F-250 all fall under the three-quarter ton category. These are sometimes referred to as pickup trucks from the 2500 series. Toyota does not sell a heavy-duty pickup truck, but the Nissan Titan stands out because it offers a model called the Titan XD that is more capable than a light-duty half-ton vehicle but not as powerful as a heavy-duty three-quarter-ton pickup truck. These trucks typically feature an automated transmission and a diesel engine, though they can also be equipped with large gasoline engines.
One-ton pickup trucks like the Ford Super Duty F-350, Ram 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 are at the top of the range. One-ton trucks are not offered by Toyota or Nissan. Anything larger and you start to look at pickup vehicles intended for business purchasers, offered through specialized dealerships. These are the largest pickups generally sold through consumer dealers.
The perplexing issue is that these trucks’ true payloads are greatly underestimated by their classifications. The half-ton class, for instance, can carry around three-quarters of a ton of payload. One-ton trucks have been known to safely haul more than double that, while three-quarter-ton trucks may carry more than a ton and a half. The only way to determine how much weight a particular truck can carry is to refer to its stated payload rating and/or gross vehicle weight rating.
Heavier frames and stronger springs, brakes, engines, or a combination of these allow for higher classes and payloads. Additionally, this beefier build greatly aids in pulling a trailer thanks to tow ratings that considerably surpass those of less capable light-duty trucks. The drawback is that as their capabilities expand, they perform more like trucks and have worse fuel economy. Given that they are physically bigger than half-ton trucks, they are harder to drive (and park).
Key Points
- Although two Toyota Tundra owners exceeded the million-mile barrier, most drivers should anticipate that their Tundra will achieve its maximum mileage of roughly 300,000.
- Exhaust manifold leaks and ball-joint failure are frequent issues in high-mileage Tundras.
- For the Toyota truck, repairs are inexpensive.
What distinguishes curb weight from gross weight?
The curb weight of your vehicle when it is empty, along with the weight of your passengers, fuel, any accessories you may have added to the vehicle, cargo, and the tongue weight of a tow trailer (typically 1020 percent of the combined curb weight and tongue weight), is what is known as the gross vehicle weight rating.