People Have Put Millions Of Miles on This Toyota Tundra Drivetrain and Disillusioned By Turbocharged Nightmare

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Millions of miles trusted, replaced by a turbocharged mystery - is the new Toyota Tundra a towing triumph or a fuel-efficient flop?

Where have all good V8 trucks gone? This morning I saw a Toyota Tundra trucker lamenting in a world of EcoBoost and turbocharged V6 engines. 

Commenting under a video on whether Toyota can fix the issue with the new Tundra trucks and restore the brand, a user named Charles Fine says he doesn't want the turbocharged V6 engines and showed where to still find a V8 Tundra trucks.

"This is coming from someone who worked many years for a Toyota supplier and is very familiar with Toyota's engineering and manufacturing processes. I am a Toyota fan who has and continues to own Toyotas. I have many friends and family members who feed their families by supplying Toyota with components here in the US.

"I recently decided I wanted to buy a full size truck, so I went out and found me a good used 2020 Tundra 4x4 with the IForce 5.7 V8. People have literally put millions of miles on that drivetrain and it is well proven. I have no doubt that Toyota will get what is going on with the new Tundra figured out and fix it. Their investigation and countermeasure (PDCA) processes are very slow and methodical, but once they figure it out, it will be permanently resolved.  I Just really don't want a twin turbo six cylinder truck though. Fords have issues with cam phases and are cheaply made overall. Ram makes beautiful trucks, high class trucks, but are going to the Hurricane turbo six. The older V8 Rams have MDS/lifter issues. GM makes V8 trucks but I am not pleased with their quality whose AFM self-destructs. So if you want a good reliable V8 4x4 truck, get a previous generation 2014-2021 Tundra."

Charles has a point here. But don't forget the Nissan Titan, which is exclusively a V8, and will be discontinued after 2024. "Though it is pretty reliable too, it's definitely the underdog in its market for sure," said another user in the discussion referring to the Nissan Titan.

V8 Trucks: A Thing of The Past?

The historic rumble of a V8 engine might be fading into the sunset for full-size pickup trucks. I mean you can see how Fine echoes this sentiment lamenting the lack of reliable V8 options in the new Tundra trucks.

You know, Charles isn't alone. Many truck buyers prioritize the tried-and-true power and longevity of V8 engines, exemplified by the millions of miles logged on Toyota's 5.7L IForce. However, stricter fuel-efficiency regulations are pushing car manufacturers towards smaller, turbocharged engines.

 

This shift presents a challenge for truck buyers:

  • Limited V8 Choices: While Charles suggests using 2014-2021 Tundras, other brands like Ram and GM are phasing out V8s entirely, with potential reliability concerns surrounding their turbocharged V6 alternatives. Nissan's Titan, the last V8 holdout, is slated for discontinuation.
  • Turbocharged Uncertainty: I can understand Fine's concerns about the reliability of new turbocharged engines, in which he highlights potential issues with Ford's EcoBoost and GM's AFM system.

So, what are the solutions?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some possibilities:

  • Manufacturers Offering V8 Options: Truck makers could cater to a segment of buyers who prioritize towing power and established reliability by offering V8s alongside turbocharged engines.
  • Hybrid Powertrains: Hybrid trucks that combine a V8 with an electric motor could offer increased fuel efficiency without compromising on power. This approach is already being explored by some manufacturers, striking a balance between performance and regulations.
  • Focus on Turbo Reliability: Manufacturers need to prioritize the long-term reliability of their turbocharged engines, addressing potential issues raised by Charles and others. This includes robust testing and warranty coverage to build trust with V8-skeptical buyers.

Friends, I think at the end of the day the future of V8 trucks remains uncertain. However, by acknowledging car-buyer preferences and exploring alternative solutions, manufacturers can ensure there's still a place for reliable power in the ever-evolving truck market.

If you are a truck lover, let me know please, how much is the V8 important for what you do with your truck? Please, join the discussion by clicking the red link below and writing your comment. What do you think, is it worth to buy a Toyota Tundra with around 200K miles?

By the way this V8 lover says "I admit I initially rejected Toyota Tundra because of V6, but TRD Pro turned me from sceptic to superfan."

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News TwitterFacebookLinkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Submitted by Roberto DiFrancesco (not verified) on July 25, 2024 - 10:39AM

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That’s why I keep my 2010 Tundra since new, with 160k miles on it. The truck stays right by my side.

I am currently thinking about purchasing a 2013 Tundra CrewMax 4X4 5.7 liter with 176000 miles. It is one owner and has been serviced regularly. It was a new car trade in at a Toyota dealership. It has been very well taken care of from what I seen. I haven't taken it for a test drive yet. Thinking about having a mechanic check it out. Do you think it would be worth investing $17000 in it if it checks out mechanically good? Please reply to my email.

Submitted by Mopar Wayne (not verified) on July 25, 2024 - 10:41AM

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I agree 100%. As an ex Ram 1500 owner I can tell you I am sooooo glad I bought a Toyota Tundra 5.7! The ram 1500 Hemi is one of the biggest pos I have ever owned! Nearly $12000 in repairs on and off warranty. I don’t find my tundra much worse on fuel either.

The Ram is definitely a more modern ride with endless options, but it has its problems too.

Submitted by Paul Frasetto (not verified) on July 25, 2024 - 10:44AM

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Love my 2020 SR5 with the TRD package great truck I would only buy a V8 too at 6 cylinder twin turbo really not a fan.

Submitted by Shannon Phillips (not verified) on July 25, 2024 - 11:11AM

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Ultimately its the emissions regulations that are forcing a lot of these companies hand on going to stupid turbo 6 and turbo 4 engines. Im also a huge fan of Toyota. I recon a healthy chunk of this group is. But what they have done with the new tundras and in general the new iforce max crap is pretty unacceptable. Some day ill get a new tundra but it wont probably be this gen. 3rd gen looks like chevy/gmc (subjective) which is to say it looks like crap. And has the reliability and quality of build to match. Everything from how trim doesnt line up to crappy seat stitching to electronic issues and then the engines leave owners wondering how long till its theirs getting its third engine swap. Even the car care guy who loves Toyota and bought one was highlighting how crappy the workmanship is for a 85k plus truck or whatever his 1794 edition was. If this were 2022 and models that had all these issues thats one thing. But its not. Its ever single year they have made so far. Hopefully Toyota can get their act together soon.

Submitted by Cedric Hallbach (not verified) on July 25, 2024 - 11:12AM

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People need to realize that it is government regulation forcing the TTv6 on us. The manufacturers have to comply with the regulations on fuel economy. We will not see a V8 Tundra again unless the regulations change.

Submitted by Joe Lawson (not verified) on July 25, 2024 - 3:48PM

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I'm hanging on to 2006 V8 Double Cab SR5 Tundra that I bought new. 150k trouble free. Never back to dealer except for a couple of recalls and one timing belt service.

Submitted by Neils Peter (not verified) on July 25, 2024 - 6:15PM

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Here is the thing with Toyota, this is a matter they are not taking lightly for sure. The issues lie deeper than Toyota engineering, its government, CARB, EPA all of that nonsense which has led to ALL makes and models of cars getting worse over the years. If these entities would stop putting such ridiculous regulations on the manufacturers we would have cars like we did in the prime years where they last and can be trusted. Toyota does have blame here but ANY one who is familiar with engineering, testing, and mass manufacturing can tell you that if you don't properly do those things you will more than likely have a garbage product. *end of rant*.