A comment on my Toyota Tundra query

Robin Hood · Mar 29, 2015

Let me thank all of you for your insight. I didn't mean to rile some feathers. I do believe that we all would like to buy American products. I know I would. But to be perfectly frank, the track record on my present truck really, really, sucks. 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD W/T. Bought it new. Plugging in the data on Kelly Blue Book shows me that its worth about $3,300.00 on a trade. It has less than 90,000 miles on it. Both rocker panels are gone (see through). I had to replace the steering shaft once, heater resistor four times, all of the brake lines except the rear one (rust) and the drivers side bed is almost poking through with rust. The headline is falling off, (I don't smoke), the tailgate usually doesn't latch, and on and on.

Sure there are lemons in every make and model out there, but I would challenge any of you to tell me these are not common-place problems with the GMC trucks of that era. Google those problems and see the blog sites of which many GMC owners are telling their story.

Someone said my kids and grand kids will thank me for buying American. But at what cost must I do this. Go broke? It would be great if GMC would offer an allowance to cover the below average deficit caused by their hand.

And yes, I sit on a Farmall H, wearing Red Wing Boots, thinking about riding my Harley Dyna Glide. Just wish I could brag about my truck.

2 Old 2 care · Mar 29, 2015

You will hear Toyota owners bragging on them. FACT.

You will find most Toyota owners buying another Toyota when it's time to buy another vehicle. FACT.

ps I fly Old Glory on the pole in my yard, own several John Deere's, a Harley, and served in the U.S. Army. I just refuse to buy junk because it was built "here".

1953NAA · Mar 29, 2015

I work at a ford dealership. Most of the parts are not american made and that is true for all car and trucks

rrlund · Mar 29, 2015

I don't have any personal experience with Toyotas,but I agree with you 100% on the Chevys. I'm from a family that always bled Chevy,my brother and some cousins still drive the darned things and even my youngest son has a 2500 4x4. Everytime he's here working on that thing,I just point at the bowtie. He reminds me every time,why I quit driving them. I had three of them in the 70s and if GM ever wanted me to drive another one,they'd have made them better back then. From what I can see,they haven't improved.
But,we're supposed to wave the flag and put up with poor quality "for the children".

gab · Mar 29, 2015

Sold my GMC last June, 286000 miles. One water pump, valve seals, tires, brakes, exhaust. Still had ice cold air. Thought I'd try Chevy this time, maybe it'll last longer.

ObsoElitist · Mar 29, 2015

(quoted from post at 15:02:04 03/29/15)

And yes, I sit on a Farmall H, wearing Red Wing Boots, thinking about riding my Harley Dyna Glide. Just wish I could brag about my truck.

Depending on year of manufacture, it is very possible that my Honda Goldwing has more American made parts and more Americaan labor hours in it than your Harley. I try hard to buy American but sometimes it does not make sense.

stonerock · Mar 29, 2015

FACT Iam union and I will buy ''here''

Pajamafied John · Mar 29, 2015

Got a 2005 Denali with no issues BUT, Im gonna look good and hard at the Cummins powered Tundra.

kencombs · Mar 29, 2015

I bought a '13 Tundra, and one of the major reasons is its' USA content. higher than GM or Ford! Made in San Antonio with American labor too!. This is my 6th toyota car/truck. I had a 91 and 92 Toyota one ton truck. An '85 Supra, 83 Cressida. All troublefree.

Our Chrysler Minavan has had several small issues, wiring etc. my old '97 F150 had 3 recalls (window leaks, wiring issue), bad heater core out of warranty. the recalls were no cost to me, just bothersome. The heater core was cheap <100 bucks, but Ford labor is well over $1000 to replace. they didn't get that job!

Bill(Wis) · Mar 29, 2015

I have owned five Toyota trucks. All five are still on the road. Three Tacomas and two Tundras. I'm currently driving a 2010 LTD Tundra Crew Max. Just turned over 250,000 miles. Gas (17mpg winter 18 summer with 5.7L) 2006 Tundra work truck was given to my son 4 years ago with 330,000 plus miles. He now has over 450k on it. It needed a new front wheel bearing at about 250k so we replaced both front bearings and new brake discs as well. No other repairs needed although there was a recall for the front ball joints which I had done at 125k. Two older Tacomas (4cyl) have about 250k each on them. One is owned by another son and one by my grandson. They needed some new ignition coils, no big deal. The other Tacoma is new. The 2010 Tundra runs like the proverbial Swiss watch. All of them get Mobil I oil and the great thing about Toyotas is the drive line u-joints and cardans have zerk fittings. Keep them greased and you'll never need to replace a u-joint. I'm already planning for my next Toyota trucks. In the spring of 2016 I plan to get a Tundra double cab w/8' bed for the farm and another LTD CrewMax for travel. Only question on my mind is whether I'll opt for the Cummins diesel. The LTD I'm driving now will have about 300k on it and it'll go to one of my sons.

I subsidized GM for 35 years and finally swore an oath that I would never own another. They got to me one too many times. My father laid it to too many martinis at the country clubs around Detroit.(;>))

Oh, I almost forgot. My wife just got a new BMW 328DiX sedan. The BMW she had was 23 years old. My son now owns that car and uses it for commuting.

kent@junction · Mar 29, 2015

BIL and I both bought new trucks in 99 his a chevyy mine a dodge. I am still driving the goat his chevy rusted out and now he has a 2008 ford. His commute was a little farther than mine but the chevy didn't last long. Don't know what I'm gonna do when this one crapps out just hate to pay more for a truck than I did for my house.

wilamayb · Mar 29, 2015

The Tundra isnt going to be Cummins powered. The Nissan Titan will be for the 2016 model year, or at least that's what Nissan claims....

jimg.allentown · Mar 29, 2015

As much as I avoid foreign brands, I have to use my favorite original quote here......

"GM is the best salesman Toyota ever had"

fixerupper · Mar 29, 2015

I read a report about US made vehicles recently, maybe it was posted here, I don't remember, the report listed the top 30 vehicles with the most US made parts. Honda and Toyota are among those with the most US made parts, in fact they are high on the list. The Toyota Sienna was listed as having 85% US made parts. That seems very high to me but I have no basis to use to discredit that figure. As a disclaimer, statistics can be made to look good to the audience the reporters want to target and this is only one report.

Most all vehicles with a Japanese name are made here in the US and that's well known. Some people tell us all of the money made at these factories is going back to Japan. I don't know how much goes back to Japan, but I'll bet you it isn't as much as we think. The mother company back in Japan needs operating capital for sure and profits from the US factories is part of that capital. However, the US is where the car market is and I'm sure the Japanese companies are investing a bunch of the profit from their US factories back into US facilities.

omahagreg · Mar 29, 2015

To me, its a world war thing. NO foreign company, even if based in America, is going to help US with another world war effort in the manufacturing aspect. Scares the crap out of me when I think of it in these terms, with so many manufacturing facilities having moved off shore!

MARK ROBKE · Mar 29, 2015

I just bought a used 4x4 2003 Chevy 1500.I hunted for several monthes before I settled on this one.I was impressed with the mileage put on a lot of them.It seems to me people would try to drive vehicles that were easier on gas.But what irks me is how many(most)that had rusted rocker panels,frame parts,and brake lines.Especially brake lines!I do not for a minute believe that they cannot be built without rusting away.I think it is part of the 'planned obsolescence' .The engines last longer,and don't leak,but that is because of epa rules.I am not too familiar with Toyota p/ups,but would consider one if I found a good used one.Mark

notjustair · Mar 29, 2015

Amen. The neighbors razz me because the '"good" pickup is an 07 Tundra. I love how it rides and it is strong as an ox. It is my second one and I will get another. I've seen/driven what GM is putting out. I would rather have the Toyota.

Jon Hagen · Mar 29, 2015

Toyota gets the same 5L Cummins diesel in the 16 model

T in NE · Mar 30, 2015

With the issues I've seen I can't say I blame anyone for not buying gubmint motors. Toyota has had their issue a as well but they seem to get them taken care of.

Had a wheel bearing go out at 45 thousand in a 06 half ton. Most it ever carried was 50 gallon of fuel.

big tee · Mar 30, 2015

What model Toyota were the Japanese driving when they marched hundreds of American GI's to their death during the Bataan death march in WW II ??????????

dr sportster · Mar 30, 2015

We were talking about this at a show yesterday and we concluded that people that it all has to do with how you were brought up.

dr sportster · Mar 30, 2015

That's like saying I think Im going to go fight for our enemy as they have nicer uniforms

dr sportster · Mar 30, 2015

These people bombed us and tried to destroy everything we are about. Don't tell me I'm holding a grudge for not supporting their economy when we have our country's economy to care for.Screw all these foriegners.

Billy Shafer · Mar 30, 2015

My brother has a 2014 GMC falling apart.Can't keep the rear lights working all the time.Local cops have given up stopping him. They know he has a problem.Windows roll down by themselves.Help from GM has been a big fat O.

Nephew has a 2001 F150 with the 5.4 engine. Has a water leak on the manifold that the alternator mounts to Looks like just a gasket. But in order to get to the gasket. I will have to pull the intake manifold.Bolts to get the flange apart are upside down.

Boss at work has a 2013 Dodge 3500.We call it the Hanger Queen or money pit.

Friend has a 2013 Tundra. Windshield washer tank ran out of fluid.Only problem he has had with it.

Maybe the US should go back to building vehicles that last.

rustyfarmall · Mar 30, 2015

(quoted from post at 15:02:04 03/29/15) Let me thank all of you for your insight. I didn't mean to rile some feathers. I do believe that we all would like to buy American products. I know I would. But to be perfectly frank, the track record on my present truck really, really, sucks. 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD W/T. Bought it new. Plugging in the data on Kelly Blue Book shows me that its worth about $3,300.00 on a trade. It has less than 90,000 miles on it. Both rocker panels are gone (see through). I had to replace the steering shaft once, heater resistor four times, all of the brake lines except the rear one (rust) and the drivers side bed is almost poking through with rust. The headline is falling off, (I don't smoke), the tailgate usually doesn't latch, and on and on.

Sure there are lemons in every make and model out there, but I would challenge any of you to tell me these are not common-place problems with the GMC trucks of that era. Google those problems and see the blog sites of which many GMC owners are telling their story.

Someone said my kids and grand kids will thank me for buying American. But at what cost must I do this. Go broke? It would be great if GMC would offer an allowance to cover the below average deficit caused by their hand.

And yes, I sit on a Farmall H, wearing Red Wing Boots, thinking about riding my Harley Dyna Glide. Just wish I could brag about my truck.

You think a Toyota will not rust out? If I'm not mistaken, it is Toyotas that had a frame that would rust away to the point the truck could no longer be driven.

ALL trucks and cars will eventually rust out. Only way to prevent it is to not drive them in the winter.

mj · Mar 30, 2015

(quoted from post at 18:58:17 03/29/15) BIL and I both bought new trucks in 99 his a chevyy mine a dodge. I am still driving the goat his chevy rusted out and now he has a 2008 ford. His commute was a little farther than mine but the chevy didn't last long. Don't know what I'm gonna do when this one crapps out just hate to pay more for a truck than I did for my house.

I was a Ford fan for a lot of years, then GM but for the last 15 or so I've bought MoPar - I've had real good luck so far, gonna stick with them.

Aaron Ford · Mar 30, 2015

I have sold a lot of trucks with my Tundra. American made, smooth riding, decent (not great) fuel mileage, great build quality, 10100 towing, etc, 14.5 quarter mile... However, when I feel the jones to work on something, there is also the Impala. Something always wrong with it. Still have it because I have more in parts in it than the dealer would offer on trade in. Driveway art. Aaron

pat sublett · Mar 30, 2015

Ironically, the union is what destroyed the American Auto industry.

Jon Hagen · Mar 30, 2015

If WW2 is any indication, if the company managment and workers will not work for the country where they are located in war, the government / military kicks them out the door and installs their own people who will work for the country.

One example, the Ketenkrad, the German military tracked motorcycle of WW2 had American owned GM Opel engines in them. They had no choice !!

Jon Hagen · Mar 30, 2015

Yes, they had about an 8 year run of Tacoma's that had bad frames that rusted out. They called them back in and replaced the frames at no cost to the owners. If the truck was too rusted to repair with a new frame, they bought it back at full book price.
You think GM would do that on 10-15 year old trucks, considering the cop out going on right now over the bad ignition switches in GM rigs?

Jon Hagen · Mar 30, 2015

I dont know what the Japanese were driving 70 years ago ?
What were the UAW driving when they destroyed GM , Chrysler , and almost destroyed Ford, 7 years ago ?

big tee · Mar 30, 2015

How Americans did the UAW kill 7 yr ago????

big tee · Mar 30, 2015

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JML755 · Mar 30, 2015

Adding my 2 cents:
I worked for GM at one time. Always drove them while there and then drove GM, Ford or Chrysler. Last new cars I bought were a 2012 Nissan and 2014 Honda. couldn't be more pleased with the switch. Still have a '02 Silverado that I like to drive: 5 spd work truck. Bought it with 45k miles on it and now have 130K. Clutch was replaced by dealer at 8k for previous owner, I put one in at 100k. Rocker panels rusted clean through(common problem), soon won't even know they were there. Lower intake manifold gaskets rotted away(common problem), fuel injection system replaced (common problem), tailgate won't stay latched (common problem). I've also replaced the fuel pump, steering universal joint, u-joints, crank and cam sensors and probably stuff I've forgotten about.
I'll probably keep it forever just because I've put enough money into it and it's not a daily driver.

My beef is that stuff you'd think that the engineers should have down pat are things that fail. Manifold gaskets? Did the gasket sales guy take the engineer to lunch and then show him how he could save 3 cents per vehicle? Fuel injection? been around for a long time. They say the multi-port is better. So why didn't they put it in there in the first place? Thanks, rant over.

Jon Hagen · Mar 30, 2015

The Japanese have not been our enemy for 70 years, time to get over it.

The unions are an enemy of the US auto industry and all other manufacturing today and will continue to be, resulting is shoddy poor quality cars built with shoddy parts to compensate for the extra $1500 it costs to build them in a union shop.

2 Old 2 care · Mar 31, 2015

If nothing else is clear after this thread, it is the fact that bigoted, self centered, close minded people will NOT buy a Toyota. Other than that, We're all good.

Bret4207 · Mar 31, 2015

People who hold todays Japan responsible for WW2 must be the same people that think todays white Americans should pay todays black Americans reparations for slavery or that todays American indians should get all the "land we stole from them" back.

Let it go guys. the people in charge in all cases are all dead and gone to dust.

W_B · Mar 31, 2015

I have no love for GM but I have to say my '05 Silverado 2500 Crew has been a pretty good truck (currently 76,000 some miles on it). Would not have bought it but my MIL made us a price we couldn't refuse when she got rid of her fifth wheel RV. She had to replace the rear calipers and I've replaced rusted brake lines and the vacumm booster. Has been some other minor things (like just yesterday the tail gate latch needed attention) and I can't seem to keep the light bulbs all working at the same time, but otherwise it's been reliable. Also have a '00 Ford Expedition (146,000 + miles) and it has been a horror lately... one thing after another to the point I haven't been able to drive it for more than a 100 miles at a time before something puts it out of commission. In its day it was pretty good, just not holding up very well now. Had the same issue with a '94 Ranger, great when newer but couldn't keep it together very long.

Like some that can't seem to get over a war that happened 75 yrs. ago I'm not over the external_link GM bailout and how badly the shareholders and bondholders got screwed on that, so they will have to move on without any further contribution from me. If we get a truck again it will either be a Ford or a Toyota.

randy hall · Mar 31, 2015

in fifty years there will be more muslums than anyone else in the world and us Christians will all be beheaded, so I guess it doesn't matter.

dr sportster · Mar 31, 2015

What is clear is our country is filled with self centered A hole s that don't care about their own countrys economy. I think of them as traitors myself.

JML755 · Mar 31, 2015

(quoted from post at 09:06:26 03/31/15) What is clear is our country is filled with self centered A hole s that don't care about their own countrys economy. I think of them as traitors myself.

:lol: No, I don't lie awake at night worrying about our "country's economy". I worry about my OWN economy.

As in, I need a car/truck. What is the best value that suits my needs so I can afford to buy other necessities in life? If it's Nissan or Honda, so be it. And if you're a UAW worker who's mad because I buy non-union made vehicles then I would argue that it's YOU who is self-centered as you're only concerned about you (and your union brothers) keeping your above-market-rate jobs. You don't care if the rest of America has to overpay just to keep you employed with your gold-plated benefits (health-care-for-life, more holidays than anyone, vacation, down-time shutdowns with pay, etc). Plus, I'm sure if anyone walked through your house, it would be filled with all kinds of things that used to be made here but are now made overseas.

dr sportster · Mar 31, 2015

Like we had discussed at a show last Sunday . It is all how you were brought up.

A comment on my Toyota Tundra query

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