Buying a American made truck

[Scott K]

Duff, the dealer is recommending it to cover their butts. The gamble is on you then, if you decide to not replace it now, and it goes out in a week, you then cant go after them and say they should have asked you in the first place, since they were in there. If you dont do it, and it doesnt go out in 100,000 miles, you saved yourself the cost of the part. I would say do it, then you have the piece of mind that it wont go out, and if it does, it should have warranty. JMO

[dougger222]

When did toyota start making trucks? Recall a few years ago having cars with tail gaits that kept falling apart and frames that kept bending but when have they started making TRUCKS???

I know toyota used to make little trucks but a real truck???????

[Jeremy airjer W]

So the late model F350 that's in our shop with a completely destroyed wheel bearing that took out the knuckle, caliper bracket, axle, and broke the rotor is a real truck?

Oh yea the lower ball joints are trashed as well!

[CaptainBly]

Sounds like a maintance problem, not so much whether it's American made or not.

[Jaspernuts]

Airjer, we might as well give up. Until you work in a shop that deals with all different makes and models its hard to convince people that american cars are inferior to imports. I wish it wasn't that way, but after processing over 15,000 invoices the last 4 years, facts are facts. When companies bid on a fleet to purchase new vehicles, the american companies have to throw in a lot of incentives that imports dont. (extended warranties) or fleets would not purchase american.

[BoxMN]

Just wondering, but do you guys consider how these trucks are used when discussing how they stack up? Meaning, I hardly think a farmer in NoDak running a superduty rates "normal" the same as a city guy (yep, I am one) considers normal. So do the Toyotas (in general) get the same type use (abuse?) that a 350 does?

With that said, I bet even a 1/2 ton Japanese truck gets more attentive use and lighter duty use than most, from how I see my friends driving them anyway (and I have friends with both usa and japan vehicles, and yes I own vehicles from both categories...)

Comparing a f150 to a Tundra seems to fit, but a 350?... Enjoying the conversation, just adding a comment

[tonkapat]

My friend is in the boat transport business. 6000 lb trailer with boats that weigh up to 13000. What import do you recommend for that? Other friends plow snow and like the 9' plus v plows and pull a 9000lb skidder also. What import truck do you recommend for that. I'll be patiently waiting

[Jaspernuts]

I would highly recommend a Ford f-350 from 2004-2009 with a 6.0L diesel application for towing those boats and skidders. I think you will find the reliability of this particular engine "extraordinary."

[Duffman]

Comparing a f150 to a Tundra seems to fit, but a 350?...

What percentage of truck owners out there have a superduty size truck? I'd have to think it'd be pretty small. If a guy truly needs the power of a diesel, then you are pretty much going to be buying one of the big three, that's a no brainer. But for a guy like me, all I need a truck to do is to get me and my stuff from point A to B. Any brand of truck will do that.

I've been driving Toyota trucks for 21 yrs now, I'm all ears, but a person is just going to have a hard time convincing me to try something else with the personal track record I've had with the Toyotas.

I really don't care what other guys drive, just as I've never cared about what they thought about what I drive. And all my buddies know that, so I've really never received much grief from them.

It's fun to joke around on the forums though.

[delcecchi]

I would highly recommend a Ford f-150 from 2004-2009 with a 6.0L diesel application for towing those boats and skidders. I think you will find the reliability of this particular engine "extraordinary."

I don't think an F150 is rated to tow 20k lb. I would guess however that companies like Mercedes and Volvo among others make trucks that would work. Although pickups seem to be more an American thing.

Izuzu also has a line of trucks. I have driven one, rented for moving, and it did the job.

[1johntimm]

Some day Toyota will get into the 3/4 to 1 ton market. Then you can do your comparisons. Toyota already upped the anti when they released the 381hp V8 and now Dodge,Chevy,and Ford are trying to keep up.I've driven Toyota's for years now as well, and with the track record I'm having I'll never push a ford, dodge or chevy again.

[Valv]

So the late model F350 that's in our shop with a completely destroyed wheel bearing that took out the knuckle, caliper bracket, axle, and broke the rotor is a real truck?

Oh yea the lower ball joints are trashed as well!

How many American truck are due for a timing belt at 110,00 miles ? Oh yeah, throw in a water pump too, as might as well.

It is really sad to see people arguing and constantly beating on American made products. It's a real shame.

[goblueM]

why, shouldn't folks buy whatever product they think is the best for them? I thought that was a fairly American attitude, you know, letting the free market work

[Duffman]

I don't know what your talking about Valv, do you see me doing any bashing?

[CaptainBly]

Was I wrong in saying it was more of a maintanance issue? You can tell when a bearing is going out can't you? How many miles are on this late model ford f-350? Has is been replaced before? Who knows?

[LMITOUT]

It is really sad to see people arguing and constantly beating on American made products. It's a real shame.

Yeah but Valv, don't you understand that Toyota is an American product?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Sounds like a maintance problem, not so much whether it's American made or not.

So that's why we replace way more "american" made wheel bearings? Its not maintenance its quality.

[tonkapat]

What percentage of truck owners out there have a superduty size truck? I'd have to think it'd be pretty small.

[Jim Almquist]

Yeah but Valv, don't you understand that Toyota is an American product?

Thank you for Understanding why I started this Thread

This was started ONLY to point out that Toyota Tundra is built with more AMERICAN parts then the Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge in the 1/2 ton lineup.

I have also heard that the steel for the Tundra bodies is made from taconite from our mines right here in Minnesota.

[Dave S]

I think LMIT's comment was made with the usual sarcasm Jim.

To be perfectly honest with you, if the tariff's weren't so high, you can bet your bottom dollar that every foreign brand would be building their vehicles in their own country, including Toyota.

[LMITOUT]

I think LMIT's comment was made with the usual sarcasm Jim.

Bingo.

Toyota's are about as American as sushi and the only reason threads like this exist is guilt, otherwise why always trying to justify them?? Heck, now the steel comes from Minnesota! LOL!!! I suppose if it makes you sleep better at night, believe what you will....

[Duffman]

Guilt? LOL

I guess I feel a little guilt for not being able to give the local auto mechanics some more business.

[Dave S]

Bingo.

Toyota's are about as American as sushi and the only reason threads like this exist is guilt, otherwise why always trying to justify them?? Heck, now the steel comes from Minnesota! LOL!!! I suppose if it makes you sleep better at night, believe what you will....

I have to admit that I "used" to drive a Silverado. It was traded off yesterday for a few reasons.

1) More vehicle than I need at the moment

2) High fuel prices and an 80 mile roundtrip commute 5 days a week put a little sting in the wallet.

3) Do I dare say after 75K miles, "wear" has become a frequent issue like someone flipped a switch.

I've already replaced a transmission line and the second is going out also. The starter was replaced within the first 5k miles. The oil leak that it has now is reminiscent of the old Harley Davidsons. Oh wait, that's another American product. I can understand a quart within a thousand miles but 4? I've had the vehicle in 3 times and have been given different answers each time. Maybe it was 3 different issues.

Either way I've had enough and went German this time around. I maybe walked into another huge maintenance issue but that's for me to determine. After putting on a few hundred miles yesterday, the difference in quality is readily apparent.

[Scott K]

Dave, those arent maintenance items.

[Dave S]

you're right, I should have said wear items.