Toyota Tundra Forum

I am very seriously shopping for a new Crewmax Ltd 4x4. I have been lurking, doing my research, but I would like to run a few notions past the Tundra veterans for verification and opinions.

I am expecting a nasty winter, I live in a very hilly western PA, in Pittsburgh. I did have little 91 Toyota 4x4 bonus cab and as much as I liked the truck the seats were cheap and would kill one's back on a long trip. With an open differential the truck was worthless on bad roads until I put a Detroit locker in.

Where do I start, I don't want to make "new guy mistakes" hence all the reading and questions.

1) I am told the OE radios suck, I was searching for a new truck with out the $4,000 radio package. Plan is a Kenwood Excelon DNX9140 head unit, Focal Polyglass speakers all around in OE locations. A modest Arc Audio mini amp which may or may not be required given the head units power and perhaps a sub woofer under a front seat?

I only drive about 5k a year, the sound system need not be state of the art competition quality. My preferred listening levels are very reasonable. System would also include 2 solid state hard disks, USB/ SATA for my 18,000 MP3's.

The head unit mentioned is also a NAV unit and a backup camera is mission critical, installed with the stereo.

2) I get mixed readings on HID's. I don't want to blind folks but I do like to evade deer. So a 5000k system is white, (preferred color) and perhaps I should get a HID replacement headlight fixtures because HID bulbs in 9007 sockets don't focus properly? Might as well HID bulb the OE fog lights also?

Would that be legal? Would it work, is it problem free?

3) Truck MUST be garaged, so Crewmax LTD std mirrors will auto fold flat for good fit in a 8' wide garage?

4) Toyota remote start is inferior so go aftermarket? Best brand?

5) On my little V6 4x4 Toyota PU the OE tune was very mild. I put on a K&N and cat back Borla and the transformation was huge. If I wanted a huge HP increase in a Tundra I'd buy the Toyota blower (I don't intend to) but with all the problems I read with cat back systems and cold air intakes with the Tundra I expect to stay stock under the hood.

6) My almost constant Co-Pilot is a 70lb puppy, he sheds. I see a need for seat covers starting on day one of ownership. Wet Okole is the preferred choice? Passenger does or does not have power adjust?

7) I use WeatherTech carpet covers in my sedan, I like them.

8) Ask the Toyota dealer to arrange the Line-X bed liner for best price?

9) Only "mod" TRD rear sway bar comes very highly recommended, roads around here are like toboggan runs in winters. I don't off road so long wheel travel is not an issue.

10) Sand Beige Interior would do the best job hiding fawn colored dawg hair but I was cautioned it can be difficult to keep clean. I'd like the "red stone" interior but it seems to only come with a black exterior which would not be my first choice.

11) Some door sill protectors cover much better than others? Suggestions from happy owners?

Thanks in advance, this will be my first Tundra, but I'd like to buy it like it was my 2nd, will a little help from my friends.

Timothy

Lots of questions.

1. Doubt a sub would fit under the front seat. Maybe an 8" in a small box.
2. HID bulbs in stock halogen lenses are illegal.
3. Not sure but should fit.
4. Do an aftermarket alarm/remote start. Brand depends on remote features you want.

6. Passenger seat in the limited is electric.

8. Make sure they use Line-X if you want Line-X. They might get a good price if they use them a lot. Make sure you get the Line-X warranty if the dealer gets it done.

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2007 SR5 Crewmax 5.7L 4x4
Mods: nerf bars, Truxedo tonneau, radar detector power, 3M clear bra, fog lights, black billet grille, rear differential breather, parking sensors, Line-X, power tailgate lock, hood safety latch mod, one off driving lights behind grille, Pioneer NAV w/ OEM camera, Flowmaster 50 SUV dual/dual, blue LED dash lights, Volant CAI, Llumar tint, CompuStar Pro alarm, ProComp 6066 20" wheels, Cooper Zeon LTZ 275/60/20 tires, OME HD coilover lift, Firestone helper air bags, stereo cable lock, Tekonsha P3 brake controller
All mod descriptions and pictures © 2007-2009 by Toxarch. They may be copied only for personal use and the mods may be done for non-profit only.

Welcome aboard from South GA!

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Thank you for the info,

By way of further introduction?

I'm retired, I don't drive that much every year. But my folks are still around and getting to the age where I rather drive them myself when ever possible. 90% of the time the rear seats will folded up to keep the dog hair off of them.

I looked seriously at an Acura MDX, I liked it but the side view mirrors do not remotely fold back, and the bed is a plus. A 3rd row seat for me is a total waste.. My neighborhood is such, (and my temper) that a garage is the best way to keep the locals 100% honest.

I am a Penn State mining engineer as an undergrad, then I worked IT for a few decades before retirement. I own a car club website V8SHO.COM and still edit every day. Still own the SHO. But have retired as moderator and webmaster. About 5 years of unpaid responsibility is enough for anyone.

I have worked out west exploring for coal reserves, done a fair amount of daily off road in my time. Here in PA off road opportunities are very limited, and this isn't a work truck either. After 35 years of work trucks this will be my personal use vehicle.

A sub woofer is not mission critical, nice, but not essential.

Trying to do the HID plan well, are HID conversions where the entire lens assembly is replaces of quality and perform well?

RE: 8' garage door. I know a F150 fits well with the mirrors folded back. My driveway is short and steep. With nasty ground conditions the more room for error the better.

Line-X does seem to be the favorite. When called a Line-x shop the owner recommends a black liner for white trucks. I understand that could wait but I think why not now? Since I do haul a Cannondale bike about a bed cover is not desired.

One other thing, I have been told that the bed on a Tundra sits much lower than on a K-10 or F150. So the rear "Man Step" is not as desirable for some one like me who is 6'1".

I am shopping 20" rims, I'd like a set of plain steel winter rims with real snow tires. Then run all season or highway ribs the other 3 seasons of the year.

Thank you for the welcome Marky & Toxarch. Any other points of view?

Welcome to the forum Timothy,

I have put about 96K miles on the sandy beige interior (90K on my old '07 and ~ 6700 on my new '10) and have had no problems keeping it clean. I have heard good reviews of the Wet Okole brand of seat covers though.

I disagree about the height of the bed. I think the rear bumper of the Tundra is at the same height (or higher) than the other 1/2 ton pickups on the market currently. The integrated step in the tailgate that Ford has is a nice idea. Would not buy one just for that though!!

re.ac.tor

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'10 CM SR5 4x2, S.A. Built & Purchased Sept '09, 5.7L, Sandy Beach Metallic, Drug Information in Lay Language

Thank you for the welcome, Re.ac.tor

the step is an official Toyota accessory, mounted to one side.

I don't know how long I have my OE knees and hip, so I'll hid my pride and consider the step if I need it.

I see if I can attach a image file.

Sorry I can't attach the image I get a message about a missing DLL

TJW,

Have a look at this thread about posting pics:

http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/new...your-post.html

It should help. Let us know if you are still having difficulty and we will see what we can do to help!

re.ac.tor