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OT: Toyota 4.7L V8 Experiences

2K views 35 replies 23 participants last post by  rscotty 
#1 ·
I am considering the purcahse of a new Toyota Tunda. Have any of you had experience with the 4.7L V8? Thanks in advance...Randy
 
G
#8 ·
straight99,

I don't own a vehicle made by a foreign company, but Toyota does employ a lot of people I know that the Big 3 doesn't. The Toyota plant in Southern Indiana has picked up the economy in that area tremendously. The best part is that it hasn't change to good hospitality that I recieve when I make it down that way.

ec90t
 
#9 ·
With all this talk about Japanese nameplates assembled here in the U.S. not being considered "American" cars, its going to be interesting in the near future when G.M. starts importing Chinese Buicks (Chinese parts, components & labor); these, along with all the Fords built in Mexico, and Chryslers made in Canada, I guess these are all still American cars, but the Hondas, Nissans, Toyotas, Mitsubishis, Subarus, Mazdas, Hyundais, BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes assembled here in the U.S. are all still foreign cars - JoeBerg
 
#10 ·
From what I understand, the Chinese Buicks are exclusively for the Chinese market, and are not going to be (at least for now) imported to the USA.

American "nameplate" cars are made in Canada and Mexico.

American made?

Slice it any way you want.
 
#12 ·
Well I will chime in a bit. The Toyota trucks have had a good reputation but Toyota shot themselves in the foot with me on my last Toyota. I have owned 3 Toyota 4 Runners. The first one was a 1993 and at just under 40K miles (out of warranty by 2,000 miles) it blew its head gaskets and cost me 2k to fix. Then I traded it in on a brand new 1997 4 Runner, second day I owned it I had green spots all over the truck (it was silver). I took it in and Toyota had to repaint the complete truck. There was a defect in the paint, it was under the clear coat. That truck also had issues with door locks, back door wouldn't open half the time and just little crap. So like an Idiot I bought another one as a second vehicle to a Suburban I bought in 1999 (I traded the 97 toyota for it). I bought a 2001 4 Runner Limited and it had all kinds of issues. At 18k miles I had to take it in because it wouldn't shift into over drive. After 2 MONTHS!!! they finally put in a new tranny which fixed the problem. It had an internal casting problem that was keeping fluid from some tube. In the 2 months they had it I paid over 1100 bucks in payments on it and only drove it for 2 days. They did not give me a car to drive, they did not do anything for me. Then at 40k miles it had some air sensor go out and caused every idiot light on the dash to come on and it was right before I was going to sell it. That cost me 700 bucks to have replaced! So what do I think of Toyota? They are way over rated! I have bought 3 of them and all of them have given me more problems then any GM truck I have bought. In fact that 1999 Suburban was the best truck I have ever bought hands down. It never once went in for a single warranty issue, not a single thing went wrong. I drove it till over 90k miles and towed a 21 ft Ranger Boat most of those miles and it was 100% perfect. Oh and funny thing is it cost less then the Toyota and held its value very well.

I am not saying don't buy Toyota but I have to say there are lots of people who have not been happy with them. People buy a Toyota figuring they are buying the best and paying top dollar for it and find out it isnt always the case. With that being said my mom had an early 1990's Toyota Camery and had over 190k miles on it when she sold it and never had anything but maint on it. Now that is impressive. But back in 1995 at work we had a 1991 chevy truck with a V6 that had over 200k on it and was all original and we drove the crap out of it trying to kill it. I was told that truck is still on a farm working.

My thought is why does Toyota or Honda for that matte step up and offer a 10 year 100k mile warranty. The Koreans do and now GM does. If they are so freaken good then back it up with a warranty. I know it would have saved me thousands if they did. I now drive an Infiniti (Nissan product) and have to say its 10 times the car any Toyota is. More fun to drive, better built and has a 60k warranty. So why doesn't Toyota offer a better warranty? Because they don't have to because the big 3 built such crap in the 80's and Toyota was building ok cars back then but was better then the big 3 so now everyone just figures Toyota is that much better but they aren't. Toyota is not as good as people make them out to be and their service sucks serious ass. Nissan has been awesome and if I was going to buy a foreign truck I would buy a Nissan with out thinking twice. However if I was going to buy a truck it would be an American truck. In half ton I like the Chevy and in the 3/4 and up I like the new Ford Super Duty. I have never been a big Ford fan but with the 2008 they really have built an awesome truck and if the motor is as good as everyone says I would buy one.

Dave
 
#13 ·
And the profits go where?? Is a lame argument... GM spent a BILLION dollars building an engine plant in CHINA...Where did that money come from???

Look at the new GTO...Engine from China...Assembeled in Australia...Put a GM nameplate on it, call it American. Somebody will be dumb enough to believe you.

If I buy something from you, can I control what you do with the money?

I know a guy that works for German owned Chrysler...They say the profits stay here, too. Riiiiiight !

You could buy a GM Duramax diesel, they buy those from Isuzu, but the GM guys won't mention that..

To the original question:

The 4.7 is a great engine, dosen't use ANY oil between changes,has a silky smooth precision to it. Hasn't missed a beat in 5 years. Does like it's gas, though. 19 mpg highway. Pickup trucks have never been very aerodynamic. Mine was made in Indiana.

I just added a few things to a California made Tacoma. The imported parts on it were bought from GM. They made them in Mexico.

Bill
 
#14 ·
This all started in the 70's gentlemen. At one time hardly anyone would buy a foreign car but the automotive press and the media hyped the hell out of them. Add to the fact that the Japanese and most of the other oriental car companies are willing to sell cars over here at a loss to get their foot in the door, of course American companies couldn't do that because of fair trade laws. So we had a flood of Datsuns and Toyotas too cheep for many to ignore, the foreign companies got bigger and continue to take advantage of our stupid trade policys. If an American company wants to sell in Japan they have to pay very very high tarrifs to the point that their product doesn't sell. If we would just give foreign companies wanting to do bizz in our country the exact same deal they give us we could compete. The irony is the Toyota truck now gets worse gas mileage than most domestics. The fact that they set up factories here and use our labor to rape us makes no difference when you buy a Toyota you are helping the Japanese economy more than ours. And when you are buying a Mitsubushi you are paying the same guys who used American pow's as slave labor during WW11 and built the planes that attacked us at Pear Harbor. If you can sleep with that knowelege you got me beat. No Jap or Chinese cars for me ever, my father served in WW11 in the pacific and his ship was sunk by vehicles from these same companies. As far as American companies using foreign parts, we have forced all this on them by not supporting American companies. America First is a dirty saying now in too many places. It's been replaced by ME FIRST.
 
#15 ·
Bustedemall,
I understand why so many people do not want to buy cars built in Japan. I never argue with them since there are lots of choices. My Suburban got around 18 around town and 24 on the highway. It was 4x4 half ton with the 5.7l v8. never bitched about the mph on a truck that big.

I do have to say the thing about "they built the vehicles" part is a bit to far. I shoot a Krieghoff and krieghoff made weapons for the Germans. I also shoot many HK (Heckler Koch) and they also are a German company who the founders of HK built guns for the German army. I do not fault those companies. Our weapon and plane builders here for an example build items for our gov and military but do not have control over their use. You have to know that in the time many German people did not feel what Germany was doing was wrong and supported their leader. Its interesting many Americans support Bush and the war in Iraq even though many other countries and people do not. I hope some day people don't say don't buy a Boeing because its American made. It was a time of war and they where patriots of their country just as we are of ours.
 
#16 ·
I figure if my Father, a WWII Air Force veteran,(He really did shoot clay targets from the back of a moving truck), can forgive the Germans, and the Japs, and buy their cars (which he has since the 1960's),so can I. He put over 300,000 miles on a 1973 Mercedes 450. Fuel injected, overhead cam, gasoline V-8. IN 1973 !!! Turns out later, that engine was known for going 500,000 miles !

Detroit buried their heads in the sand, and said "Not invented here"...

The 4.7 is used in the Tundra, and others. Not the Tacoma, which Dad just bought, to replace his '91 toyota pickup, that has given him 231,000 trouble free miles. He dosen't drive as much as he used to...
 
#17 ·
I just turned over 104k on my 4x4 Tundra this morning to work. Only had a few issues with the truck. Had a leak in the AC lines.....bad seal replaced under warranty. Stock tires weren't the greatest either. Wore OK but snow/ice traction was poor. As far as the 4.7 motor goes, I also get about 18/19 mpg hwy. Only thing I don't like about the 4.7 is that it uses a timing belt. Cost me about $400 to have it changed as I don't have the patience or time to do it on my own.

I was a Ford man until I bought the Tundra. Got into it for 3k less than a comparable F150.
 
#18 ·
if you buy one you won't be sorry. i make all short trips with a/c on and sometimes with a heavy load. always gets 16-17 mpg. i don't go on long trips but i am sure it would go to 18mpg or better. I always had fords, would not buy a chevy or dodge. in fact i wouldn't buy anything other that a toyota now. i only wish they would import their diesel. AND they are the only truck made in the USA. the others are made mostly in mexico, canada or china. oz
 
#20 ·
The Tundra is well put together and a joy to drive.

The resale value on a Trundra is best in class.

I have 2002 Tundra 2WD with about 74,000 miles. The 4.7 V8 is wonderfully smooth and powerful. It has great acceleration when towing from about 30 to 70 mph and easily pulls my 3000 pound bass boat up the ramp.


On the road with cruse control and about 60 mph, I get about 19-20 MPG. All around driving is about 14-15 mpg.


I would buy Tundra in a heartbeat except that I would pay extra for the 5.7 liter V8 and the 6 speed automatic transmission. I know others who have this engine and transmission in 2006 Tundra and they get about 10% better gas mileage than I do.


The Tundra is an American made truck. They are made in Texas and Indiana with most parts sourced in the USA.
 
#23 ·
Well,let's see now. I own a 2000 Silverado, a 2003 Tundra, and two F-250's in my business. The Fords were just a mistake.........won't do that again.

The Chev. (with 60K miles on it so far) has had the front brakes replaced at 5K miles (recall), the tailgate straps replaced (recall), the seat belts replaced (recall), the engine developed piston slap at about 15K miles (but GM says it's not a problem, so don't worry), one of the hyd. lifters collapses every time it's parked for 3 hurs or more; the transfer case solenoid failed and I paid to replace it; the 4-Wheel Drive switch panel on the dash failed, and I paid to replace it;, the universal joints went bad at 40K, and I paid; the heater/air switches only work on the fastest fan speed; there is air trapped in the a/c hoses that won't flush out; and yesterday, the tilt steering wheel jammed in the full up position and won't release.

The Tundra? It has 171,000 on it, and yes, I did have the timing belt and the spark plugs replaced at 90,000 miles, but the mechanic said neither of them needed changing.

Wonder if I should replace my fleet with GM or Toyota?
 
#25 ·
I will let you guy argue this all you want. I do have better things to do. I will however tell you that I just purchased a Tundra 5.7 L crew max 4x4 after owning a new big 3 truck every year since 1977. The mpg on mine with 1000 miles on it 19-20 highway and 17 city. All these numbers are hand calculated. With almost 400 hp these are good if not great mpg numbers. So far I think the truck is a very nice and if my thoughts continue this way I will never own another big 3 truck again. But witch ones are the big 3. The last figures I saw were Toyota #1.
 
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