Toyota Diesels are coming.

Yes, but that is a far cry from a driveline that will absorb 650+ ftlb of torque at 20,000lb day in and day out. We routinely run over twice that torque with little or no problems, unless you do alot of donuts and burnouts with the G80 option.

Titans are blowing up the rears if they sustain 380ftb for extended periods, while it's a Nissan, it perhaps is a good barometer.

I'm certainly not saying Toyota makes an inferior product. But everyone is making the natural assumption that heavy pickup is a light pickup that weighs more, so Toyota's will be invincible. That remains to be seen. Japanese companies have never shyed away from competition, but their limited success in the 3/4-1t truck market is not for a lack of trying. Remember Toyota's 3/4t and 1t mini-trucks? Companies bought them to replace full sized HD pickups by putting flatbeds on them. They did not hold up, and for the most part vanished.

So far the Titan (first true full sized import) is getting better marks from the magazines than the owners. They advertised it with a 9200lb tow capacity, but it is strained past it's limit at that point. American trucks tend to rate payloads for worst case, imports tend to rate them at best case. Everyone has probably put 2000lb in a Japanese "1/2 ton" pickup and has seen how dangerous it is. Nobody bats an eye putting that much weight in an American 1/2 ton truck, and the same is true for towing.

Take a look at the specs, prices, and reviews of Toyota's existing 1/2 ton truck, the Tundra. It has less power, gets worse mileage, less tow capacity, and is priced the same as Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. It does have a higher "claimed" payload, but that is perhaps wishful thinking. Reviews are not that good by owners, and reliability is no better than American trucks, even though it weighs less and has a less powerful V8.

But everyone assumes that when Toyota releases a heavy diesel, history is erased, and they will fire everyone in the truck department and hire NASA engineers to staff the place. Why they don't think it will be similiar to their other "large truck" efforts is beyond me. I've driven a Toyota, and it's OK, but I do not understand what is spectacular about them.

McRat;1536070; said:

Oppss!! My bad, 59HP diesel was the last diesel Hilux in for the US market.

It's not that they lasted forever, it just felt like it.

Click to expand...

That's because the trip from 0-60 mph was over 20 seconds long


'My Hilux is faster than your Trabant'


I agree with Pat. In order for the Japanese to make something worthy of our attention, 350BHP/700TQ will be the minimum buy in if you want to be a player in the 2009 diesel truck market.

You will also need a GCVWR of 22,000 lbs or better (not just BS Payload ratings) a 6 speed automatic/7 speed manual to even be in the running.

Toyota makes a reliable product, just not in the size and capabilities we need.

my .02

Great thread. I have to agree with much of what has been said. Toyotas in general are good vehicles but the gap has closed significantly with the American automakers. In some vehicle categories, some would argue it has closed completely. An example is my wife's 06 Sequioa. Nice vehicle, but it's been in the shop once already and it just got recalled for a ball joint issue. Point is, never buy out of blind loyalty. I wanted a Tahoe but was nervous about buying the first model year.

Keep in mind the new Toyota Tundra is NOT a hit yet. Sure, it looks good on paper and will likely deliver on its promises, BUT it hasn't proven itself yet. Remember the T100? If the new Tundra does indeed prove itself, great, but it will have taken Toyota 3 tries to get it right. I would imagine it would be similar with a HD diesel. Highly unlikely they would get it right the first time.

I have to echo the comments on the Titan. Loved by magazines but has brake and rear end issues. My neighbor just traded his 05 Titan in on a Dodge Megacab after needing a new rearend after 18,000 miles towing just below the maz tow capacity.