2007 Toyota Tundra...pulled the trigger

Vipergrün · 03-15-2009, 03:33 PM

After the positive posts on a previous thread I started, I decided to go for it. Got a 2007 Double Cab, SR5, 14.3K miles, bedliner, 5.7 V8, trailering mirrors, super clean. $19.5K. Basically 1/2 price from new 2 years ago.

Now I gotta figure out how to deal with the damn bucking bronco bouncing on the freeway. I have read that 'helper' leave springs may help. Or, just keep a few bags of sand in the back.

Other than that, I was getting 18MPG just cruising (and bobbing) on the freeway.

Had to tow the Subaru home. Could not even tell it was there. Gobs of power and torque.

Now, gotta get a car trailer for the p-car and I'll be set!

aigel · aigel's Garage

Now keep your fingers crossed that oil will stay low. Sounds like a nice truck - not even broken in ...

George

sammyg2 · 03-15-2009, 05:26 PM

The bed bounce is reported in only a few percent of tundras, but mine does it a little at certain speeds on certain freeways. Other than that it's nice.
I believe it has to do with the dampening frequency of the shocks and the stiffness of the tires.
Some guys say that when they replaced the stock tires with a different brand the bouncing went away completely.
Make sure you keep the tires at 30/33 psi all the time following the sticker on the door jamb. If your truck is one that bounces real bad, here's one person's fix:
http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2008/08/11/bed-bounce-treatment-the-willybar/

onewhippedpuppy · 03-15-2009, 06:29 PM

Congrats! They're great trucks. Toyota seems to always put crap tires on from the factory, so that might be a good place to start. Replacing the crap OEM Dunlops on our 4Runner made it a different car.

Vipergrün · 03-15-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Congrats! They're great trucks. Toyota seems to always put crap tires on from the factory, so that might be a good place to start. Replacing the crap OEM Dunlops on our 4Runner made it a different car.

What did you replace them with? Michelins?

thanks!

Rufblackbird · 03-16-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyg2

The bed bounce is reported in only a few percent of tundras, but mine does it a little at certain speeds on certain freeways. Other than that it's nice.
I believe it has to do with the dampening frequency of the shocks and the stiffness of the tires.
Some guys say that when they replaced the stock tires with a different brand the bouncing went away completely.
Make sure you keep the tires at 30/33 psi all the time following the sticker on the door jamb. If your truck is one that bounces real bad, here's one person's fix:
http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2008/08/11/bed-bounce-treatment-the-willybar/

thanks for the tip and link; mine bounces a bit as well.

viper - congrats on the new truck!

onewhippedpuppy · 03-16-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

What did you replace them with? Michelins?

thanks!

It's been a few years, but it was some form of Bridgestone that had good Tire Rack reviews. The ride was bad enough that I had the OEM Dunlops re-balanced multiple times as well as the alignment checked. Turns out the tires were 100% to blame.

Check Tire Rack, they've never led me astray.

Personally I think Michelins are WAY overpriced, but that's just me. I've had them on several cars and never been impressed, especially for the price.

Vipergrün · 03-16-2009, 06:47 PM

I had my first long trip in her today. I averaged 17.8 mpg overall and was getting 18-21 on the freeway with cruise set at 73. Overall I am really impressed. The "deaver" spring pack at the following site is suppose to be the best overall fix for the bouncing. I actually think the wheels are hopping, the bed bounce is a result of that.

http://www.prgproducts.com/shop/product/prg-deaver-tundra-3-leaf-spring-pack/

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

BFG AT KO. You won't believe the transformation.

Hendog · Hendog's Garage

Good goin' Viper! I got trucks on the brain these days. Congrats.