New Toyota Tundra gets 4 stars in NHTSA frontal crash test... Domestics get 5 stars

[NFS4]

pwned

Toyota's not having an easy time with the Tundra so far. It's been criticized for lacking a fully-boxed frame, the internet is alight with Tundra-hate, and now along comes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Both Regular and Double Cab variants of Toyota's intended domestic-fighter were crashed by the agency, and both only managed four stars.

While a four star crash test rating isn't horrible, the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra and Dodge Ram all have the strength to ring the 5-star bell and win the stuffed bunny. The likelihood of injuries in a Tundra could be up to 10-percent greater than the domestic brands because of its one-star deficit. The difference could also be as small as one-percent, however, so this news may not be as significant as it sounds at first blush. All we can really say with certainty is that the Tundra performs worse when crashed into a concrete barrier at 35mph than its competition.

No doubt the Tundra's performance in this test will again focus scrutiny on the truck's frame, which is not fully boxed like its competition. According to Mike Levine from Pickuptruck.com, the Tundra's frame is split into three parts and the front piece actually is boxed. However, the frame under the cab and bed are C-channel, and they are also affected by a frontal crash. As Levine told us, the rest of the Tundra's competition now has some ammo to aim back at the Tundra in their marketing efforts.

We expect that acceptance of the brawny fullsizer from Toyota will take a little while, and it may not come until the current generation Tundra is dead and buried, but when Toyota wants something, they don't mess around. They were up front in expecting the Tundra to receive five stars and a Best Pick from the IIHS, so don't expect this 4-star rating to last long.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/toyo...re-five-stars-in-nhtsa-frontal-crash-t

Posted: 01-22-07

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2007/toyota/tundra/firstdrive/page4.html

The rebuttal for Toyota to the boxed frame argument is that on the heavy-duty trucks from the domestics the frames are also C-channel. In addition, access to any harnesses or lines is easier, as is cleaning out the frame if there?s mud and dirt from off-roading duties. Toyota claims it?s easier to drive the truck under heavy payload, thereby reducing driver fatigue on long trips. It will be interesting to see how Ford?big-time proponents of the fully boxed frame?will tackle this insubordination. Although official testing numbers haven?t been released, Toyota expects to receive both a 5-star crash-test rating from NHTSA as well as a ?Best Pick? from the IIHS. If it doesn?t get these scores, that may settle the boxed-frame issue once and for all.

double pwned

 

[dug777]

What's this 'boxed-frame' stuff about?

Unibody?

Ladder-frame is the only way to go for a long lasting 4wd, so i hope that's not the issue here?

 

[spaceman]

haha the camcordy!

 

[Lounatik]

Originally posted by: dug777
What's this 'boxed-frame' stuff about?

Unibody?

Ladder-frame is the only way to go for a long lasting 4wd, so i hope that's not the issue
here?

Check it out:
here. Noice how the frame is a complete rectangle(Look to the left of the spare) Tundras are using "C" channel frames. Meaning the frame is left open on the inside thus creating a weaker structure. For the life of me I dont know why Toyota went this route. They knew going in that they could charge practically any amount they chose to and they skimped on this. It may come back an bite them in the ass big time.


Peace

Lounatik

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: dug777
What's this 'boxed-frame' stuff about?

Unibody?

Ladder-frame is the only way to go for a long lasting 4wd, so i hope that's not the issue here?

A C channel frame has one side of the frame rails open like a C. A box frame rails are inclosed well like a box. Adds a lot more strength.

 

[NFS4]

Reducing NVH is a big deal to Toyota, and a big part of that?and possibly the most controversial part of the new Tundra?is the frame. While many of us expected Toyota to build the new Tundra with a fully boxed frame, it didn?t do that. Toyota created something called a Triple Tech frame, which incorporates three unique sections. The front third is boxed for strength to carry the engine and provide frontal crash protection. The middle, where the cabin sits, is a rolled C-channel with top and bottom flanged reinforcements for strength but also to provide better ride comfort. The rear section is an open C-channel for maximum bending resistance and strength to carry heavy loads.

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2007/toyota/tundra/firstdrive/page3.html

 

[I Saw OJ]

Originally posted by: Lounatik

Originally posted by: dug777
What's this 'boxed-frame' stuff about?

Unibody?

Ladder-frame is the only way to go for a long lasting 4wd, so i hope that's not the issue
here?

Check it out:
here. Noice how the frame is a complete rectangle(Look to the left of the spare) Tundras are using "C" channel frames. Meaning the frame is left open on the inside thus creating a weaker structure. For the life of me I dont know why Toyota went this route. They knew going in that they could charge practically any amount they chose to and they skimped on this. It may come back an bite them in the ass big time.


Peace

Lounatik

$$$$

Its all about the bottom dollar.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ

Originally posted by: Lounatik

Originally posted by: dug777
What's this 'boxed-frame' stuff about?

Unibody?

Ladder-frame is the only way to go for a long lasting 4wd, so i hope that's not the issue
here?

Check it out:
here. Noice how the frame is a complete rectangle(Look to the left of the spare) Tundras are using "C" channel frames. Meaning the frame is left open on the inside thus creating a weaker structure. For the life of me I dont know why Toyota went this route. They knew going in that they could charge practically any amount they chose to and they skimped on this. It may come back an bite them in the ass big time.


Peace

Lounatik

$$$$

Its all about the bottom dollar.

It also doesn't make much sense to me given that the Tundra is also about 200 pounds HEAVIER than a comparable Silverado which is fully boxed

 

[her209]

[Beavis] You said fully boxed. [/Beavis]

 

[dug777]

I don't fully understand the issue, but don't expect Toyota to sit still on the matter

If i were to buy a Hilux, it would be the previous body, having heard some nasty stories from users of the most recent model in terms of ground clearance and general off-road ability, however...

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: dug777
I don't fully understand the issue, but don't expect Toyota to sit still on the matter

If i were to buy a Hilux, it would be the previous body, having heard some nasty stories from users of the most recent model in terms of ground clearance and general off-road ability, however...

There isn't much they can do without a full redesign of the frame.

And there isn't much to not understand about it. Here, I'll draw you a picture:

boxed_vs_c-channel.jpg

 

[Q]

That's bout the only thing us American's can make vechicle wise: Trucks!

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: dug777
I don't fully understand the issue, but don't expect Toyota to sit still on the matter

If i were to buy a Hilux, it would be the previous body, having heard some nasty stories from users of the most recent model in terms of ground clearance and general off-road ability, however...

There isn't much they can do without a full redesign of the frame.

And there isn't much to not understand about it. Here, I'll draw you a picture:

boxed_vs_c-channel.jpg

That helps me

Cheers :beer:

As i said, i'd be buying the last 'Hilux' body style (before they jumped into a cut-price 'Prado-look' ute) if i wanted real light ute...

If i wanted a real ute, i'd buy a LandCruiser 78 ute, now that's a bullet-proof ute

 

[Pocatello]

Toyota has plenty of money to correct the problem, and it better be fixed soon.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Pocatello
Toyota has plenty of money to correct the problem, and it better be fixed soon.

If you want to wait ~5 years.

 

[spaceman]

like i said in the other thread.
i'll take a silverado,sierra,f-150 and probably the dodge ram any day over the Tundra.

 

[JRich]

The Ford commercial with Mike Rowe explains it all

 

[TraumaRN]

Yea, domestic trucks > imports

For the life of me I dont know why toyota would skimp when they are trying to 'dominate' the truck market. Now this will truly come to bite them in the ass because you know Chevy, Dodge and especially Ford will attack them like none other and give people one more reason NOT to buy imports.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Pocatello
Toyota has plenty of money to correct the problem, and it better be fixed soon.

Umm you obviously do not understand why they got that rating. Toyota is not going to be changing this brand new frame any time soon, not until the next Tundra redesign. Try more like 6 years.

Also as much as I hate Toyota, this is not that big of a deal, no one buying this big of a pick up truck for their reasons (read: ego) cares about safety.

Anyway the new Silverado is still spanking the Tundra in comparisons.

 

[Vic]

Not surprising to me. Say what you will about the domestics, they know how to build a truck.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: dug777
I don't fully understand the issue, but don't expect Toyota to sit still on the matter

If i were to buy a Hilux, it would be the previous body, having heard some nasty stories from users of the most recent model in terms of ground clearance and general off-road ability, however...

I thought you hated IFS. Hilux has been IFS for a long time.

And I'd rather have my unibody solid axle Jeep than any boxed frame IFS truck.

 

[Hyperlite]

Anyone read the Pickup Comparo in that last C&D? i don't recall them addressing the frame issue, but the silverado ran them all. The F150 came in dead last, followed by the Ram, then the Tundra in third, the Titan in second, and the Silverado in first. Looks like one bada$$ truck.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
Anyone read the Pickup Comparo in that last C&D? i don't recall them addressing the frame issue, but the silverado ran them all. The F150 came in dead last, followed by the Ram, then the Tundra in third, the Titan in second, and the Silverado in first. Looks like one bada$$ truck.

I didn't like that C&D comparo. Not only did they not towing or hauling, they gave points the titan because you could slide its back end out. WTH wants to do that in a pickup, especially extended cab versions carrying possible children. They tested 0-60 times, but not loading or towing. Would you just take Dodge's word that the new viper will go 0-60 in less than 4? Or would you test it? That comparo was a joke.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
Anyone read the Pickup Comparo in that last C&D? i don't recall them addressing the frame issue, but the silverado ran them all. The F150 came in dead last, followed by the Ram, then the Tundra in third, the Titan in second, and the Silverado in first. Looks like one bada$$ truck.

I didn't like that C&D comparo. Not only did they not towing or hauling, they gave points the titan because you could slide its back end out. WTH wants to do that in a pickup, especially extended cab versions carrying possible children. They tested 0-60 times, but not loading or towing. Would you just take Dodge's word that the new viper will go 0-60 in less than 4? Or would you test it? That comparo was a joke.

Yea it definitely was a joke. Actually most C&D comparisons are a joke to that end.

 

[IGBT]

..new tundra is an odd out sized bulbus truck. the 06 style was better sized and looking.